Konica Minolta released the DiMAGE Z5 at the Photo Marketing Association trade show in Orlando in February 2005. This digital camera targets intermediate users who have grown out of compact cameras, but are not quite ready to make the jump to digital SLRs. The 5-megapixel Z5 bridges the two types in shape and function. In a nontraditional frame, Konica Minolta packs 5.2 total megapixels on a 1/2.5-inch type CCD and puts it behind a 12x optical zoom lens with image stabilization. Coupled with a large right-hand grip and a nice layout of manual and automatic controls, the Z5 offers full usability in its 30 fps movie mode. The DiMAGE Z5 will retail for $499.95.
