| Likes |
|
-image stabilization on 12x optical zoom lens
-external flash shoe with cover
-perhaps the best movie mode I’ve seen on a digital camera
-10 frame per second progressive mode
|
| Dislikes |
|
-the lens takes too long to focus
-slow continuous shooting mode
-viewfinder diopter is stiff
-eats through batteries
|
Conclusion
Konica Minolta updated its Z3 with one more megapixel and a larger LCD screen and released it as the DiMAGE Z5. Nevertheless, they’ll be available for about the same price, retailing for $499. The 5-megapixel Z5 has a modified SLR-shape with a large right-hand grip on one side and a large 12x optical zoom lens on the other side. The camera’s Anti-Shake image stabilization system complements one of the best movie modes available in a digital camera. With VGA and QVGA modes available at 15 and 30 frames per second, the Z5 provides users with adequate resolution for good movie clips. The simultaneous audio recording, optical zoom function, and night movie mode are all icing on the cake. The Z5’s continuous shooting mode is a bit disappointing, but the lower resolution progressive mode is quite fast at 10 frames per second. This model isn’t the easiest digital camera to use, but certainly does not require a mechanical engineering degree either. With full manual functions and automatic settings to boot, the Konica Minolta Z5 will attract a wide audience looking for versatility in shooting still and video images.
