The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 is announced, a 5 megapixel update of the DiMAGE Z3, with a 12X optical zoom lens that is equivalent to a focal length of 35-420 mm on a 35mm camera, and Konica Minolta’s anti-shake image stabilization system.

Konica Minolta USA Press Release

Konica Minolta Introduces the New DiMAGE Z5 Digital Camera

Compact, high-performance 5.0-megapixel CCD digital camera features CCD-Shift Anti-Shake System, 12x optical “Mega Zoom” lens, fastest-in-class Rapid AF, and large, easy-to-view 2.0-inch LCD

Mahwah, NJ (January 24, 2005) – Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. introduces the new compact DiMAGE Z5 – a superb all-round digital camera that offers a built-in 12x optical Mega Zoom lens, Konica Minolta’s proprietary Anti-Shake System, 5.0-megapixel CCD, fast overall response including Rapid autofocusing (AF), and a large 2.0-inch LCD screen for easy viewing. All of these features combine to ensure that photographers won’t miss a photo opportunity and that the subjects of their photos are big, beautiful, and shake-free.

“The new DiMAGE Z5 is the ideal companion for travel photography as well as everyday picture taking,” said Todd Schrader, vice president of marketing for Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. “Sophisticated photographers will appreciate everything this high quality versatile digital camera has to offer. Plus, thanks to the camera’s built-in 12x optical zoom lens and Konica Minolta’s innovative Anti-Shake technology, even novice photographers can easily capture clear, sharp detailed views of the world around them.”

The new DiMAGE Z5’s 12x optical zoom lens and 4x digital zoom combine for a total 48x zoom. Konica Minolta’s proprietary CCD-shift Anti-Shake System—the same one used on the top-of-the-line Maxxum 7D and DiMAGE A200 models—is particularly effective at such high zoom ranges. It allows photographers to shoot with shutter speeds four to eight times longer (2-3 stops*2) than when shooting without an Anti-Shake function. It also provides steady, shake-free images taken during the evening or other dimly lit shots which are susceptible to blur because of their slow shutter speed. This means significantly less blur even without a flash or tripod.

The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 has everything you need to take high-quality pictures: 5.0-megapixel CCD, high-performance GT APO lens, and Konica Minolta’s proprietary CxProcess™ III image processing technology, which gives photographers images as beautiful as those they see with their own eyes.

The DiMAGE Z5 boasts a large, easy-to-view 2.0-inch LCD monitor. This makes navigating menus easier and allows users to see exactly what they’re photographing.

In addition to Rapid AF, the DiMAGE Z5 features a fast startup, short shutter release time lag, Ultra-High-Speed Continuous Advance, Progressive Capture, and Real Motion monitor for smooth display on the LCD. These features combine to let users capture any subject, no matter how fleeting, on the spur of the moment, and not miss a photo opportunity.

In addition to beautiful stills, the DiMAGE Z5 takes high-quality, high-resolution VGA movies that look as good as TV images. These movies are also shake-free thanks to the Anti-shake function.

New Konica Minolta 5.0-Megapixel Digital Camera:

The DiMAGE Z5

Product Highlights
12x optical Mega Zoom and 4x digital zoom for 48x total zoom; complemented with CCD-shift Anti-Shake System
Fastest-in-class*1 Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control
High-quality pictures with 5.0-megapixel CCD, Konica Minolta GT APO lens, and Konica Minolta CxProcess™ III image processing technology
High-resolution, shake-free VGA movies that look as good as TV images
Ease of operation with large 2.0-inch LCD, compact body, and fast response
Super Macro mode for shooting subjects as close as 0.4 inches from the lens
26mm wide-angle shooting (35mm equivalent) with the optional Wide-angle Converter ZCW-300

Features

Incredible 48x Total Zoom Range
Combining the 12x optical zoom with the 4x digital zoom gives users a 48x total zoom, ideal for taking distance shots at sporting events or when capturing far-away landscapes. This incredible optical zoom delivers a focal range equivalent to a 35-420mm range on a 35mm camera lens. With the digital zoom, total zoom is equivalent to 35-1680mm (35mm equivalent).

CCD-Shift Anti-Shake Function
The DiMAGE Z5 uses Konica-Minolta’s proprietary CCD-shift Anti-Shake function, convenient for telephoto shots and dimly lit situations. Anti-Shake compensates to minimize the effect of camera shake, allowing photographers to shoot with shutter speeds four to eight times longer (2-3 stops) than on cameras without an Anti-Shake function. The DiMAGE Z5 can correct shaking without increasing shutter speed or raising ISO sensitivity, factors that increase image noise. The CCD-shift method doesn’t require extra correction lenses like optical anti-shake systems, so the DiMAGE Z5’s body remains compact and light. The DiMAGE Z5’s Anti-Shake system is effective in correcting both the fine movement of pressing the shutter-release button and the larger and slower movements of the user’s body.

Rapid AF is Fastest in Class for Autofocus (AF)
The DiMAGE Z5 focuses in approximately 0.2 seconds at wide angle and approximately 0.3 seconds at telephoto. In Continuous AF, the DiMAGE Z5 includes Predictive Focus Control, which allows users to capture sharper images of moving subjects—like a child running in the backyard.

