Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Sep 13, 2005 - By Noam Reuveni
The Konica Minolta DiMAGE X60 is one of many point-and-shoot oriented digital cameras that rely on a 3x optical zoom lens to refract images to its 1/2.5-inch 5 megapixel CCD. Shielded by a sliding lens cover, the X60 gains some distinction with a non-protruding zoom lens that remains flush with the front plane of its 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.9-inch, 4.1 ounce aluminum frame. Physically sleek though it may be, this model is a no frills point-and-shoot that leaves little up to the user, and unlike other compacts of its type, the DiMAGE X60 lacks sophistication. There’s no viewfinder; instead the DiMAGE X60 serves up a 2.5-inch LCD screen. The DiMAGE X60 has a suggested price of $349.99 but can currently be found as low as $217 online. Yet at any price there is no memory card included; rather users are forced to depend on the camera’s 15 megabytes of internal memory or subsequently purchase an SD card. The X60 is not groundbreaking in any regard, but will provide those who lack technical awareness with an opportunity to attain decent images in a small, easily portable package.
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Front (7.5)
The DiMAGE X60 has an aluminum front with rounded corners that wrap cleanly around the sides of the camera. Raised across the center of the camera’s front face is a sliding aluminum door that shields the lens when not in use. On the protective strip is a blue Konica Minolta logo accompanied by text reaffirming the identity of the manufacturer. When the sliding door is opened, the camera powers on and the lens is revealed, although it does not extend to zoom. “Konica Minolta Zoom lens” is displayed in small black letters above the lens. Below the glass, the camera’s zoom and aperture range are stated: “8.3-18.9mm/1:3.3-4.0.” Etched below the sliding door, on the bottom right corner, is “DiMAGE X60” in raised aluminum letters. Above the sliding strip, directly above the lens, is the camera’s flash. To the left of the flash is the self-timer indicator light; left of the light are four holes that lead to the DiMAGE X60’s microphone.

Back (7.0)
The back of the DiMAGE X60 is dominated by the 115,000 pixel, 2.5-inch LCD screen, set into the camera body. The screen has a glossy black frame with “DiMAGE” written along the bottom. Above the screen is an LED, which blinks orange when writing images and red to indicate when the memory is full. To the right of the screen is the DiMAGE X60’s zoom toggle, with “W” on the left and “T” on the right, separated by an indentation. Below the toggle are three buttons that switch to playback, toggle the display options, and bring up the menu. The playback button, which is on top, has a green triangle icon next to it and a small bump to enable identification by feel. The display button is identified by a monitor icon, while the menu button has “Menu” printed next to it. To the right of the three buttons are six small bumps that supply grip and act as a convenient thumb rest.

Below the three buttons is the DiMAGE X60’s navigation control, which consists of four buttons arranged around a selection button. The four navigation buttons each have a square bump that protrudes outward to facilitate their identification by touch. The top button, distinguished by a green trash icon and a black lightning bolt and eye, is used to delete images in playback mode and toggle through the flash options. The right button, which has no icon, is used for menu navigation and for scrolling through images in playback mode. The left button also lacks an accompanying icon and is used solely for navigation and scrolling. The bottom button’s functionality is identified by a black self-timer and burst icon and a slanted green square with an arrow, indicating image rotation. This button is used for navigation as well.

Left Side (7.0)
The smooth left side is clean and free of any features except for two screws that hold the front and back halves of the DiMAGE X60’s aluminum casing together.

Right Side (7.5)
The left side of the DiMAGE X60 has the camera’s AC adapter jack at the top as well as the USB / A/V out port at the bottom. Between is the door to access the DiMAGE X60’s SD memory card slot. Alongside the memory card door, towards the front face of the camera, is a continuation of a raised aluminum strip intended to aid handling, especially during one-handed shooting. On top of the strip is an eyelet for the DiMAGE X60’s included hand strap.

Top (6.5)
The top of the DiMAGE X60 has a raised metal strip that contains the shutter release button, the camera mode toggle switch, and the camera’s speaker. Written on the left of the strip is the camera’s resolution; “5.0 Mega Pixels.” To the right of the writing is a series of holes that cover the DiMAGE X60’s speaker. Located in the center of the strip is the mode switch that toggles between still image shooting, preset program modes, and movie/audio recording. The still mode is indicated by a black camera icon, the preset program is adorned with a portrait icon, while the movie/audio mode is represented with a movie camera / classic cardioid microphone graphic. Slightly raised along the far right of the camera’s top is the large, silver shutter release button.

Bottom (3.5)
The bottom of the DiMAGE X60 houses a tripod socket below the lens. Unfortunately, the socket is made of plastic, limiting its functionality as its material is prone to breaking or stripping. To the right of the socket is a door that covers the DiMAGE X60’s battery. The door unlatches by sliding to the right and springing open.

Testing / Performance Page 3 of 12 Components
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