Contax, aiming to dominate the market with elegant and compact cameras, introduced the Contax T ix, a particularly sleek APS camera. Sized like a large bar of soap, it's made of titanium, with the black version being less common and relatively hefty in hand.

It incorporates all APS system capabilities, including film changing mid-roll and recording shooting data, all in a meticulously designed package, especially notable for its high-quality optics. It offers both a fully automatic program mode and aperture priority mode, with a diaphragm ring around the lens allowing manual aperture selection.

The multi-collimated viewfinder, illuminated by LEDs in low light, displays various useful information (exposure compensation, flash status, autofocus focus, and programming type). Additionally, a small LED panel just under two centimeters below the viewfinder on the rear face provides quick glance information on film status, date, battery level, among others.

Reviews highlight its exceptionally high image quality, albeit slightly behind 35mm counterparts like the Contax T and T vs. Unfortunately, the displayed unit is completely malfunctioning (with a film stuck inside), preventing it from being shown with its electrically operated Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 28mm f/2.8 lens cover open. This flaw, a consequence of excessive automation, renders the electronic circuitry faulty, making film rewinding impossible. Due to the film being "in use," an inviolable latch controlled by the system prevents opening the film compartment, leaving the camera frustratingly closed like an oyster. Given its superb build quality, no oyster knife was called upon for rescue.

When new, this camera retailed for $899 (and was found around $600) by late 1999, commanding nearly double the price of top APS competitors like the Canon Ixus Z70 (source: Popular Photography comparisons, Dec. 1999).