Konica Minolta Dimage Z5

Value (6.75)
The value of a digital camera is more about what a user is willing to pay for. If users are looking for an automatically oriented camera to tout to birthday parties, this is a rip-off. If users are looking for a long lens with a great movie mode and accessory options, this is the camera. The Konica Minolta Z5 retails for $499.95 and is available immediately.

Comparisons
Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 – This direct descendant of the Z5 was released last August for about the same $499 price. The two models have the same 12x optical zoom lens with the Anti-Shake image stabilization system. They also have the same electronic viewfinder with the stiff diopter dial. The Z3 has a smaller 1.5-inch LCD and a slightly longer 50-400 ISO range. They have the same strange body shape. The biggest difference is the megapixel count; there are 4 megapixels in the Z3 compared to the Z5’s five effective megapixels.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 – The 5-megapixel Panasonic LZ2 has a completely different body style with a more flat and compact design. However, it packs in similar features: 5 effective megapixels on a 1/2.5-inch type CCD and a 6x optical zoom lens with 2 image stabilization modes. This model has a similar 2-inch LCD screen, but with less resolution at 85,000 pixels. This model is aimed more for the automatic crowd with the lack of manual options and the nine scene modes. Because of that, the LZ2 is considerably cheaper at $299.99. Some of its better features: a 3 frame-per-second burst mode and a stylish silver frame.

Canon PowerShot S1 IS – This camera was released a year ago for about $399, but sells for about $300 now. The Canon S1 flaunts image stabilization as its main feature, and couples it with a 10x optical zoom lens. Coming in a much more traditional frame, the S1 has excellent color reproduction and one of the best movie modes in a digital camera. Like the Panasonic FZ5, it has plenty of options in movie mode and can even zoom. The pros: the stylish body with the flipping LCD screen. The cons: that LCD screen is 1.5 inches, and the camera only has 3.2 megapixels to image with.

Fuji FinePix S5100 – This 4-megapixel digital camera has the SLR shape without the SLR size. It also comes in a more professional and traditional looking black frame. This camera has a similar range of manual to automatic functions, as well as 10x optical zoom lens. This camera can shoot JPEG and RAW image files and has a decent movie mode. It has a wider shutter speed range and more white balance presets, but has noisy image quality and no image stabilization system. The S5100 retails for $499.  

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – This could be a second or third generation camera for a beginning user. It is not as simplified as other models, but does provide a full range of automatic, semi-automatic, and manual functions.

Budget Consumers – The Z5 fits unique features into its $499 package. If you want a 12x optical zoom lens with image stabilization and a great movie mode to match, this will be a deal.

Gadget Freaks – Gadget freaks may be entertained for a few minutes with the Progressive shooting mode that sounds like a fan and shoots 10 frames per second. However, after that gets old, they could be quite bored.

Manual Control Freaks – Consumers will appreciate the manual options available on this camera. However, a freak may be bothered by the fact that exposure compensation cannot be adjusted in Manual mode.

Pros/Serious Hobbyists – Serious hobbyists will be torn over this camera. It has a rather stumped ISO sensitivity range; however, it has an external flash connector and can accept conversion lenses. I guess it just depends on what’s important to you.