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Konica Minolta DiMAGE E323 Digital Camera

	Camera QuickLook
	Review Date	03/17/2004
	User Level	Novice to Experienced
	Product Uses	Family / Travel
	Digicam Design	Point and Shoot
	Picture Quality	Very Good, 3.2-megapixel CCD (with interpolation to 6.0 megapixels)
	Print Sizes	4x6 to 8x10 inches, 11x17 inches with interpolation
	Availability	Now
	Suggested Retail Price (At introduction)	$249

 

Introduction

Review Links Overview Picky Details Design Operation Recommended Accessories Test Images Specifications Conclusion

The Konica Minolta DiMAGE E323 is the latest entry-level digicam from Minolta. While the E323 marks the entry point for the Konica Minolta digital camera lineup, it's by no means a stripped-down model. - And despite it's largely automatic operation, the DiMAGE E323 can handle a surprisingly wide range of applications and shooting conditions. While not the most compact of the line, the Konica Minolta E323 is small and portable, with a stylish body that should satisfy the tastes of more fashionable users. With a 3x optical zoom lens and 3.2-megapixel CCD that interpolates to six megapixels, the E323 is a fun, versatile digicam. Read on for all the details!

Camera Overview
Housed in a compact, lightweight case, Konica Minolta's DiMAGE E323 is one of the smaller members of the DiMAGE line (though not as tiny as the DiMAGE X series). With a stylish, silver body accented by a light blue front panel, the E323 is fashionable as well as portable. Measuring 3.9 x 2.4 x 1.4 inches (99 x 62 x 35 millimeters) and weighing 5.1 ounces (145 grams) without the battery or SD memory card, the E323 should fit into shirt pockets and most purses. A wrist strap comes with the camera, to provide a little extra security when leaning over railings or taking pictures on unstable ground. The E323 features a 3.2-megapixel CCD that interpolates to 6.0 megapixels for printing larger images. (There are also smaller resolution settings more friendly for general purpose photography and email attachments.) The camera's 3x telescoping lens is protected by a built-in, shutter-like lens cover, that automatically opens when the camera is powered on. With its fairly flat body panels and trim design, the E323 should be quick on the draw, less likely to hang on pockets.

Built into the DiMAGE E323 is a 3x, 5.6-16.8mm lens (the equivalent of a 36-108mm lens on a 35mm camera), made up of seven elements in six groups. Maximum aperture ranges from f/2.8 to f/4.9, depending on the lens zoom position. Focus ranges from 4.3 inches (11 centimeters) to infinity in normal mode, with the macro setting ranging from 4.3 to 19.7 inches (11 to 50 centimeters). The E323 uses a multi-area AF system, which automatically bases focus on the part of the subject closest to the lens. The selected area is then highlighted on the LCD display when the Shutter button is halfway pressed. There's also a Landscape mode, which fixes focus at infinity. In addition to the 3x optical zoom, the E323 also offers as much as 4x digital zoom, effectively increasing the camera's zoom capabilities to 12x. (Although I always remind readers that digital zoom always decreases the overall image quality because it simply enlarges the central pixels of the CCD's image; you can get the same result by simply cropping the image in a computer after capture.) The E323 has a real image optical viewfinder, as well as a 1.6-inch LCD monitor for composing images. The LCD display reports the frame number, camera mode, selected focus area, and battery level.

Exposure remains under automatic control on the E323, though the camera does offer a handful of scene modes for special shooting situations. A basic Mode switch on the rear panel controls whether the camera is in Playback or Record modes, as well as whether or not the LCD display is on. By default, the camera is automatically placed into Auto record mode when powered on. Through the Record menu, however, you can select Sports, Portrait, Landscape, Night View, Cosmetic, or Slim preset scene modes. Regardless of mode, the camera remains in charge of aperture and shutter speed (which ranges from 1/2,000 to two seconds). Sports mode employs faster shutter speeds, to freeze fast moving action. Portrait mode uses a larger aperture setting for decreased depth of field, which results in a sharply-focused subject in front of a slightly blurred background. Landscape mode fixes focus at infinity and increases the depth of field so that the background and foreground are in sharp focus. Night View mode balances the flash with the ambient exposure to get good night portraits with plenty of background detail. (You can disable the flash as well, for night scenes.) Cosmetic mode optimizes the camera for more appealing portraits, and lowers the in-camera sharpening just slightly, for softer skin tones. Finally, Slim mode changes the horizontal or vertical proportions of the subject, using digital zoom to "stretch" the image, thus making your subjects look like they lost a few pounds. (This is the first time I can recall seeing this particular feature on a digicam - Makes me want to keep an E323 in my bathroom, next to the scales!)

