Rating: 
Summary: A full-featured, long zoom camera
Review: *NOTE: This review is from itreviews.co.uk*
Standing out from the crowd on looks alone, the Minolta DiMage Z1 is a 3.2-megapixel camera with a 10x optical zoom, and should please both point-and-shoot and more advanced users with its mix of automatic and manual operation.Compact for a long zoom camera - measuring 110 x 78 x 80mm - the DiMage Z1's looks are dominated by the huge lens barrel, but it still manages to look quite stylish in its charcoal black and silver plastic body. It's also lighter than it looks; even with batteries and an SD card it only weighs 424g. Unusually, the DiMage Z1 has only a single 1.5-inch LCD display, but this is ingeniously used for both eye level and real panel displays. It achieves this by simply blocking or releasing the internal mirror / shutter depending on which mode is chosen, using Minolta's Switch Finder. The DiMage Z1 is built around a very impressive lens. The 10x lens has a focal range of 5.8 to 58mm, equivalent to a 38-380mm lens on a 35mm camera, giving a range from good telephoto to moderately wide angle. Combined with the 4x digital zoom it offers an incredible 40x zoom. Depending on the zoom setting, the aperture range is from f/2.8 to f/3.5. There are two macro settings; the standard offers ranges from 10 to 120cm, while the Super Macro setting can get you as close as 4cm to your target image. To reduce the possibilities of camera shake, which will be highlighted by the use of such a powerful lens, Minolta has used advanced programming; depending on which exposure programme is used, this controls the aperture and maximises shutter speed. It's not only the lens that's powerful on the DiMage Z1. The flash system is pretty impressive too. The flash unit pops up from the top of the camera and can illuminate a target up to 20 feet away, and re-cycles in seven seconds. Settings for the unit include Auto, Auto with Red eye reduction, slow shutter sync and Fill Flash. There's also a dedicated hot shoe connector which accepts other Minolta flash units. Controls for the DiMage Z1 are straightforward; the main Mode dial is on the top of the hand grip and controls all the usual functions. The back of the camera has a record/playback mode switch, a four-way switch which navigates through the menu selections, and 'select last image' and menu on/off buttons. The DiMage Z1 uses SD (SecureDigital) memory cards - Minolta supplies a 16MB card with the camera - and can also accept MMC (MultiMedia Card) cards. Also supplied are four AA single-use batteries; these will get you up and running but it's better to use a set of re-chargeable NiMH ones to keep you going. You also get an AV cable and a USB cable in the box. Verdict: Minolta's DiMage Z1 is a full-featured, long zoom camera, combining a simple interface and automatic settings with a full range of manual modes, enabling both the first time user and the more experienced photographer to get the full benefit of its powerful optics.
Rating: 
Summary: Easy to use, nice big zoom, but lacking in some features!
Review: A friend of mine saw this on TV and bought one. I played around with it some, and thought it was a nice little camera. It definitely has some good points. Its light, its loaded with features (you practically get bored reading the list of specifications its so long), and it has a bigger zoom than most of the other entries in this price class. Unfortunately, I noticed some missing items while reading the specs, that downgrade it, at least some. File types for one, most of us use computers to change, view, print and modify files, so having a number of file types supported helps. JPEG is about the only standard format supported by this camera. Next, I would have figured by now the makers would have gotten the message that we don't like digital cameras with a throw-a-way memory card. I really think today's digital camera should come with a minimum of a 32 Meg card, or larger. This one has only a 16 Meg card; it won't take many quality pictures without downloading. I really liked playing with the 10X zoom. You could get a clear image on some really distant stuff. I did need to set it down on a rail though to get a steady shot. One of the reasons, I would wait for more of the new models to come out is to get the Fuzzy logic type of steady cam I have on my five year old camcorder. It's only a matter of time before it shows up on these medium priced models. The camera looks really great, and has simple enough to use controls. A special feature lets you see the LCD through the viewfinder. Different from the digital optical views you sometimes get mixed results from. One thing I was impressed with was the resolution in the viewer screen. Too often these things are very blocky, but this one was clear. The flash really lights things up well, and the redeye reduction actually works! I'm not a professional photographer by any means, so I can't comment on all the optical specifics. Suffice it to say, that the camera is probably not intended for the professional. It's easy to use, has a great long range zoom, but I think its lacking in some important areas.
