Minolta Dimage F100 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
By: Konica-Minolta Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 45
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 On: 2008-01-20
The camera was great when it worked. However, the lens part stopped working twice. The first time the lens just stopped coming out. It cost about over $100 to get it fixed. According to the camera shop, it was some lens part they had to order from Minolta. And then about few months later, the camera was dropped on carpet flooring, and the lens stopped coming out again. That was when we stopped paying to get it fixed.
Other than that, the camera was wonderful. It took great photos, videos, and audios. It lasted about 2 years total. I got it when it first came out, so it was somewhere around $350-$400 dollars.
On: 2005-07-28
I owned this camera and I used one at work. Both of them malfunctioned after about 1 year (lens extension motor stuck open). Also, battery life was terrible. Constantly changing out batteries even when using 2300 NiMHs. LCD viewfinder was useless outdoors.
 On: 2005-02-27
This camera takes great pictures and I love the Area Auto Focus that lets you tell the camera where to focus.
My major problem with it is that the selector dial sticks out and can turn when you put the camera in your pocket. This has happened several times and I think it damaged something because the focus stopped working after 4 months of ownership.
Other than that, it is very slow but takes great pictures.
 On: 2004-11-10
i love the quality of the pictures, and itsfun to use, but the motor broke beyond repair right after the warantee was over. wouldnt buy another one.
On: 2004-11-09
i love the quality of the pictures, and itsfun to use, but the motor broke beyond repair right after the warantee was over. wouldnt buy another one.
On: 2004-09-11
I have owned several cameras but this was my first (and last)Minolta and the worst camera in my experience. I really thought that the Minolta name implied a certain degree of high quality - I was wrong. What good are 4 Megapixels if the camera cant be used in normal circumstances. (Stick with Canon, Nikon, Olympus and even Kodak)
Pros
--Excellent clarity and true colors at close range (outdoors in good lighting only)
--Almost always excellent photo quality outdoors in daylight
--True flesh tones and colors
Cons
Battery life is horrible - Even with the expensive enclosed battery I operated the camera for about 30 pictures before wiping it out.I wound up buying 8 rechargable AA batteries (2100ma) and constantly had to change them out
--digital display had to be kept off in order to save battery life
--impossible to use in low light for subjects beyond 6 feet
--camera took over 10-15 seconds to adjust itself for dim indoor use - you will miss a lot of shots (People posing for these shots always wound up with a look of irritation that the shots were taking so long to take.)
--terrible photo quality (clarity and color) results indoors or outdoors in dim light. Camera cant focus and adjust beyond 6
--The lens takes forever to telescope in and out when turning it on or shutting it down.
--Terrible preset adjustments dont improve performance - almost always make it worse
--Manual settings are very difficult to set due to the maze or menus you have to navigate through
--Anything above a 100 ISO setting produced so much noise thatthe pictures were rendered usless
-- very long refractory time between shots - takes forever for it to recharge itself between pics
-- takes a very long time to save each pic
On: 2004-07-07
This is a good camera for awesome still photos, but dont get too close; tend to be blurry. And even in macro mode, you have to be perfectly still (tripod) as well as your subject. The lens did get stuck once, but has worked fine since.
My biggest pet peeve is that the video only records in .mov format. Only RealOne can play that. I cannot use it with Windows Movie Maker, as only Macs can. I wish it could have an option to record in .avi or .mpg formats.
So, when my husband lost it a month ago, I was a bit upset, but glad that now I can get a camcorder that records in a Windows compatable format and that takes stills as well. I will not buy any Minoltas until they offer those formats. It is very important to me; I have 3 children that are growing fast.
And I also have one more pet peeve: everytime your batteries die or you remove them, you have to reset your date and time. VERY annoying! No memory battery to keep data you entered. This camera is good, but with a few minor improvements, it can be awesome.
On: 2004-07-06
This is a good camera for awesome still photos, but dont get too close; tend to be blurry. And even in macro mode, you have to be perfectly still (tripod) as well as your subject. The lens did get stuck once, but has worked fine since.
My biggest pet peeve is that the video only records in .mov format. Only RealOne can play that. I cannot use it with Windows Movie Maker, as only Macs can. I wish it could have an option to record in .avi or .mpg formats.
So, when my husband lost it a month ago, I was a bit upset, but glad that now I can get a camcorder that records in a Windows compatable format and that takes stills as well. I will not buy any Minoltas until they offer those formats. It is very important to me; I have 3 children that are growing fast.
And I also have one more pet peeve: everytime your batteries die or you remove them, you have to reset your date and time. VERY annoying! No memory battery to keep data you entered. This camera is good, but with a few minor improvements, it can be awesome.
On: 2004-06-15
This is my first digital camera. I have been a film guy for 30+ years and have lots of 35mm equipment.The picture quality is better than I expected. I regularly do 8X10s, and if you dont compress the files, they look pretty good. My only complaint is that the camera takes forever to turn on, turn off, focus and shoot. Im used to getting candid and action shots "from the hip", and have missed many opportunities with this camera. I have had no mechanical, electronic or optical problems.
On: 2004-06-14
This is my first digital camera. I have been a film guy for 30+ years and have lots of 35mm equipment.The picture quality is better than I expected. I regularly do 8X10s, and if you dont compress the files, they look pretty good. My only complaint is that the camera takes forever to turn on, turn off, focus and shoot. Im used to getting candid and action shots "from the hip", and have missed many opportunities with this camera. I have had no mechanical, electronic or optical problems.
On: 2004-06-09
In general, I like this camera, but I have one major complaint. (You can read about other complaints in the rest of the reviews.) The file memory feature is sub-par on this camera. Basically, if your batteries die, your file memory function will reset itself, and the numbering gets screwy. It seems minor, but its a real pain if you like to have all of your pictures numbered nicely, and honestly, Minolta should have designed their camera with this simple thing in mind.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-04-10
There are very mixed reviews on this product so I would like to clear up some issues.Contrary to other reports, this camera is amazingly durable. From the memory cards (Secure Digital) to the aluminum case; I dropped this on cement from about four feet, it dented the cast but didnt faze the camera. Youll want rechargeble double As for it and as long as youre good about formatting the memory card frequently when its a big one (128 or 256mb) then it should work flawlessly and quickly. The two drawbacks I see are only thirty seconds of video record time (which apparently is due to the fact that after about 20-25 seconds the audio and video get out of sync) most cameras now have at least 3 minutes and better quality. The second drawback is the fact that you need to be a competent enough photographer to know that holding down the shutter button half-way autofocuses but also that you may need to adjust the amount of light allowed into the photo and the way the camera determines to use the flash, to avoid white-washing faces etc. Other than that its still an outstanding camera for the money ($180 used that is). Although there are definitely better ones out there for just slightly more money. Which reminds me, I bought mine refurbished and have seen no drawbacks from doing so.
