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Quick Review

Konica Minolta DiMAGE X31 Digital Camera

	Camera QuickLook
	By	Dave Etchells
	Review Date	9/7/2004
	User Level	Novice - Amateur
	Product Uses	Family / Travel
	Digicam Design	Point and Shoot
	Picture Quality	Moderate, 3.2-megapixel CCD
	Print Sizes	4x6 to 8x10 inches
	Availability	Now
	Suggested Retail Price (At introduction)	$199

The DiMAGE X31 has a 3x, 4.7-14.1mm lens, the equivalent of a 36-108mm lens on a 35mm camera. The autofocus covers a range from 3.9 inches (10 centimeters) to infinity. There's no separate macro mode, but the 3.9-inch close-focusing combined with a telephoto lens setting produces really excellent macro performance. Depending on the lens zoom position, the maximum aperture ranges from f/2.8 to f/3.7. In addition to the optical zoom, the DiMAGE X31 offers a 1.1 to 4.0x digital zoom, in varying increments from 0.1 to 0.3x. (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.) The 1.5-inch, color TFT LCD monitor has an anti-reflection coating, and features an information display. In Playback mode, images can be enlarged up to 6x, as an aid to checking critical focus and framing.

Exposure is automatically controlled at all times, with only a few exposure options available. An On/Off button on top of the camera powers the camera on, and a Mode switch lets you select between Record and Movie modes, with a Playback button for quick image review. Thanks to the all-internal lens design, there's no need to wait for the lens to extend before you can shoot, so startup times are very short (Konica Minolta claims a 1.0 second startup time, although I measured it at more like 1.6 seconds, still pretty fast.) Most exposure options are controlled through the LCD's on-screen menu system, which offers very straightforward navigation and a new interface to make it even more user-friendly than previous models. (Although I have to say that I personally preferred the standard tabbed-menu layout of the earlier user interface design.) That said, you can program the rear-panel left and right arrow keys to control either flash mode, exposure compensation, or white balance, etc, without needing to enter the menu system to do so. Shutter speeds range from 1/500 to four seconds, although the chosen value is not reported to the user. Exposure Compensation is adjustable from -2 to +2 exposure equivalents (EV) in one-third-step increments. Sensitivity is automatically set between ISO 50 and 200, depending on the current light level; it cannot be adjusted manually. White Balance is adjustable through the settings menu, with options for Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Incandescent, and Fluorescent light sources. The DiMAGE X20's built-in flash operates in Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Forced, Suppressed, or Night Portrait modes.

In addition to the basic exposure options, the DiMAGE X31 also offers a few extra shooting modes, accessed through the settings menu. A Portrait mode selects larger lens apertures to reduce the camera's depth of field so the subject appears in focus in front of a slightly blurred background, placing more emphasis on the subject. In Movie exposure mode, the camera captures either 320 x 240-pixel or 160 x 120-pixel resolution moving images without sound, with duration limited only by the size of the memory card. A Self-Timer mode provides a 10-second delay between the time the Shutter button is pressed and when the camera actually takes the picture, allowing you to get into your own shots. For shooting fast action subjects, the DiMAGE X31's Continuous Advance mode captures a rapid series of images when you hold down the Shutter button, much like a motor drive on a traditional 35mm camera. Provided that there's enough space remaining on the memory card, the camera can capture up to three large/fine images, or up to 30 small/economy mode ones before having to pause to write the image data to the memory card. Details like image size and shutter speed can affect the shooting interval, but it averages approximately 0.8 frames per second. A Multi Frame mode captures a series of nine thumbnail images, which are then arrayed in a single image in a 3x3 format. Unlike the X20, the X31 has no microphone, and so cannot record voice memos.

The DiMAGE X31 stores its images on an SD memory card, and an 16MB card accompanies the camera. (The camera also works with MMC cards, which used to be less expensive, but these days, SD cards are generally more available and cheaper.) The X31 has a Favorites option for saving up to 10 favorite images in the camera's internal memory, and an Image Pasting tool which lets you insert a portion of a live frame over a captured image. Connection to a host computer for image download is via USB. The DiMAGE X31 is a "storage-class" device, which means that it doesn't require any separate driver software for Windows 2000 and XP, or for Mac OS 8.6 and later; just plug it in and it appears on the computer as a hard drive. The camera utilizes two AA-type batteries for power, either alkaline or NiMH. A set of alkaline batteries comes with the camera, but I highly recommend picking up a set or rechargeable NiMH batteries and keeping a spare set freshly charged at all times. See my Battery Shootout page to see which batteries currently on the market are best, read my review of the Maha C-204F charger, to see why it's my longtime favorite. 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 A/V cable.

