The main difference is a new 1/2.5" 4 megapixel image sensor in place of the original 1/2.7" 3.2 megapixel sensor; the slightly larger sensor size should work to help keep noise down at the higher resolution. The lens has also been changed at the same time, to retain the same 38 - 380mm equivalent focal length with the larger sensor (note that the new lens isn't quite as bright at the telephoto end, but macro focusing performance has been improved slightly). The only other change we've noticed is that the flash recycle time has been improved from seven to five seconds. The same chassis design, viewfinder setup and 7x optical zoom lens as used in the DiMAGE Z1 are retained. Pricing and availability have not been announced at this time. Full specifications, a background document and press release courtesy of Konica Minolta follow.

Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z2
Number of Effective Pixels	4.0 million
CCD	1/2.5-type interline primary-color CCD Total pixels: 4.2 million
Camera sensitivity	Auto and 50,100, 200, and 400 ISO equivalents
Focal length	6.3 - 63mm (35mm equivalent: 38 - 380mm)
Lens construction	11 elements in 7 groups (includes two elements with three aspheric surfaces)
Maximum aperture	f/2.8 - f/3.7
Minimum focus distance	Wide: 1.6ft (0.5m) from front of lens Telephoto: 6.6ft (2m) from front of lens Wide: 1.9ft (0.57m) from CCD Telephoto: 6.8ft (2.07m) from CCD
Minimum macro distance	Super Macro Standard macro Focal length 11.1mm* Wide Telephoto From front of lens 1.2 in. (3 cm) 2.6 in. (7 cm) 39.3 in. (100 cm) From CCD 3.9 in. (10 cm) 5.5 in. (14 cm) 42.1in. (107 cm) * at 11.1mm only
Maximum magnification	0.15x Equivalent to 0.90x in 35mm format
Area covered at maximum magnification	1.5 x 1.1 inches (39 x 28mm)
LCD monitor	3.8cm (1.5 inch) low-temperature polysilicon TFT color with anti-reflection coating Total number of pixels: 113,000 Automatic monitor amplification
Field of view	Viewfinder: Approximately 98% LCD monitor: Approximately 100 %
Display-mode switch	Viewfinder display, LCD-monitor display Switch Finder system allows the monitor to be viewed directly or through the viewfinder.
Diopter control	– 3 ~ +1m-1
Eye relief	18.8mm
Shutter	CCD electronic shutter and mechanical shutter
Shutter Speed Range	4 - 1/1000 second in programmed-AE and aperture-priority modes. 15 - 1/1000 second in shutter-priority and manual exposure modes. Bulb (maximum 30 seconds) 2 - 1/1000 second in auto-recording and Digital Subject Programs
Autofocus System	Rapid AF: a combination of a passive AF sensor with the video AF system
Autofocus Areas	3-Point Wide Focus Area Spot focus areas with Focus Area Selection
Focus Modes	Single-shot AF, Continuous AF with predictive focus control, Full-time AF, Manual focus.
Focus lock	By pressing shutter-release button partway down.
Metering	Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Multi-segment metering	256 segments
Exposure modes	Programmed AE, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual
Digital Subject Programs	Portrait, Sports action, Landscape, Sunset, Night portrait. Automatic and manual selection.
Exposure Compensation	+/ 2 EV in 1/3 increments
AE Lock	By pressing shutter-release button partway down
Flash Metering	Pre-flash TTL
Flash Range	Wide: Approximately 0.8 – 20 ft. (0.23 – 6.1 m) from CCD Telephoto: Approximately 4.1 – 15 ft. (1.27 – 4.6 m) from CCD (Camera sensitivity: auto)
Flash Modes	Autoflash, Autoflash with red-eye reduction, Fill flash, Slow-shutter sync. Autoflash not available with aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes. Flash cancel by pushing the built-in flash down.
Flash Recycling Time	Approximately 5 seconds
Flash Compensation	+/- 2 EV in 1/3 increments
Flash-sync Speed	All shutter speeds
External Flashes	Auto-flash metering with Program/Maxxum Flash 2500 (D), Program/Maxxum 3600HS (D), Program/Maxxum Flash 5600HS (D)