Though you can't directly select the shutter speed or aperture, you can increase or decrease the exposure from -2 to +2 exposure equivalents (EV) in one-third-step increments by pressing the right and left arrow keys on the rear panel. (You can also change the setting through the Record menu.) The E323 doesn't offer a manual sensitivity setting, but the camera automatically adjusts the ISO value from 50 to 200, depending on the available light. White Balance options include Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Incandescent, and Fluorescent settings, which adjust the color balance for most commonly-encountered lighting conditions. The DiMAGE E323's built-in flash operates in Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-Flash, or Suppressed. (In Night View mode, the camera automatically times the flash with the slower exposure, similar to the Slow-Sync setting on other digicams.) Konica Minolta rates the E323's flash as useful from 0.4 to 9.8 feet (0.11 to 3.0 meters), depending on the lens zoom position.

In Movie exposure mode, the camera captures 320 x 240 or 160 x 120-pixel resolution moving images (without sound), for as long as the memory card has available space. The camera's Self-Timer mode provides either a two- or 10-second delay between the time the Shutter button is pressed and the time that the camera actually takes the picture, allowing you to get into your own shots. For shooting fast action subjects, the DiMAGE E323's Standard and Best Select Continuous Advance modes capture a rapid series of images while you hold down the Shutter button, much like a motor drive on a traditional 35mm camera. The number of images in a series and the actual frame rate of capture will vary depending on the resolution and quality settings, as well as the amount of available memory card space. The Best Select option captures a maximum of four images in quick succession, then lets you select the best one of the four to save. (The remaining three are deleted.) Both Movie and Continuous Advance modes offer a limited selection of preset scene modes as well.

The DiMAGE E323 stores its images on SD/MMC memory cards, and a 16MB SD card accompanies the camera. I highly recommend picking up a larger capacity card right away, so you don't miss any important shots, especially given the camera's 6.0-megapixel interpolated resolution setting. This card will only hold five to six images at this setting. Connection to a host computer for image download is via USB, and the necessary cable accompanies the camera. The camera utilizes either two AA-type batteries or a single CR-V3 battery for power, and a set of single-use alkaline batteries accompanies the camera. As always, I recommend picking up an additional set of rechargeable NiMH batteries and a good charger, and keeping a set freshly charged at all times. Click here to read my "battery shootout" page to see which batteries currently on the market are best, or here for my review of the Maha C-204F charger, my long-time favorite. That said, the E323 does offer extensive power-save settings, letting you select separate shutdown times for when the camera's in record mode, playback mode, and when using the optional AC adapter. The optional AC adapter is also useful for preserving battery power when reviewing and downloading images, or when viewing images and movies on a television via the supplied video cable.

Basic Features

• 3.2-megapixel CCD for a maximum resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels (interpolates to 6.0 megapixels, or 2,880 x 2,160 pixels).
• Real-image optical viewfinder.
• 1.6-inch color TFT LCD monitor.
• 3x, 5.6-16.8mm lens, equivalent to a 36-108mm lens on a 35mm camera.
• 4x digital zoom.
• Automatic exposure control, plus six preset scene modes.
• Shutter speeds from 1/2,000 to two seconds.
• Maximum aperture f/2.8 to f/4.9, depending on lens zoom position.
• Built-in flash with four modes.
• SD/MMC memory card storage, 16MB SD card included.
• Images saved as JPEG files.
• Power supplied by two AA-type batteries, one CR-V3 battery, or optional AC adapter.
• DiMAGE Viewer software, QuickTime Viewer, and USB drivers included for both Windows and Mac platforms.

