List Price: $499.99
Price: $179.98
You Save: $320.01 (64%)

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Product Description

The DiMAGE Z1 is a powerful yet easy-to-use SLR-type digital camera. Designed around Konica Minolta's new 10X Mega-zoom, the DiMAGE Z1 features advanced technology and Rapid AF so you can capture images in virtually any situation. TV quality 30fps VGA movies expand its capabilities even more. This compact, stylish DiMAGE Z1 has the imaging tools you need to capture the pictures you want.The DiMAGE Z1 design reflects the sophistication and future of digital technology. Significantly smaller than a compact 35mm SLR camera with a built-in flash and zoom lens, this powerful imaging system can easily slip into a fanny pack or hip bag.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35412 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Minolta
• Model: 2724-301
• Dimensions: 3.05" h x 4.31" w x 3.15" l, .68 pounds
• Memory: 16MB
• Display size: 1.5

Features

• 3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• 10x optical plus 4x digital zoom (for 40x total)
• Includes 16 MB Secure Digital card; also compatible with MMC cards
• Unique SLR-style; fast f2.8 - f3.5 lens allowing fast shutter speeds for sport or natural-light photography; 2-second start-up time
• Powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included); connects with Macs and PCs via USB 1.1

Amazon.com Product Description
Ergonomically designed, SLR-styled, and packed with powerful automatic and manual controls, the Minolta Dimage Z1 is a great choice for advanced photographers. It features an amazing 10x optical zoom, 3.2-megapixel resolution, and a 30 frame-per-second movie mode with sound.

Optics and Resolution
The Dimage Z1 features a 3.2-megapixel resolution that produces images up to 2048 x 1536 pixels for photo-quality prints up to 8 x 10 inches and medium-quality enlargements up to 11 x 14 inches. Other resolution modes include 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480. The 10x optical zoom has a focal range of 5.8-58mm (equivalent to 38-380mm in 35mm photography). It also has a 4x digital zoom.

Movie Mode
With the Dimage Z1, you can capture TV-quality video (comparable to S-VHS) with sound. You can select from three resolution modes: 640 x 480 (VGA), 320 x 240, and 160 x 120. Video can be captures at 30 frames per second (fps) for flicker-free movies, or at 15 fps to maximize recording time. The length of your captured video is limited only by your memory card capacity.

More Features
Turn on the power, and you can take your first shot in approx. 2 seconds. Shutter release time lag is only 0.06 seconds, and shot intervals are 1.2 seconds. The DiMAGE Z1 also boasts the fastest autofocusing in its class. At 10x zoom, the Rapid AF, which employs video AF for accuracy and a passive sensor specifically to boost speed, has your subject in focus in approximately 0.4 seconds, and is even faster at wider angles.

• 1.6-inch LCD screen with anti-reflection coating
• Built-in flash with Autoflash, Autoflash with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, and Slow-Sync modes
• Hot shoe for adding external flash
• Capture an entire sequence of 1.3 megapixel images at 10 frames per second
• White balance modes: Automatic, Preset (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash), Custom
• Color modes: Natural Color, Vivid Color, Black and White, Sepia

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards; an 16 MB SD card is included. When shooting in Standard 3.2-megapixel mode, you can store 17 images on the included memory card. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by two AA batteries (alkalines included, rechargeable NiMH batteries recommended). It measures 4.31 x 3.05 x 3.15 inches and weighs 10.8 ounces (excluding battery).

