DiMAGE Xi
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DiMAGE Xi
Minolta DiMAGE Xi Review
By Movable Type Admin


Features & Controls

(DiMAGE X shown here but is same as DiMAGE Xi)
The Dimage Xi has a newly developed f/2.8 3X "folded" optical zoom lens with a focal
length coverage of 37mm - 111mm in 35mm format. It is constructed of all glass with 9
elements in 8 groups (including three aspheric surfaces). An automatic protective cap
closes over the lens when it is powered down.
In addition, this efficient optical design requires only a small zooming
motor, allowing for quiet zooming.
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The built in flash offers Auto, Fill-flash, Red-eye reduction and Night Portrait modes,
it recycles in approximately 5 seconds.
The flash range is approximately 0.8 - 9.5 feet (0.25-2.9m) in Wide angle
and from approximately 0.8 - 7.5 feet (0.25-2.3m) in Telephoto
(Camera sensitivity: ISO 200)
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The eyelevel optical real-image zoom viewfinder has a field of view of approx. 85% of the
captured image. The "Slow No Wake" photo on the Sample Photos
page is shot using the optical viewfinder and framing the sign in the upper left corner
of the viewfinder. It shows the additional image the lens actually captured that was never
seen through the viewfinder. It has no diopter adjustment and the LED to the right is used to
indicate focus and flash status, it also indicates Movie recording is active or the camera is
writing to the memory card.
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All of the controls (except the power switch and shutter button) are located
on the back of the camera. At the top right is the Zoom lens control which is also part
of the 4-way navigation controls for the menu system and image playback. The slide
switch is used to go from Playback to Record mode. Below the color LCD (left to right)
is the Monitor control button to turn the color LCD on/off, it also controls the
amount of information displayed during playback or calls up the index mode. Next is
the Flash control button to cycle between the various flash modes - in Playback mode this
button now lets you quickly delete the current picture. The MENU button
enables the onscreen menu system. The last button is the ENTER button to accept
menu selections. On the right is the speaker for listening to the voice annotations
of your pictures or the audio track of a movie clip during playback.
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On top of the Dimage Xi is the ON / OFF switch and the Shutter Release. On the left is the
microphone for the movie sound track or adding voice annotations to your pictures.
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On the side is a single I/O port for connecting either the Audio/Video cable
(selectable NTSC or PAL video format) or the USB 1.1 data cable.
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The DiMAGE Xi is equipped with a SD/MMC card slot and is compatible with any size
Secure Digital or MultiMedia Card. The camera ships with a 16MB SD card.
Storage Capacity of 16MB SD Card
![]() The camera is powered by a proprietary NP-200 3.7V 750mAh lithium rechargeable battery pack. Minolta claims it has the capacity to record 120 pictures (half with flash) with the LCD on and it has a 110 minute playback capability.
The battery pack is charged outside of the camera in the supplied
BC-200 charger from any 100-240V AC power source.
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There's a DC IN jack for connecting the camera to an optional AC power supply
or an external battery pack.
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The optional CS-DG100 camera case. Holds the DiMAGE Xi (or DiMAGE X) and a spare battery
pack and memory card. It has a belt clip on the back.
Marine Case MC-DG100![]()
The optional Marine Case MC-DG100 is a compact underwater housing molded to
the slim profile of the DiMAGE Xi (or DiMAGE X.) From 30 meters (approx. 100 feet)
under the surface of the ocean to the summit of a rugged peak, the Marine Case will
protect the camera from the elements.
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The Marine Case is designed for extreme sports, whether on water, snow, or rock. Although
specifically designed for underwater diving, it's also the perfect armor against the
elements for outdoor adventures: mountain climbing, camping, snow boarding,
skiing, kayaking and white-water rafting; anywhere your want to go.
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