The DiMAGE Z5 also offers improved AF accuracy through 5-point Area AF, which gives five focus areas that overlap horizontally and thus reduce AF failures that occur when subjects appear in between focus areas and cause a perspective conflict.

Large, Easy-to-View 2.0-inch LCD
The DiMAGE Z5’s 2.0-inch LCD makes it easier to take pictures, easier to play back and view stills and movie clips, and easier to navigate menus.

5.0-Megapixel CCD for Beautiful Prints
The 5.0-megapixel, 1/2.5-inch CCD produces plenty of detail for creating high-quality enlargements as big as 6x8 inches at 300-dpi print resolution. In addition, the CCD’s primary color filter offers high color fidelity.

Konica Minolta GT APO Lens
The DiMAGE Z5 employs a high-performance lens system that supports CCDs with 5 million effective pixels. The optical lens system consists of 13 elements in 10 groups and includes two AD (anomalous dispersion) glass lenses and two aspheric elements, a construction that adds up to sharp, high-quality images. Multi-coating on 14 lens surfaces ensures minimal flaring and ghosting in all zoom ranges. A 5-vane iris diaphragm beautifully reproduces a near-circular fading effect.

Superbly Detailed Images with Konica Minolta’s CxProcess™ III
The DiMAGE Z5 incorporates CxProcess™ III, the latest evolution of Konica Minolta’s proprietary image processing technology. This means even higher resolution and the ability to capture the subtlest details of texture, resulting in photos that look as natural as the subject itself.

High-quality Movies as Beautiful as TV Images
The DiMAGE Z5 takes movies in VGA size (640x480) at 30 frames per second for smooth video with sound rivaling TV images. Users can also choose from other movie image sizes. The Anti-Shake function also works with the movie function to give shake-free telephoto movies. The XR (Extended Recording) Movie function lets users record movie clips onto the SD memory card as long as it has the capacity. With Night Movie, the DiMAGE Z5 can record in extreme low-light conditions. The Select Shot function allows users to make stills from movie clips, while the Movie Editing function allows photographers to cut unwanted parts from movie files.

Get as Close as 0.4 inches with Super Macro
Shoot amazing close-ups in either Macro or Super Macro modes. Whichever mode is chosen, Konica Minolta’s superior image quality will make close-ups look stunning and powerful. In Super Macro mode, photographers can bring the lens as close as 0.4 inches from their subject.

Real Motion LCD Monitor
The DiMAGE Z5 features the Real Motion LCD monitor, which delivers crystal clear images. The smooth, realistic movement displayed on the monitor makes it ideal for shooting moving subjects.

UHS (Ultra High Speed) Continuous Shooting
The DiMAGE Z5 captures 20 images at approximately 10 frames per second at an image size of 1024x768 in UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous shooting. This function is convenient for situations where users need to capture and study their form in continuous movement, such as with a golf swing.

Progressive Capture
With the DiMAGE Z5 in Progressive Capture mode, the last several images in the sequence—as many as 20 images at approximately 10 frames per second at an image size of 1024x768 —get saved when users stop pressing the shutter-release button. So when photographing fast-moving subjects, Progressive Capture ensures that they are recorded when and where users want them. These functions are handy for shooting sporting events or for recording and improving form in personal sports training situations.

Noise Reduction
Noise Reduction gives exceptional night images by automatically preventing the blemishes and graininess associated with slow-shutter shots.

PASM Exposure Control and Metering Modes
The DiMAGE Z5 offers incredible control over exposure. There are four modes: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual. The DiMAGE Z5 has three metering modes: Multi-segment, Center-weighted, and Spot. Multi-segment metering uses 256 segments to determine exposure.

Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection
Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection automatically chooses the best recording mode for images. Users can also manually select from Portrait, Sports action, Landscape, Sunset and Night portrait modes.

Key Customize
For added flexibility and convenience, the flash button can be customized to handle different settings. This means that instead of going through the menus on the LCD, users can use the flash button to change settings like the drive mode, white balance, focus mode, color mode, or sensitivity.

PictBridge-Compliant
Forget all about complicated connections with a PC. Users can get fast, fun printouts directly from their camera by connecting the DiMAGE Z5 to a PictBridge*3-compliant printer. Photographers can check which images they want to print on the DiMAGE Z5’s LCD monitor and then print out their favorites.

Ergonomic Design
The DiMAGE Z5’s design is advanced yet familiar and easy-to-use. Despite its long 12x zoom range and large 2.0-inch LCD, it weighs just approximately 12 ounces. It’s also easy to tote and operate even for camera novices. The ergonomic form makes it easy to keep on holding even for those steady zoom shots.

Optional Wide Converter/Wide-angle Converter ZCW-300 Kit
The optional Wide-angle Converter Kit allows users to fit more of the scene into each shot. The lens has a 26mm wide angle that’s ideal for capturing indoor or outdoor architecture and panoramic landscape shots.

Compatible with Optional Flashes
The DiMAGE Z5 is equipped with a built-in flash. But if users need even more flash power, the Konica Minolta Program/Maxxum Flash 3600HS(D), 5600HS(D), or 2500(D) flash units can be used.

*1 As of November 20, 2004, for 5.0-megapixel-class digital cameras with built-in lens system and 10X or greater zoom. Based on Konica Minolta’s standard test method.

*2 Depends on the shooting conditions.

*3 PictBridge is an industry standard established by the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA).