Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5By: Dave Etchells & Mike TomkinsKonica Minolta existing Z3 model gets an updated sensor, larger LCD and slightly updated control layout. <<Comparison with previous DiMAGE cameras :(Previous) | (Next): Design>> Page 3:Camera Overview / Field TestReview First Posted: 03/28/2005 |
Camera Overview / Field Test
By Michael Tomkins
Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 marks the latest in a progression of Z-series DiMAGE cameras that have offered great ease-of-use with unabashedly futuristic designs. The initial DiMAGE Z1 bore a marked resemblance to Minolta's Electro Zoom X model, with a very clear differentiation between the lens and handgrip portions of the camera, joined by a slim body. As the line progressed to the Z3, the styling was refined and now looks rather more traditional, but still with a very distinct style. In terms of specifications, the most important features for most users will be the very powerful 12x optical zoom lens and the image stabilization system which we've seen on a number of past DiMAGE cameras. Long-zoom cameras are becoming increasingly more popular with users - perhaps because they offer some of the versatility of true SLR cameras (the ability to cover a wide range of focal lengths) while keeping size and weight down, and removing the need to carry a bag full of lenses everywhere you go.
Many of the long-zoom models we've seen have suffered somewhat from the fact that they've been difficult to get good results from at the longer focal lengths, due to image shake. Good body design goes some way to defeating the problem by making it easier to hold the camera steadily, and practice does help somewhat as well. For the best results though, a good image stabilization system really can't be beat. For most cameras, this is achieved with a rotation sensor and moving elements inside the lens itself that work to counter lens movement. Konica Minolta takes a different approach, using what's known as a Sensor Shift system that moves the image sensor itself both horizontally and vertically.
In shooting with the DiMAGE Z5, I found that the combination of the powerful zoom lens and anti-shake really freed my creativity. It can honestly be rather challenging trying to find interesting photos for our galleries, given that we only have access to the cameras for a certain amount of time. Gallery shots are generally taken fairly near to home, and often in less than ideal weather conditions. That can make it rather difficult to find interesting shots that readers haven't already seen a dozen times - but the strength of the zoom (and the fact that I could use it in comparatively low light) gave me new shooting opportunities I might otherwise have passed up. Amongst our gallery shots, you'll see two photos in particular that simply couldn't have been captured with a lesser lens, or without the anti-shake.
Wandering around downtown Knoxville, my eye was caught by a fairly simple sight; a fluffy white dandelion seed head standing out against the rather bright green background of an unruly lawn. Several feet away from me on the wrong side of a garden fence, I simply wouldn't have been able to take the photo without using the full 12x optical zoom. Likewise, as I made my way across Knoxville's Henley Street Bridge, I saw a relatively common sight - dozens of birds clustered on a lamp post jostling for space. Of course, I couldn't get anywhere near my subject, but I liked the way the lamp cast an eerie dim glow, and the way the birds were silhouetted against the overcast sky. Neither photo is likely to win any awards, but that probably comes down to the photographer's skills. They're both interesting to me, though, and hopefully I've made my point. You may not feel like you're missing photo opportunities with the 3x or 4x zooms on most point-and-shoot cameras, but when you've had a chance to walk around with a really powerful stabilized lens in hand, you won't want to go back to a lesser camera. You simply find photos you never knew you were missing, everywhere you turn.
There are two or three other features of the Z5 that I found myself liking in my short time with the camera. In particular, it was nice to be able to manually select the focus point, or set the focus completely manually. The focus point selection allowed me to frame the dandelion photo how I wanted it, and as the light started to fail me I found several other photos simply necessitated manual focusing. (All in all, I felt the Z5's auto focus was fairly fast and reliable, but I'd still like to see it function better in low light). I also found it rather nice being able to decide whether the anti-shake should function during exposure only, or during image framing as well. Most of the time I was able to save battery life by disabling anti-shake during framing, but when I found myself in a situation where I just couldn't hold the camera steady enough, a moment in the menu was enough to give me a stable image in the electronic viewfinder.
