MINOLTA DIMAGE Z1 PREVIEW PAGE AUGUST 07, 2003 MINOLTA INTRODUCES A BREAKTHROUGH IN DIGITAL CAMERA DESIGN AND ENGINEERING
The new compact 3.2 megapixel 10x Mega-zoom DiMAGE Z1 features Rapid Autofocusing, high quality images and movies, Super Macro mode, Minolta's new Progressive Capture and CXProcess II, manual focus, built-in flash and more!
New York, NY (August 7, 2003) - Minolta Corporation introduces the stylish new 3.2 megapixel DiMAGE Z1 - the first in a series of easy-to-use powerful Single Lens-Reflex (SLR)-type digital cameras. Designed around and the first digital camera to include Minolta's new built-in 10x Mega-zoom lens, the DiMAGE Z1 possess advanced technology and the world's fastest autofocusing among digital cameras with a built-in 10x or greater optical zoom.* In addition, the DiMAGE Z1 is capable of recording TV-quality 30 frames per second VGA movies.
"The new Minolta DiMAGE Z1 possesses advanced technology and powerful optics so photographers can capture the pictures they want, even high-quality VGA movies. This camera's ease-of-use makes it perfect for the soccer mom on the go and its manual operation and even histogram display appeals to the serious photographer in the family. This compact, stylish digital camera has the imaging tools needed to capture images in virtually any situation," said Jon Sienkiewicz, vice president of marketing, Minolta Corporation's Consumer Products Group. "And the DiMAGE Z1's breakthrough design and engineering reflects the sophistication and future of digital technology."
The new Minolta 10x Mega-zoom is a fast f2.8 - f3.5 lens allowing fast shutter speeds for sport or natural-light photography. With a focal range of 5.8mm to 58mm, it is equivalent to a 38 - 380mm 35mm camera lens. When combined with the seamless 4x digital zoom, it has an amazing 40x zoom range, equivalent to a 38 - 1520mm lens. To extend the versatility of the powerful 10x Mega-zoom, an optional 0.75x wide-converter is available. And close-up photography is possible with just the press of a button. The camera's Super Macro mode lets photographers focus down to 1.6 inches from the front of the lens.
Such powerful optics combined with a high-resolution 3.3 megapixel 1/2.7 interline primary-color CCD sensor requires a powerful autofocus (AF) system. The new Minolta DiMAGE Z1 employs Rapid AF to ensure sharp images with minimum delay. Rapid AF uses a passive AF sensor to instantly estimate the distance to the subject and the camera's CCD to determine the precise focus point. The CCD uses a 60 frame per second sampling rate to determine the optimum focus giving the Minolta DiMAGE Z1 the world's fastest AF among digital cameras with a built-in 10x or greater optical zoom.* CxProcess II, Minolta's new image-processing technology, is employed to bring out the best in the 3.3 megapixel 1/2.7 interline primary-color CCD.
Although the new DiMAGE Z1 uses complex AF technology, focusing the camera couldn't be easier. Simply place the subject anywhere within the focus frames and the camera will do the rest; an AF sensor is briefly displayed so the subject can be confirmed.
Minolta's new drive mode, Progressive Capture, makes sure photographers never miss a shot. When the shutter-release button is pressed and held down, Progressive Capture begins saving images in the buffer memory.
The DiMAGE Z1 is equipped with Minolta's unique Switch Finder. This unique system allows the camera's LCD monitor to be viewed directly or through the viewfinder. The Real Motion LCD monitor uses a 60 frames per second frame rate. This Real Motion frame rate brings the live image to life by the ability to show action smoothly.
Every aspect of the DiMAGE Z1's performance is pushed to the limit. Startup time is 2 seconds and shutdown time is 2.4 seconds. After focus has been locked, the shutter-release time lag is 0.06 second, comparable to a 35mm SLR film camera. The camera will be ready to capture another image in 1.2 seconds after the exposure.
Significantly smaller than a compact 35mm SLR camera with a built-in flash and zoom lens, this powerful imaging system can easily slip into a fanny pack or hip bag.
For more detailed information on features and specifications of the Minolta DiMAGE Z1,
please refer to the DiMAGE Z1 backgrounder and specifications sheet.* As of July 1st, 2003.
