Konica Minolta's new DiMAGE
Z2 is the 4-megapixel version of the successful DiMAGE
Z1. Externally, the 2 models are very similar, both have a
10X optical zoom, and both have a silver plastic shell. The
Z2 however, reflects the amalgamation of the Konica and Minolta companies
and is banded as such.
Just like the Z1, the Z2 features a single LCD monitor that doubles as
an electronic viewfinder (EVF).
Called a Switch Finder, the
system is controlled by the Mode Switch on the back of
the camera and below the LCD 1.5 inch monitor.
While
the Power Switch ,
in the middle of the Mode Switch, turns on the camera, the Mode
Switch's position decides whether the LCD monitor faces the back ,
or is reflected through the viewfinder's exit pupil .
The same switch also starts the Playback mode which
only supports the LCD screen facing the back of the camera.
The sharpness of the image can
be adjusted with a diopter corrector but, like the Z1, the dial
lacks a texture that would allow gripping it and is difficult
to adjust.
The external controls of the DiMAGE Z2 are located either on top of the
large right side grip or at the right of the LCD monitor.
The top part of the grip groups the shutter release (2 stage with AE and
AF lock at mid course); two chromed buttons are for the Macro and Flash
modes; an 11-position Exposure mode dial; and the zoom control,
immediately below the dial.
The Macro modes are selected with the button closest
to the shutter release. Two modes are offered, Super Macro which
locks the zoom at a precise position so as to allow the greatest
magnification; and Standard Macro mode which allows the zoom
to be used:
Super Macro (at a focal length of 11.1mm)
10 - 107cm (4.3 - 42.1 in.)
The other button, closer to the Exposure
mode dial, selects the flash modes for the Z2's pop-up flash:
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto with Red-eye Reduction,
Fill-in, Slow Synch with Red-eye Reduction, Flash Cancel
is selected when the pop-up flash is left closed.
The Exposure Mode dial serves
to select the recording modes. 11 modes are available, including
a movie mode:
The Auto mode of the Z2
has an Automatic Scene Selection capability.
When set to Auto, the camera attempts to match the scene
about to be captured with one of its own Scene programs.
The system is not always successful, and when the automatic
scene recognition system is unable to identify the correct
scene mode that should be used, the default program mode
is used.
The Scene modes themselves are standard
modes commonly available on many cameras. As is usually the case
with Scene Programs (called Digital Subject Programs by
Konica Minolta) the sensitivity of the camera is automatically
set and metering is exclusively multi-segment:
Portrait Mode: maximizes
the image processing for the reproduction of skin tones and
uses a wide aperture to defocus the background slightly.
Sports Action: works to
use as high a shutter speed as possible so as to freeze action.
ISO sensitivity can be automatically increased to help maintain
a fast shutter speed.
Landscape Mode: maximizes
depth of field with a small aperture, and enhances sharpness.
Sunset: augments warm
tones to enhance 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 remaining positions on the Exposure Dial are for:
Program controls both
aperture and shutter speed, but leaves all other parameters,
including sensitivity, up to the user. Shutter speed and
the aperture selected by the camera are shown on the screen
when the shutter release is held halfway.
Aperture Priority provides
an aperture range of f2.8, f3.2, f3.5, f4.5, f5.0, f5.6,
f6.3, f7.1 and f8 when the zoom is set to wide angle, and
F3.7 , f4.0, ff4.5, through f8 at the telephoto end.
Shutter Priority provides
a shutter speed range of 15 seconds to 1/1000 second.
Manual mode provides complete
freedom to select aperture and shutter speed, and adds a T option
(Time exposure) which can extend the long exposure
up to 30 seconds. Using the T shutter setting, the
exposure is started by releasing the shutter, and stopped
the same way at anytime up to 30 seconds. A remote control
is not necessary.
Last is the Movie mode, and the Z2 offers a novel 800 x 600 pixel frame
size as its upper end:
The DiMAGE Z2 can capture video clips
at any one of 4 image sizes, 800 x 600, 640 x 480, 320
x 240, or 160 x 120 pixels. With the exception of the
800 x 600 frame size, movies can be captured at 15 or 30 frames per
second (800 x 600 movies can only be captured at 15 frames per second).
Sound is captured with the movie, and the optical zoom can be enabled
as one of the movie mode's menu options. However, the noise of the
zoom motor will also be recorded. The length of any movie is solely
constrained by the capacity of the memory card in use. Finally, a Night
Movie mode is also offered, making it possible to record
video clips in very low light, albeit at the expense of a fair amount
of noise.
Whether it is to navigate the
menus, confirm selections with its centre button, select aperture,
shutter speed, or simply adjust exposure compensation, the 4
direction control reacts quickly and positively.
The centre button also provides a means to select the AF mode of the Z2.
When pressed and held for a short time, the button switches the camera
from Wide Area auto focus to a Focus Area mode that allows
selecting any one of three horizontal focus points near the centre of the
frame.
In Playback, the top button calls
up a histogram and all the shooting data for an image under review,
while the lower button rotates an image in 90° increments.
A bright LED is embedded at the 5 O'clock position around the multi-direction
control. The LED glows green when the Z2 is powered up, red when the camera
is saving an image and yellow when the flash is popped up and charging.
Three other chromed buttons arc
below the multi-direction control. The first calls up the menu
appropriate to the Mode Switch position, either Recording or Playback.
The second, ,
switches the camera from the Recording mode to the Quick View mode,
allowing the user to see the last captured images even with the
Mode Switch set to the viewfinder position, but which precludes
access to the Playback menu. In playback, the same button can
be used to delete unwanted photos.
The last button is the button
which in both the Recording and Playback modes serves to control
the information overlaid on the LCD monitor.
In the recording modes, each press
of the button cycles through an overlay indicating most camera
settings, then one which adds a real-time histogram, then one
that only shows the image and indicates focus as a dot, white
for in focus, red for out of focus.
In Playback, the button cycles between an image display with a limited
amount of information, a thumbnails display (9 per screen) and one free
of any overlaid information. However, pressing the button
in conjunction with the up control of the multi-direction controller
switches the display so it shows a thumbnail of the image, a detailed histogram
and all the shooting data for that particular image.
A flash shoe is provided on top of the viewfinder and a sliding
cover is included. The shoe is dedicated to Minolta Maxxum/Program
flash units:
2500 (D)
3600HS (D)
5600HS (D)
A twin of the Z1 when it comes to
its exterior, the DiMAGE Z2 shares its good ergonomic design
and ease of use.
Compare Prices for Minolta Dimage Z2 Digital Camera Battery Charger (B-9700)
Introduction
While
the Power Switch 
,
in the middle of the Mode Switch, turns on the camera, the Mode
Switch's position decides whether the LCD monitor faces the back 
,
or is reflected through the viewfinder's exit pupil 
.
The same switch also starts the Playback mode 
which
only supports the LCD screen facing the back of the camera.
,
switches the camera from the Recording mode to the Quick View mode,
allowing the user to see the last captured images even with the
Mode Switch set to the viewfinder position, but which precludes
access to the Playback menu. In playback, the same button can
be used to delete unwanted photos.
button
which in both the Recording and Playback modes serves to control
the information overlaid on the LCD monitor. 
