Minolta Dimage X20 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

by Minolta

Product Details

Product Manual [3.00mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 3.4 x 2.6 inches ; 4.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000AQFUR
• Item model number: 2787-301
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,348 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 3, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Tiny, yet full of digital photography power, the Minolta Dimage X20 is so small and light it can be slipped into a pocket or bag as easily as a wallet. It's the world's smallest and lightest 2-megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom (as of June, 2003). It also features an ultra-fast start-up time, movie mode with sound, and a built-in flash.

Optics and Resolution
The Dimage X20 features a 2-megapixel resolution that produces images up to 1600 x 1200 pixels for prints up to 8 x 10 inches. Other resolution modes include 1280 x 960 and 640 x 480. Thanks to the unique folded optics design, the Dimage X20's distinctive, non-protruding 3x zoom lens technology keeps the X20 ultra-compact and thin. It also has a 4x digital zoom.

Movie and Audio Modes
The XR (extended recording) movie mode enables you to capture as much video as will fit on your memory card. Video is captured with sound at 15 frames per second at resolutions of 320 x 240 and 160 x 120. You can also capture up to 15-second voice memos, or append a 15-second note to images.

More Features
Capture images quickly and quietly with the X20's 1-second activation, 0.1-second shutter release time lag, and 0.2-second playback interval.

Minolta’s new multi-frame drive mode allows you to capture nine action-stopping frames of a single event in one picture. The nine images are laid out in a 3 X 3 grid in a single frame.

The DiMAGE X20’s e-mail copy function makes a 640 X 480 or 160 X 120 JPEG copy of an image on the memory card so that it can be easily transferred over the Internet.

Other features include:

• 1.6-inch LCD screen with anti-reflection coating
• Built-in flash with Autoflash, Autoflash with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Flash cancel, Night portrait modes
• Shutter speed: 4 seconds to 1/1000 second
• 10-second self timer

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards; an 8 MB SD card is included. When shooting in Standard 2-megapixel mode, you can store 12 images on the included memory card. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by two AA batteries (alkalines included, rechargeable NiMH batteries recommended). It measures 3.39 x 2.64 x 0.93 inches and weighs 4.1 ounces (excluding battery).

What's In The Box
This package includes the Dimage X20 digital camera, 8 MB Secure Digital memory card, two AA alkaline batteries, USB and AV cables, neck strap, and CD-ROM with Dimage Viewer software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

From the Manufacturer

Minolta introduces the Dimage X20, the world's smallest and lightest 2-megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom (as of June 15, 2003). This tiny new fun and easy to use digital camera incorporates numerous creative features such as slide show playback, self-portrait mode, multi-frame drive mode, Image Pasting, movie mode, noise reduction function and web communications capability. The new Minolta Dimage X20 combines responsive performance and a user-friendly design with the incredible non-extending zoom lens and fast startup time inherited from Minolta's Dimage X series of digital cameras. A user simply turns the camera on, and in one second the camera is ready to take pictures.

Creative Control
Unique to the Minolta Dimage X20 is a self-portrait mode. While holding the camera at arm's length, the use of the specially curved mirror on the front of the Dimage X20 allows users to correctly compose a picture of themselves and a friend without having to hand the camera off to a stranger.

Minolta's new multi-frame drive mode, captures nine sequential frames of a single event in one picture like the reaction of a friend as they walk in on a surprise party. The nine images are laid out in a 3 x 3 grid in a single frame.

The portrait mode controls exposure, flash, and image processing to emphasize the subject's natural skin tone. And for something a little different, images can be captured in one of five monochrome modes; the traditional grays of black and white, the warmth and ageless quality of sepia, or red, green, and blue tones to add fun or feeling.

Image Pasting allows one image to be placed within another for a creative touch. After choosing the background image, a user simply selects the frame shape and size and positions it over the chosen background image. The live image is displayed inside the selected frame. After composing the subject in the frame the user presses the shutter button to embed and save the image.

But the Minolta Dimage X20 will do more than just take photographs. XR (Extended Recording) movie processing allows digital video with audio to be captured and played back. The length of the XR movie is only limited by the memory card capacity and image size. Two image sizes can be selected: 160 x 120 pixels and 320 x 240 pixels.

For the more serious photographer, the Dimage X20 features a 3 x 3 graphic menu that provides easy and quick access to the camera's controls. Camera settings are changed with a simple five-way controller on the back of the camera.

The Dimage X20 makes face-to-face conversations possible with friends or family that have moved away when it is used as a remote camera for web communication. Using the supplied USB cable a photographer can connect the camera to a computer with a Microsoft Windows operating system and a compatible application such as Microsoft Net Meeting.