Rating: 
Summary: Impressive features. Sharp, crisp, and detailed pictures
Review: A great Buy This is my first foray into digital photography. I was looking for a perfect digital camera within $400 price range, I definitely wanted at least 3MP with as much optical zoom as I could get, and also desired the video/audio features for short video clips. I also wanted complete manual controls so that the camera can grow along with my increasing interests and skills in photography. I researched a lot, reading reviews and trying out every possible camera on display. I tried SONY P72, Fuji 3800, Toshiba M700, Panasonic FZ1, Minolta S414, Canon A70, Olympus C4000Z and many more. Although I could not lay my lands on a demo unit of Dimage Z1, I just ordered it blindly, because of its impressive features and looks, the Minolta name and my experience with S414. Dimage Z1 looks and feels like a real SLR camera, a fairly compact, very user-friendly package indeed! As far as style and looks are concerned, this is the best camera out there right now. I received it just a day before (22 Sep 03) and I am fallen in love with it. The camera is ergonomically designed with a very good hand -grip but the body is in plastic so the robust and sturdy feel is not there. All controls are available at the figure tips and strategically located, with a very good feel and tactile feedback. Zoom is superb and unmatched. Lense movement is soft and noiseless. I heard a lot of noise in other cameras I tried. I particularly like the movie mode, which records at 15fps or 30 fps clips w/audio, thus combining limited features of a digital video camera. The 1.5-inch LCD is quite bright and well protected. Both LCD and EVF cover almost the entire frame. Camera uses the same LCD screen for both LCD and EVF and switching is done through an internal mirror/shutter mechanism. This is something different I saw in Dimage Z1 as compared to others. Flash although weak provides a pretty standard set of lighting options .A flash sync socket allows users to connect an external flash (Minolta only!) to the camera for more powerful flash lighting The battery life appears to be good. I just started playing with this camera but all the pictures came out perfectly sharp, crisp, and detailed. I am impressed with the quality, which is at par with 35mm. However there are some points to note: 1>The lens cap is something where Minolta has to pay some attention. It is loose fitting and of cheap quality. Compare with FUJI S5000's lens cap. 2> Printed manual needs to be more descriptive. (Like Olympus) 3> Lens assembly is designed in such a way that it moves, shakes creating some rattling noise. 4> During movie recording, lens is in All time AF mode and thus makes some clicking noise all the time, this noise gets recorded and it is irritating while playback. 5> Video and Audio syn problem (movie mode) 6> Camera body is in light weight plastic, sounds too delicate, no good for heavy outdoor use. 7> Accessories such as Lens adapter ring, flashes etc are expensive and difficult to find. 8> For full 10X zoom tripod is a must. 9> Battery compartment door won't last longer. 10> Noise and CA. Over all I am quite happy with this camera, this is the best I could get within this time frame and cost budget. (of course there is one more camera worth looking, that's FUJI S5000, it is almost at par with Dimage Z1!) Last Update on 13 Oct 2003: Returned the camera today! Yes, images are sharp; focus is fast all sounds good but what about reliability?
1> Lens shake (wobble) is simply unbearable, period. I did check other Digicam like C740/C750, S5000 and Kodak 10X Zoom etc all exhibit some amount of Lens wobble but in Dimage Z1 it is too much. Just hold the camera in your hand and you start hearing the lens wobble sound as if something is loose inside it. With such a wobble how long will it work reliably? 2> Battery compartment cover is flimsy! In last 20 day, I changed batteries for 7-8 times and every time I had a hard time in closing the door. I am sure if one applies a bit more pressure the cover will break! Hinges won't last for more 100 odd operations! 3> Lens AF noise during Movie mode is annoying. And Audio-video is out of syn!! Please do check these things before you buy.