Continuous Advance	- UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous advance: Approximately Ten 1280x960 frames in one second - Standard continuous advance: Approximately 1.5 frames per second. *Actual speed may vary depending upon the subject and camera settings. Approximate number of frames that can be captured at one time with the continuous-advance drive modes: 10 frames (Ultra-high speed continuous advance) / 5 frames (Standard continuous advance)
Progressive Capture	Maximum number of images that can be recorded with the Progressive Capture mode: UHS: 12 frames (10 frames per second) Standard: 5 frames (2.5 frames per second)
Exposure bracketing	Three frame bracket in 1.0, 0.5, 0.3 EV increments
Self-timer	Approximately 10 seconds
Movie	Recording time dependent on memory card capacity, image size, and frame rate Frame rate: 15 frames per second, 30 frames per second Fast forward and rewind control With and without monaural audio with playback volume control. Jogging, Movie frame capture, Movie editing, Night movie (automatic selection or disabled)
White balance control	Automatic, Preset (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash), Custom
Digital Effects Control	Contrast compensation, Sharpness
Contrast compensation	Three levels (Low, Normal, High)
Sharpness settings	Three levels (Soft, Normal, Hard)
Color modes	Natural Color, Vivid Color, Black and white, Sepia
Digital Effects Control	Color saturation, Contrast compensation, Filter
Noise Reduction	User selectable dark noise reduction
Digital Zoom	Maximum 4x in 0.1x increments
Copy function	To copy single or multiple images to the same or another memory card
E-mail Copy function	Creates a compressed 640 x 480 or 160 x 120 JPEG image for transmission
Date imprinting	Year / month / day (Format can be changed.) Imprinting can be disabled
Key customization	The function activated by the flash-mode button can be changed.
Image-quality modes	Fine, Standard, Economy
Number of recorded pixels (Still images)	2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 1280 x 960 in UHS continuous-advance mode
Number of recorded pixels (Movie clips)	800 x 600, 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 160 x 120
File formats	JPEG, Motion JPEG (MOV) : with audio DCF 2.0-compliant DPOF-compliant (Supported by printing functions in version 1.1) Exif 2.21
Folder name formats	Standard, Date
Printing output control	Exif Print, PRINT Image Matching II, PictBridge
Recording media	SD (Secure Digital) Memory Cards, MultiMediaCards
Computer interface	Full-speed 12Mbps data transfer with USB 2.0 compatible computer
AV output	NTSC, PAL (selected on the camera)
Batteries	Four AA batteries: Alkaline, Ni-MH
Battery performance (Playback)	Approximate continuous playback time: 180 minutes with alkaline batteries.
Battery performance (Recording)	Approximate number of recorded images: 250 Conforming to CIPA ( included AA alkaline batteries, included SD memory card )
External power source	6V DC with specified AC adapter (sold separately)
Dimensions (WxHxD)	4.31 x 3.05 x 3.15 inches (109.5 x 77.5 x 80mm)
Weight	Approximately 10.8oz. (305g) without batteries or recording media
Operating temperature	32-104°F (0-40ºC)
Standard accessories	Neck Strap NS-DG6000, Lens Cap LF-242A, Accessory Shoe CapSC-1000, AV Cable AVC-400, 16MB SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card, USB Cable USB-500, DiMAGE Viewer, ArcSoft VideoImpression 2 CD-ROM (for windows only), Four AA Alkaline batteries
Optional accessories	AC Adapter AC-1L, Camera Case CS-W20, Leather Neck Strap NS-DG1000, External High Power Battery Pack Kit EBP-100, WideConverter Kit ZCW-100, Adapter ring for attaching filter/converter ZCA-100, Konica Minolta Program Flash 3600HS (D), 5600HS (D), and 2500(D)
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Backgrounder

New Konica Minolta Single Lens Reflex (SLR)-type Digital Camera: The DiMAGE Z2

Konica Minolta’s stylish new 4.0 megapixel DiMAGE Z2 appeals to photographers – from soccer moms to serious wildlife photographers – who appreciate high-quality high-resolution digital photography.