Minolta Corporation
Minolta Corporation, headquartered in Ramsey, New Jersey, is the largest subsidiary of Minolta Co. Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, a leading manufacturer of cameras, business equipment, radiometric instruments and planetariums. Minolta Corporation's Consumer Products Group (CPG) markets 35mm film and Advanced Photo System cameras, digital cameras, binoculars, accessory lenses, photographic light meters, 35mm and Advanced Photo System film scanners and other consumer products.The corporation's Business Products Group (BPG) markets digital and analog office equipment. Products include black-and-white copiers, digital black and white printer/copiers, plain-paper laser facsimile machines, digital color printer/copiers, micrographic systems, document management software, and related office equipment.
For more information, visit Minolta's Web site located at www.minoltausa.com or access Minolta's PHOTOFAX at 800-528-4767.
All brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Backgrounder New Minolta Single Lens Reflex (SLR)-type Digital Camera: The DiMAGE Z1
Minolta Corporation's stylish new DiMAGE Z1 is the first in a series of easy-to-use powerful SLR-type digital cameras. The first Minolta digital camera to include Minolta's new built-in 10x Mega-zoom lens, the DiMAGE Z1 possess advanced technology and the world's fastest autofocusing among digital cameras with a built-in 10x or greater optical zoom.* Key features include:
· 3.2 Megapixels
· Minolta's new Mega-Zoom lens (10x optical/4x digital zoom)
· Rapid Autofocus (AF)
· Progressive Capture
· High-Quality VGA Movie (640 x 480, 30 frames per second)
· Minolta's CxProcess II
· Ultra High Speed (UHS) Continuous Advance (10 frames per second rapid fire)
· LCD and Eye-level Electronic ViewfinderMain Features:
Minolta's 10x Mega-zoom Lens
The new Minolta 10x Mega-zoom is a fast f2.8 - f3.5 lens allowing fast shutter speeds for sport or natural-light photography. The ten-element seven-group design employs two aspheric lenses to minimize aberrations and produce sharp images. With a focal range of 5.8mm to 58mm, it is equivalent to a 38 - 380mm 35mm camera lens. When combined with the seamless 4x digital zoom, it has an amazing 40x zoom range, equivalent to a 38 - 1520mm lens.To extend the versatility of the powerful 10x Mega-zoom, an optional 0.75x wide-converter is available. This lens attachment increases the lens' angle of view giving it a maximum coverage approximately equal to a 28mm lens on a 35mm camera. The adapter ring supplied with the wide-converter allows 52mm filters to be used with the camera.
With such powerful optics, the affect of camera shake, a slight blurring of the image when the camera is handheld, can be a significant problem. Minolta engineers have developed an advanced program exposure line to maximize shutter speeds by controlling the aperture and camera sensitivity based on the subject program and focal length in use.
Rapid AF
Such powerful optics combined with a high-resolution 3.3 megapixel 1/2.7 interline primary-color CCD requires a powerful autofocus system. The Minolta DiMAGE Z1 employs Rapid AF to ensure sharp images with minimum delay. Rapid AF uses a passive AF sensor to instantly estimate the distance to the subject and the camera's CCD to determine the precise focus point. A high-speed drive focuses the lens quickly and smoothly. The CCD uses a 60 frame per second sampling rate to determine the optimum focus, twice the rate of most digital cameras on the market today. All this translates into a 0.3 second focusing time at a focal length of 5.8mm and 0.4 seconds at 58mm, giving the Minolta DiMAGE Z1 the world's fastest AF among digital cameras with a built-in 10x or greater optical zoom.*Although the DiMAGE Z1 uses complex AF technology, focusing the camera couldn't be easier. The user simply places the subject anywhere within the focus frames and the camera does the rest; an AF sensor is briefly displayed so the subject can be confirmed.
Minolta's Progressive Capture
Minolta's new drive mode, Progressive Capture, makes sure photographers never miss a shot. When the shutter-release button is pressed and held down, Progressive Capture begins saving images in the buffer memory. A user simply watches the action on the monitor and when it is over, releases the shutter button and the images in the buffer memory are saved to the memory card catching the moment. Six frames are saved when using standard continuous advance and 10 frames when using UHS continuous advance. Standard continuous advance records at approximately 1.5 frames per second at any image size or quality setting. Ultra High Speed (UHS) continuous advance records 1.2 megapixel images at 10 frames per second.High Quality VGA Movie
The Minolta DiMAGE Z1 doesn't just capture still images. High-quality VGA (640 x 480) movies at 30 frames per second can be recorded. Image size and frame rate can be selected to balance image quality with file size. Three image sizes are available: 640 x 480, 320 x 240, and 160 x 120. Because of the high frame rate of the CCD, movies may be shot at 30 frames per second to create natural flicker-free images, or 15 frames per second to maximize recording time. The length of the movie is only limited by the memory card capacity, image size, and frame rate.Because the Minolta DiMAGE Z1 can capture large, high-quality VGA (640 x 480) movies, image sharpness and brightness is very important. During recording the DiMAGE Z1 will continue to focus to provide the sharpest possible image. The night-movie mode can make color recordings under extreme low-light conditions.
