Rating: 
Summary: MINOLTA F100 Observations
Review: 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 camera's operation although extremely flexible is very complex.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally took the Plunge!!!!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and versatile
Review: 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 friend's 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 hobbyist's hand at our historic village. I can't 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 didn't match up. The S230 was overpriced and limited in its flexibility, while the S45 was too big and too expensive. I'm hooked on the Minolta.
Rating:
Summary: A great, beautifully designed little camera!
Review: 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 (I'm an industrial designer and ergonomic engineer, so I'm fussy about these things). The camera is very sturdy and has a clean all-metal housing. It's very small as well, yet it's still quite easy to hold and operate with one hand. The controls make good sense too. Aesthetically, it's very smart looking without being over the top. The area autofocus works well, though the subject tracking responds so slowly that It doesn't 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 doesn't 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.
Rating:
Summary: Great pictures but not durable
Review: 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 didn't 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. I'm probably going to buy a Canon S45 to replace it. I cannot recommend this camera.
Rating:
Summary: hey annoyed...
Review: Don't be annoyed at Minolta. If you don't 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Handy
Review: 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 don't 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.
Rating:
Summary: Nice
Review: 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
Rating:
Summary: one of the best camera I ever had!!!!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A great camera for the price!
Review: 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. I've 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, it'll 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 you're ready, snap your picture! I haven't 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.
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