« [ ANOTHER MILESTONE… ] | Main | [ NIKON COOLPIX S2 ] »
September 21, 2005
[ KONICA MINOLTA DiMAGE Z5 ]
Price: $799
Rating: 3.5 stars
The goods: The Konica Minolta Dimage Z5 is a 5 megapixel, 12x zoom camera with a 35mm equivalent range of 35–420mm. The lens is fast -- f2.8 at the wide end, dropping to f4.5 at maximum extension. The camera has the Konica Minolta Anti-shake system making it possible to hand hold even when the lens is at its longest extension and shutter speeds are relatively slow.
The Z5 has a distinctive futuristic appearance that will appeal to some and deter others. The camera is easy to hold and controls are generally well-placed and intuitive.
The lens is excellent and the image sharpness, in ideal conditions, is exemplary. Exposure is spot on and colour rendition is good. In some lighting conditions, with the lens at its longest extension, focussing can be a problem.
The Z5 is the perfect camera for anyone doing close-up photography. There is a two-stage macro – press the macro button once for standard and press it again for “super” macro, in which mode the camera will focus as close as 1 cm and the camera automatically fixes the zoom to the correct focal length.
The Z5 uses four AA batteries and it is a power hog. A set of Duracell alkaline batteries took fewer than 100 shots. Factor into the cost of the camera a set of rechargeables and a charger.
Like this: The image stabilisation works well. The supplied software bundle is outstanding.
Dislike that: The Z5 is in most respects an excellent camera, but it has an Achilles heel. When the shutter release is half-depressed to set focus and exposure the image in the viewfinder freezes. This is disconcerting. Other camera makers have fixed this issue in their EVF cameras.
Parting shot: The Konica Minolta Z5 is up against some stiff competition from Sony, Canon and Panasonic. The 12x zoom category of camera is the most fiercely contested and choosing is not easy. Konica Minolta have just released the Z6, a similar camera to the Z5 but with 6 megapixels.
*
Look at Barbara Matheson's beautiful Z5 images in the Gallery.
*
Posted by terry at September 21, 2005 07:35 PM