Minolta's CXProcess II
CxProcess II, Minolta's new image-processing technology, is employed to bring out the best in the 3.3 megapixel 1/2.7 interline primary-color CCD. CxProcess II controls the essential image qualities of color, contrast, and sharpness while minimizing noise. Brilliant, saturated color remains vibrant without becoming unnatural or flat. Subtle contrast is rendered to retain the richness and depth of the subject while preserving details in the highlights and shadows. Sharpness is controlled by balancing resolution with acutance to show fine detail while minimizing hard, unnatural edges.Unique LCD & Viewfinder
The DiMAGE Z1 is equipped with Minolta's unique Switch Finder. This unique system allows the camera's LCD monitor to be viewed directly or through the viewfinder. Since a single monitor is used, photographers won't need to worry about the color, contrast, and resolution difference between separate rear and viewfinder monitors. Because of the viewfinder's large apparent angle of view, the monitor image is large and clear.The camera's Real Motion LCD monitor uses a 60 frames per second frame rate. This Real Motion frame rate brings the live image to life by the ability to show action smoothly compared to the slower 30 frames per second rate of conventional monitors.
Performance and Design
Minolta engineers have pushed every aspect of the DiMAGE Z1's performance to the limit. Startup time is 2 seconds and shutdown time is 2.4 seconds. After focus has been locked in, the shutter-release time lag is 0.06 second, comparable to an SLR film camera. The camera will be ready to capture another image in 1.2 seconds after the exposure.The DiMAGE Z1 incorporates Minolta's most powerful flash built into a digital camera yet. With a guide number of 39 (feet), the built-in flash can illuminate a subject up to approximately 20 feet when used at the wide-angle position with autoexposure and auto camera sensitivity.
The DiMAGE Z1 design reflects the sophistication and future of digital technology. Significantly smaller than a compact 35mm SLR camera with a built-in flash and zoom lens, this powerful imaging system can easily slip into a fanny pack or hip bag. And weighing only 11 ounces, it will not be a burden. Easy-to-find AA batteries power the DiMAGE Z1. Easy-to-find alkaline or rechargeable Ni-MH can be used.
Intuitive Controls
The controls and dials are laid out for clear, intuitive operation. The large exposure mode dial and zoom lever are located on the top of the camera grip for quick changes to camera settings to meet changing shooting conditions. The controller, placed on the back of the camera, is a straightforward five-way array used to control many of the camera's advanced features, functions, and menus. The large grip gives the DiMAGE Z1 secure, comfortable handling. When handholding the camera in low-light conditions or when using long focal lengths, nothing is more important than a well-balanced grip to keep the camera steady.In the past, photographers always had to make time-consuming manual adjustments as the subject and shooting environment changed. The DiMAGE Z1's Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection analyzes the shooting conditions and selects among five subject programs (portrait, sports action, landscape, sunset, and night portrait) and programmed autoexposure (AE) to optimize the camera's exposure, white-balance, and image-processing controls.
When working in less than ideal lighting conditions, precisely framing an image on the monitor is difficult. Automatic monitor amplification brightens the monitor under low light so the live image is always visible.
Operations can be tailored to meet the photographer's needs. The function set using the flash-mode button can be customized to control the flash mode, white balance, drive mode, focusing mode, or color mode. Images can be rotated to orient them correctly so users don't need to twist their head to the left or right when playing back vertically composed shots.
Dark noise, an ever-present problem in electronic systems, manifests itself by giving a grainy or sandy appearance to images taken with long exposures. The DiMAGE Z1 combats this with a selectable noise-reduction function, which automatically activates for exposures of one second or longer.
Four exposure modes are available: program, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual. 30-second bulb exposures can be made in manual exposure. The DiMAGE Z1 has three metering modes: multi-segment, center-weighted, and spot. Multi-segment metering uses 256 segments to determine exposure.
As well as Natural Color and black and white, the DiMAGE Z1 has two color modes for creative control: Vivid color and Sepia. Vivid Color increases the saturation to produce vibrant color images. Sepia creates the feel of antique photographs with its warm tone.