Basic Features

• 3.2-megapixel CCD.
• 1.5-inch color TFT LCD monitor with anti-reflection coating.
• Glass, 3x, 4.7-14.1mm lens, equivalent to a 36-108mm lens on a 35mm camera.
• As much as 4.0x digital zoom.
• Automatic exposure control.
• Shutter speeds from 1/500 to four seconds.
• Maximum aperture f/2.8 to f/3.7, depending on lens zoom position.
• Built-in flash.
• SD/MMC memory card storage, 16MB card included.
• Images saved as JPEG files.
• Power supplied by two AA-type batteries or optional AC adapter.
• DiMAGE software and USB drivers included for both Windows and Mac platforms.

Special Features

• Movie mode without sound.
• Continuous Advance and Multi Frame shooting modes.
• Portrait mode with self-framing mirror.
• 10-second Self-Timer for delayed shutter release.
• White balance (color) adjustment with five modes.
• Five color adjustment settings.
• Special framing and side-by-side picture modes.
• DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility.
• PictBridge compatibility.
• Integrated USB and Video cable for connection to a television set.

Recommendation
The DiMAGE X31 is relatively small and compact. Its fully automatic exposure control will suit novices and others interested in point-and-shoot operation, although the user does have a few options for brightening or darkening the image, or adjusting the color balance. The 3.2-megapixel CCD delivers images with enough resolution to make sharp 8x10 prints, and lower resolution options for email purposes. The DiMAGE X31's tiny size makes it a natural for "anywhere/anytime" photography. With its point-and-shoot appeal and ease of use, the DiMAGE X31 could be a good choice for novice users who simply want to take good pictures without getting too involved in the technicalities. The X31 is also a relative bargain, with "street" prices as low as $150 as I write this in early September, 2004. The low price does bring with it some limitations though, notably that its autofocus system needs a fair bit of light to operate reliably. (It's fine in typical indoor shooting situations, but has trouble outdoors after dark.) Likewise, its images tend to get noisy in dim lighting and when the flash is in use. If you don't care about after-dark photography though, the X31 offers good image quality and good capabilities for daytime shooting in a compact package at a very attractive price.

 

Design

Like others in the DiMAGE X line, the DiMAGE X31 has a thin, small case, perhaps not quite as thin as it seemed when we first reviewed the X20, because other cameras have become smaller and thinner since then. Its sleek, rectangular body shape and lack of protrusions make the DiMAGE X31 one of the most portable cameras on the market. Measuring just 3.4 x 2.6 x 0.9 inches (86 x 67 x 24 millimeters), the DiMAGE X20 fits just about anywhere, including the smallest of shirt pockets. Matching its diminutive size, the DiMAGE X20 is also very light weight at just 6.1 ounces (174 grams) with the batteries and SD memory card installed. The secret to the DiMAGE X31's compact design is its internally-mounted lens, which stretches vertically up the side of the camera rather than protruding from the camera's front. An internal prism reflects light from the subject down into the lens itself, almost like a periscope. The internal lens mounting also means that there's no wait for the lens barrel to extend when you power up the camera, making startup times very quick.

The front of the camera holds the lens window, flash, self-portrait mirror, and self-timer lamp. A shutter-like, retractable lens cover protects the lens window whenever the camera is powered off, sliding quickly out of the way when the camera is turned on. A circular, slightly raised finger grip provides what could be a more substantial grip than on previous models were it not so slippery.

On the right side of the camera (as viewed from the rear) is the exposed SD memory card slot, lining up beside the DC In power and AV/Digital jack. An indicator light just below the SD card slot lights whenever the camera accesses the card, letting you know not to remove the card. Below these is the battery compartment, protected by a sliding door.

