Rating: 
Summary: Great for the price
Review: I bought this camera about 4 months ago and have taken about 1500 pictures with it thus far. I've taken it on trips to DC, Philly, and London. It's been windsurfing (though it stayed safely on the beach), and cross country skiing (where it got to go along for the ride). I also use it for documenting projects around the house, and as the PR camera for my Toastmasters club. The major technical cons with the unit are:
1) Noisy auto focus - the videos do in fact come out with a clicking sound in the background. In fact they have disabled the zoom feature during video+sound capture mode seemingly for this very reason.
2) Movie mode auto focus is less than optimal and frequently loses focus.
2) Sub-optimal lens - Unfortunately this lens falls far short, and on many occasions the chromatic aberration problems have shown up. It is most evident in shots where the light levels are greatly different between different parts of the shots. For example, in a shot of bare tree branches in the winter against a bright sky, the tree branches will show up purple. Other than the chromatic aberration problem, it appears to be a good lens, on 21st century standards (cheap plastic lenses with sub-optimal optical characteristics being the norm nowadays).
3) Lack of a remote shutter release capability - it is very annoying to be taking long exposures and having to use the 10 second timer function to keep the subject from blurring. Seriously, how do they possibly expect us to make use of the slow-speed synch function without one??? On a positive note, the long exposure shots came out beautifully using the timer.
4) Macro mode is largely unusable due to the difficulty of the auto focus of handling these subjects, and the difficulty of accurately focusing on a subject on a low resolution LCD screen. It has a 1:1 display function when you are using the manual focus mode, but even this is not really useable. Fortunately since it is a digital camera (and film is free!), I usually get the focus into the ballpark, then take a series of shots moving the camera through about 6 inches fore and aft of where I thought it was in focus. One of those shots usually turns out in focus and I can guiltlessly toss out the rest of the blurry mess.
5) The built in flash is utterly useless. At 15 feet in a poorly lit room it will take a picture, but they will likely turn out blurred due to long exposures, grainy due to the increased gain, and overall pretty poor. It does have a hot shoe mount, but see rant #1 for my experience with that.
6) The clear plastic back over the LCD does not appear to be replaceable. This also doesn't appear to be the case on any other camera available today, and it does appear to be made of lexan or something fairly resistant to scratching, but it is only a matter of time before it becomes unusable due to this design flaw. I have a few rants with the system as well:
1) Apparently Minolta changed their hot shoe mount sometime between the mid 80s when my Minolta Alpha-7000 was purchased and now, and as a result none of my expensive digital flashes will work with the new camera.
2) People can't seem to figure out how to use it. I usually end up out of all pictures I take, which is disappointing because I usually bring this camera on vacations and trips.
3) Movie capture is in QuickTime only. Unless you're in the 1% of the population who can afford a Mac, the player for these movies is buggy and has an annoying popup ad every time it starts up. It does have a conversion program that comes with it so you can put it into a format you would be able to pass onto friends without being embarrassed.
4) The battery cover is pretty chinsy and I expect it to have duct tape on it before not too long. On the pros for the unit:
1) It usually takes excellent pictures if you know how to use it.
2) For the price I think you would be hard pressed to find a better camera.
3) The SLR like controls make it nearly seamless for me to transition between my SLR and this camera, as well as allowing me to practice techniques using the same modes. With this camera I can get instant feedback and adjust settings to get the perfect shot before it disappears. This ability has allowed me to get some stunning sunset shots I would normally have missed. Other notes:
1) While RAW format pictures would be nice, it still takes pictures good enough if you turn the compression all the way down. With the resolution cranked and the compression at a minimum, the 3.2 shots come out to between 1.2MB and 1.6MB each. With a 256MB memory card, this is the setting I usually leave it on, and I have never run out of memory.
