Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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

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...

i have had this camera for 2 weeks now, getting from Dell home, i think the price is alright but the images were blurry. I think you need to hold the camera real still when you take pictures. Also the flast seems to go off too easily. It seems unnecessary in areas which has ample light for flight to go off. Of coursee can be manually overide but each off / on requires resetting again, seems very bothersome. I am still learning how to use this camera so watch for more comments in due course. It is best to buy a case for this early on cause it could easily get knocked around and scratched. For power, for sure use NiCd for digi camera type, they seem to work the best.
Updated Nov 16, 2003 I now have this camera for a few more weeks. The rechargable battery I use is the NiMH type 2100 mAH, this is the type which works the best as it lasts a long time, I also got myself a 256 mb SD Media memory card. This camera has some interestig features such as movie with sound, 9 minishots onto one pictures so you can get somee pretty funny situations / faces. You would need to be grapping this camera tight when you shot to get better picture otherwise it gets fuzzy, and you need to get a soft case to put it in so that it does not get scratched up especially the screen on the back. Annoyed at the auto flash, it goes off even under outdoor lights and I need to find ways to stop the flash going off, I have been shutting it off manually but each time turn off / on I need to do this again, perhaps I have to read the manual further......I have revised this to 4 * , more satisfied than 3 weeks ago

I bought and then lost this little camera on a trip to Tokyo, Japan. It is quite a lovely little digicam that looks cool and works well. The positives are that it is lightweight, easy to use, easy to transfer photos, simple to handle and the quality of the photos is great for a 2 MP camera. If you are looking for a camera that will take large-print pictures, this is not your camera because come on! don't spend money on a 2 MP camera if you want 5 MP quality. The options for taking the pictures are very fun to play with. With a large memory card, you can store a large amount of snapshots.

The drawbacks include short battery life. The camera just drains the two AA batteries too quickly. The setting have to be reset everytime the camera is turned off. The shutter release time is bit slow.

Buy this camera if you only wish to spend under $200 on a digicam that takes nice, but not exceptional, quality pictures. Definitely shop around and if you can afford the extra hundred, look into getting a higher MP camera. This probably would make a nice gift for a teenager or child. Minolta has the sleekest designs around.

The Minolta Dimage X20 is great. For its size it offers very impressive features. The 3x optical zoom is excellent because its internal so you don't have to mess around with a lens slide. It doesn't even look like this camera could have a zoom lens but Minolta did a wonderful job. I don't miss the viewfinder in my old digital camera at all.

It takes good quality digital photo's if you're not a professional. I think the majority of the people buying this camera will be happy with the quality. Its also very easy to use. It has a good graphical interface system so you'll get used to changing settings in no time.

With a 256mb sd memory card I can record 12 minutes of video and audio in Quicktime. The included 8mb memory card isn't enough in my opinion. Minolta should include more memory.

Its very small in size so its easy to take with you pretty much everywhere. You may want to use a small case as it can get scratched or damaged if you rough it up.

If your only going to use it for small sized pictures and prints its perfect because most likely you won't be needing anything better than a 2.1 mega pixel camera anyway.

Overall a really great camera for the price and I'd highly recommend it. Its selling for well under $200 everywhere I've looked!

I bought this little beauty because it was the smallest 2Mp camera I could find, that still has
some sort of zoom. the features are nice and I like the quality of the prints it makes. Since i've gotten this thing, I've taken about 2000 photos, and lots of movies.
CONS:
the delay before and after taking the picture can be trying on your patience. It waits about 1 1/2 seconds to TAKE the photo, then 3 seconds to save it, before you can take the next photo. Also the Timer is a bit strange. It takes the photo, then automatically returns to Single shot. So.... If you don't like the photo, you have to go clicking through the menus again to take another photo. It sucked when we were trying to get a bunch of Halloween photos with everyone in them.
ALSO!!!!! The battery dies in COLD WEATHER!!! I charge the battery full, then go snowboarding. I take 3 photos and then it tells me that the battery is Exhausted. Grrrr....
If you keep the camera under your jacket (close to your body) it will last longer. That reminds me..... the battery light is stupid. It is a full batter symbol, without bars. Instead, it changes color to let you know the battery life. White is FULL, really light gray (off white) is half full. And RED is you got a few seconds left.
Despite the short comings of the camera, I take it everywhere, and shoot a lot of photos. Get the leather pouch, and get yourself a good size memory card. Get it on line. You can find them for 1/2 the price you'd pay in a store. It comes with an 8Mb card.
yeah. 8 Mb. You get to take FOUR photos with that. Get a 256.
Oh, the movies are decent for web, but to put on a DVD, they are a bit grainy. What do you expect? It's a Picture camera, not a Movie camera.
have fun!

I was really stuck between this and a coolpix 2200, which my friends all have, also I had a Coolpix 4500 which I really loved. Upon first using the X20 I was initially dissappointed by the grainy image that showed on the LCD (There is no viewfinder.) However after depressing the button for autometering, then taking the picture the result was fantastic, even though the object was only inches away from the camera, (a feat my coolpix has never been able to pull off!) The lens conver, (which retracts like a G5 CD drive cover,) is also very clever, and nullifys my worries over having to buy a case. Overall the camera seems well designed for sticking in a pocket and going, and pulling out a snapping great pics/small movies at a party or whatever. Also pictures can be taken more quickly after one another than with the 4500.

Bought the camera for a bike tour and carried it with me everywhere I went. Great camera and great pictures. Easy on and off, easy to download.

Being such a small camera, it fits either in a shirt pocket or bike jersey. Because it is so small, you tend to take it with you, giving you an opportunity to take pictures that you normally can't.

The lens in internal so you don't have that annoying delay as the lens automatically screws out.

Only reason it doesn't get five stars; there is no view finder except an LED screen. Works great indoor and in the shade. Direct sunlight makes it tough to see the image. For the $, a great buy.

I have had this camera for 8 months and I like it. I wanted a camera that was small and not expensive and this one was the best for me. I gave it only 4 stars because I have to modify the flash settings too often in order to get the best quality pictures.