This is my first Digicam and I am not planning another one in coming 4-5 years, and I do not want to deal with Minolta Service center! There are other options available at almost the same price. I... Hope this helps - - have a great day! Suhas Gokhale San Diego, CA, USA
Rating:
Summary: all you need now is...
Review: all you need after a purchase of one of these is a bag for it, 256MB memory card, a flash adapter (Z1 is poor at night), and rechargable batteries [AA] w/ charger, oh and a tripod preferably the tall one.
...go ahead buy it.
Rating:
Summary: great and low price
Review: as far as i have used it, it's good.
very satisfying for me.
it's got a very far zoom (10X) and many automatic and manual setting.
Rating:
Summary: Updating my review
Review: At first I was disappointed and frustrated with this camera, however now that I have had it for over a month, I have really come to enjoy it. Yes, it took some time to get used to all the fancy gadgets, but now that I have been playing with it, I have gotten a lot of compliments for the clarity of my pictures. I run auctions on ebay (under the same name if you want to see my pictures), and compared to that cheaper camera I talked of earlier, the pictures are 100% better. There are some things that I don't like about this camera. The software and lack of technical support are lacking. The battery slot is wobbly. Other than those issues and a little time spent playing around with the settings, I have to say that I would recommend this camera as an upgrade from a "starter" camera. A great value for the buck.
Rating:
Summary: Great Camera
Review: By far the best on market for the features in this price range. The zoom is great. When we first began taking pics we notice the pics were very blury, I have also read other reviews that also stated there pics were blured. After reading the booklet for a second time, we learned that, You must press the shutter-release button half way (hold for a second) before taking a picture, in order for the camera to focus. So if your not getting clear shots make sure you are doing this. Also you can set the camera mode to take black & white photos and also Sepia photos (which is the aged photo look). If you have children you must try taking pics in these modes. The main thing that lead us to this camera other than the 10x zoom , is the size of the camera. It is bigger than other digital cameras and it feels MUCH better in your your hand than the small compact cameras. It does have alot of different features and you must really read and re-read the booklet in order to work the camera correctly and learn all that it has to offer. Once you see your pics it will be worth the time that you spent reading. We have had no problem with the battery compartment thus far , it seems to be a very strudy camera in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: Confirming the truth! Amazing camera!
Review: Confirming what Mr. Brody said Minolta Z1 IS THE BEST camera among others 3megapixel camera. I've read all the reviews on web about digicams, sent mails to lots of photographs asking about, and my wife bought a Z1 for me. Here in Brazil its to expensive e hard to find a friend of her went to US and bought one. The colours, sharpness, contrast. everything is perfect. Ultrafast autofocus, ISO(50-400), incredible zoom(40x with a tripod i took good pics), video quality, battery lifetime... There`s a thing that you should know, if you're going to take pics just in the AUTO mode you dont deserve a camera,like this, with lots of manual settings. You need a full auto camera. Anyway its the BEST 3 megapixel nowdays.
Rating:
Summary: Nice!
Review: Got mine on Friday so far it's great. The pictures I took at night were impressive. The only think I have to pick at is that it shows the movies in quicktime which seemed to work well with this camera but I prefer realone or MS media player. (no good reason I just prefer it) Other than that it's pretty nice. The zoom is awesome. I used it to get the serial numbers off of an overhead transformer mounted on a 45 foot utility pole (those serial numbers are not much bigger than the print on this page). You wouldn't believe the clarity. I was going to hold out for something with more megapixels for the same money but I'm glad I didn't.
Rating:
Summary: support terrible
Review: Great little camera, fully functioned. However the software that comes with it has proven difficult to get working leaving me to download the files from the camera to my laptop by dragging and dropping same. ...
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