On: 2004-04-09
There are very mixed reviews on this product so I would like to clear up some issues.Contrary to other reports, this camera is amazingly durable. From the memory cards (Secure Digital) to the aluminum case; I dropped this on cement from about four feet, it dented the cast but didnt faze the camera. Youll want rechargeble double As for it and as long as youre good about formatting the memory card frequently when its a big one (128 or 256mb) then it should work flawlessly and quickly. The two drawbacks I see are only thirty seconds of video record time (which apparently is due to the fact that after about 20-25 seconds the audio and video get out of sync) most cameras now have at least 3 minutes and better quality. The second drawback is the fact that you need to be a competent enough photographer to know that holding down the shutter button half-way autofocuses but also that you may need to adjust the amount of light allowed into the photo and the way the camera determines to use the flash, to avoid white-washing faces etc. Other than that its still an outstanding camera for the money ($180 used that is). Although there are definitely better ones out there for just slightly more money. Which reminds me, I bought mine refurbished and have seen no drawbacks from doing so.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-04-03
I have had my camera for just over one year and it has developed two major problems in that time and is currently inoperable. It has a problem with the lens not retracting and the camera losing function. (note: this is unrelated to the battery replacement issue outlined in the owners manual). I sent it in the first time to be repaired and after a few weeks received it back. Then I developed the same problem again and it was just slightly past the year mark and the warranty had expired. I called them up and explained either something is wrong with my particular camera or it is a flaw in the product. They would only say that the base rate for repair was $110 and could go up from there. Konica Minolta was unwilling to do anything else. I would pick a brand 1. with a more reliable product and 2. that stands behind the products they make. This is a pretty camera and has some nice features, but then other brands have the same features and looks without the quality problems.
On: 2004-04-02
I have had my camera for just over one year and it has developed two major problems in that time and is currently inoperable. It has a problem with the lens not retracting and the camera losing function. (note: this is unrelated to the battery replacement issue outlined in the owners manual). I sent it in the first time to be repaired and after a few weeks received it back. Then I developed the same problem again and it was just slightly past the year mark and the warranty had expired. I called them up and explained either something is wrong with my particular camera or it is a flaw in the product. They would only say that the base rate for repair was $110 and could go up from there. Konica Minolta was unwilling to do anything else. I would pick a brand 1. with a more reliable product and 2. that stands behind the products they make. This is a pretty camera and has some nice features, but then other brands have the same features and looks without the quality problems.
On: 2004-03-29
outstanding quality photos, even action shots, awesome features, but drop it once on the hard floor and its toast. Its the retracting lens and cover that can get screwed up.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-03-21
I have had this camera for one year and what waste of money and time. The camera is slow to focus, will not focus in low light, and when it is focused, it isnt. Also, the auto focus mode tends to focus on the background and I am waving the thing around just to try to get it to focus on my subject. My wife and I have dozens and dozens of lost shots of our daughters (literally) because of this. If it is any consolation, many of the ruined photos were not good because . . . . The shutter lag is terrible. I know that this is a problem with digitals, but this camera is definitely worse. Even when it is pre-focused (which is difficult to do because of what I said above), there is a lag. Oh yeah, it is not as light sensitive as other cameras, meaing that you will also get to wait for the flash to recharge for most indoor shots. And yes, I know how to set the flash to go as needed. The flash whites out faces indoors particularly badly. Anyway, this should do. These are show-stoppers. This camera is terrible. I finally wrote this review after just using a family members Sony DCS-P9 (4MP) camera. I do not know if this camera is the only one that blows the Dimage F100 out of the water, but man, is sure makes this one look like the stinker it is.
On: 2004-03-20
I have had this camera for one year and what waste of money and time. The camera is slow to focus, will not focus in low light, and when it is focused, it isnt. Also, the auto focus mode tends to focus on the background and I am waving the thing around just to try to get it to focus on my subject. My wife and I have dozens and dozens of lost shots of our daughters (literally) because of this. If it is any consolation, many of the ruined photos were not good because . . . . The shutter lag is terrible. I know that this is a problem with digitals, but this camera is definitely worse. Even when it is pre-focused (which is difficult to do because of what I said above), there is a lag. Oh yeah, it is not as light sensitive as other cameras, meaing that you will also get to wait for the flash to recharge for most indoor shots. And yes, I know how to set the flash to go as needed. The flash whites out faces indoors particularly badly. Anyway, this should do. These are show-stoppers. This camera is terrible. I finally wrote this review after just using a family members Sony DCS-P9 (4MP) camera. I do not know if this camera is the only one that blows the Dimage F100 out of the water, but man, is sure makes this one look like the stinker it is.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-01-11
I got this as a gift over a year ago. Works great and Im very happy with it. However, on a few occasions, the lens failed to open and I had to wait a while for it to start working again. As with some digital cameras, the most annoying feature is the slight delay in taking pictures. This is very frustrating when youre trying to capture a babys actions! The mini movie feature is great and so is the quality of the photos. This is a good camera overall.
 On: 2003-12-20
The camera is very fragile and the on/off dial is not secure at all, it tend to turn on if in your pocket or bag, result is mine got open in my bag and now the lense is stuck.
Hopefully the one year guarantee will cover it.
On: 2003-12-19
The camera is very fragile and the on/off dial is not secure at all, it tend to turn on if in your pocket or bag, result is mine got open in my bag and now the lense is stuck.
Hopefully the one year guarantee will cover it.
On: 2003-12-12
Have owned for a year....everything excellent except for the following:
Has trouble focusing in low light due to lack of low light assist lamp...
