Konica Minolta launches DiMAGE Z20 and Z5 digital cameras

Konica Minolta has two new digital cameras coming out featuring their "Mega Zoom" lenses (we can't tell if there's anything special about them other than a really big zoom), the DiMAGE Z20 and the DiMAGE Z5:


Up first is the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20, a 5 megapixel, 8x optical zoom camera that promises fastest-in-class start up times (0.5 seconds).  It has a fixed flash instead of a pop-up one and it doesn't have a flash hot-shoe, so more serious shutterbugs may want to look elsewhere, but it seems to have fairly decent feature-set for most average users.

Read - Konica Minolta Z20



The 5 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 is similiar in design to the Z20 but packs a 12x optical zoom and a fairly large 2.0-inch LCD screen (compared to 1.5-inch on the Z20).  And, as you can see above, it does have a flash hot-shoe in addition to its pop-up flash.  There doesn't seem to be any word yet on pricing for either model, or an exact street date.

Read - Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5

[MS Mobiles @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

At last zoom bigger than 10x ! I was always criticizing Konica Minolta that their biggest zoom was only 10x and now they improved it. Woa!

I am just wondering whether their anti-shake mechanism (image stabilisator) is lense-based or sensor-base (i.e. which part is moving to compensate for shaking hand)? Do you know?

[Decelerate @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

I spotted that KM also mounts 2" LCD on Z5 in order to catch up with Panasonic Z20. 1.5" LCD on Z3 (predecessor of Z5) bring me shame.

[Merlinmurph @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

All of K/M's camera's that have AS are sensor based

[nojetlag @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

Minolta Z3 was already 12x zoom, however the Z3 has serious quality problems. No wonder is the Z5 very very very similair to the Z3. In the software business the Z5 would be called a service pack ;-)

[Henri von Steen @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

After reading all the reviews I could find, I went out this weekend to buy the Panasonic FZ20, but I could not even find one in all the London High street shops. Panasonic is apparently out of stock. Now I am wondering if Minolta managed to genetically modify the Z3 enough to solve the image quality problem? And will the new Z5 be a better camera than the FZ-20?

[Millor @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

On post number 4 you say that the Z3 has serious quality problems. What do you mean by that? I have that camera and it takes awsome pictures but after I had it for just 69 days I noticed that it would't focus on wide angle or macro.I already had to send it in to get it fixed, so it has been at the company for the last month and a half. My daughter has the same camera. (she got hers before mine broke) and she is starting to have problems with nothing working unless she takes the batteries out and puts them back in. So I am just wondering if it is quality problems with the camera working or the picture quality. I have a few friends that are interested in purchasing the camera, so they should know if there is alot of problems with them.

[Heidi J @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

I got the Z5 yesterday. It vibrated the first time I turned it on. When I take wide angle photos, there is a shadow, in the lower right hand corner. I figured out, it is the edge of the lens. I'm taking it back today, to see if these are typical problems, or unique.

[George @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

My DiMAGE Z3, failed the first time after less than 6 months of ownership (less than one month of use). That failed camera, which Konica Minolta fixed and returned to me at the end of June, failed again. While the speedy repair (order # R150609105) and return of the camera allowed me to take it with me on a family trip to Germany, it sadly failed again in exactly the same way (camera's focal length is fixed at maximum telephoto) after only one week (approximately 550 pictures). This nonfunctional camera did not allow me to capture very precious memories for the second week of the trip with my six-year-old daughter.

I have once again sent the camera to Konica at the same New Jersey facility via USPS Priority Mail on Thursday, July 14, 2005. The US Postal Service informs me that they delivered the camera to this facility Saturday morning, July 16th. I called the New Jersey facility on 7/20/05 and was told that the camera hadn't been received yet.

This DiMAGE Z3, serial # 40456573 failed in exactly the same way as the first time (camera's focal length is fixed in maximum telephoto, and wide angle/telephoto controller adjusts focus only), the camera must have a more serious intrinsic/circuit defect. Given the repeated failing of this camera, I've asked them to ensure that I get a replacement for the defective camera by July 29th so that I can have it for our trip home to the Jersey Shore. I do not want another �fixed� camera that ends up costing me yet more memories as well as additional time and travel expenses.

I�ve written Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A. Camera Repair Customer Service about this issue and I have called the New Jersey facility. I�d heard nothing from Konica Minolta, and this morning got my email, that I sent to [e-mail], back as undeliverable. I did get a mail confirmation yesterday that they have received the camera, but nothing else.

This whole matter is more than troubling; I need a fully, reliably and continually functioning Z3 by 7/29/05. It shouldn't be too much to expect to have a camera which is fully paid for, fully operational.

Please help me.

[Jim D @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

I bought a Z5 two months ago. I know how to care for a camera-this one lived in it's case, and was never dropped, or exposed to moisture.

Yet the right arrow key decided to stop working properly. It now behaves the same as the "up" key.

I sent it back to Minolta, and just got a snail mail confirmation saying it'll be a month before I see my camera again.

Reading this, and knowing what I know now, I probably would've chosen the Panasonic Lumix instead.

Good thing I learned now-I was about to buy a Maxxum 7d, but apparently Minolta has issues building digital cameras, so I'm sticking with Nikon.

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

I had two Z3's which both failed totally in less than a couple of hours use. I was very disappointed, especially as I heard nothing from the manufacturer, despite a request for their comments. I am unlikely to buy a Konica Minolta camera again. I bought a Panasonic FZ3 for �90 less, and it has performed faultlessly for the last 6 months and thousands of photos.

[Ernie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

I have had great luck with my Z1 and was delighted to see the Z5. I'm on the second Z5 right now and I am having the same problem with it. When the button is pressed half way to focus, the image is frozen for the best part os a second. For stills it wouldn't be a problem. But with a 6 month old grand baby, there's a lot of movement in a split second. Minolta won't fess up to there being a problem. I just picked up a Z3 yesterday, hope to have better luck with it. The Z1 has been flawless.

[Kathy Hopper @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM]

My Minolta Dimage Z3 has ceased to zoom. I remains in the maximum zoom position and is also difficult to focus. Is there anything I can do or does it have to go in for repair? I really need help!