Viewfinder (6.0)
The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 has an electronic viewfinder that can be activated when the LCD screen is turned off. The switch is below the LCD screen. The electronic viewfinder reminds me of looking through a chain link fence; it’s quite grainy. One of its better features is the diopter adjustment. The dial is small and recessed into the body too much; there are small notches on the dial, but it is still difficult to turn. The diopter can be adjusted from -3 to +1. While I dislike its inefficiency, I still think it’s a great feature to have for those nearly blind photographers; diopter controls are only included on few compact cameras.
Users should beware; the excessive grain will be an issue. The hypnotically repetitive grain patterns are bound to leave an imprint in your mind if you look too long. The shape of the viewfinder is a bit odd as well. The outer shell is a large semi circle, while the viewing window is ovular and the screen near the back is square. Structurally, it doesn’t really make much sense. Additionally, the regressing levels greatly minimize the viewable screen when contrasted with the large eyepiece. While the viewfinder is a fortunate inclusion, providing a secondary source of view other then the LCD monitor, it’s still a viewfinder on a compact digital camera – how much can you really expect?
LCD Screen (6.5)
A 2-inch LCD screen with 114,000 pixels can be found below the viewfinder on the Z5. The switch at the bottom determines whether the image is viewed from the electronic viewfinder or the LCD. The display contains a 100 percent field of view, enabling users to take accurate pictures in congruence with the composed frame. The brightness of the screen can be adjusted in ten steps from high to low, making it suitable for use indoors and outdoors. The downside of the Z5’s LCD is the abundance of dancing noise that can be seen on the image when recording and capturing. The limited resolution displays images that are distracting and difficult to discern. While the 2” window offers a large, visible display, the image itself will be a challenge to read.
Flash (7.5)
Illumination is one place where the Konica Minolta Z5 excels. This digital camera has a built-in flash with an external hoe shoe just above it. The shoe is covered with a plastic piece that completely disconnects from the camera and is bound to get lost. Still, it was a thoughtful move by Konica Minolta to include something to cover the external flash connector, which is all too often left exposed.
The built-in flash must be manually pulled upward by users. There is a small tab on each side of the flash for easy prying, as there is no button to pop the flash up. Once the flash is open, the following flash modes are available: Auto, Auto with Red-Eye Reduction, Fill, Fill with Red-Eye Reduction, and Slow Sync. The flash’s intensity can be adjusted from +/- 2 within the recording menu. After taking the camera into a dark room and recording multiple exposures, the flash proved to be surprisingly even (all too often with compact digital cameras, the included fixed flash unit will focus all of the light on one concentrated spot in the image). The flash illumination from the Z5 filled the entire frame and everything within about twelve feet. The only downside to this powerful flash is that it takes about 7 seconds to recycle, so the burst mode and the flash certainly won’t mix.
Zoom Lens (8.5)
The DiMAGE Z5 has a 12x optical zoom lens that extends from 5.83-69.9mm, which is equivalent to a 35-420mm lens in 35mm format. The lens is constructed of 13 elements in 10 groups, although it physically extends from the camera body in a single segment. In the Super Macro mode, the Z5 can focus from 0.4 to about 4 inches. In the Macro mode, the lens focuses from 4 inches to about 2 feet. The normal focus mode takes it from there, focusing from 0.6 meters in the wide setting and 1.6 meters in the telephoto setting of the lens.
This long 12x optical zoom lens does not focus quickly at all. It focuses in and out, then slowly focuses back in on the subject. Users can purchase the optional Konica Minolta 26mm wide angle conversion lens and attach it to the camera. For it to properly function, users must enter the lens accessory mode in the setup menu and inform the Z5 that it’s there.