The battery door hatch needs to be handled with extreme care. Mine now needs to be taped shut because it likes to pop open unexpetedly.
not perfect, but lots of good features, and great pics
by: Anonymous On: 2003-09-30
This could obviously just be the camera I received, but twice in the past nine months the camera has shut down with the lens fully extended and cannot be turned back on (I bought the AC adapter, tried every kind of battery under the sun, etc.). It had to be returned to Minolta for service both times. I wont be buying another Minolta.Having said that, the camera does take very high quality pictures when used properly and has a lot of features. Its a little slow between photos and eats batteries but these are common complaints with many digital cameras. Check out the Nikon Coolpix line. Both My brother and my sister-in-law just received the Coolpix 4800 as a gift and they both love it.
by: gadgester On: 2003-07-01
The Dimage F-series of digital cameras are nothing short of AMAZING. Or AWESOME. Or PERFECT. Each model is a perfect balance between size (compact, take-anywhere) and features (especially the number of manual controls which simply dont exist on other digital cameras, even excellent offerings from Canon or Fuji). 3X optical zoom is pretty standard on prosumer cameras these days; of course it would be nice to have 10X or 30X or 100X optical zoom, but at what price? The F100 (and other F models) are very well priced, being affordable to every level of digital camera enthusiasts.Unlike the flat dimensions of the Dimage X-series, the F-series models are a bit elongated and hence *easier* to hold (especially if you are rightie, of course). The controls are pretty straightforward, although you might want to keep the manual handy the first couple days you use the camera. Rechargable batteries are dirt cheap these days with the Chinese entering the market, and NiMH ones have twice the recharge cyles as LiIon ones, so power is not a problem -- you just should bring enough for your trip. I also love the fact Minolta uses SD memory cards. My Fujitsu laptop (as well as other multimedia laptops from Toshiba and HP) have a built-in SD/MMC slot, so I can just stick in the SD card and it instantly sits on my XP desktop as a removable drive. Then its just easy drag-n-drop in Windows Explorer! Just perfect! What can I say. If you dont have an F100 (4 megapixel) or F300 (5.3 megapixel) already, go get one today!
On: 2003-06-30
The Dimage F-series of digital cameras are nothing short of AMAZING. Or AWESOME. Or PERFECT. Each model is a perfect balance between size (compact, take-anywhere) and features (especially the number of manual controls which simply dont exist on other digital cameras, even excellent offerings from Canon or Fuji). 3X optical zoom is pretty standard on prosumer cameras these days; of course it would be nice to have 10X or 30X or 100X optical zoom, but at what price? The F100 (and other F models) are very well priced, being affordable to every level of digital camera enthusiasts.Unlike the flat dimensions of the Dimage X-series, the F-series models are a bit elongated and hence *easier* to hold (especially if you are rightie, of course). The controls are pretty straightforward, although you might want to keep the manual handy the first couple days you use the camera. Rechargable batteries are dirt cheap these days with the Chinese entering the market, and NiMH ones have twice the recharge cyles as LiIon ones, so power is not a problem -- you just should bring enough for your trip. I also love the fact Minolta uses SD memory cards. My Fujitsu laptop (as well as other multimedia laptops from Toshiba and HP) have a built-in SD/MMC slot, so I can just stick in the SD card and it instantly sits on my XP desktop as a removable drive. Then its just easy drag-n-drop in Windows Explorer! Just perfect! What can I say. If you dont have an F100 (4 megapixel) or F300 (5.3 megapixel) already, go get one today!
On: 2003-05-11
I got this camera about two month ago, and it is a perfect choice for "mid-professional" use! It works nice at night, no red eye, noisy pictures... The mechanical parts are also working very smoothly, no engine sounds. I had a DiMAGE X before this, you can not compare the picture quality at all. Battery life is good too, but Id prefer to have a battery like DiMAGE X and the charger, since you have to pay about $40 for battery and a charger, which are not included in the package. Overall, this is a great choice if you dont are not concerned about getting VERY professional pictures...good luck!
On: 2003-04-25
Ive owned it for 4 months now and its a very good camera, especially for the price... Normal compression @ 4M resolution results in about 1 meg JPGs. Compression artifacts are not visible unless you blow them up very large: >8x11. 4 resolution options w/3 or 4 compression options. Video w/sound works great. Compact enough for your shirt pocket. Quality aluminum body. Many features in a moderately easy to use menu; more features = more layers. Downloads fast, about 1 sec/meg so no need for a card reader. Win Me & 2000 auto installed it as a generic USB card reader, I never had to enter anything!Cons; shutter lag is about 1 sec. You can speed it up if you depress the shutter half way to prefocus. On/Off dial is too easy to turn on in your pocket. Eats batteries. I could not get it to work with alkalines, only rechargables or the supplied disposable lithium. Only comes w/16M SD card. Slightly awkward to hold. Weak flash.
On: 2003-04-24
Ive owned it for 4 months now and its a very good camera, especially for the price... Normal compression @ 4M resolution results in about 1 meg JPGs. Compression artifacts are not visible unless you blow them up very large: >8x11. 4 resolution options w/3 or 4 compression options. Video w/sound works great. Compact enough for your shirt pocket. Quality aluminum body. Many features in a moderately easy to use menu; more features = more layers. Downloads fast, about 1 sec/meg so no need for a card reader. Win Me & 2000 auto installed it as a generic USB card reader, I never had to enter anything!Cons; shutter lag is about 1 sec. You can speed it up if you depress the shutter half way to prefocus. On/Off dial is too easy to turn on in your pocket. Eats batteries. I could not get it to work with alkalines, only rechargables or the supplied disposable lithium. Only comes w/16M SD card. Slightly awkward to hold. Weak flash.
On: 2003-03-27
Bought the F100 as my second digicam after doing months of research. It seemed to be the right fit for my needs. There is not doubt that this camera takes excellent pictures - much better than my old Ricoh 5300. And, the manual features are excellent, although often buried in the menus.That said, this camera is built very cheaply. The battery lid easily pops open dumping the batteries when you pull it out of a case. And worst of all, the switch at the top of the camera is very easy to turn on inadvertantly. This causes the lens to pop out at "inopportune" times (like in your pocket). I read about this in several other reviews of the F100, but decided to buy it anyway, since I am very careful with my equipment. I even bought a small neoprene case to make sure this didnt happen. Even with this precaution, I pulled the F100 out of the case from my jacket one day only to find that it had somehow turned on and fried the lens servo motor. Also, the sound quality is a joke. The only good news was that the camera broke before my return period was over so I got my money back. Im probably going to buy a Canon S45 to replace it. I cannot recommend this camera.
