Model Design / Appearance (6.0)
The overall design for the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 emphasizes the protruding and prominent lens barrel which comprises most of the front face of the camera body. This lens barrel is static and not retractable, making this camera fairly sizable for most digital camera users. The other dramatic physical attribute of this camera is the pronounced right hand grip which extends outward from the rest of the camera body. The back of the camera has the square LCD screen set in the middle of a raised circle, a design feature meant to echo the lens barrel set directly to the front. The overall body is brushed silver with darker gray hand grips on the left and right sides.

Size / Portability (6.5)
The Konica Minolta Z20 measures a sizable 4.3 x 3.2 x 3.7 inches and weighs 10.6 ounces without the batteries or memory card. The size of the DiMAGE Z20 is substantial enough to potentially deter some of the point-and-shoot consumers who have an affinity for the smaller, lighter, thinner type of digital camera bodies - and the Z20 is certainly not meant to compete in that field. There are eyelets on the right and left sides of the camera body for optional neck or wrist straps, though a case would be advisable for extended shoots and prolonged periods of travel. The four AA batteries add a bit more heft to the camera, but shouldn't interfere with users' photo shoots.

Handling Ability (6.5)
The DiMAGE Z20 has a strong grip which makes one-handed shooting possible. Most of the controls on the back of the camera are within comfortable reach of the right thumb. The lens barrel and viewfinder design allow for the left hand to support the camera body without covering important functions, which is an upside to the camera's relatively large size and design. A manual focus ring around the barrel would have been nice, though. And unfortunately, although the LCD screen is set behind protective glass, this feature is placed directly beneath the camera's viewfinder. This means that the LCD can easily become smudged and dirtied during viewfinder engagement. All around, the camera looks more awkward than it feels. In practice, the layout works. It is functional and comfortable for two-handed photographers, though a larger LCD screen would have also been nice. If the user can get past the camera's odd shape and peculiar look, he or she will find that its handling ability is more than adequate.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (6.0)
Generally, the controls and buttons on the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 are both well sized and well placed, but this camera does have a few problem areas. The flash and macro lens settings located on the top of the right hand grip are placed such that the user must first reposition the hand prior to engagement - a major obstacle if quick response time and rapid shooting is needed. The other major layout issue that inhibits speed is the location of the power button. It is designed as a movable switch that is placed on the back of the camera below the LCD screen. This peculiar location will create major issues with the camera's initial speed and start-up time - users can forget about instantaneous capture. Additionally, the small and stubborn diopter adjustment control on the left side of the viewfinder is hard to use for large-handed photographers. Most other pertinent controls are intelligently placed and work well within the Z20's design. The four-way controller in the center of the back face allows for accurate and faster menu control. Large lettering and a distinguishable font also help to mark the controls and make for easy identification of features and functions during shooting.

Menu (8.0)
The menus on the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 are straightforward, accessed through the Menu button, and scanned via the four-way controller found to the right of the LCD screen. The menus vary depending on whether the camera is in playback mode or a type of exposure mode; however, the menus are transparent and show a real image background even when menu settings are altered during shooting. The menus use full word descriptions for categories and are controlled both through the LCD and viewfinder.

Ease of Use (6.0)
The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 has large, well labeled controls that are spaced so that even users with large or clumsy hands can access them with comfort and accuracy. Only the diopter adjustment and zoom lever are undersized and problematic. The LCD screen is incredibly small for the overall size of the camera and displays pixillated images, so visibility will be a recurring problem. This will also be difficult when using the equally low quality viewfinder, making it tough to gauge the accuracy of focus prior to shooting. The menus are long and sometimes extend for two or three frames of scrolling. The Z20 is not the easiest camera to use, but like all cameras, its quirks can be learned.