As with the A1, Minolta has given the Dimage Z1 a new, brighter
and more colourful interface than it had with its previous cameras.
Menus are clear and legible, each option being presented on a
semitransparent background. When the LCD monitor is facing the
rear (not the viewfinder) and being used outdoors, it is a bit
difficult to decipher because of its highly reflective protective
plexiglas cover, but switching to the top viewfinder solves the
problem.
Access to the Setup menu is provided in all shooting modes and the
Playback mode. The Setup menu provides options for:
LCD Brightness: adjusts the brightness of the screen. This
function can also be accessed directly, without going through the menu,
by holding the button
for more than 1 second.
Power Save: sets the delay before the Z1 automatically powers
down to economize power (1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 minutes).
Instant Playback: decides whether or not a photo is displayed
immediately post captured. (Off, 2 or 10 seconds).
Lens Acc.: the Z1 is compatible with the Wide Converter kit
ZCW-100 that converts the wide angle of the zoom into the equivalent
of a 28mm lens. When this option is set to WideConvertr, the
lens is set to wide angle, the zoom is disabled, as is the Super Macro
mode.
Language: selects the interface language (Japanese, English,
German, French or Spanish).
File # Memory: On or Off. When On, files are numbered
consecutively. When Off, file numbers restart at 1 each time
the card is formatted, or a new card is inserted.
Folder Name: selects the way image folders are named
(standard or based on the date).
Audio Signals: provides 3 options for the sounds
produced by the Z1 as it is being operated (Off, sound 1
or sound 2).
Shutter FX: 2 different sounds are available, one
is the shutter release noise made by a Dynax/ Maxxum 9 SLR,
the other from the famous Minolta CLE.
Volume: sets the overall sound volume for all audio
signals, not movies or audio clip playback.
Reset Default: Yes or No. Returns the camera to
its factory defaults.
Noise Reduction: On or Off. When On, noise reduction
is applied to photos captured with a shutter speed of 1 second
or longer.
Date Time Set: sets the date and time on the Z1.
Date Imprint: permanently stamps the image with
the date.
Video Output: sets the video signal for the Z1,
NTSC or PAL.
A printed manual is included with the Dimage Z1. The manual is
clear and covers all the functions of the Z1 very well. As usual
with Minolta manuals, photographic tips and explanations are
sprinkled throughout, as are bit of the company's history and
photographic achievements.
Software
In Canada Minolta supplies 2 CDs
with the Dimage Z1. One contains Dimage Viewer version
2.21 for Windows and Macintosh and QuickTime to view the
video clips captured with the camera. The other CD contains Video
Impression version 2 from ArcSoft, and is exclusively for
Windows-based computers and to edit video clips.
Dimage Viewer allows downloading images from the camera
when it is connected through USB, or importing images from
a card reader or a hard disk. Dimage Viewer is intended to
allow copying images from one folder to another, and organizing
them.
While it shows thumbnails of images, Dimage Viewer is also able to show
the shooting data for any image in a separate window.
Dimage Viewer provides tools
to correct or edit images. To access the editing functions, an
image needs to be selected by double-clicking it which opens
it in another window. The photo is shown at a larger size and
its histogram is displayed on its right. Two tool bars supply
all the necessary tools to manipulate images, and many of the
tools have their own window which can be moved around to facilitate
seeing the effects of any adjustment.
Images can be rotated, cropped,
sharpened, or the contrast, brightness, saturation adjusted.
Photos can be printed, as can contact sheets.
The tools are mostly simple to use and their effect shows immediately.
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Interface & Software
button
for more than 1 second.