On: 2003-03-26
Bought the F100 as my second digicam after doing months of research. It seemed to be the right fit for my needs. There is not doubt that this camera takes excellent pictures - much better than my old Ricoh 5300. And, the manual features are excellent, although often buried in the menus.That said, this camera is built very cheaply. The battery lid easily pops open dumping the batteries when you pull it out of a case. And worst of all, the switch at the top of the camera is very easy to turn on inadvertantly. This causes the lens to pop out at "inopportune" times (like in your pocket). I read about this in several other reviews of the F100, but decided to buy it anyway, since I am very careful with my equipment. I even bought a small neoprene case to make sure this didnt happen. Even with this precaution, I pulled the F100 out of the case from my jacket one day only to find that it had somehow turned on and fried the lens servo motor. Also, the sound quality is a joke. The only good news was that the camera broke before my return period was over so I got my money back. Im probably going to buy a Canon S45 to replace it. I cannot recommend this camera.
On: 2003-03-26
After extensive research on this site and several others, I returned my Canon S200 and upgraded to the Minolta F100. I am very pleased with my purchase, because this is an excellent camera well-suited to my two main reasons for finally making the move to digital: clear, quick snapshots and the flexibility to completely control the shot. With a set of rechargeable lithium-ions (not included - easily worth the $ I paid) and a 128MB SD card I was able to shoot over 100 pictures at a friends birthday party (most with flash, including movies, motor-drive style, automatic and manual exposures). I dropped them onto my ibook and went right back out to try my hobbyists hand at our historic village. I cant think of a thing to complain about: this camera is small enough to go into a jacket pocket, versatile enough to offer complete f-stop, shutter speed and exposure control, and it takes phenomenally good pictures at all image grades (from the 2 MB, small to the 4MB superfine level). No purple fringing, no unnatural white balance - just excellent pictures. Worth every penny. Finally time to retire my APS Elph after 7 years. (I had also considered the S230 and the S45, but they just didnt match up. The S230 was overpriced and limited in its flexibility, while the S45 was too big and too expensive. Im hooked on the Minolta.
On: 2003-03-25
After extensive research on this site and several others, I returned my Canon S200 and upgraded to the Minolta F100. I am very pleased with my purchase, because this is an excellent camera well-suited to my two main reasons for finally making the move to digital: clear, quick snapshots and the flexibility to completely control the shot. With a set of rechargeable lithium-ions (not included - easily worth the $ I paid) and a 128MB SD card I was able to shoot over 100 pictures at a friends birthday party (most with flash, including movies, motor-drive style, automatic and manual exposures). I dropped them onto my ibook and went right back out to try my hobbyists hand at our historic village. I cant think of a thing to complain about: this camera is small enough to go into a jacket pocket, versatile enough to offer complete f-stop, shutter speed and exposure control, and it takes phenomenally good pictures at all image grades (from the 2 MB, small to the 4MB superfine level). No purple fringing, no unnatural white balance - just excellent pictures. Worth every penny. Finally time to retire my APS Elph after 7 years. (I had also considered the S230 and the S45, but they just didnt match up. The S230 was overpriced and limited in its flexibility, while the S45 was too big and too expensive. Im hooked on the Minolta.
On: 2003-03-23
No, Tin Liu, I dont have any problems like you are experiencing. My camera is noiseless when Im not snapping a picture and the LCD is as crisp as they come. I remember when I was in Superfine mode, the load times to view my picture was incredibly long and the camera made noise to access my picture. Are you in superfine mode by chance? Tonia Clifford
On: 2003-03-15
I have to question for the people who have this camera. When I turn it on and set it to AUTO mode, the camera will make noises (sound like a broken radio, you have to put your ear near the LCD to hear it), and the picture showing in the LCD will be blurry a little for a second. If I leave on a table (not moving it), the noise will stop. If I move it, the noise will appear again. It doesnt have this problem in Manual mode or other modes. I returned this camera twice and still having this problem. Please let me know if your camera does the same thing or is it just me. Thanks. Otherwise, its a very good 4M camera ...
On: 2003-03-14
I have to question for the people who have this camera. When I turn it on and set it to AUTO mode, the camera will make noises (sound like a broken radio, you have to put your ear near the LCD to hear it), and the picture showing in the LCD will be blurry a little for a second. If I leave on a table (not moving it), the noise will stop. If I move it, the noise will appear again. It doesnt have this problem in Manual mode or other modes. I returned this camera twice and still having this problem. Please let me know if your camera does the same thing or is it just me. Thanks. Otherwise, its a very good 4M camera ...
On: 2003-03-05
I always loved taking pictures! I got this as a gift from my husband and was so thrilled. I am taking alot more pictures and having lots of fun. The results are unbelievable. I am taking my camera every where I go. I love the instant result. This truely is the best camera I ever had.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-02-27
This is a great camera what can I say i have taken pics from it and people think that they are professional, great image quality, fair battery life.. just get like 8 recharable batteries and you can go a full day , the flash really takes the battery life away.. any way if you are looking for the best priced 4mp camera i would go with this one
On: 2003-02-26
This is a great camera what can I say i have taken pics from it and people think that they are professional, great image quality, fair battery life.. just get like 8 recharable batteries and you can go a full day , the flash really takes the battery life away.. any way if you are looking for the best priced 4mp camera i would go with this one
On: 2003-02-18
Ive have bought both the Sony P7 and the Canon S230 in the past 3 weeks, and took them both back. The Minolta F100 blows them away! If you are considering either of these cameras, be sure to check out the Minolta first. It way more feature-packed.The Sony had awful software (totally unusable) and the pictures were all fuzzy on the edges of the subjects - like I shot them with a softening filter. And having to charge the battery inside the camera with the bulky cords was a hassle. The Canon, for a $400 camera, has no date stamp imprint! You have to apply it with their software! Sometimes I print right from my printer and dont even involve my PC. Completely unacceptable. In comparison, the Minolta offers these added features: *Its 4 Megapixels instead of only 3! *A separate LCD display of camera settings and options, as well as having the option to display them in your main LCD too. Nice if you dont want your view to be cluttered with settings. *I happened to find it alot cheaper online from a reputable major retailer than at the major electronics stores nearby. It came with an extra 64mb card and leather case for less than either the Sony or Canon! :-D *It has a movie mode with sound, but you can also attach a voice message to any photo! *I like the CR-V3 batteries. My Kodak had them and they dont drain as fast as everyone complains they do. They are not expensive...so just keep an extra handy. *I have Windows XP, and had to download a software version updatefrom minolta.com to be able to transfer my photos, but it went smoothly. *There are all manual settings too, for those that might want to have that control. My pictures on auto are fantastic. *The only thing I dont like is that you have to have the camera in manual mode to have the date imprint. I dont really understand why, but its a tiny tiny detail. I just put it in that mode but dont change any of the settings it already has - it works just fine. You really need to give this camera a look! You wont be disappointed!
by: Anonymous On: 2003-01-30
A very attractive, solid-feeling little camera, as compact as one might wish. After about six months use, these shortcomings noted: (i) the menus are virtually invisible in outdoor light; (ii) the OFF position of the mode dial is not secure; the camera can be turned on and the lens turret extended in purse or pocket by inadvertant jostling, which may damage the mechanism; (iii) the autofocus feature lacks an infrared beam projector, making autofocusing inexact in poor light; (iv) the disparity between image capture via optic viewfinder and LCD frame is very large; (v) in common with many in its class, the cameras operation although extremely flexible is very complex.