The opposite side of the camera is featureless, with no connectors or controls on it at all. This view of the camera shows the decal that illustrates the clever lens design Minolta is so justifiably proud of, as well as a small indention marked with the maximum optical plus digital zoom. Be reassured though, that the label can be easily removed after purchase, to result in a very sleek, elegant case design.

The DiMAGE X31's top panel is sleek and smooth, with only a minor protrusion from the Shutter and Power buttons. A sliding switch is just behind both buttons, and places the camera into Record or Movie modes.

The remaining camera controls are on the back panel, along with the 1.5-inch color LCD monitor. At the top right corner is the neck strap attachment eyelet. The Five-way toggle is just below left, functioning just like a joystick. You press in on the joystick to accept selections. (The left and right motions of the toggle can be programmed to control one of a handful of exposure options as well.) To the left of the Five-way is the Menu button, which calls up and dismisses the LCD menu display. Just below it is the Playback button, which places the camera in Playback mode. To the menu button's left is the speaker for status beeps and sounds.

The bottom panel of the DiMAGE X31 reveals only the plastic, threaded tripod mount.

 

Camera Operation

The DiMAGE X31's user interface is very straightforward, as the camera employs automatic exposure at all times. A simplified menu screen debuted with the X20, and continues with the X31, with a 3x3 array of menu options displayed like virtual buttons. The center "button" accesses the main mode menu, which is laid out more like a traditional list menu screen. The X31 has very few external controls, meaning you must call up the LCD menu to adjust most camera settings. This is somewhat cumbersome, but you can customize the right and left directions on the Five-way toggle to control either exposure compensation, flash, drive mode, or white balance, reducing your dependence on the menu system. In both capture and playback modes, the camera's main menu is divided into three pages, delineated by subject tabs at the top of the screen. The Mode switch lets you quickly switch between Movie and Record modes, while an external button accesses Playback mode. Considering the camera's automatic exposure control and limited user options, most users should be able to become familiar with the camera's operation in half an hour or less. (Experienced users may not even need to crack the manual.)

Record-Mode Display
In Record mode, the LCD monitor displays the subject with a minor amount of overlaid information, indicating flash, white balance, drive mode, the current size/quality setting, and number of images that can be stored on the remaining memory card space at the current size/quality. Pressing and holding the center OK button (up and down arrow key) cancels and recalls the information display. When you half-press the Shutter button, a small dot appears in the lower right-hand corner of the LCD indicating whether the camera is focused (white dot) or not (red dot), and a "shaking hand" symbol appears above the focus dot if the shutter speed is slow enough that you'll need to be careful not to jiggle the camera during the exposure.


Playback-Mode Display
In Playback mode, the default image display shows the most recently captured image, with an information overlay showing the resolution and quality setting used, the date and time of capture, the file number, and the sequence number of the image among those currently stored in the memory card. With an image displayed full-screen, pressing the zoom control in the "T" direction zooms in on the image up to a maximum magnification of 6x. At any magnification level, pressing the "OK" button (pressing the center of the Five-way joystick) switches you to scrolling operation, in which the left/right buttons and the T/W control let you scroll around the magnified image. Pressing the center of the T/W lever again returns you to zoom operation. Zooming out all the way from the enlarged view and then pressing the "W" side of the zoom control once more calls up a nine-image index display. The screen shot above right shows all the available display options in playback mode.

External Controls

 

Camera Modes and Menus

• Initial Menu Screen (items listed from left to right, starting from the top)
  
  • Color: Adjusts the camera's color mode, though soft focus is also included here. Options are Color, Black and White, Sepia, Posterization, and Soft Focus.
  • Portrait: Turns the Portrait preset mode on or off.
  • Special FX: Selects among four options, three of which impose a graphical frame onscreen. The first is an oval, the second mimics a 35mm filmstrip, the third a chalk border. The fourth option is called Side-by-side. It puts the camera into a special mode that allows capture of two images side-by-side. The subsequent image appears as one file.
  • Flash Mode: Sets the flash to operate in Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill Flash, Cancel, or Night Portrait (slow-sync setting) modes.
  • Menu: Displays the main mode menu, described below.
  • Drive Mode: Sets drive mode to Single, Self-Timer, Continuous, or Multi Frame.
  • White Balance: Adjusts the overall color balance of the scene. Options include Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, and Fluorescent.
  • Exposure Compensation: Increases or decreases the overall exposure from -2 to +2 EV in one-third-step increments.
  • Image Size/Compression: Adjusts the image resolution to 2,048 x 1,536 / Fine; 2,048 x 1536 / Standard; 1,600 x 1,200 / Standard; 1,280 x 960 / Standard; or 640 x 480 / Standard.
  
