The DiMAGE Z20 adds a 5-megapixel option to Konica Minolta’s line of quasi-megazoom cameras. Its 8X optical zoom is big enough to earn that Z in the name, but it’s a few notches shorter than the 12X zoom with which the Dimage Z5 is equipped.
Generally speaking, the Z20 is geared toward beginning or budget-minded photographers, and its feature set is reduced accordingly relative to the more expensive Z5 and its brethren. The Z20 doesn’t include image stabilization technology, and its 1.5-inch LCD seems puny in the current market. But given those concessions and a handful of others, the Konica Minolta Dimage Z20 is still a capable, responsive camera with an impressive zoom range and better-than-average image quality.
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Konica Minolta introduced the DiMAGE Z20 worldwide at the beginning of this year, 21 January 2005, to tell you precisely. The new Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 is equipped with a 5 Megapixel CCD image sensor and features an 8x optical zoom lens. The digital cameras from the DiMAGE Z-line are very popular and feature a most attractive price. These mega zoom digital cameras have been working on an impressive march lately and are definitely conquering a part of the market share. Unlike its brother, the DiMAGE Z5, the Konica Minolta Z20 has to do without the handy anti-shake system; nonetheless the Z20 offers just about everything an enhanced amateur can wish for.
The Z-series, already available for some time now in today’s market, remain the odd one out of the Konica Minolta assortment. Qualifying the camera as an entry-level would derogate from the concept, but ranging it as a semi-professional wouldn’t be right either. Let’s just say that the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 is a digital camera that will be warmly welcomed by the beginning photographer and it will also certainly be appreciated by the advanced one, in fact a perfect digital camera for the crowd. The DiMAGE Z20 is equipped with an advanced auto focus (Rapid AF) and this makes the Z20 stand out from competing digital cameras. The design is definitely not a traditional one; even somewhat futuristic, but ergonomically it is perfectly right.
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Looking like a futuristic spaceship from Buck Rogers, the Konica Minolta DiMage Z20 is a bit over the top in terms of design (though enthusiasts looking for a flashy camera might see this as a plus). Shoot with the camera for a while, and you’ll notice that it’s quite enjoyable to hold, especially since it’s not all that heavy. But this comfortable shape and slick design don’t make up for the camera’s drawbacks in picture quality.
The nonprotruding lens achieves an 8X optical zoom. The 6- to 48-mm zoom—the equivalent of a 36- to 290-mm zoom at 35 mm—has an aperture range of f/3.2 to f/3.4. We were disappointed that there was no image stabilization, which is useful for avoiding blurry shots in low light at telephoto range. We would also have liked to see a larger LCD: 1.5 inches in today’s market seems quite small. The Z20 does feature an electronic viewfinder, which can be used instead of the LCD. The camera’s manual controls are accessible through the menus, rather than by dedicated buttons and knobs, and include the ability to change ISO settings, set a fill flash instead of the auto flash, and set EV compensation.
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The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 promises users both manual and automatic control possibilities along with the ability to capture still images in up to four images sizes with video in two formats at 15 or 30 fps. With a 1/2.5 inch 5.2 total MP CCD, coupled with an extended 36-290mm (equivalent) zoom lens, the Z20 sells itself short (likely in the name of economics) with the lack of an image stabilization function. The camera performed acceptably at times, but showed some glaring weaknesses that will create problems for many users, especially with the automatic ISO and White Balance settings. To counter these flaws, users of the Z20 will have to take a more active approach and frequently engage the manual controls. Some users might not like this. The Z20 also does not offer audio recording capabilities, which are included on the slightly more expensive Z5.
In terms of design, the Z20 cuts corners with visibility, offering a choice between a 1.5 inch, 113K pixel LCD screen and an equally inept viewfinder that displays images that appear as if they were projected through a sequence of screens. The lack of image quality and uncomfortable design make the viewfinder unsuitable for prolonged use. Potential consumers should not overlook these flaws, as they will certainly compromise the recorded image as well as the shooting experience, but the Z20 will offer full manual control, long zoom, and a lower price than other models on the market with the same size CCD.
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The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 is an ultra-zoom digital camera that promises a lot in exchange for a relatively small amount of money. Based around a 5 megapixel CCD sensor and an 8x zoom lens that is equivalent to 36-290mm on a 35mm camera, the Konica Minolta Z20 has an amazing list of advanced features that make you look twice at its budget price-tag. The Konica Minolta Z20 has a very fast start-up time of around 0.5 second, semi-automatic and manual exposure modes, futuristic body design, rapid autofocus and a macro mode that that lets you focus as close as 1cm from your subject. Six months ago I enthusiastically reviewed the Z20’s predecessor, the 3 megapixel DiMAGE Z10.
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