On: 2003-01-29
A very attractive, solid-feeling little camera, as compact as one might wish. After about six months use, these shortcomings noted: (i) the menus are virtually invisible in outdoor light; (ii) the OFF position of the mode dial is not secure; the camera can be turned on and the lens turret extended in purse or pocket by inadvertant jostling, which may damage the mechanism; (iii) the autofocus feature lacks an infrared beam projector, making autofocusing inexact in poor light; (iv) the disparity between image capture via optic viewfinder and LCD frame is very large; (v) in common with many in its class, the cameras operation although extremely flexible is very complex.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-01-22
This camera takes great pictures. The movie mode needs improvement. The movies it takes are fair.
On: 2002-12-31
The good:
Ultra compact, feature rich(I love the subject tracking AF), good picture, easy menu.The bad:
weak flash, barrel distortion at the wide angle side. This camera takes good pictures under bright light. But the flash is very weak(effictive within about 6 feet), and it often produce over exposed spots on reflective surface, so if its not absolutely necessary, turn it off, the fast lens can handle most low light situation(you can turn to manul mode and adjust the aperture to the largest). The barrel distortion at the wide angle is very obvious. I got bended floor lamp, its much worse than my film SLR(Olympus IS-30). The default turn-on focus setting is the widest angle, so remember move it a little bit to the tele, kind of anoying. Overall satisfied with this camera, subject tracking AF is cute. Takes very detailed pictures, white balance works very good. And its easy to manipulate pictures with bundled software.
On: 2002-12-31
This is my second digital camera and I am thrilled with it! What I love about this camera is its manual settings which allow you to control f-stops and aperature. But its also fully automatic, so I can snap a quick shot, or set up exactly what I want for a protrait of the night sky. The scene settings in the automatic mode are also very nice. I like the sunset one especially.The video feature is uniqe because sound is included with video--great memory maker. I have not used the audio recording feature much, but on a 128MB card, I can record up to 30 minutes of audio at a time! Minolta makes a great product; the optics are the highest quality. This camera is perfect for those who want to dive into the digital camera market at the top of the class and also for those who want a no-nonsense user-friendly product that takes maginficent photos. Five stars is not enough for this product!
On: 2002-12-31
After being a die-hard film photographer for the last 20 years, I finally took the plunge and bought a digital camera. After much research, I decided on the Minolta F100. This camera is the perfect size for backpacking and other trips. You will never have to worry about leaving it behind. I was a little disapointed that the camera did not come with an A/C adapter, but I bought an inexpensive SD/MMC memory card reader that connects to my computer via a USB cable. This way the camera does not have to be on in order to download pictures to your computer, thus saving wear and tear on the camera, and saving batteries. Speaking of batteries, I like the fact that the Minolta gives you the option of using AA batteries, which can be a real benefit if you run out of Lithium and/or rechargeable batteries.Most importantly, the pictures are great! The camera is easy to use in automatic mode, but you have the option of complete control in manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority modes.
On: 2002-12-30
The good:
Ultra compact, feature rich(I love the subject tracking AF), good picture, easy menu.The bad:
weak flash, barrel distortion at the wide angle side. This camera takes good pictures under bright light. But the flash is very weak(effictive within about 6 feet), and it often produce over exposed spots on reflective surface, so if its not absolutely necessary, turn it off, the fast lens can handle most low light situation(you can turn to manul mode and adjust the aperture to the largest). The barrel distortion at the wide angle is very obvious. I got bended floor lamp, its much worse than my film SLR(Olympus IS-30). The default turn-on focus setting is the widest angle, so remember move it a little bit to the tele, kind of anoying. Overall satisfied with this camera, subject tracking AF is cute. Takes very detailed pictures, white balance works very good. And its easy to manipulate pictures with bundled software.
On: 2002-12-30
This is my second digital camera and I am thrilled with it! What I love about this camera is its manual settings which allow you to control f-stops and aperature. But its also fully automatic, so I can snap a quick shot, or set up exactly what I want for a protrait of the night sky. The scene settings in the automatic mode are also very nice. I like the sunset one especially.The video feature is uniqe because sound is included with video--great memory maker. I have not used the audio recording feature much, but on a 128MB card, I can record up to 30 minutes of audio at a time! Minolta makes a great product; the optics are the highest quality. This camera is perfect for those who want to dive into the digital camera market at the top of the class and also for those who want a no-nonsense user-friendly product that takes maginficent photos. Five stars is not enough for this product!
On: 2002-12-30
After being a die-hard film photographer for the last 20 years, I finally took the plunge and bought a digital camera. After much research, I decided on the Minolta F100. This camera is the perfect size for backpacking and other trips. You will never have to worry about leaving it behind. I was a little disapointed that the camera did not come with an A/C adapter, but I bought an inexpensive SD/MMC memory card reader that connects to my computer via a USB cable. This way the camera does not have to be on in order to download pictures to your computer, thus saving wear and tear on the camera, and saving batteries. Speaking of batteries, I like the fact that the Minolta gives you the option of using AA batteries, which can be a real benefit if you run out of Lithium and/or rechargeable batteries.Most importantly, the pictures are great! The camera is easy to use in automatic mode, but you have the option of complete control in manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority modes.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-12-29
Great feel, easy to hold and manipulate (as long as you are right-handed). Rechargable batteries are a necessity, and seem to last as long as the $10 disposable. I dont like the shutter lag, or the time required for auto focus, as I cannot get true "snap" shots. I also do not like the way the memory does not hold my last date or other settings between uses. As for downloading, it is a snap to plug into computer USB port--takes less than 10 seconds to empty camera memory onto PC. I enjoy most using the camera to take photos of California from the air--even through the glass of a pressurized cockpit, the focus is sharp.
