PhotographyBLOG Review: Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50

The Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50 fits into the ultra-compact family of digital cameras, being about the same size as a credit card at just 8cms by 6cms and weighing 125g. Despite its diminutive dimensions, Konica Minolta have still managed to include both a 5 megapixel CCD sensor and a large 2 inch LCD screen. In addition, the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50 has a start-up time of around 1/2 second, a sliding lens cover and a stylish brushed-effect body. So is the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50 the ultimate, carry-with-you-everywhere digital camera? Or does it add up to less than the sum of its tiny parts? Read my extensive review to find out.

Website: Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50 Review

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Published: Thursday, November 25, 2004

Reader Comments

1. Thanks for the great detailed review. I just ordered one. I'm figuring that chances are that this camera works as well as the others of this size and convenience. And it seems to win out in the convenience department.
   
   Are there any other really small hi-pixel cameras that you've checked out? One thing missing from your review is a comparison with other cameras of this size - with the small lenses. That's not a criticism because reviews aren't supposed to do extensive comparisons necessarily. But it's not clear whether you think this particular brand of small camera has particularly poor picture quality or whether you just aren't happy with the quality of small cameras like this in general.
   
   I checked around and saw a mix of comments on picture quality. I realize that you can't get the kind of quality you get with larger lensed cameras on these small cameras. I just wrote a little post about pocket-sized cameras on my Tech Ronin blog that you or your readers might find of some interest.

   Janet Tokerud at 09:48am on Wednesday, December 01, 2004

2. The other comparable camera that I have reviewed is the Fuji FinePix F20 Zoom:
   
   http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_fuji_finepix_f420.php
   
   This is a 3 megapixel model so doesn't suffer from the same image problems that the X50 had.

   Mark Goldstein at 06:09pm on Wednesday, December 01, 2004

3. I have been testing this camera and I agree with you completely. The X50 is easy to use but the image quality is poor.

   Monica at 08:31pm on Wednesday, December 01, 2004

4. Great review Mark. Now I'm not buying this camera but need an ultra compact. Any suggestions. Wish you had one for the SD200 by Canon. I'm still checking out your site so perhaps I'll find one - thanks Pat

   Pat at 08:54pm on Friday, December 10, 2004

5. perfect review. all my questions are answered. i wish you had reviews about more cameras. thanks...

   camera seeker at 04:53am on Saturday, December 11, 2004

6. Well, there are a lot of digital cameras out there, and I only have so much time!

   Mark Goldstein at 10:02am on Saturday, December 11, 2004

7. Excellent work ,please keep it up,as i for one learnt many new things to consider when buying a new camera

   John De Souza at 06:37pm on Thursday, January 13, 2005

8. Great review. Got the camera because I'm a Minolta fan, were looking for something that is easy to use and very small, with fast operating times and good battery life (everything that my old Dimage EX1500 Zoom is not , and I got it for < $300.
   
   So far, I have been dissapointed with the image quality - your images looks ok to me, while the ones I have taken are not so good. I'm refering to pixel quality of course, not photograpic ability . I will reserve final judgement until I've taken some pics in sunny conditions.

   Daniel at 06:12pm on Wednesday, February 09, 2005

9. Thank you for a straightforward and honest report.
   I was considering purchasing an X50 for an upcoming trip to Australia but will think twice about it now!

   ian ward at 10:20pm on Wednesday, February 09, 2005

10. I'm currently reviewing the Casio EX-Z55 which is in the same class of camera as the X50 - full review will be published on Monday.

    Mark at 09:06am on Thursday, February 10, 2005

11. Your review nailed it. I am one of the unfortunate owners of this camera. The low light picture quality is horrible. Even the bright light picture quality of people is only fair. Instead of even tone coloration, its processor ends up with blotchy coloration. To make matters worse, the programming curves are not well thought out. For example, if you select portrait, the camera should keep the aperature full open for minimum depth of field, and adjust shutter speed accordingly, while always thriving for an ISO of 50 as long as the shutter speed is hand holdable. For people with background mode, it should first determine slowest hand holdable shutter speed, then have a curve between ISO and f-stop in order to have enough depth of field and minimum noise. It does no such thing, and mostly chooses ISO of 160 (very noisy) with widest aperature (smallest depth of field) and a high shutter speed (unnecessary). It doesn't even let you see the settings until you view it on a computer. From Minolta, I would have expected better. AVOID THIS CAMERA IF PHOTO QUALITY IS IMPORTANT.

    Robert Steven at 04:33pm on Monday, February 14, 2005

12. (someone want a recommendation for a good camera)
    
    The Canon S 400 is great. It's default mode is pretty good, and seems to do a very decent job of choosing good settings.
    
    Not that much true manual control. ISO and expose compensation is pretty much it. You can also set very long shutters, for tripod pix at night.
    
    I've been very happy with it.

    Johan at 09:27pm on Monday, February 14, 2005

13. Your review and summary nailed it exactly. I used and X50 for a month before finally getting rid of it in frustration. I have returned to a Minolta Xt, which is the opposite of the X50 in that it is somewhat less easy to use, but produces stunning images (unfortunately only 3 MB).

    Wm Mitchell at 03:31pm on Wednesday, February 16, 2005

14. I was really excited about buying the X50. I currently own the Xt and love that camera so much. I looked at other cameras and decided I wouldn’t upgrade till the Xt came out in a 5 megapixel version and I thought I had found it in the X50. I am currently looking for a Black version, which you didn’t mention. I didn’t know they had a blue one. Its not on the Konica Minolta website. I called Konica Minolta and they said the red and black are only available outside the US. Your right, at the end of the day, it’s the photo quality that matters. So now I think I might take a step back and continue using the Xt which has given me flawless operation since day one, almost 2 years ago. Thanks for your review. Do you know anything about the availability of colors? I live in NYC and should be able to buy anything and I can’t find any of the colored cameras. Only silver.

    vincent at 02:06am on Tuesday, February 22, 2005

15. There were 2 coloured version released in the UK (and Europe I think). Not sure if they made it to the US though.

    Mark at 10:49am on Tuesday, March 08, 2005

16. My brother was on a trip to the UK a few weeks ago. He found the the Black version. So I had him buy it. Its really cool. However, I am not getting rid of the Xt just yet=)

    vincent at 02:37pm on Tuesday, March 08, 2005

17. I need a replacement to this camera. Mine is finally on its last legs.
    
    Are there any other cameras of the recent days that have the similar throttle-down Macro & Flash combination in a folding lens mechanism like this one?
    
    Thanks

    Flogger at 07:23am on Wednesday, January 16, 2008