Minolta X31 : ultra compact but has limitations (Konica Minolta Dimage X31)

Member Name: Aedmynde

Product:	Konica Minolta Dimage X31
Date:	08/09/05 (98 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very small , fits in any pocket , sleek design , fast start up , simple point and shoot

Disadvantages: poor focussing in dim light , no optical viewfinder , hungry on batteries , no sound on movies

Very compact and lightweight , it is ideal as an anywhere , anytime camera as it fits in any shirt/trouser pocket or takes up little room in a bag. (3.4x2.6x0.9 inches ; 174 grams)
It has a 3x optical zoom (far superior to digital zoom )
3.2 megapixel should take sharp photos up to print size 8x10 but it is let down by lens quality.
Pictures are only sharp when taken in very bright light.
As the zoom lens is all internal-it doesn't telescope out-start up is very quick , but time between photos is slow.
Movie quality is moderate with no sound , but duration only limited by memory card size.
It uses SD memory cards which are very small and high quality.
So literally hundreds of photos can be stored on tiny cards.
It downloads to computer via USB (or quicker and save on battery life if you use a card reader)
The AA batteries don't last long so it is advisable to get rechargeables ( and spares !)
There is no optical viewfinder , only the LCD screen which means you can't see the subject in bright sunlight or the result.
The major flaw is poor autofocussing in dim light.Certainly night photography is a no no, but even dubdued indoor lighting eg parties , pub , restaurant , historic house interior or castle renders the camera incapable of focussing and the result is a total blur. Most other digital cameras cope perfectly well in these situations.
Need to buy additionally : larger memory card (128 ideal)
2 sets rechargeable batteries
battery charger
AC adaptor ? (expensive)
card reader (better option and
saves battery life)
small camera case

Summary: Useful as a second camera for daytrips not dimlight , small , competitively priced

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