On: 2002-12-28
Great feel, easy to hold and manipulate (as long as you are right-handed). Rechargable batteries are a necessity, and seem to last as long as the $10 disposable. I dont like the shutter lag, or the time required for auto focus, as I cannot get true "snap" shots. I also do not like the way the memory does not hold my last date or other settings between uses. As for downloading, it is a snap to plug into computer USB port--takes less than 10 seconds to empty camera memory onto PC. I enjoy most using the camera to take photos of California from the air--even through the glass of a pressurized cockpit, the focus is sharp.
On: 2002-12-04
Overall, a small, easy to carry feature packed camera. Subject Tracking AF and Area AF make it easy to stay locked onto a subject thats moving so you can take a clear picture. The 110,000 pixel LCD display provides a crisp clear image. The optional RC-3 remote control allows you to tripod mount the camera and take self-portraits--if you think being able to do that is worth the [money]for the remote. A customer from San Diego, CA USA claimed that the F100 did not have "time stamp" option which will allow customer to put date on picture automatically. Actually it does. Under Manual mode, Menu->Custom 2 tab, theres an option called "date imprint". Turning it on sticks the date on the photo automatically. This option applies to manual mode, but you can still configure manual mode with the menus to be mostly automatic anyway. Why so many complain about features a device doesnt (appear to) have without bothering to read the manual first, eludes me. Besides, why ruin a good picture with a big DATE STAMP when the camera records all of the image details in the jpeg file? With the software included, its very easy to see the time, date, capturing device settings and dozens of other jpeg properties after the fact without compromising the photo. The fact that Minolta doesnt include an AC adapter is a kicker because the AC-6 adapter costs a hefty [amount]. If you happen to have a card reader which is a better option than the USB cable anyway (go ahead and buy the 6-in-1 type so you can read anything), the adapter really isnt that important unless you like putting up slide shows on TV with the included A/V adapter cable. Minolta was one of the few companies who considered customer convenience in this design--they wisely chose to use AA batteries. Olympus is one of the few manufacturers to use AAs in most of their models. Most cameras I reviewed in the 4MP range use those ridiculously overpriced proprietary Li-Ion batteries. If you happen to be overseas without a charger that supports alternate voltages (a situation Im in frequently), youd better take a spare, and plan on paying around [money], or foot the bill for a dual-voltage charger if you can even get one. On top of that, youll be lucky if you get 2 years out of the stupid things, and then youre out another [money] or so if the manufacturer even still makes them by that time. Minolta eliminated all of this pain by using standard off-the-shelf good old [inexpensive] AAs in the F100. Buy a few NiMH to carry around and keep a couple of lithium AAs with you to use if you run out of charged NiMH batteries. Worst case, stop at a gas station and load up on Alkaline AAs. Theyll have a shorter life, but at least your camera still functions! If youre looking at cameras that use proprietary batteries, think long and hard about how you might wind up without the facilities to recharge before you buy. Sooner or later, it will be a problem. The LCD is recessed which helps protect it from sharp objects sliding over the back of the camera--an unfortunate oversight on another brand which now has several scratches across the screen. The lens retracts into the camera and a cover automatically closes to protect it. No lens cap to lose, no slide cover to forget to close. This lens cover design may not protect quite as well as a heavy sliding cover on other models, but given the price, I have no intentions of using my camera as a football anyway. Keep it in a padded carry bag. One last pleasant surprise from the Minolta is the F100s ISO capability. Most cameras Ive seen go up to 400, amd nearly all use 100-200 when left in auto--including the Minolta. In manual mode, the Minolta can go as high as ISO 800. This allows the camera to take photos in surprisingly low-light situations--often without the flash! There is a tradeoff though: just as with film, the higher ISO settings result in "granier" images. Still, if its grainy or nothing, Ill choose grainy.
On: 2002-12-03
Overall, a small, easy to carry feature packed camera. Subject Tracking AF and Area AF make it easy to stay locked onto a subject thats moving so you can take a clear picture. The 110,000 pixel LCD display provides a crisp clear image. The optional RC-3 remote control allows you to tripod mount the camera and take self-portraits--if you think being able to do that is worth the [money]for the remote. A customer from San Diego, CA USA claimed that the F100 did not have "time stamp" option which will allow customer to put date on picture automatically. Actually it does. Under Manual mode, Menu->Custom 2 tab, theres an option called "date imprint". Turning it on sticks the date on the photo automatically. This option applies to manual mode, but you can still configure manual mode with the menus to be mostly automatic anyway. Why so many complain about features a device doesnt (appear to) have without bothering to read the manual first, eludes me. Besides, why ruin a good picture with a big DATE STAMP when the camera records all of the image details in the jpeg file? With the software included, its very easy to see the time, date, capturing device settings and dozens of other jpeg properties after the fact without compromising the photo. The fact that Minolta doesnt include an AC adapter is a kicker because the AC-6 adapter costs a hefty [amount]. If you happen to have a card reader which is a better option than the USB cable anyway (go ahead and buy the 6-in-1 type so you can read anything), the adapter really isnt that important unless you like putting up slide shows on TV with the included A/V adapter cable. Minolta was one of the few companies who considered customer convenience in this design--they wisely chose to use AA batteries. Olympus is one of the few manufacturers to use AAs in most of their models. Most cameras I reviewed in the 4MP range use those ridiculously overpriced proprietary Li-Ion batteries. If you happen to be overseas without a charger that supports alternate voltages (a situation Im in frequently), youd better take a spare, and plan on paying around [money], or foot the bill for a dual-voltage charger if you can even get one. On top of that, youll be lucky if you get 2 years out of the stupid things, and then youre out another [money] or so if the manufacturer even still makes them by that time. Minolta eliminated all of this pain by using standard off-the-shelf good old [inexpensive] AAs in the F100. Buy a few NiMH to carry around and keep a couple of lithium AAs with you to use if you run out of charged NiMH batteries. Worst case, stop at a gas station and load up on Alkaline AAs. Theyll have a shorter life, but at least your camera still functions! If youre looking at cameras that use proprietary batteries, think long and hard about how you might wind up without the facilities to recharge before you buy. Sooner or later, it will be a problem. The LCD is recessed which helps protect it from sharp objects sliding over the back of the camera--an unfortunate oversight on another brand which now has several scratches across the screen. The lens retracts into the camera and a cover automatically closes to protect it. No lens cap to lose, no slide cover to forget to close. This lens cover design may not protect quite as well as a heavy sliding cover on other models, but given the price, I have no intentions of using my camera as a football anyway. Keep it in a padded carry bag. One last pleasant surprise from the Minolta is the F100s ISO capability. Most cameras Ive seen go up to 400, amd nearly all use 100-200 when left in auto--including the Minolta. In manual mode, the Minolta can go as high as ISO 800. This allows the camera to take photos in surprisingly low-light situations--often without the flash! There is a tradeoff though: just as with film, the higher ISO settings result in "granier" images. Still, if its grainy or nothing, Ill choose grainy.