Special Features

• Movie recording mode (without sound).
• Standard and Best Select Continuous Advance shooting modes.
• Two- and 10-second Self-Timer modes for delayed shutter release.
• White balance (color) adjustment with five modes.
• USB Direct-Print capability.
• Video cable for connection to a television set.
• USB cable for connection to a computer (driver software included).

Recommendation
Small, sleek, and very portable, the DiMAGE E323 is the newest addition to the point-and-shoot end of Konica Minolta's DiMAGE line. With automatic exposure control, the E323's point-and-shoot style will appeal to novices who want to keep things simple, while offering a range of preset scene modes for more challenging situations. The 3.2-megapixel CCD delivers good quality images, with enough resolution to make sharp 8x10 prints, and interpolates to 6.0 megapixels for prints as large as 11x17 inches, although the interpolated images don't really gain any additional resolution. Smaller image size settings are available for general use or email distribution. The E323 is compact enough for travel, and has enough flexibility to handle most average shooting situations well.

 

Design
Konica Minolta's DiMAGE series of digicams is known for quality and technological innovation, offering an array of digital cameras to suit a wide range of experience levels and price points. Coming in at the point-and-shoot end of the line is the DiMAGE E323, with full automatic exposure control and only a handful of features. Though not as compact as the DiMAGE X series of digicams, the E323 is small and sleek, with smooth panels to make it pocket friendly. The E323's rectangular body doesn't offer much of a hand grip, but a raised bump on the front panel provides a small finger grip, balanced by a series of smaller raised bumps on the rear panel. Measuring 3.9 x 2.4 x 1.4 inches (99 x 62 x 35 millimeters), the DiMAGE E323 should fit into larger shirt pockets without trouble. The camera's plastic body helps keep the weight down, at 5.1 ounces (145 grams) without the batteries and memory card. A wrist strap accompanies the camera for easy toting, but I'd recommend picking up a small camera case to protect the matte-silver finish when traveling.

The E323's front panel is distinguished by a light blue accent piece at the very top, which blends well with the light silver body and gives it a retro 1960's or 70's feel. The lens, flash, optical viewfinder window, and self-timer LED are the only features on the front panel. When powered on, the lens extends just a little over half an inch from the camera front, but retracts flush with the front panel when powered off. A shutter-like lens cover automatically slides out of the way to reveal the lens, and eliminates the need for a lens cap. In the lower right corner is the raised bump that serves as a moderately effective finger grip.

The right side of the E323 (as viewed from the rear) simply features the wrist strap attachment eyelet.

On the opposite side of the camera are the DC In and Video Out/USB jacks. They are not protected by a rubber door, as has become common among digital cameras, so it should be protected from dust, dirt, and debris with a case if it's going to ride around in a bag or backpack.

The DiMAGE E323's top panel holds only the Power and Shutter buttons, both on a slightly raised panel.

The remaining camera controls are on the rear panel, along with the optical viewfinder and 1.6-inch color LCD monitor. Lining up on the right side of the LCD monitor are the Mode switch, Menu, and Flash / DPOF buttons. The Zoom buttons are in the top right corner, with the Four-Way Arrow pad and OK button directly below. A small LED light next to the viewfinder eyepiece lights or flashes to indicate camera status, such as when the flash is charging or the autofocus system is having trouble. Also on the rear panel is a line of raised bumps that serves as a mild thumb grip when holding the camera in your right hand.

The E323's bottom panel is flat, with a plastic threaded tripod mount just about center, and the battery and memory card compartment on the right. Unfortunately, the tripod mount is too close to the battery compartment to allow quick battery changes while working on a tripod. Though this won't likely pose a problem for most of the E323's users, I do generally appreciate being able to quickly change out batteries or the memory card when working with a tripod. Still, the side access of the DC In jack means you could quickly connect the accessory AC adapter when in a bind. The battery door is a little on the cheap side, with molded plastic parts for retention, so users should be careful when opening and closing this door.

