Value (6.75)
$340 seems like a reasonable price for a 6 megapixel 12x zoom digital camera with its own form of image stabilization. Given those specs, the DiMAGE Z6 should be enough of a camera to fill the needs of a pretty wide-ranging hobbyist.
The problem is that the specs are not implemented all that well. The Z6's manual focus is difficult to use. Autofocus is slow in low light, and at the telephoto end of its range, low light can pretty much defeat the autofocus entirely. The DiMAGE Z6 is also frustrating to users who want to shoot movie clips with their still camera. With a maximum resolution of 320 x 240, its results aren't appealing. And the LCD: we'd rather see a 2.5-inch LCD and at least 200,000 pixels on the display of a 12x zoom camera. A high-resolution display might improve the manual focus potential as well.
On the other hand, the Z6 is compact and simple to use, and these are the priorities for some people. However, there are other cameras that meet this description that go for less.
Comparisons
Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 - The DiMAGE Z6 and the DiMAGE Z5 are separated by 1 megapixel of resolution, and very little else. The 5 megapixel Z5 has the same lens, the same shape, the same autofocus troubles, the same limited ISO range (50 – 320) and so on. Oddly, the DiMAGE Z5 offers a particular advantage over the newer Z6 – it records video at 640 x 480 VGA resolution, which is much better than the DiMAGE Z6's 320 x 240. The Z5 is available online for less than $290, so it's considerably cheaper than the Z6. For those users interested in video, the Z5 might be a more sensible option.
Fujifilm FinePix S5200 - Available for under $300 online, the Fujifilm S5200 has a little less oomph in its super zoom than the DiMAGE Z6, with a 38 – 380mm equivalent lens. The 5 megapixel S5200 does not have any form of image stabilization, which limits the usefulness of its long lens; this digital camera should really be used on a tripod or monopod when a user wants to engage the camera’s full telephoto setting. Fans maintain that Fuji cameras make up for the lack of stabilization with their good performance at high ISOs, and the S5200 offers ISO options from 64 to 1600, which ought to keep the shutter speed able to operate in action-stopping rates down into some pretty dreary lighting. Fuji's lens is slower at the wide end, with a maximum aperture of f/3.2.
The S5200 accepts xD cards, rather than SD cards, which the DiMAGE Z6 takes. SD is the more common standard, and users upgrading from a simpler camera probably have SD cards already. The S5200 also writes RAW files as well as JPEGs, allowing the user much better options in postproduction but also requiring plenty of large-capacity xD media to manage the uncompressed images.
Republic Seinar Systems Imperial TIE Advanced x1 Fighter - While the Z6 has a 1/2.5” CCD with 6 MPs to snare its images, the TIE Fighter uses a SFS N-s6 Navcon computer system and SFS F-s5x flight avionics system to snare its enemies. The stylings are similar, though the Z6 is made of plastic and features several rubber gripping surfaces, while the TIE fighter comes equipped with a Titanium hull and features Quadranium Steel armored solar panels. Both models have much else in common. The Z6 and Advanced x1 are not the first of their lines; the Z6 is built off the Z3, while the Advanced x1 has its heritage in the original TIE Short Range Fighter. Handling on the Z6 and the Advanced x1 is decent, with the second model’s maneuverability rating at 150 DPF. Both also require a single person to operate; one can easily engage in two-handed shooting on the Z6 or with the Advanced x1’s two SFS M-g-2 General Purpose Warhead Launchers.
But look past the slick exteriors and you’ll see that the TIE Fighter has many shortcomings. The Z6 uses easy-to-obtain NiMH or AA batteries as a power source, while the TIE Fighter uses a proprietary SFS I-s3a solar ionization reactor, only available from the manufacturer, to power its SFS P-sx7.4 Twin Ion Engines (230 KTU). The Z6 comes with a viewfinder to conserve a bit of battery power, but the TIE Fighter comes with Forward/Rear projecting Novaldex Shields (100SBD)—great for durability, but unforgiving on energy conservation. At 9.2 meters long vs. the Z6’s longest dimension of 4.31 inches, the Advanced x1 is hardly portable. Worst of all, the TIE Fighter has no movie mode. Surprisingly however, while the Z6 has no AF laser hologram assist beam, the TIE Fighter does come with four SFS L-s9.3 Laser Cannons. Score one for the Empire. The Imperial TIE Advanced x1 Fighter retails for the cost of your loyalty to the Rebel Alliance.
Thanks to Bob Sylvia at http://www.starwarsmodels.com/tievadere.html for the image of his TIE Fighter model.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 - The Sony H1 is yet another 5 megapixel 12x zoom camera, with a zoom range almost identical to the DiMAGE Z6’s, except the H1 offers a 36-432mm equivalent, instead of 35 – 420. The H1 is available online for about $340. It also uses AA batteries, but only takes two at a time. It probably burns through them pretty quickly. The H1's burst mode is rated at a stately 0.7 frames per second, not quite half as fast as the DiMAGE Z6's 1.8 fps. Neither rate will analyze a golf swing, but at least 1.8 fps doesn't make a mockery of the term “burst.” It might get you a couple of shots of Granny blowing out the candles on her birthday cake. With an ISO rating that goes all the way to 400, it beats out the DiMAGE Z6 at least in terms of bragging rights.
The H1 uses Sony MemoryStick media, which is great for folks with other compatible Sony products, but not as appealing to people with a few SD cards hanging around. The H1 also includes 32MB of internal memory, for keeping some favorite images with you whenever you shoot.
Canon PowerShot S2 IS - The Canon S2 is yet another 5 megapixel 12x zoom, with a 36 – 432mm equivalent range. Shooting for hybrid functionality, Canon gave the S2 stereo sound in video mode and a windscreen audio filter. We were disappointed with the camera's noise performance. The S2's LCD is only 1.8 inches diagonally, but it's on a pivot mount, which might appeal to those looking to use the S2 like a camcorder. Available online for under $450, its video capability comes at a significant premium. We were pleased with the S2's image stabilization however, which can be set for a few different shooting situations.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – In some ways, the DiMAGE Z6 seems best suited to point-and-shooters. The camera is small and its automated modes are simple enough for beginners. Its scene modes will appeal to beginners too, and the lack of a “Food” or “Pets” mode doesn't matter much, since the modes it has cover a range of common situations. The Anti-Shake mechanism might be helpful to point-and-shooters as well.
Budget Consumers – The DiMAGE Z6 is a relatively inexpensive way to get a long telephoto, and in that respect, it may be a budget solution for a small market. For general shooters, though, it would be a better idea to find a less expensive compact camera with better image quality.
Gadget Freaks – The styling is the only outstanding feature of the Z6 for gadget freaks. Its Anti-Shake mechanism works fine, but not outstandingly well, and its technology is not cutting-edge.
Manual Control Freaks – The manual controls on the DiMAGE Z6 are nothing special. Manual focus is difficult. ISO settings are buried in the menu system, and the shutter and aperture controls are unmarked on the four-way controller. Extra icons on the screen serve as reminders of the controls, but they also obscure the image and are distracting.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists – The DiMAGE Z6 is not the camera for a pro or serious hobbyist. We favor DSLRs for serious digital photography, but if we were looking for the most capable super zoom, the Z6 wouldn't be it. Manual controls aren’t good enough, image quality isn't good enough, and the lens isn't good enough.
