10. Minolta Dimâge X

With a volume of only 120 cu. cm, the Dimâge X takes up less room than any of the other "sexy" models tested. At only two centimeters (less than an inch) thick, it slides easily into the pocket and is instantly ready for use. That's a good point because it is actually the fastest, both at powering up and at recording photos. You only need two seconds to open it, then point and shoot. The photos are recorded in only 1.4 seconds.

Minolta has also developed incredible technical prowess. The Dimâge X incorporates a 3x external optical zoom lens.

At a cost of just under US$400 (500 Euros), the Dimâge X proves to be the biggest rival of Canon's S200 (Ixus V²). It is very complete and is the only camera that can record in TIFF format. The LCD screen has good definition and the final photos are great ... in short, a new standard has been born. Minolta has found itself a new niche and has breathed new life into a range of products where it was sorely needed.

Ergonomics

The Dimâge X is all-metal and is a success both in its attractive, expensive-looking design, as well as in its ease of use. There are very few control buttons. The on/off button on the top is next to the two-stage shutter release. Light pressure is used, as with the Ixus V2, to adjust the focus, and heavier pressure takes the photo.

The zoom control is at the back of the camera. It has an arrow on either side that is useful for navigating through the menus of options. Below this, there is an LCD screen of excellent quality. Another control switches between recording mode and video to viewing mode, so that photos stored in the memory can be viewed. Finally, a series of four buttons below the screen makes it possible to adjust the resolution and flash.

Photos are best taken at 1600 x 1200 pixels, and can either be in JPEG or TIFF format. If you choose the latter, you will need to buy a new memory card. Photos take up 5.5 MB of storage memory, but the Dimâge X only comes with an 8 MB card.

The LCD screen is good, and again it is preferable to the viewfinder that only covers 70% of the field captured, and which is also rather dark and lacking in clarity.