  
• Record Menu 1
  
  • Control Function: This menu item lets you change the function controlled by the left/right keys on the camera's rear panel. Options include Flash Mode, Exposure Compensation (default setting), Drive Mode, White Balance, and Off .
  • Auto Reset: If enabled, resets most of the camera's settings to their default values whenever the camera is turned off.
  • Date Imprint: Enables the imprinting of the current date or date and time in small white characters, in the lower right-hand corner of each image. Off by default, options include YYYY/MM/DD, or MM/DD/hr:min.
    
  
  
• Record Menu 2
  
  • Digital Zoom: Enables or disables the digital zoom function.
  • File # Memory: If set to On, the camera continues naming files sequentially from memory card to memory card. If Off, the camera resets file numbering with each new card.
  • Folder Name: You can have the camera name the folders it stores its images in on the memory card using either the camera's standard scheme, or by Date. (The latter being a handy way to keep track of photos you've shot over a period of time.)
    
  
  

• Initial Menu Screen
  
  • Slide Show: Initiates a "slide show" of images stored on the X20's memory card.
  • Play Favorites: Allows playback of only the photos marked as Favorites.
  • Lock: Write-protects the displayed image, preventing it from being manipulated or erased (except via card formatting). An option also exists to Unlock images.
  • Rotate: Rotates the image 90 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise.
  • Menu: Pulls up the main Playback menu, described below.
  • Delete: Erases the current frame from the memory card.
  • DPOF: Allows you to select images for direct printing from the camera.
  • Add to Favorites: Copies the displayed image into the Favorites folder.
  • Email Copy: Makes a smaller copy of an image for convenient emailing.
  
  
• Playback 1
  
  • Delete: Erases the current frame, all frames, or marked frames from the memory card.
  • Lock: Write-protects specific images or all images, preventing them from being manipulated or erased (except via card formatting). An option also exists to Unlock images.
  • DPOF Set: Sets images for printing on an output device supporting the Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) standard. Options are to mark the current frame, all frames, marked frames, or to cancel the print orders for all images.
  • Date Print: Sets camera to print date on images as they are captured.
  • Index Print: Sets up a DPOF order for an index print showing all images on the memory card.
  
  

Setup Mode: This mode lets you adjust various camera options and settings. Pressing the Menu button displays the following options:

• Setup 1
  
  • LCD Brightness: Allows user to adjust LCD brightness levels.
  • Format: Formats the SD card, erasing all files, including protected ones.
  • Reset Default: Resets the camera settings to their defaults.
  • Language: Changes the menu language to English, Japanese, German, French, Chinese, or Spanish.
  
  
• Setup 2
  
  • Audio Signal: Optionally change or disable the beep sound that occurs whenever a button is pressed.
  • Focus Signal: You can select your choice of two standard focus sounds, or turn the focus sound off.
  • Shutter Signal: Turns the shutter signal on or off.
  • Power Off: Sets the camera to automatically shut off after 1, 3, 5, 10, or 30 minutes of inactivity.
  
  

• Setup 3
  
  • Date/Time Set: Sets the camera's date and time.
  • Date Format: Choose between three different date formats used for monitor displays and date imprinting. Options are YYYY/MM/DD, MM/DD/YYYY, and DD/MM/YYYY.
  • Video Output: Choose between NTSC or PAL video timing for the video output.
  • Transfer Mode: Through its USB interface, the DiMAGE X31 can appear as a drive on a computer, or it can be attached to a PictBridge-enabled printer.
  
  

• Hand strap.
• USB cable.
• 16MB SD memory card.
• Two AA-type alkaline batteries.
• DiMAGE software CD.
• Operating manual and registration card.

 

Recommended Accessories

• Large capacity SD memory card.
• Set of rechargeable NiMH batteries and charger.
• AC adapter.
• Small camera case.