2) The auto focus on the system overall is pretty good. It is fast, as long as you are patient enough to wait for it to settle down. It has a very difficult time with low light situations and I frequently find myself using the manual focus mode. An illuminator would help greatly, and they do have one on their hot shoe mount flashes. Also, make sure and look at this camera in person before purchasing - it is much smaller than it looks (for good or bad). Overall I would buy the camera again. For the price it takes very good pictures. I don't expect this camera to last as long as my Minolta Alpha-7000 has, but I do expect it to get more use.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice Camera
Review: I bought this Minolta Dimage Z1 camera about 6 weeks ago, and I am very pleased with it! The zoom is more than awesome!! I find it very easy to handle! This is my second digital camera, first being an Olympus, which I had really considered again! This camera really caught my eye! As with all cameras, they each have flaws, I have not found one perfect camera for everyone! The zoom and the way it is design is what sold me on this one! The pictures are beautiful! This camera for the money is just hard to beat! I admit the battery compartment door is flimsy. Overall, I am very happy with my choice!
Rating: 
Summary: Blindly taking pictures
Review: I got this cam for Xmas last year. The only problem I had was with the view selector not letting me switch to the viewfinder from the LCD screen. Minolta fixed it, and I got it back SOONER than they estimated!! Definitely get xtra memory cards, 16 MB just ain't enough. I got a 512 mb card for mine, now I can take up to 5,000 pics (yowza!)before having to empty the card!! This cam is packed with features ( 10X OPTICAL zoom!!) The black and white/ sepia tone modes are cool, and the software is very nice too. Picture quality is excellent. In my opinion, you can NOT go wrong with this camera. I don't see a need to upgrade anytime soon, but if and when I do, it'll be another Minolta.
Invest in a set or two of NiMh batteries, a bigger memory card, and a card reader, and you're all set for some serious picture taking. Five stars all the way!
Rating:
Summary: Feature Rich - excellent Price/Performance
Review: I got this camera a week ago. I'd been shopping for a compact replacement for my bulky Kodak DC5000. I had considered the Canon A70, but then I saw this Z1 and took the leap. It's a little bigger then the A70, but the 10x zoom, ergonomics, and unique viewing system really appealed to me. I'm glad I got it. I'm very pleased. The camera is feature rich. You have control over everything or you can just go with AUTO. I haven't even tried the MOVIE features yet. The picture quality is, IMHO, excellent. I've taken a lot of pictures of my dog, and the color and detail are very good. A close examination reveals exceptional detail in each hair on her coat. Snapping action shots is great because the camera is fast. The auto focus is fast and the recovery time for the next shot is fast. The camera is very light weight and ergonomic so holding it and setting up a shot is a pleasure. The unique SLR-like viewing system is very natural. Nothing out there comes close unless you're looking at a digital SLR for $1000 & up. Yep, it's only 3.2 mega pixels, but I'll take the 10x zoom over an extra megapixel since getting a good shot, more often then not, benefits from a little detachment (with people, as well as dogs :). I've seen criticisms about the camera's use of plastic, and comments like the NY Crank Yanker's below on picture quality & steadiness and low light issues. Hey, the camera isn't for Ansel Adams. It's not a Leica, or a Hasselbad. As to the plastic materials, I think this contributes to the camera's light weight and ergonomics and to some extent it's price point. Nevertheless, for features/performance/price ratio, this camera is an excellent value and a real joy to use.
Rating: 
Summary: will not focus with flash
Review: I have had the camera for 11 months now. I like how easy it is to download pictures. It takes great pictures during the day BUT ... in a dark situation, when I have to use the flash the camera almost always focuses incorrectly. Even though it shows you with a red line where it is focusing, with the flash it does a poor job of really focusing where it says it is focusing. Plus, you think the picture is in focus because on the LCD screen it looks like it is in focus, but once you print the picture it is not in focus. Like I said, I have not had any focus problems when I am not using the flash. I'm not sure how to fix this problem.
