Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 digital camera is the latest in a long line of Konica Minolta digital cameras featuring uncommon innovation, aggressive pricing, and superior optics. The original Minolta Z1 (before their merger with Konica) was their ...

Verdict: As with all Imaging Resource product tests, I encourage you to let your own eyes be the judge of how well the camera performed. Explore the images on the pictures page or in our Z5 Photo Gallery, to see how the Z5's images compare to other cameras you ...

Award: Recommended!

Pros: Excellent handling and operation, Very effective Anti-Shake system, Fast and responsive in use, Very fast focus - and generally very accurate too, Generally good color, good white balance in daylight (though see cons, below), Excellent range of ...

Cons: Visible noise at even low (100) ISO settings, ISO 320 setting virtually unusable, Images look a bit soft, need sharpening in post-processing, Images can be over-contrasty - losing highlight/shadow detail in bright conditions, Occasional mild color ...

Verdict: Like the other DiMAGE Z series cameras before it, the Z5 is a rewarding and responsive camera with well-designed and implemented feature set. There are other 5MP cameras offering a similar zoom range (and image stabililzation) at a similar price point ...

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: Announced in January 2005 just before the PMA exhibition in Orlando, the Dimage Z5 is the latest addition to the big-zoom DiMAGE Z range to feature the CCD-shifting Anti-Shake system seen on the A2/A200 and Maxxum 7D Digital SLR. Aside from a 5MP ...

Pros: Excellent handling and operation, Very effective Anti-Shake system, Fast and responsive in use, Very fast focus - and generally very accurate too, Generally good color, good white balance in daylight (though see cons, below), Excellent range of ...

Cons: Visible noise at even low (100) ISO settings, ISO 320 setting virtually unusable, Images look a bit soft, need sharpening in post-processing, Images can be over-contrasty - losing highlight/shadow detail in bright conditions, Occasional mild color ...

Review summary: Don't judge a book by its cover. Although the design is a little quirky, the Z5 can roll out a mighty 420mm of optical zoom - and it's stabilised.

Verdict: Despite its odd appearance the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 has fantastic handling, nifty performance and generally good picture quality, so long as the ISO setting is kept low. It is easy to use for the beginner, but has a range of features that will ...

Pros: 12X optical zoom lensAnti-shake image stabilizerBlazing AF performance in good lightFull manual controlsSupports wide-angle conversion lens and external flash (Minolta only)Large 2" LCD displayGood redeye test performanceExcellent macro and movie ...

Cons: Soft images at default settings ; noise levels a little above averagePoor low light focusing ; no AF-assist lampLens is on the "slow" side compared to competition (read: Panasonic, Sony)EVF resolution is lackingSmaller shutter speed range (and no more ...

Verdict: The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 doesn't really break any new ground when compared to its predecessor, the DiMAGE Z3. While an extra megapixel of resolution is always nice, the more useful new features include a larger LCD display and improved battery ...