Product Highlights

• The DiMAGE Z2’s 4-megapixel CCD and Konica Minolta all-glass apochromatic (APO) GT lens equipped with Mega-zoom, allows photographers to use the 10x optical zoom and a 4x digital zoom for fine, detailed images even in close-up.
• Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control – the only camera in its class* that delivers this functionality for the sharpest focus possible on a moving subject. (* As of January 1, 2004, digital camera with a built-in 10x or greater optical zoom.
• Switch Finder viewfinder with 60 frames per second and Real Motion Monitor. Even moving subjects can be optimally framed thanks to this high refresh-rate.
• Progressive Capture – This function means photographers won’t miss a shot.
• Incredibly short 1.8-second start-up time for a camera with a 10x optical zoom.
• High-quality VGA/SVGA movies. The DiMAGE Z2 includes a movie-editing feature that allows users to leave unwanted clips on the cutting room floor.
• Compatibility with the Minolta Program/Maxxum Flash 3600HS (D) or 5600HS (D) units as well as the latest addition to the line, the Program/Maxxum Flash 2500 (D).

Features

Fine Image Quality with the Mega-zoom
The groundbreaking DiMAGE Z2 is the first Konica Minolta digital camera to be equipped with the new Mega-zoom featuring the all-glass apochromatic (APO) lens. This incredible zoom lens delivers a focal range equivalent to a 38 to 380mm range on a 35mm camera lens. Combining the 10x optical zoom of the GT Lens with the 4x digital zoom gives the DiMAGE Z2 an amazing 40x total zoom range. This flexibility makes it possible to capture outdoor events, sports, and scenic landscapes.

Konica Minolta GT Lens
The DiMAGE Z2’s GT lens is the finest all-glass apochromatic (APO) zoom lens designed specifically for digital photography.

The Konica Minolta GT lens is defined by one thing: image quality. Only those lenses that pass the strictest quality standards earn the GT lens designation. The GT lens is only fitted to those camera models that have been developed true to the concept of “Superior Image Quality” such as the DiMAGE Z2.

The DiMAGE Z2 user will notice the benefits of the APO lens immediately: every single shot comes out sharper, clearer, and without any color aberration, even when using the large aperture setting.

This GT lens has 11 elements in 7 groups. The APO effect is delivered by anomalous dispersion (AD) glass elements to ensure maximum color fidelity and aspheric elements to suppress distortion at the outer edges of an image.

Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control
Predictive Focus Control keeps a clear focus on fast-moving subjects until the photographer is ready to shoot. It calculates exactly where a moving subject is going to be at the moment of shutter-release, and makes certain that the focus is razor sharp at the time of exposure.

In addition, the DiMAGE Z2 features Rapid AF, the only camera in its class*, to ensure sharp images with minimum delay. The DiMAGE Z2’s powerful optics and high-resolution, 4-megapixel 1/2.5 interline primary-color CCD require a powerful AF system.
* The DiMAGE Z2 is the only camera featuring Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control among digital cameras with a built-in zoom lens with 10x or more optical zoom, as of January 1, 2004.

A passive AF sensor locks on to moving subjects and calculates the distance to the subject, causing the Rapid AF to react and adjust itself. The focus point is determined in relation to the camera CCD. In the blink of an eye, a high-speed drive focuses the lens quickly and smoothly.