 

Camera Operation
With only a handful of external controls and a concise LCD menu system, the DiMAGE E323's user interface is straightforward and easy to grasp, with nice little assistant windows to more fully explain a given item. The Mode switch on the rear panel controls the camera's main operating mode (as well as the status of the LCD display), while a very short LCD menu offers basic camera settings. Features like optical zoom, flash mode, Exposure Compensation, Macro mode, and the Self-Timer can be accessed externally, while the remaining settings require the LCD menu. Once activated, the LCD menu is actually quite short, and doesn't require too much effort to navigate. Additionally, the Setup menu is available at all times, so you can quickly access main camera settings. Given the camera's straightforward setup and user-friendly design, most users should be able to operate the camera right out of the box, referring to the manual only for more complex operations. I especially like how easy it is to change EV settings in any record mode: just press the left and right nav buttons and the EV selector bar appears across the bottom of the screen. If other cameras had this feature so readily available, photographers would be more likely to use it.

Record-Mode Viewfinder Display: In Record mode, options for the LCD display are simply on or off:, there are no options for more or less information in the display. With the mode selector switch at the top, you're in LCD capture mode; with it set in the middle, or "VF" mode, you're in optical viewfinder only mode, meaning that the LCD will be off. Information shown in LCD capture mode includes camera mode, exposure mode, flash status, exposure compensation (if a compensation adjustment has been made), white balance setting (if something other than "Auto" is selected), image size and quality setting, drive mode (single, continuous, movie, etc.), and the number of shots remaining on the memory card. The selected AF area appears when the Shutter button is halfway pressed. Overall, the viewfinder display information is clear and smartly arrayed for a very good interface.

Playback-Mode Viewfinder Display: In Playback mode, the LCD display reports only the date of the captured image. You can use the Zoom buttons to enlarge the captured image, or display a nine-image index of the images on the memory card. (Image numbers are displayed during the index display.) You can also capture a snapshot of an image by zooming in as far as you like and pressing the shutter button. A new image is then saved.

 

External Controls

 

Continuous Advance Record Mode: In this mode, the camera captures a rapid series of images at quick frame intervals. The total number of images in the series and the interval rate depend on the resolution and quality settings, as well as the amount of available space on the memory card. The LCD menu offers the following options:

• Mode: Sets main record mode to Single, Continuous Advance, Movie, or Setup.
• Scene Selection: Sets the preset scene mode to one of the following;
  • Auto: Places the camera in control over the entire exposure, including aperture and shutter speed, with the user only in control of flash mode, zoom, macro mode, and file size and quality settings.
  • Sports: This mode uses faster shutter speeds to "freeze" fast-paced action.
  • Portrait: The camera employs a larger lens aperture setting, which decreases the depth of field. Thus, the subject is sharply focused in front of a slightly blurred background.
  • Cosmetic: In this mode, the camera softens skin tones and enhances color slightly for more flattering portraits.
  • Slim: Gives you the option of stretching the image horizontally or vertically, distorting the proportions of the subject slightly.
• Continuous Advance Mode: Sets the mode to Best Select or Standard.
• Resolution: Adjusts the image resolution to 2,880 x 2,160 (interpolated); 2,048 x 1,536; 1,600 x 1,200; or 640 x 480 pixels.
• Compression: Sets the JPEG compression to Fine or Normal.
• White Balance: Adjusts the overall color balance of the scene. Options include Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Incandescent, and Fluorescent.
• Exposure Compensation: Increases or decreases the exposure from -2 to +2 EV in one-third-step increments.

 

Movie Record Mode: This mode records moving images without sound. The following LCD menu options are available:

• Mode: Sets main record mode to Single, Continuous Advance, Movie, or Setup.
• Scene Selection: Sets the preset scene mode to one of the following;
  • Auto: Places the camera in control over the entire exposure, including aperture and shutter speed, with the user only in control of flash mode, zoom, macro mode, and file size and quality settings.
  • Sports: This mode uses faster shutter speeds to "freeze" fast-paced action.
  • Portrait: The camera employs a larger lens aperture setting, which decreases the depth of field. Thus, the subject is sharply focused in front of a slightly blurred background.
  • Cosmetic: In this mode, the camera softens skin tones and enhances color slightly for more flattering portraits.
• Resolution: Adjusts the image resolution to 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels.
• White Balance: Adjusts the overall color balance of the scene. Options include Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Incandescent, and Fluorescent.
• Exposure Compensation: Increases or decreases the exposure from -2 to +2 EV in one-third-step increments.

