The DiMAGE Z1 is the first
digital camera from Minolta to offer a 10X optical zoom. Yet,
this is an economically priced camera that offers a 3.2 megapixel
resolution and a body shell made entirely of two-toned plastic.
The Dimage Z1 is equipped with a novel viewfinder system called Switch
Finder, that uses the rear LCD screen to provide the viewfinder's image.
The Switch Finder is controlled by the position
of the Mode Switch on the back of the camera, below the LCD monitor (see
further). The system makes the 1.5 inch LCD screen do double
duty as an EVF (electronic viewfinder) by flipping the screen
down to a 45° angle inside the camera, and reflecting its
image with a couple of mirrors so it is redirected through the
viewfinder. Meanwhile, a curtain prevents light from entering
inside the camera through the back LCD screen window.
The exit pupil of the viewfinder
is equipped with a diopter correction which allows adjusting
the sharpness of the reflected image coming from the LCD screen.
However, the knob is nearly smooth making it difficult to turn.
A dedicated Minolta flash hot shoe is located directly above the viewfinder's
eyecup, allowing the camera to operate Minolta 3600HSD, 5600HSD, and 2500D,
flash units.
Macro modes:
Super Macro: allows the Z1 to focus as close as
4cm (1.7 in.) when the lens is set to 9.7mm.
Standard Macro mode: allows minimum focus distances
of 11mm (4.3 in.) at the wide angle setting and 127mm
(49.5 in.) at the maximum telephoto setting.
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-in, Slow Synch, Auto with
Red-eye Reduction, while the Forced Off setting simply
involves leaving the flash closed.
The zoom control is positioned
under the Mode Dial so as to be easily accessible with
the thumb. Unlike many other cameras, the zoom control cannot
be used to show thumbnails in playback, and only provides for
zooming in or out of an image.
The Mode Dial provides 11 positions which group the advanced modes
to one side and the scene modes to the other.
By default, the Auto mode uses Automatic
Scene Selection to capture the image. The system
attempts to analyse the scene, and select one of the
scene programs. Should the scene not be recognized,
the Auto mode defaults to the Program mode.
The Z1 can capture video clips
at any one of 3 image sizes, 640 x 480, 320 x 240, or 160
x 120 pixels; with or without sound, and at 15 or 30 frames
per second and as long as there is space on the memory
card.
Program Mode lets the
Z1 decide the aperture and shutter speed to use — displayed
on the monitor or in the viewfinder when the shutter release
is held halfway — but lets the user select all other
parameters.
Shutter Priority allows
the user to choose a shutter speed between 1/1000 second
and 15 seconds, while the Z1 selects the aperture. In addition,
a Bulb mode — called T for Time
exposure — can extend the long exposure up to
30 seconds.
Aperture Priority which
lets the user select an aperture, in 1/3 stop increments,
between f2.8 and f8 at the wide end of the zoom, and
f3.5 and f8 at the telephoto end.
Manual mode provides
complete freedom to select aperture and shutter speed,
and any of the other parameters that can be modified on
the Z1.
While the Scene modes, called Digital Subject Programs by Minolta, offer
a simplified menu in comparison to the advanced modes, the camera controls
many parameters to achieve the desired result:
Portrait Mode: optimized
to reproduce skin tones and provide a slight defocusing of
the background through a wide aperture which shortens the
depth of field.
Sports Action: maximizes
shutter speed to freeze action, and will increase the ISO
sensitivity as required.
Landscape Mode: maximizes
depth of field with a small aperture, and enhances sharpness.
Sunset: boost warm tones
to capture sunset colours.
Night Portrait: uses
a slow shutter speed and the flash, which must be opened
by the user, to capture both foreground and background.
The Dimage Z1 is turned on with the button,
located at the centre of the Mode Switch. The Mode Switch
has three positions:
image capture using the viewfinder;
image capture using the 1.5
inch LCD monitor (113,000 pixels).
Playback mode which uses the
LCD monitor when it faces the back of the camera.
The remaining external
controls of the Dimage Z1 are arranged in a semi-circle, on the
right side of the LCD monitor's shiny black plastic trim.
Foremost, at the top is the 4-direction controller. While it provides a
means to navigate the menus and review images, its left and right buttons
also serve to set exposure compensation (±2EV in 1/3EV increments),
or adjust the shutter speed and aperture in the A/S/M modes. In Playback,
its up button calls up a histogram and all the shooting data for
an image under review, while the down button rotates it in 90° increments.
The centre button, used to confirm some selections in menus, also serves
to select the focus system when the camera is in any of the capture modes
except the video clip mode:
Wide Area lets the camera decide the focus point from three
focus points located horizontally in the middle of the frame; or
Focus Area Selection is engaged when the centre button is
held in for more than 1 second. Then the Right/Left controls can be
used to select the focus point.
Three other buttons are below the 4-direction control:
calls the menu for the mode in use (see the Characteristics section
for an overview of the menus).
The Quick View button serves to see captured images
and also delete them. The mode is not a full playback mode
as there is no access to the Playback menu. However, photos
can be magnified using the zoom control, and their shooting
data and histogram displayed with a press of the Up button
on the 4-direction control.
The Information button controls the monitor overlays.
In the recording modes, the button cycles through an overlay
indicating most camera settings, and no overlay aside from
a dot that indicates focus (white) or out of focus (red).
In addition, when the Information button is held in for more
than one second, it calls up a display for adjusting the
brightness of the monitor.
In Playback, the button cycles between an image display, with and
without a basic information overlay, and also adds a third function:
thumbnail display (9 per screen).
Although equipped with a 10X lens,
the Z1 is relatively light and compact, weighing in at 440 grams
(15.5 oz) with batteries, memory card and neck strap.
The Z1 has a good in-hand feel, a well-shaped grip that offers a solid
hold, and a practical layout for the controls. One small negative: the
shiny thick black plastic trim around the monitor picks up fingerprints
quickly and is too reflective outdoors.
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Introduction
button,
located at the centre of the Mode Switch. The Mode Switch
has three positions: 