High-Quality VGA/SVGA Movies
The DiMAGE Z2 can record high-quality 30 frames per second VGA (640 x 480) movies – as clear and as smooth as the moving image on a television. Also available is the world’s first 15 frames per second SVGA (800 x 600) movie option. Viewed on a PC the SVGA movie delivers approximately 6.3 more pixels than the standard QVGA (320 x 240) format. And users can keep recording until the memory card is full.*

Image sharpness and brightness are crucial when capturing movies. This is doubly true for the DiMAGE Z2 because it can capture large, high-quality VGA (640 x 480) movies. The DiMAGE Z2 always maintains the sharpest focus. And, the Night-Movie mode can make color recordings under extreme low-light conditions.
*On rare occasions, the memory card may not record to full capacity due to its writing speed.

Edit on the bounce with the DiMAGE Z2
Editing with this new function couldn’t be simpler. Select the scene you wish to cut from the footage being replayed and save the edited version using the Movie Select Shot Function. Unwanted movie footage is removed, freeing up valuable memory space. These saved movie images can also be processed with one of the Color Modes: vivid, natural, black and white, or sepia.

Super Macro Mode
With the press of a button, the Super Macro mode lets you focus as close as 1.2 inches away from your subject, perfect for shooting small gadgets, tiny insects, or delicate flowers.

Real Motion LCD monitor and Switch Finder
The DiMAGE Z2 features the Real Motion LCD monitor, which delivers crystal clear images to the user with a 60 frames per second rate. Conventional monitors on digital cameras use a 30-frames-per-second display format that sometimes results in a less-than smooth display. The 60 frames per second Real Motion Monitor rate gives smooth action that brings images to life. The LCD monitor on the DiMAGE Z2 can be viewed directly or through the viewfinder, thanks to Switch Finder. There is no color, contrast, and resolution difference between separate rear and viewfinder monitors because only one monitor is used. The monitor image is large and clear as the viewfinder was designed with a large apparent angle of view.

Rotate Function
Pictures appearing in the DiMAGE Z2’s Real Motion LCD monitor the can be rotated to orient them correctly so users don’t need to twist their head to the left or right when playing back vertically framed shots.

Automatic Monitor Amplification
The DiMAGE Z2 compensates when you find yourself working in less than ideal lighting conditions and when framing an image on the monitor is difficult. The Automatic Monitor Amplification function brightens the monitor under low light so the live image is always visible.

White Balance Control
Auto White Balance compensates for these changes automatically. Select from one of five preset white-balance settings: daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, and flash. The names of the settings refer to specific light sources. The DiMAGE Z2 allows for critical control over color. Select the custom setting to calibrate the DiMAGE Z2 to the particular lighting conditions at the scene.

Progressive Capture
With the DiMAGE Z2 on Progressive Capture mode, when users cease pressing the shutter-release button, their images are saved automatically. Progressive Capture means that it’s the last several images in the sequence get saved: as many as 6 images (4 megapixel, Fine mode) or 12 images (UHS continuous shooting mode). So when shooting fast-moving objects, Progressive Capture will ensure that they are recorded when and where the user wants them.

Super-Fast UHS Continuous Shooting
Regardless of how fast something is moving, the DiMAGE Z2 can capture everything. Select the UHS (Ultra High Speed) option from the rapid shooting menu. The enlarged 32MB internal memory allows more continuous shooting. The DiMAGE Z2 captures 15 images, 10 frames per second at super-fast UHS continuous shooting mode.

PASM Exposure Control and Metering Modes
The DiMAGE Z2 offers incredible control over exposure. There are four modes: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual. Select manual exposure to enable the 30-second time exposures. The DiMAGE Z2 has three metering modes: multi-segment, center-weighted and spot. Multi-segment metering uses 256 segments to determine exposure.

Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection
The DiMAGE Z2’s Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection analyzes the shooting conditions and selects from among five subject programs and programmed autoexposure to optimize the camera’s exposure, white balance, and image processing controls. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual adjustments when the subject and shooting environment change. The five subject programs are portrait, sports action, landscape, sunset, and night portrait. These five options cover common and specialized shooting conditions and can be selected manually.

