Minolta Dimage Z2

Bluefoam

I need a camera for personal use and some light business use (my business is design of retail environments mostly). I will probably use it as an automatic initially, but will probably get into using some of the more advaced functions as I get more confident. This camera struck me because it seems(?) to have a great function list, but also because it looks like a professional camera (which would be important for work). Has anyone had any experience of this camera, or can you suggest another camera which might suit my needs (in or around €300).
http://www.konicaminoltaeurope.com/cgi-bin/db4web_c/db/minoeu/genkm4_pe/product.d4w?Database=kmdigital&Product=DiMAGE%20Z2 http://www.shopireland.ie/electronics/detail/B0001G6UB6/Minolta-Dimage-Z2-Digital-camera/

Thanks in advance.

BrianD3

The main feature of the Z2 is its ultra zoom (10X) lens. Do you really need that kind of zoom? One problem with the Z2 is it has no stabilisation device incorporated into the camera. It means that at full tele you're going to need to use a tripod to get a good shot. The Canon S1 IS and Panasonic FZ10 are examples of ultra zoom cameras that do use image stabilisation

Konica Minolta will be bringing out the Z3 in the near future. It's like an updated version of the Z2, but importantly it does have image stabilisation and IIRC it has a 12X zoom as opposed to 10X

BrianD3

Bluefoam

The zoom won't be hugly important to me, but do you think the camera would be unstable at normal zoom, for snapping etc...

BrianD3

The zoom won't be hugly important to me, but do you think the camera would be unstable at normal zoom, for snapping etc...

No, it'd be stable at wide angle, however I have heard that some of these ultra zoom cameras can suffer from above average (but still acceptable) levels of purple fringing and barrel distortion at wide angle.

Check out
www.dpreview.com
www.dcresource.com
www.imaging-resource.com

and look for reviews and news on the Minolta Z series cameras, Panasonic FZ series, Canon S1 IS, Olympus UZ series etc.

Of these, the Panasonics would be my favourite, however they have a crappy movie mode compared to the Minoltas which have an excellent movie mode.

BrianD3

Bluefoam

Thanks for your help Brian

BrianD3

No probs. TBH, I wouldn't go for the Minolta Z2 now that the Z3 is out. The Z3 is newer, has IS and has a conventional viewfinder/LCD unlike the gimmicky (and possibly temperamental) projection system on the Z2 and Z1. The Z3 is around 30 UKP more than the Z2 on internetcamerasdirect.co.uk, I think it's well worth the extra cost.

You really should spend a few hours reading camera reviews and specs on the various sites I mentioned. One site I forgot was www.steves-digicams.com that's another good one. It's entirely possible that you'll move away from the ultra zoom cameras altogether, you may decide that a big zoom is unnecessary. Something like a Pentax Optio 555 may turn out to be perfect for your needs

However the ultra zooms are cool, esp. the Panasonics...:)

BrianD3

Bluefoam

Thanks again, unfortunatly budget is a big issue, with the Panasonic in at about €580
the Pentax Optio 555 is about €600 and the Z3 is €415. I should be able to get the Z2 for €300. The agressive styling and the professional look are a bonus as my clients wouldnt take me seriously if I used a slimline/pocketable camera.

Bluefoam

Another camera I have my eye on in the same price range is the Fuji S3500, but it doesn't seem to have as many features. Any opinion on this camera?