Rating:
Summary: Best for Price and Features
Review: I have owned the Minolta dImage Z1 for six months and am extremely pleased with it. I have over 25 years experience as an amateur photographer with 35mm Minolta cameras from point and shoot to semi-pro models. When I started my home based computer and web consulting business I wanted a camera that would provide high quality results. After researching cameras for about four months, including handling them in stores, I decided on the Z1. It has 10x optical zoom, and the resolution that I needed for web based photos. There really isn't a need for anything higher than 3 - 4 Mpix for this medium. If you're going to print 10X20 etc., then sure, go for a 5 MPix or greater camera.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent performance for the price
Review: I have used the Z1 mainly to capture the precious moments of my kids. After taking over 300 pics, I liked the Z1 very much. It just delivers the results it declares (fast focus, low shutter lag, long zoom, manual controls). I agree that there are better cameras out there (A1, FZ10, 300D) but they are all at a different price range. I should say the Z1 is 'just enough' for me, 3 MP is just enough, 10x zoom is just enough, weight and size is just enough (FZ10 is too big, A1 too heavy). Originally I was planning to buy the Optio 555 which is smaller and lighter. But the 5x zoom is insufficient to keep a reasonable distance from the kids and keep myself unnoticed. And of course the Optio 555 is nearly twice in price (when considering the additional battery packs, etc). The Olympus C750 has also been considered, but rejected due to its slower performance. Some pics from the Z1 are posted for reference: http://www.pbase.com/keith_hk/keiths_collection Regards,
Keith
Rating: 
Summary: 5 for pictures and ease of use, 1 for reliability
Review: I purchased this camera back in November. Yes, I had to buy a card, and batteries, but I was extremely happy with it. The LCD mechanism is different, but it didn't bother me. Takes beautiful pictures (and I am a beginner.) But...this camera is built out of plastic, and after only a few months, I am having mechanical difficulties. I had to send it in. The mechanical switcher quit working, and there was a crack in the battery door hinge. The optics are great, movie quality with sound (that the Olympus C740 didn't have) but the plastic construction leaves a bit to be desired. We'll just have to see how the warranty repair goes.
Rating:
Summary: lovin' my Z1
Review: I'd never owned a digital before and have felt quite intimidated. But the more I've played with this little camera the more I'm lovin' it. I'm and American living in England and last weekend I traveled through the picturesque Cotswolds, a series of beautiful old villages. I got some very professional looking shots that I'm thinking of making into greeting cards. I've also been experimenting with the macro zoom feature and with the lovely flowers here in the English springtime, I'm getting some great pixs. I'm amazed at the clarity of even the tiny little forget-me-nots that I've zoomed in on. I've had the camera since January and I think it's a keeper.I'm happy with my choice.
Rating:
Summary: Great Camera!
Review: I'm new to digital cameras and my criteria was: 1. At least a 5x zoom
2. Quick shutter speed for sports shots.
3. Ability to manually control shots as I grow more comfortable with digital photography. The Dimage Z1 has met my expectations with flying colors! Some of what I like so much about the camera is true of all digital cameras: seeing your shots as you take them, a memory card that can hold hundreds of pictures, digital video, and easy download to the computer. If you're on the fence about a digital vs. tradtitional camera (as I was for a while before doing lots of research), then let me tell you digital is SO nice! I wish I had a digital on my 5 week trip to Europe! That would've been so nice not to have to worry about rolls of film, wondering if my pictures turned out, and being able to take video -- how cool would that be to have video clips of my favorite places on my trip. Back to the Z1: the thing is a work of art. I spent a lot of time looking for the right camera but it became very clear that the Z1 was the clear winner. The zoom is really nice, the interface is incredibly easy and intuitive, and while its a little bigger than some of the postage stamp sized digital cameras you see nowadays, it's no where near as bulky as my Minolta 5000 with the telephoto lens. My favorite features:
1. Choosing the size and quality of your image.
2. Digital video: up to 60 fps.
3. Zoom: Beautifully clear pictures at the 10x zoom.
4. Ease of use with capability to manually program your shots. Anyway, I'm no professional photographer, but if you want a great camera for $300 then I strongly recommend you look at the Z1. Be sure to get a larger memory card (the stock 16mb isn't big enough to be practical), and get the Nimh batteries with the recharger.
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