On: 2002-11-24
I bought this camera after my wonderful husband dropped and broke my Fuji Finepix 2400. I decided to upgrade to a 4 mp camera and after MUCH research, I chose the Minolta F100. Ive had it for about a month now and absolutely love it! The pictures are brilliant and the prints from my printer are almost film photo quality. It is small enought to fit in your purse or pocket, and it has a feature that once you lock in on your subject, itll follow it around and take a great picture - great for taking pictures of an active toddler! The trick is to press and hold the shutter button half way down to focus, and when youre ready, snap your picture! I havent missed many shots this way!
The bottom line is that this is one of the best values for the money - it has better features than most of the 4 mp cameras in this class, as Minolta came late in the game of digital imaging and has to catch up with the rest of the world, thus giving you great features, quality, and ease of use, for much, much less.
On: 2002-11-23
I bought this camera after my wonderful husband dropped and broke my Fuji Finepix 2400. I decided to upgrade to a 4 mp camera and after MUCH research, I chose the Minolta F100. Ive had it for about a month now and absolutely love it! The pictures are brilliant and the prints from my printer are almost film photo quality. It is small enought to fit in your purse or pocket, and it has a feature that once you lock in on your subject, itll follow it around and take a great picture - great for taking pictures of an active toddler! The trick is to press and hold the shutter button half way down to focus, and when youre ready, snap your picture! I havent missed many shots this way!
The bottom line is that this is one of the best values for the money - it has better features than most of the 4 mp cameras in this class, as Minolta came late in the game of digital imaging and has to catch up with the rest of the world, thus giving you great features, quality, and ease of use, for much, much less.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-10-30
It is a pretty good camera. But I am just wondering, it did not have "time stamp" option which will allow customer to put date on picture automatically. It will be very important when you try to have family photos.
On: 2002-10-29
It is a pretty good camera. But I am just wondering, it did not have "time stamp" option which will allow customer to put date on picture automatically. It will be very important when you try to have family photos.
On: 2002-10-26
Two choices when i wanted to buy a digcam:Dimage F100 or Sony Cybershot DSC-P9. both 4MP, similar design, weight and size. Minolta is ($$$) cheaper but no AC adaptor, charger and rechargeable batteries. these cost about ($$$). So no big difference. so far, the pic quality is perfect and it is very easy to use.
On: 2002-09-26
While the F100 is optically terrific and physically sized for convenience, the LCD monitor is vitually invisible in bright outdoor light. Also, the cameras housing is very fragile. Packing the F100 without a hard carrying case in a full backpack will likely dent the cameras housing and void the warranty.
On: 2002-08-09
I was torn for a while between this model and the Konica KD-400Z. For a similar price and with similar features, only a few final things set me on the Minolta. I do not know how much this information will help others, but the criteria I used may help others in their decision.The two cameras take good pictures. There is no doubt about that. There is, though, one problem with picture quality (an ever-so-slight red tinting) with the Konica. In the age of digital photo editing, I do not think this is such a huge concern, though. The real clencher is in getting around to taking a picture. The Konica model makes you do almost everything save the most basic things (flash on/off, optical zoom, macro mode, etc.) through the display menu. It is colorful and easy to read, but the menus are many and stacked, making one slog through about two screens on average to execute any functions. The Minolta, however, lets a fairly large amount of things be done with a single push of a button, or a turn of the selector dial. Ill be frank: even in an age when everything digital is supposed to be a gift from the divine, it isnt always practicle or simple. Minolta shows they have the experience and know-how to make something usable and of high quality. Another factor is the power source. Both can use an AC adaptor, which can be nice if you are photographing something like pages of an old manuscript for study, or taking snaps of your children as they play on the carpet. Batteries are another matter. The Konica uses a rechargable (good) but specialized (bad) battery. The charger can apparently be used most anywhere in the world, but still: five years down the road, can you buy a new battery when the original is worn out? The Minolta, however, uses two AA or the new CR-V3 battery, designed for use with digital cameras. This means you can take it anywhere and be guaranteed of being able to use it. The only problem then is basic battery life, and honestly in this day and age I dont want to be filling up landfills any more than I have to. One clear advantage the Konica has is the lens cover/power switch, which completely hides the lens. The Minolta of course retracts the lens casing and folds an automatic shutter over it, but auto-closing lens protectors from days of old tend to get stuck after a while. Besides, I like the sense of security offered by having the lens completely tucked away under a large protective covering. The placement of the lens on the Minolta, that is, off to one side, should help keep fingers out of the way. In terms of bundled software, it is a tie, but the Konica comes with a simple version of Adobe Photoshop, if I recall, which some might prefer. One definate plus is that the Minolta comes with a remote control. Get a tripod and no more shakey hands bluring a photo! In the end, it was a close race, but the reputation of Minolta and the companys eye for design was what finally sold me. I hope this has helped someone out there. If you are trying to make a decision on this or a model with fewer pixels, all I can say is it is up to you and what you will use it for. Palm PDA users, though, may want to go the SD RAM road as new Palm devices all feature an SD slot. This was one of the main things that drew me to the Konica and Minolta in the first place.
On: 2002-08-01
I dont know much about digital camers (at least not until i started looking to buy one.) i wanted one that was real easy to carry around, had a high pixel count and was reasonably priced. i almost got a canon s30 or s40, but decided they were too big for me. i also almost got a sony dsc 9, but felt that minolta had a better name in photography. so far, i really dig the camera. it offers me lots of photographic options - black and white is cool, plus you can easily delete pix you dont like. i wanted a good camera for an upcoming trip to costa rica and i think i have it now!