 

Recommended Software: Rescue your Photos!
Just as important as an extra memory card is a tool to rescue your images when one of your cards fails at some point in the future. I get a lot of email from readers who've lost photos due to a corrupted memory card. Memory card corruption can happen with any card type and any camera manufacturer, nobody's immune. A surprising number of "lost" images can be recovered with an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software though. Given the amount of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include this paragraph in all my digicam reviews. The program you need is called PhotoRescue, by DataRescue SA. Read our review of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll have it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's only $29, with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue for Windows or PhotoRescue for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download the PDF manual and quickstart guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when you need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but when... PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering digital photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission from sales of the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even if we didn't.) OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...

 

About Batteries
(Well, not quite "back to our regularly scheduled review..) - I've gotten so many emails about power issues for digicams, that I'm now inserting a standard notice in my reviews of all AA-powered cameras: Don't even *think* about using alkaline AA batteries in a digicam! Despite their being packed in the box with many cameras, they simply don't have the juice to handle typical digicam demands. Spend the $35-40 or so it takes to get a set (or two) of high-capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries and a good charger! The few dollars up front will save you literally hundreds of dollars in the long run, not to mention the hassle of wimpy batteries running out in the middle of the action. Buy two sets of batteries too, so one can always be in the charger, ready to go, and so have two sets available for longer excursions. Check out my Battery Shootout page for the latest in actual, measured performance of various AA batteries. Read. - Read my review of the Maha C-204F charger, to learn why it's my longtime favorite.

 

Specifications

See the specifications sheet here.

 

Picky Details

Information on shooting speed, battery life, etc. can be found here.

Sample Pictures

See the full set of my sample pictures and detailed analysis here. The thumbnails below show a subset of my standard test images. Click on a thumbnail to see the full-size photo.

For a more pictorial set of photos, see our Photo Gallery for the X31. (There's only a few photos there as I write this, we should be able to get some more posted in another week or so, once the local weather clears.)

"Sunlight"	Indoor Flash	Indoor
House	Musicians	Macro
Davebox	Resolution	Viewfinder Accuracy

Test Results

In keeping with my standard test policy, the comments given here summarize only my key findings. For a full commentary on each of the test images, see the Dimage X31's "pictures" page.

As with all Imaging Resource product tests, I encourage you to let your own eyes be the judge of how well the camera performed. Explore the images on the pictures page, to see how the X31's images compare to other cameras you may be considering.

Not sure which camera to buy? Let your eyes be the ultimate judge! Visit our Comparometer(tm) to compare images from the Dimage X31 with those from other cameras you may be considering. The proof is in the pictures, so let your own eyes decide which you like best!

• Color: Good color, slight oversaturation. Good handling of incandescent lighting, but not when flash is used. Under daylight shooting conditions, the X31 produced good to very good color, and did better than average with incandescent lighting, using its Incandescent white balance setting. Like many consumer cameras, the X31's color tends to be a little oversaturated, but not to an excessive degree. The biggest color problem I had with the X31 was that its flash exposures were drastically affected by the strong incandescent room lighting in the Indoor Portrait test.
  
  
• Exposure: Generally accurate exposure, a slight tendency to underexpose, and fairly high contrast. The X31 had a slight tendency to underexpose its shot, both under normal studio lighting and outdoors, but the amount of underexposure was pretty slight. Like most cameras I test, it underexposed the very high-key outdoor portrait shot at the default setting, but an average amount of positive exposure compensation brightened the exposure. However, contrast was frequently quite high, and midtones dark. Indoors, the camera required an average amount of positive exposure compensation, though flash exposures were pretty dim. The X31 had no trouble distinguishing the subtle pastel tones on the Q60 target of the Davebox, despite the high contrast, but shadow detail was rather limited.
  
  
• Resolution/Sharpness: Slightly below average resolution for a 3-megapixel camera. The X31 performed a little below average for its 3.2-megapixel class on the "laboratory" resolution test chart. It started showing artifacts in the test patterns at resolutions as low as 500 lines per picture height, in both horizontal and vertical directions. I found "strong detail" out to at least 1,000 lines, however. "Extinction" of the target patterns occurred around 1,350 lines.
  