Only one thing stood out that I personally didn't like - and it really isn't even specific to the Z5, but bears thinking about regardless. For the most part I am simply not a fan of electronic viewfinders. Having used film SLRs for many years (I've never really owned a point-and-shoot film camera), perhaps I've just been spoiled. Even with a fairly high resolution electronic viewfinder such as that in the Z5 though, I find myself having difficulty deciding when the focusing is perfect, and the images invariably look a bit pale and wishy-washy to me. Some people seem to love EVFs for their ability to display exposure information right on the picture (and if you're talking about the live histogram function, I'd agree it can be a valuable tool). Still, in my mind EVFs still have a long way to go before I'll be completely happy with them - the resolution just isn't high enough, and they somehow feel flat compared to a true optical viewfinder in an SLR camera.
Feel
The DiMAGE Z5 feels perhaps a little lighter than it looks, but for a plastic camera it still feels remarkably sturdy in your hands. Konica Minolta have done an excellent job with fit and finish for this camera. The body panels line up so perfectly that you can hardly feel the seams, and there is really no flex or creak to speak of anywhere on the body (even the pop-up flash makes no untoward noises and hardly moves side to side when you press on it). The Z5's body felt very comfortable in my hands, with the large handgrip giving a fairly solid purchase. I'd like to see a little lip added at the top of the handgrip though, as the camera can have a tendency to slide downwards slightly when shooting single-handed unless you curl your little finger under the bottom of the hand-grip. One concern I'd had before seeing the camera in person was that the ridge that runs down the front of the handgrip might be uncomfortable. This concern turned out to be completely unwarranted - the ridge actually sits quite nicely against your fingers, giving a little extra purchase to your grip on the camera. The large rubberized panels on both sides of the camera helped in this respect, as well. All in all, a camera that feels "right" in your hands, and easily accommodates either a single-handed or double-handed shooting style.
The shutter button looks rather unusual, being a long oval shape and placed at a steep angle on the front of the camera. I'm happy to report that in use it is a delight, however - easy to feel and press, and with a subtle but clear tactile cue to let you know when you're half-clicking or fully-clicking the button. I was rather less enthusiastic about the placement of the macro and flash buttons, though. They're simply too close to far back on the handgrip / too close to the mode dial to be comfortably pressed without taking the camera away from your eye, and have very little movement or feel to them when pressed. With that notable exception, the rest of the controls seem well laid-out, easy to reach, and quick to learn. The only other thing I found on the camera body that was in any way awkward or uncomfortable was the accessory shoe cap, which is so tight to remove from the flash hot shoe that I felt I was going break a finger in the effort! (OK, I exaggerate somewhat - but anybody with long fingernails might be concerned about breaking a fingernail on the cap - and I simply couldn't get it to come off without using my fingernails).
One thing I'd like to see Konica Minolta change in future models is their rather unusual method of selecting the operating mode and where the image should be viewed. A mode dial on the rear of the camera allows you to select Playback mode on the LCD, and Record mode on either the LCD or electronic viewfinder. It doesn't allow you to select Playback mode on the EVF though, and to access this you use the quick view button instead. This recalls the last image captured on either the LCD or EVF, after which you can browse through your other images and movie clips. I think quite a few people are not going to realize this, though, and believe they have to view their images on the power-hungry LCD. Also, it means that there's no way to view the Playback menu on the EVF if you're trying to save battery power, since pressing the Menu button from quick view mode will return you to Record mode. Either a fourth option - Playback on the LCD - should be added, or Konica Minolta should consider adopting the more common system where you select the operating mode with the dial, and the LCD / EVF with a separate button, regardless of operating mode.
The Z5's menu system - particularly if you've used other recent Konica Minolta cameras - is very quick and easy to use. There are only a few pages of options, and they're arranged with a good eye towards common sense. My only reservation was that I felt I was simply spending too much time in the menu system. I'd like to see a couple of the commonly used options - perhaps white balance, metering, and sensitivity - moved to their own buttons on the camera. There's some empty space on the left side of the camera body, that would be ideal for this, and if the microphone / speaker were moved to the top of the camera between the handgrip and pop-up flash, another button or two would fit nicely on the handgrip as well.
Overall, these are relatively minor quibbles though. My end feeling after shooting with the Z5 for a while was that I really quite liked the camera. It felt right in my hands, and it has two things that you'll quickly find you don't want to live without in a world of 3x and 4x-zoom digicams - a 12x optical zoom lens, and Konica Minolta's Anti-Shake technology.
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