On: 2002-07-31
I dont know much about digital camers (at least not until i started looking to buy one.) i wanted one that was real easy to carry around, had a high pixel count and was reasonably priced. i almost got a canon s30 or s40, but decided they were too big for me. i also almost got a sony dsc 9, but felt that minolta had a better name in photography. so far, i really dig the camera. it offers me lots of photographic options - black and white is cool, plus you can easily delete pix you dont like. i wanted a good camera for an upcoming trip to costa rica and i think i have it now!
by: Anonymous On: 2002-07-29
Very good package at a good price compared to other bulky competitors. Functions are better designed than the Canon S40. feels comfortable and heavy enough to take stable shots. The autofocus makes it easier for other family members to take pictures and enjoy the camera too.It would be better if it came with a minolta charger, but I guess most do not ==> Dont forget to order good batteries and a battery charger. Download to the computer is much faster than I thought it would be. On the negative side , voice recording with video mode seems a littel weak.
On: 2002-07-29
I just love this camera for the great combination of features it provides in ths small sleek take-everywhere package. But features alone wouldnt suffice without good picture quality, and the F100 delivers excellent pictures for an ultracompact. Nice sharpness throughout the entire lens, and natural well-balanced colors. Autofocus is fairly fast and reliable. Works on two AA batteries and gives only average battery life, but the convenience and cost-savings of being able to use rechargeable NIMH batteries is well worth the tradeoff. In fact, this was a big selling point for me. I have a [brand name] digital camera that uses a proprietary li-ion battery which is very expensive, though it does last long. But for an ultracompact like the F100, I much prefer the AA batteries. One other plus for the F100 is the 4 megapixels. Some other compacts,... , only give you 2 megapixels. For the most casual photographer, this may be enough. But when you end up cropping some shots, like I do, the extra megapixels are mandatory. There is a full range of manual controls for the more advanced shooters, plus a wide range of auto settings for complete point-and-shoot convenience. Im glad I waited for this model to come out before going for one of the many other digital compacts out there.
On: 2002-07-28
I just love this camera for the great combination of features it provides in ths small sleek take-everywhere package. But features alone wouldnt suffice without good picture quality, and the F100 delivers excellent pictures for an ultracompact. Nice sharpness throughout the entire lens, and natural well-balanced colors. Autofocus is fairly fast and reliable. Works on two AA batteries and gives only average battery life, but the convenience and cost-savings of being able to use rechargeable NIMH batteries is well worth the tradeoff. In fact, this was a big selling point for me. I have a [brand name] digital camera that uses a proprietary li-ion battery which is very expensive, though it does last long. But for an ultracompact like the F100, I much prefer the AA batteries. One other plus for the F100 is the 4 megapixels. Some other compacts,... , only give you 2 megapixels. For the most casual photographer, this may be enough. But when you end up cropping some shots, like I do, the extra megapixels are mandatory. There is a full range of manual controls for the more advanced shooters, plus a wide range of auto settings for complete point-and-shoot convenience. Im glad I waited for this model to come out before going for one of the many other digital compacts out there.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-07-23
It is small, light, fits in my pocket or my wifes purse. I have owned mine 5 months and it has been trouble free. The autofocus works perfectly if you remember that the subject can move , not the camera AND the subject. Great flesh colors free of magenta or purple and as a matter of fact it is the first digital that I have owned that gives me great colors without going through Photoshop.At that price it deserves 5 stars.Caveat:The control button turns so easily that the camera turns itself on in your pocket or even in its case.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-07-03
Dont be annoyed at Minolta. If you dont feel that you need it for extending the photo/film time of the camera. And only for connecting for editing and formatting, go with a USB card reader.
They are a great way to go: much cheaper, and you usually get software along with the reader. I have one for the sd discs that are used with this camera and it works great. Cool lookin too.
Oh...and the USB cable is included...so no reason to be annoyed.
On: 2002-07-02
Once I got a hold of this camera, I was in love. Its easy to use, great design, and the quality of the pictures is superb. I waited a little while before jumping into the digital camera race, and this one was worth the wait! I would recommend it to both a beginner and a more experienced photographer.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-06-27
The good: Great pictures, compact ergonomic design - classy. So far I am pleased with the camera.
The bad: I am annoyed that Minolta choose not to package an AC adapter with this camera. Further - how about mentioning this little detail in the advertising so those purchasers like myself could order it. Here I am back at the Amazon site and guess what - no sign of the AC adapter - probably another $50 when I find one. Minolta even recommends this option (per their manual) when connecting to a computer!
On: 2002-06-08
After spending more than a year looking for just the right digital camaera, I chose the F100 and am very happy. With 4 megapixels, 3x zoom, and good optics, the camera is an excellent value for the price. Most of all, I love the design and ergonomics (Im an industrial designer and ergonomic engineer, so Im fussy about these things). The camera is very sturdy and has a clean all-metal housing. Its very small as well, yet its still quite easy to hold and operate with one hand. The controls make good sense too. Aesthetically, its very smart looking without being over the top. The area autofocus works well, though the subject tracking responds so slowly that It doesnt seem that helpful. No matter. All in all, it takes great pictures in Auto mode, and also has a "Multi" mode which gives you full manual control over focus and exposure, or you can choose to control some things and let the camera handle the rest. Note that unlike some cameras, it doesnt include a rechargeable battery or charger, but it does take 2 AAs. You can buy a smart charger and 4 AA NiMH batteries--around the same cost as buying a second proprietary battery for rival cameras. All in all, this is well designed and constructed fully featured camera in a small, elegant package.
On: 2002-06-07
After spending more than a year looking for just the right digital camaera, I chose the F100 and am very happy. With 4 megapixels, 3x zoom, and good optics, the camera is an excellent value for the price. Most of all, I love the design and ergonomics (Im an industrial designer and ergonomic engineer, so Im fussy about these things). The camera is very sturdy and has a clean all-metal housing. Its very small as well, yet its still quite easy to hold and operate with one hand. The controls make good sense too. Aesthetically, its very smart looking without being over the top. The area autofocus works well, though the subject tracking responds so slowly that It doesnt seem that helpful. No matter. All in all, it takes great pictures in Auto mode, and also has a "Multi" mode which gives you full manual control over focus and exposure, or you can choose to control some things and let the camera handle the rest. Note that unlike some cameras, it doesnt include a rechargeable battery or charger, but it does take 2 AAs. You can buy a smart charger and 4 AA NiMH batteries--around the same cost as buying a second proprietary battery for rival cameras. All in all, this is well designed and constructed fully featured camera in a small, elegant package.
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