What's In The Box
This package includes the Dimage Z1 digital camera, 16 MB Secure Digital memory card, four AA alkaline batteries, USB and AV cables, lens cap, accessory shoe cap, neck strap, and CD-ROM with Dimage Viewer software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

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Customer Reviews

10x optical zoom, affordable, but consider competition
the minolta dimage z1 is an affordable and capable entry into the 10x optical zoom camera class. but there are a couple of watch-outs to consider.

pros:
- 10x optical zoom - this is the main selling point of this camera (make sure you get a tripod or monopod to hold the camera steady at 10x to prevent blurry shots).
- 3MP resolution.
- generally good image quality.
- good redeye performance (better than competition).
- uses a passive AF system that theoretically speeds up focus times at all light levels although low light focus speeds were not as fast as expected.
- has several burst mode options that should appeal to sports photographers.
- allows a great deal of manual control.
- fast start-up.
- minimal shutter lag.
- fast shot to shot times.
- external flash hot shoe - but only compatible with minolta-based flashes.
- support for optional wide-angle lens.
- bright, hi resolution 1.5" LCD display (smaller size than competition, though).
- has intriguing Switch Finder system reflects the LCD image to the viewfinder so you see what the CCD sees.
- movie mode supports VGA quality (640x480) capture at 15 or 30 frames-per-second plus the AF system operates continuously during movie mode ensuring sharpness.
- non-proprietary AA batteries used. this means replacement batteries are as close as the nearest convenience store (i recommend rechargeables though).
- not the most compact 10x zoom camera: 4.3 x 3.1 x 3.2", but one of the lightest at 10.8oz.
- for the price, has a solid feature set.

cons:
- noticeable purple fringing in high contrast and night shots.
- soft images with details having over-processed feel.
- some barrel distortion at wide-angle.
- does not support RAW or TIFF formats.
- build quality suspect as evidenced by lens rattling and a battery door that feels like it will detach easily.
- the feedback when using the Switch Finder system does not give the solid feel that is confidence building - will this system last?
- the passive AF system does not perform very well in low light.
- the supplied 16MB SD card is inadequate. be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for more memory.
- add more $$ to buy more rechargeable batteries and a charger (only disposable batteries are included).

the dimage z1 is a good value (for the feature set) in the 10x zoom camera class but two areas of improvement are: noticeable purple fringing and suspect build quality. if this camera holds up well, it's a very nice value. but if it breaks prematurely, you're out several c-notes. in the 10x optical zoom class, also consider the olympus c-740 and c750 as well as the fuji s5000.

i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.

GOOD CAMERA
This is a very good camera; excellent value.
My priorities were:

1. Good picture quality (obviously).
2. Quick response time.
3. Big zoom to get close to subjects without being intrusive.

Z1 does a great job on these features. Additionally it has many other valuable features such as 60 fps screen, exposure control modes, 30 fps high res video, ease of use, etc. But it isn't a "pocket edition" due to the 10X optical. Highly recommended.

Feature Rich - excellent Price/Performance
I got this camera a week ago. I'd been shopping for a compact replacement for my bulky Kodak DC5000. I had considered the Canon A70, but then I saw this Z1 and took the leap.

It's a little bigger then the A70, but the 10x zoom, ergonomics, and unique viewing system really appealed to me. I'm glad I got it. I'm very pleased.

The camera is feature rich. You have control over everything or you can just go with AUTO. I haven't even tried the MOVIE features yet.

The picture quality is, IMHO, excellent. I've taken a lot of pictures of my dog, and the color and detail are very good. A close examination reveals exceptional detail in each hair on her coat. Snapping action shots is great because the camera is fast. The auto focus is fast and the recovery time for the next shot is fast. The camera is very light weight and ergonomic so holding it and setting up a shot is a pleasure.

The unique SLR-like viewing system is very natural. Nothing out there comes close unless you're looking at a digital SLR for $1000 & up.

Yep, it's only 3.2 mega pixels, but I'll take the 10x zoom over an extra megapixel since getting a good shot, more often then not, benefits from a little detachment (with people, as well as dogs :).

I've seen criticisms about the camera's use of plastic, and comments like the NY Crank Yanker's below on picture quality & steadiness and low light issues. Hey, the camera isn't for Ansel Adams. It's not a Leica, or a Hasselbad. As to the plastic materials, I think this contributes to the camera's light weight and ergonomics and to some extent it's price point. Nevertheless, for features/performance/price ratio, this camera is an excellent value and a real joy to use.