Minolta DiMAGE E201 (2001)
The Minolta DiMAGE E201 is a compact digital camera. Minolta announced it in May 2001 at PMA 2001, with a US release price of $299.
The E201 uses a 2.3-megapixel CCD (1755 pixels across a 0.753 cm-wide sensor) and a fixed 38mm-equivalent lens. It has no optical zoom. PCMag UK (2005) noted that the camera lacks an optical zoom lens and any priority modes for manual, aperture, or shutter control, but praised its "excellent auto-focus aspherical lens designed for ultra-clear photos." Images can be saved as uncompressed TIFF files, and eight different resolution/compression combinations are available. A movie-clip mode records video segments up to 60 seconds, without audio.
Power comes from four AA-size batteries, and Ni-MH rechargeables work. Storage is CompactFlash Type I only. The camera has an automated slide-show playback that can be displayed on any television, and its EXIF Utility software needs no installation routine. A DPReview forum owner (September 2001) reported the camera held around 41 images per card and found it "so easy to use," with clear pictures.
Documentation on the E201 is thin. The instruction manual runs 96 pages, and a service manual circulates online as a 315 kB download. No production run length, dimensions, weight, ISO range, or battery life figures have surfaced. One Russian resale listing calls it a camera of "unlimited possibilities" supporting photo, video, macro, a tripod mount, timer, and direct printing, but gives no price. The E201's place in the broader DiMAGE line is unclear. It appears in listings alongside the Vectis series and the Dimâge RD 3000, but no direct relationship is stated.
Known specs:
- Sensor: 2.3 MP CCD, 1755 px wide, 0.753 cm sensor width
- Lens: Fixed 38mm equivalent, autofocus, aspherical
- Zoom: None (no optical zoom)
- Storage: CompactFlash Type I
- Battery: 4× AA (alkaline or Ni-MH)
- Capture: TIFF and JPEG; eight resolution/compression combinations
- Video: Movie clips up to 60 seconds, no audio
- Announced: May 2001, PMA 2001
- US launch price: $299
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.