Comments on Minolta Dimage Z3 ?

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Walter Dnes (delete the 'z' to get my real address) - 25 Jun 2005 08:36 GMT

I'm looking to buy a digital camera. From the reading I've done, I
want big optical zoom (digital I can do I my computer anyways). I run
linux at home, so I wonder if there's anything proprietary about its
operation (downloading, image format, etc). I want to use USB,
hopefully backwards compatable to USB 1.1.

As a linux user, I'm familiar with RTFM, and I'll eventually want to
use full manual controls, but I'll start off at least semi-automated.
So I want flexibility. Is the Z3 being end-of-lined? I see that it's
significantly less expensive at a local store than a Z5. What is the
difference, other than going from 4.2 megapixels to 5.0?

What are your experiences with alkaline vs NiMH batteries?

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AGOL - 29 Jun 2005 10:49 GMT

| I'm looking to buy a digital camera. From the reading I've done, I
| want big optical zoom (digital I can do I my computer anyways). I run
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
|
| What are your experiences with alkaline vs NiMH batteries?

I've had a Z3 for about 9 months, and generally speaking it has been a great
success. It has its idiosyncrasies, (like freezing occasionally when the
batteries are low), but the lens is excellent, the anti-shake is fantastic
(I have trouble keeping any camera steady) and it can be used in auto,
various sorts of programme, or manual modes. It's possible the Z5 will
supersede it, but except for the minor increase in pixels I believe it to be
identical in features. If you can find a good price it would be an excellent
choice.

I use NimH batteries all the time, and have 3 sets of the highest capacity I
could find, as it drains them really quickly. Always load a fresh set if
possible when starting out on an expedition, and carry a fresh replacement
set all the time.

I use a USB card reader to download (saves the batteries) and this works
perfectly on USB 1 as well as the specified USB 2.

The definition is excellent at the lowest ISO of 50, but deteriorates
rapidly as the ISO setting is raised.

The flash is not up to much. However the Minolta flash guns fit the flash
shoe and dedicated contacts (so far as I know). Unfortunately they cost as
much as the camera!

It's a very light camera, easy to carry round for extended periods of time
without shoulder ache, and fairly quick to switch on and be ready for
action. The instruction manual is a 90 PDF (not so convenient), and it comes
with a programme for tinkering with your pictures for the usual red-eye and
contrast, brightness, hue, saturation etc. I haven't tried this, as I have a
version of PSP.

On the whole I'm pretty happy with it, but little things can niggle if you
want to push the envelope too far, as I sometimes do, being a retired
professional photographer.

I hope this gives you some useful idea of what you're likely to get if you
pick this one. I would still rate it at 90%, even though it's not now the
latest model.

If you want more info, look at this site:

<http://www.dpreview.com/>

and check the review of the Z5. Nearest thing you'll get to the 'Compleat
Camera Analysis'. AS I say, it's almost identical with the Z3.

HTH

AGOL

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Walter Dnes (delete the 'z' to get my real address) - 01 Jul 2005 05:35 GMT

> On the whole I'm pretty happy with it, but little things can niggle
> if you want to push the envelope too far, as I sometimes do, being
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> 'Compleat Camera Analysis'. AS I say, it's almost identical with
> the Z3.

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Walter Dnes (delete the 'z' to get my real address) - 01 Jul 2005 20:51 GMT

Sorry about that; I don't know what happened to my text. Anyhow, I
wanted to say that I went and bought the Z5. I also got a bag, tripod,
and a 512 meg SD card.

There are some trade-offs.
- No manual focus (although there is a pre-focus-and-remember)
- Lithium batterry pack

The batterry pack is probably going to cost me less in the long run,
and it's environmentally friendlier. I mentioned earlier that I use
linux at home. Another nice thing about this camera is that it uses
tiff-format, rather than some proprietary raw format, for its highest
quality photos. Rather than having to use a camera-specific Windows
program, I can use any graphics program, because tiff is a well-known
open format.

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