Front (6.0)
The front of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 features a pronounced lens barrel which graduates to a smaller cylinder. The lens barrel is not retractable, though it is a handy place for the left hand to support during shooting. The final inch of the lens barrel is slightly textured for grip, though again, void of a focus ring. Above the camera's lens barrel is a clear plastic cover which protects the flash and the AF Window. When viewing the camera from the front, the large right-hand grip appears on the left side of the body. The self-timer lamp is on the front of the right-hand grip near the top of the camera body. The oval-shaped shutter button rests at an angle between the top and the front of the right-hand grip.
Back (6.5)
On the back of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 is the 1.5 inch LCD screen, situated to the camera's left of center and set in a raised circle; this arrangement echoes the lens barrel on the front of the camera. This LCD screen is rectangular but set inside the camera body and surrounded by a slightly larger and rounded frame. Above this is the camera's rectangular viewfinder, set inside an eyepiece. This is further framed by an oval set into a larger semi-circle eyepiece. All this is visually confusing and far too busy, as if the design team decided to go with all of their collective brainstorms instead of just picking one.
Beneath the LCD screen is the On/Off button with the mode switch surrounding it. This allows the user to switch between normal shooting mode, playback mode and viewfinder mode. In viewfinder mode, a screen snaps over the LCD - but beneath the glass - and the electronic image is transferred to the above viewfinder. A series of buttons completes the right edge of the circle that frames the LCD, putting them within reach of the left hand or right thumb. Moving counter-clockwise from the On/Off button is the Information button, Quick View/Delete button, the Menu button, and the four-way controller. These controls are well labeled and evenly spaced. Slightly to the right of the four-way controller is the access lamp LED. The right side of the back of the camera body features a hand grip which wraps around from the right face of the camera. Above this grip is the zoom lever for the camera, slightly undersized but certainly adequate for controlling wide angle or telephoto views.
Left Side (6.5)
The left side of the camera features a grip pad for the left hand below an eyelet for an optional neck strap. In the lower back corner of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20’s left face is the optional DC in port, which does not have a port cover and remains exposed. The diopter adjustment knob is located on the eyepiece for the viewfinder. This knob is too small and stiff.
Right Side (6.5)
The right side of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 has a large, padded gripping protrusion for the right hand, formed from the same textured material as the grip found on the left side of the camera body. This grip wraps around to the back of the camera. Above it and centrally positioned is the eyelet for an optional neck strap, which fortunately mirrors the placement of the eyelet found on the left side of the camera body. Below and slightly behind this eyelet is the vertical memory card slot. The slot is recessed and surrounded by a scalloped area on the camera body. Beneath this is the USB/Video out terminal for the camera. On the base of the camera is the battery slot, contained by the right hand grip. The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 is powered by four AA batteries when the DC in port is not being used. To open the battery cover, the user must depress the cover slightly and then slide it forward.
Top (6.0)
On the top right of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20's grip are some of the camera's controls. The exposure mode dial, which controls mode settings during shooting, is towards the back of the top of the camera's body. In front of the exposure mode dial to the right is the Flash button, and to the left is the macro lens button. These controls are a bit awkward in placement and may force the user to reposition their hands during shooting if access is needed. Note: a primary distinction between the Z20 and the similar Konica Minolta Z5 is the fixed flash unit on the Z20 (visible in the shot below); the Z5 contains a pop-up flash that is a bit neater and enables application of a hot shoe.