• Mode: Sets the Playback mode to Single Frame, Continuous Advance, Movie, or Setup.
• Protect: Write-protects the currently-displayed image, preventing it from being manipulated or erased (except via card formatting). An option also exists to Unlock the image.
• Erase: Erases the current frame or all unprotected frames from the memory card.
• Email Copy: (Single Frame mode only.) Makes a low-resolution (either 640 x 480 or 320 x 240 pixels) copy of the selected image, suitable for email transmission.
• Copy Images: (Continuous Advance and Movie modes only.) Makes a single frame copy of Continuous Advance or Movie files. This and the email copy above are both impressive functions that other manufacturers would do well to adopt.
• Rotate: Flips the selected image to the left or right.
• DPOF Set: Allows you to specify images for printing, or mark all images on the card for printing. You can also cancel print settings, or indicate an index print.
• Slide Show: Automatically plays back files on the memory card as a slide show, with options to control the duration, start time, and transition effect. Effects include various wipes, fade, and a unique checkerboard wipe.

Setup Mode: The following Setup menu options are accessible through both the Record and Playback menu screens, as part of the Mode option at the top of the menu screen:

• Clock Set: Sets the camera's internal clock and calendar.
• Operation Beep: Adjusts the camera's beep sounds and volume:
  • Mute: Turns off all sound effects except the self-timer beep.
  • Shutter: A beep indicates when the Shutter button is pressed halfway or fully.
  • Key Switch: An operation beep confirms when a button or key is pressed, with the exception of the Shutter button.
• Help Display: Turns the help display on or off in the LCD menu system. If on, a small description of each menu option appears as it is highlighted.
• Language: Changes the menu language to Japanese, English, German, Spanish, French, or Italian.
• TV System: Designates the video signal as NTSC or PAL.
• Reformat: Formats the memory card, erasing all files (even write-protected ones).
• Auto Power Save: Offers an extensive menu for controlling the camera's power save function. (When the camera is connected to a computer, it will automatically shut off after 12 hours of inactivity.) Options are:

• Batt/Cam: Sets the power save mode when operating the camera off of batteries. Times include 1, 3, 5, or 10 minutes.
• Batt/PB: Sets the power save time when the camera is in Playback mode, while operating on batteries. Times are 1, 3, 5, 10, or 30 minutes.
• Ext. Pwr./Cam.PB: Sets the power save for Record and Playback modes, when using the AC adapter. Times are 1, 3, 5, 10, or 30 minutes.
• File Number Reset: If set to On, this function resets file numbering with each new memory card. If Off, the camera continuously numbers frames from card to card.
• LCD Brightness: Adjusts the brightness of the LCD display.
• Reset: Resets all camera settings to their defaults.

 

Conclusion

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I've always been impressed with the DiMAGE line of digital cameras and the ease of use and functionality they provide. Though the DiMAGE E323 is aimed more at the novice user with its full automatic exposure control and limited exposure options, it has enough flexibility to handle most average shooting situations and even a few more challenging ones (with the preset scene modes). It has a 3x optical zoom lens and 3.2-megapixel CCD for high-resolution images, with an option to interpolate the resolution up to six megapixels. Small, compact, and stylish, the DiMAGE E323 is a good candidate for novice digicam users or anyone looking for a portable, point-and-shoot style digicam. The E323 just missed being made a "Dave's Pick" because its images were less sharp than some of its competition at the same price point, it had a little trouble with incandescent lighting (an important light source in US households), and its shutter response was somewhat sluggish. On the plus side though, it had a very accurate exposure system, did well under low light conditions, and turned in an excellent performance on the macro test. Overall, a pretty decent camera, it could be a good choice if you find it at an attractive price.