The 5-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMage X50 isn’t the sexiest-looking camera out there, and it doesn’t offer tons of scene modes or manual controls. But with its smart design, adequate feature set, and good image quality, the X50 should satisfy most casual shooters looking for an ultracompact camera to take to parties or on vacations. Many ultracompacts use a sliding cover to protect the lens. When the cover is moved aside, the lens protrudes from the front of the camera. This setup may provide excellent lens protection, but in testing, we’ve seen it cause cameras to freeze up occasionally, when we moved the cover with the lens extended. We didn’t have these problems with the X50, which uses a non-protruding design. (The lens is a Konica Minolta f/2.8- f/5.0, 6.1-mm to 17.1-mm (37-mm to 105-mm, 35-mm equivalent), 2.8X optical zoom.)