Konica Minolta’s CxProcess II
CxProcess II, Konica Minolta’s new image-processing technology, is employed to bring out the best in the 4 megapixel 1/2.5 interline primary-color CCD. CxProcess II controls the essential image qualities of color, contrast, and sharpness while minimizing noise. Brilliant, saturated color remains vibrant without becoming unnatural or flat. Subtle contrast is rendered to retain the richness and depth of the subject while preserving details in the highlights and shadows. Sharpness is controlled by balancing resolution with acutance to show fine detail while minimizing hard, unnatural edges.

Noise Reduction Function
Dark noise, an ever-present problem in electronic imaging systems, manifests itself as a grainy or sandy appearance to images taken with long exposures. The DiMAGE Z2 combats this with a selectable noise-reduction function, which automatically activates for exposures of one second or longer.

Sophisticated Design
The DiMAGE Z2 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. And weighing only 11 ounces, it will not be a burden. Easy-to-find AA batteries power the DiMAGE Z1. Either alkaline or rechargeable Ni-MH can be used.

Also, the simple yet thoughtful layout of the controls and dials makes for clear, intuitive operation. The well-balanced camera body allows photographers to operate the DiMAGE Z2 from a handheld stance in low-light conditions or when using long focal lengths.

Optional Wide-Angle Converter
To extend the versatility of the camera’s powerful 10x Mega-zoom, an optional 0.75x wide-angle converter is available for use with the DiMAGE Z2. This lens attachment increases the lens’ angle of view, giving it a maximum coverage approximately equal to a 28mm lens on a 35mm camera. The adapter ring supplied with the wide-angle converter allows 52mm filters to be used with the camera.

Real-Time Histogram Display
Because it’s not always easy to determine the brightness levels within your image when the sun is beating down from above, the live histogram supplies photographers with the information needed to adjust exposure more accurately. A luminance reading can be displayed on the DiMAGE Z2’s viewfinder before the picture is taken or while playback. With the real-time Histogram Display, the DiMAGE Z2 will inform users of the luminance distribution at a glance. The Histogram Display also adjusts brilliance when viewing pictures and movies from the memory.

Accessory Flash Compatibility
No other digital camera on the market today has a built-in flash as powerful as that of the DiMAGE Z2. When the DiMAGE Z2 is set at the wide-angle position with autoexposure and auto camera sensitivity, even if the subject is standing 20feet away, the flash, rated with a guide number of 39 feet, can illuminate the subject perfectly.

In addition, the DiMAGE Z2 is compatible with the Konica Minolta Program/Maxxum Flash 3600HS (D) or 5600HS (D) units as well as the latest addition to the Konica Minolta accessory flash line, the Program/Maxxum Flash 2500 (D). These powerful flash units can be used directly on the camera. The 3600HS (D) and 5600HS (D) have a zoom head that automatically adjusts as the camera’s lens is zoomed in and out, and their heads can be tilted for bounce illumination. The 5600HS (D) also has a swivel head and the flash output can be controlled with power ratios. The new 2500 (D) is a compact, automatic flash unit with a tilting head and an affordable price tag.

Key Customization
Operation of the DiMAGE Z2 can be tailored to meet the photographer’s needs. For example, the function set using the flash-mode button can be customized to control the flash mode, white balance, drive mode, focusing mode, or color mode.

Manual Focus
Manual Focus is an essential feature for the enthusiast and a great learning tool for the beginner. Switch off the autofocus and shots can be focused manually for maximum creative control.

Direct Printer Connection
Pictures can be printed easily, without going through a computer, by directly connecting the DiMAGE Z2 to a PictBridge*-compliant printer. You can check which image you want to print on the camera’s LCD monitor.
* PictBridge is an industry standard established by the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA).

ArcSoft VideoImpression™ 2 CD-ROM
ArcSoft VideoImpression™ 2, bundled with the DiMAGE Z2, offers a fun way to merge movie clips and still shots. Working through a step by step guide, users can add text, music, and special effects to their movie. The finished movie can then be recorded onto a video CD.

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