  
• Image Noise: Average image noise in daylight, but noisy shadows and high noise in dim lighting and with the flash. With well-lit subjects, the X31's images show image noise in the good-to-average range. The camera's limited dynamic range tends to produce more noise in shadow areas though, and noise increases significantly when the light drops very much at all. Particularly when the flash is used, the camera's automatic boosting of the ISO (to improve flash range) leads to rather noisy images.
  
  
• Closeups: Really excellent macro capability. The Macro category is where the X31 really stood out, capturing a minimum area of only 0.84 x 0.63 inches (21 x 16 millimeters). Resolution was very high, showing a lot of fine detail in the dollar bill. However, the corners were quite soft, the softness extending a fair amount into the frame. (Soft corners are unfortunately a fairly common malady in digicam macro modes, caused by curvature of field in the lens optics.) The X31's flash almost throttled down somewhat for the macro area, but was still too bright. -- Plan on using external lighting for your closest shots.
  
  
• Night Shots: Not really usable for low light shooting. Good brightness, but autofocus can't handle low light levels at all. The X31 produced bright images as low as 1/8 foot-candle (1.3 lux), but its autofocus system couldn't focus properly even at the 1 foot-candle (11 lux) level that's the brightest I shoot at for this test. At all the low-light levels from 1 foot-candle on down, the images were too blurry to be usable. That's a shame, as the X31's exposure system is easily up to the challenge.
  
  
• Viewfinder Accuracy: A very accurate LCD monitor. The X31's LCD monitor proved very accurate, showing approximately 97 percent accuracy at wide angle, and about 98 percent at telephoto. Given that I like LCD monitors to be as close to 100 percent accuracy as possible, the X31's LCD monitor performed well here.
  
  
• Optical Distortion: Very high barrel distortion, though low pincushion. Low (good) chromatic aberration. Optical distortion on the X31 was a good bit higher than average at the wide-angle end, where I measured approximately 1.2 percent barrel distortion. The telephoto end fared much better, as I measured approximately 0.2 percent pincushion distortion. Chromatic aberration was fairly low, showing about four or five pixels of faint coloration on either side of the target lines. (This distortion is visible as a very slight colored fringe around the objects at the edges of the field of view on the resolution target.) The corners of the resolution-chart image were fairly sharp, but I did see a fair bit of softness in the corners of images of more distant subjects.
  
  
• Shutter Lag and Cycle Time: Good shutter response and startup times, but sluggish shot to shot cycle times. Like many subcompact digicams, the X31 wouldn't be your first choice for sports or other fast-paced action. That said though, its shutter lag is actually quite decent, actually faster than the majority of cameras on the market today. Startup time is very good as well, thanks to its internal zoom lens, which means you don't have to wait for the lens to telescope out when you turn it on, before you can shoot. The most noticeable limitation when dealing with rapid action is its sluggish 4.3 second time between shots in single-shot mode. Overall, not bad for a subcompact digicam, and better than most in terms of shutter lag, but probably not a first choice for sports and other action.
  
  
• Battery Life: Good battery life for a camera powered by two AA cells. Still, buy a couple of sets of strong batteries and a good charger though. With a worst-case run time of 98 minutes using "standard" 1600 mAh batteries (expect just over two hours with the best modern NiMH cells), the X31's battery life is pretty good, particularly given that it runs on only two AA cells. I do strongly recommend though, that you purchase at least two sets (a total of four batteries) of high-capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries though, as well as a good-quality charger. Check out my Battery Shootout page for the latest in actual, measured performance of various AA batteries. - Read my review of the Maha C-204F charger, to learn why it's my longtime favorite.
  
  

Conclusion

Free Photo Lessons

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I've been a fan of Minolta's "X" line of subcompact cameras since the original version was first introduced. The DiMAGE X31, while sacrificing a few features and some low light capability to keep the cost down, offers a capable, subcompact digicam at a street price as low as $150. Though the design that once appeared quite small is now looking a little chunky, the X31's compact size, no-nonsense feature set, and novice-friendly menu interface make the it a great "take anywhere" camera, appealing to non-techies as well as enthusiasts. For the novice user, it's very easy to use and takes nice daylight pictures. For more advanced users, it makes a nice "second camera," something that you'd just toss in your pocket without thinking. I'd be much happier with the X31 if it handled dim lighting better (a serious limitation IMHO), but for daylight shooting, it's hard to beat its combination of ease of use, compact size, good color, and low cost.