Camera Features
The Dimage X20 is built around a high-precision electro-optical system designed to maximize image quality. The system uses a 2.1 megapixel 1/3.2-type interline primary-color CCD with 2.0 million effective pixels for fine images. This pixel resolution can produce letter size 150dpi prints or postcard size photo-quality prints.

The Dimage X20 uses Minolta's unobtrusive non-extending zoom lens. This revolutionary design uses internal folded optics, which does not change the slim profile of the camera even while recording. The 3x optical zoom, equivalent to a 37-111mm lens on a 35mm camera, is assisted by a 4x digital zoom giving a seamless zoom range of 12x.

Dark noise, a persistent problem in digital photography, manifests itself by giving a grainy or sandy appearance to images taken with long exposures. The Dimage X20 combats this with a noise-reduction function that automatically activates for exposures of one second or longer.

The camera's high-performance five-point autofocus system makes taking beautiful, sharp images simple. Place the subject anywhere within the extra-wide focus frames and the camera will do the rest. The camera uses visual and audio signals to confirm focus.

Close-up pictures can be made with the Dimage X20. The lens focuses down to 3.9 inches at all focal lengths without the need of a separate function. This covers an area of about 1.6 x 1.2 inches.

One of the most popular features of digital photography is being able to see pictures immediately. The Dimage X20 makes viewing digital pictures easier than ever. With the press of a single button, users can access their recorded images. VGA (640 x 480) JPEG files of the user's images can be collected in one folder so they can be shared by using either the camera as an electronic photo album or by sending them via e-mail. Images can also be played back like a slide show complete with dissolves, wipes, and fades either on the camera's LCD panel or on a TV or computer screen. Vertical images can also be rotated for horizontal viewing from within the camera--an added benefit for slide show viewing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars IMPORTANT SERVICE ADVISORY, January 17, 2006

By 

M. Heeg - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minolta Dimage X20 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

In Feb 2004 I purchased this camera and was well pleased with it. However, by the end of 2005, the viewing screen suddenly went blank and would register no images although the rest of the camera (the menu, functions, modes and flash) were responding fine. I set it aside and finallly found a service advisory regarding this product and 150 other digital camera and camcorders thatt use image sensors manufactured by Sony's semiconductor group. The glue holding the CCD and wiring can decompose and disconnect the image sensor, causing distorted or no images. To request service for this model Konica Minolta, call toll free 1-888-473-2656 (I was unable to get through on this line repeatedly), or 1-201-574-4000. Tell them you know about the service advisory. They will email you a service form and ask you to send in the camera. I can't rate this product because I am just mailing my camera back tomorrow. Manufacturers are claiming they will repair the problem after the warranty period is ended.

Here is the website that describes the problem: http://davesgarden.com/place/t/552292/

Defective models were sold by Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji and Minolta.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great super compact camera, September 28, 2003

By 

Bart Willems (Elmwood Park, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Minolta Dimage X20 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I have the X20 for about a week now - and it doesn't dissapoint me. This is my 2nd digital camera. I choose it because it's small size, and the fact that it uses regular AA batteries so you'll always have a backup for power.
Picture quality is good, though the flash lacks power; indoor flashes do look a bit pale (compared to Canon A20). Outdoor seems to overexpose a little bit. Outdoor shots can be hard because the viewfinder is missing.
For my goal - point and shoot - very good camera. Don't expect top-of-the line image quality - but for it's size it's definitely acceptable

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AA++ (2003) ... (after 2 years...an F- ), December 21, 2003

By 

Felipe Suarez Fernandez "www.felipesuarez.com" (San Jose , Costa Rica.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Minolta Dimage X20 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I bought:the camera (Dec 2003),a 128mb card and the $9 travel case and i couldnt be happier ! I love my new camera .Literally ,after just opening it and turning it on i was taking pictures .And the same for saving them on my computer.
This camera has everything: A zoom that doesnt show, lens cover, size: Super SMALL even with the carry case, fast start up, Video w Audio,webcam,etc. You can read all the great features above but overall its the best buy i have done in a long time because it is very well built ,SMALL!, and also very stylist so everyone will notice this great gadget.
That little mirror on the front is excellent for pics w friends.
The shutter lag is the only thing i have against it(about a sec tops).But not in a bad way because i still LOVE my new mini cam.And Minolta is a very good company.
The delivery was EXC and the camera 10x more !!
Great Buy !
I researched for about 6 days for the best ,Cheapest and smallest cameras with lens cover and video and etc ...And i really think i found it !
Must have:Rechargable batteries and charger .(also 128mb card and a case!)

update (Dec 19, 2005): a few months ago, my camera stopped working. It started showing weird lines in the screen and now it is black and it doesnt take pictures. I believe the light chip died. It lasted for 2 years...