PMA 2003, Live: Today we got a sneak peek of Minolta's next evolution of the DiMAGE X. "The new design eliminates more than 5% from the size and nearly 8% from the weight of the DiMAGE Xi. At 85.5 x 67 x 20mm and 120 g (3.4 x 2.6 x 0.8 in., 4.2 oz), the DiMAGE Xt can be slipped into a pocket or bag as easily as a wallet. The exclusive folded optical zoom system allowed Minolta to recreate the world's thinnest compact, planar digital camera with a 3X optical zoom. This revolutionary non-extending lens is responsible for maintaining the camera's 20mm (0.8 in) thin profile either while recording or when stored. "

Minolta DiMAGE Xt in pictures

Press Release:

The new 3.2 megapixel DiMAGE Xt

Osaka, Japan, March 1st, 2003: Minolta is pleased to introduce the new DiMAGE Xt. Like the very popular DiMAGE Xi, the DiMAGE Xt is a 3.2 megapixel camera, but with more versatile features and packaged in an even smaller body. The camera has a 3X optical zoom and a 4X digital zoom giving a combined zoom range of 12X.

The DiMAGE Xt lets you do what you want, without feeling like a burden. The new design eliminates more than 5% from the size and nearly 8% from the weight of the DiMAGE Xi. At 85.5 x 67 x 20mm and 120 g (3.4 x 2.6 x 0.8 in., 4.2 oz), the DiMAGE Xt can be slipped into a pocket or bag as easily as a wallet. The exclusive folded optical zoom system allowed Minolta to recreate the world's thinnest* compact, planar digital camera with a 3X optical zoom. This revolutionary non-extending lens is responsible for maintaining the camera's 20mm (0.8 in) thin profile either while recording or when stored.

The sleek, sophisticated design is the perfect accent to any lifestyle. The DiMAGE Xt's understated elegance blends in to all situations, formal or casual, and the aluminum exterior gives the camera timeless appeal. Because of the non-extending lens and compact profile, it is easy to capture intimate pictures of family and friends without intruding on the spontaneity of the moment.

The DiMAGE Xt is a fast, responsive camera. It is ready to use approximately 1.1 seconds after turning it on. This is the fastest start-up time of any digital camera with an optical zoom.* The fluid playback performance only causes a slight 0.2 second delay between frames regardless of file size.

The DiMAGE Xt starts with the essential elements and features for beautiful images. The camera is built around a high-precision electro-optical system designed to maximize image quality. The system uses a 3.3 megapixel 1/2.7-type interline primary-color CCD with 3.2 million effective pixels for fine high-resolution images. This will produce 10 X 14 inch (B4-size) 150dpi prints or double-L size photo-quality prints.

Minolta's image-processing technology, CxProcess, guaranties the image from the CCD will faithfully reproduce the scene. CxProcess controls image sharpness, color, and contrast while minimizing noise to produce vivid, natural pictures; the warmth of the human complexion or the rich subtleties of green foliage will be rendered as clearly as they were perceived.

Dark noise, an ever-present problem in electronic systems, manifests itself by giving a grainy or sandy appearance to images taken with long exposures. DiMAGE Xt combats this with a selectable noise-reduction function, which automatically activates for exposures of one second or longer.

The metering and autofocus systems can be selected to suit the situation. Multi-segment metering and five-point AF make taking beautiful, sharp images simple; place the subject anywhere within the extra-wide focus frames and the camera will do the rest. Spot metering and spot AF allows you to meter or focus on a specific subject. This is useful to preserve the dynamic lighting of a scene or to single out a specific subject from a group.

The 3X optical zoom, equivalent to a 37 - 111mm lens on a 35mm camera, is assisted by a 4X digital zoom giving a seamless zoom range of 12X. The lens focuses down to 15cm (5.9 in.) at all focal lengths for close-up photographs without having to use a separate function,.

The extended shutter-speed range gives the camera more control over exposure in difficult lighting conditions. The camera can control the exposure from 4 seconds for scenes at night to 1/1000th of a second for brilliant sunlit landscapes.

The color mode switches between color, black and white, and Sepia. Color preserves the actual colors of the scene. Black and white creates a neutral monochrome image whereas the new Sepia mode gives the classic appearance of toning in old photographs.

The DiMAGE Xt is not simply a still camera. New features and increased performance make it a flexible recording tool.

XR (Extended Recording) movie processing allows digital video with audio to be captured. The length of the XR movie is only limited by the memory card capacity and image size. Two image sizes can be selected: 160 X 120 pixels and 320 X 240 pixels.

Thoughts and comments can be recorded with or without a still image. The audio recording mode can record continuously for 180 minutes. Voice memo allows up to 15 seconds of audio to be attached to an image when it is captured. The audio-caption function can attach an audio track to any recorded still-image. The audio tracks can be played back in the camera.

The DiMAGE Xt can be used as a remote camera for video conferencing. Simply use the supplied USB cable to connect the camera to a computer with a Windows operating system and a compatible application such as Microsoft Windows Messenger. The camera can be mounted on a tripod or placed in the charger stand for hand-free operation.

The DiMAGE Xt is designed for the internet age. The E-mail Copy function allows a recorded still image to be copied and resized to 640 X 480 or 160 X 120 pixels so that it may be attached to an e-mail message or posted on the Internet. To transfer the data, simply plug in the USB cable, and drag and drop the images into a computer.

Audio signals are used to make positive confirmation of button settings. A shutter sound effect accompanies the release of the shutter. As well as the electronic and mechanical shutter sounds, a personalized sound effect for both the AF signal and shutter release can be recorded using the camera's built-in microphone.

The camera controls have been redesigned for ease of use. A mode dial makes selecting the camera's recording, playback, and setup modes simple. A new Quick View button allows images on the memory card to be accessed from the recording modes after they have been captured. The controller incorporates the enter button to make setting functions and navigating the menus straightforward. And the recording function operated by the left/right controller keys can be customized to control exposure compensation, white balance, the drive mode, camera sensitivity, or the color mode to tailor camera operation to individual needs.

The DiMAGE Xt's charger stand can recharge the battery while it is still in the camera. It can also charge a single spare battery by itself. The charger doubles as a camera stand for when the DiMAGE Xt is used for self-portraits, a remote camera, or when connected to a computer.

The DiMAGE Xt is supported by USB DIRECT-PRINT by Seiko Epson. This allows images to be printed directly from the camera to a compatible printer using the supplied USB cable.

The waterproof Marine Case MC-DG200 will be released for the DiMAGE Xt allowing it to be taken to extreme locations. From 30m (100ft) underwater to the tops of the most rugged peaks, this case will protect the camera from the elements. Taking advantage of the DiMAGE Xt's slim profile, this case is easy to store in a buoyancy vest or daypack.

The new DiMAGE Xt provides high-quality 3.2 megapixel images and versatile features packaged in a stylish, compact body. A camera designed for every lifestyle, everywhere.

* as of February 1st, 2003

Minolta DiMAGE Xt specifications