White balance controls how the camera interprets the color of the ambient lighting. Auto white balance compensates for changes in lighting automatically. Five preset white-balance settings, daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, and flash, can be selected for specific light sources. And for critical control over color, the custom setting allows the camera to be calibrated to the lighting conditions at the scene.
Being able to see the images that have been taken immediately enhances the excitement of digital photography. With the flick of a switch, users can access their recorded images. And playback is fluid from frame to frame.
Accessory Flash Compatibility
The DiMAGE Z1 is compatible with the Minolta Program/Maxxum Flash 3600HS (D) or 5600HS (D) units as well as the latest addition to the Minolta accessory flash line, the Program/Maxxum Flash 2500 (D). These powerful flash units can be used directly on the camera. The 3600HS (D) and 5600HS (D) have a zoom head that automatically adjust as the camera's lens is zoomed in and out, and their heads can be tilted for bounce illumination. The 5600HS (D) also has a swivel head and the flash output can be controlled with power ratios. The new 2500 (D) is a compact, automatic flash unit with a tilting head and an affordable price tag.* As of July 1st, 2003.
MINOLTA DiMAGE Z1 3.2 MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL CAMERA
Specifications
Number of effective pixels 3.2 million
CCD 1/2.7-type interline primary-color CCD Total pixels: 3.3 million
Camera sensitivity Auto and 50,100, 200, and 400 ISO equivalents
Focal length 5.8 - 58mm (35mm equivalent: 38 - 380mm)
Lens construction 10 elements in 7 groups (includes two elements with three aspheric surfaces)
Maximum aperture f/2.8 - f/3.5
Minimum focus distance Wide: 1.6ft. (0.5m) from front of lensTelephoto: 6.6ft. (2m) from front of lensWide: 1.9ft. (0.57m) from CCDTelephoto: 6.8ft. (2.07m) from CCD
Minimum macro distance Super Macro Standard macroFocal length: 9.7mm* Wide TelephotoFrom front of lens: 1.6 in. (4 cm) 3.9 in. (10cm) 47.2 in. (120cm)From CCD: 4.3 in. (11cm) 6.7in. (17cm) 50 in. (127cm)* at 9.7mm only
Maximum magnification 0.12x (1: 8.33)Equivalent to 0.79x (1: 1.27) in 35mm format
Area covered at maximum magnification 1.3 x 1.73 inches (33 x 44mm)
LCD monitor 1.5 inch (3.8cm) low-temperature polysilicon TFT color with anti-reflection coating Total number of pixels: 113,000Automatic monitor amplification
Field of view Viewfinder: Approximately 98% LCD monitor: Approximately 100 %
Display-mode switch Viewfinder display, LCD-monitor displaySwitch Finder system allows the monitor to be viewed directly or through the viewfinder.
Diopter control - 3 ~ +1m-1
Eye relief 18.8mm
Shutter CCD electronic shutter and mechanical shutter
Shutter speed range 4 - 1/1000 second in programmed-AE and aperture-priority modes.15 - 1/1000 second in shutter-priority and manual exposure modes.2 - 1/1000 second in auto-recording and Digital Subject Programs Bulb (maximum 30 seconds)
Autofocus system Rapid AF: a combination of a passive AF sensor with the video AF system
Autofocus areas Wide focus area Spot focus areas with Focus Area Selection
Focus modes Single-shot AF, Full-time AF, Manual focus.
Focus lock By pressing shutter-release button partway down.
Metering Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Multi-segment metering 256 segments
Exposure modes Programmed AE, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual
Digital Subject Programs Portrait, Sports action, Landscape, Sunset, Night portrait.Automatic and manual selection.
Exposure compensation ±2 EV in 1/3 increments
AE lock By pressing shutter-release button partway down
Flash metering Pre-flash TTL
Flash range Wide: Approximately 0.8 - 20 ft. (0.23 - 6.1 m) from CCDTelephoto: Approximately 3.9 - 15.7 ft. (1.2 - 4.8 m) from CCD(Camera sensitivity: auto)
Flash modes Autoflash, Autoflash with red-eye reduction, Fill flash, Slow-shutter sync. Autoflash not available with aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes.Flash cancel by pushing the built-in flash down.
Flash recycling time Approximately 7 seconds
Flash compensation ± 2 EV in 1/3 increments
Flash-sync speeds All shutter speeds
External flashes Auto-flash metering with Program/Maxxum Flash 2500 (D), Program/Maxxum 3600HS (D), Program/Maxxum Flash 5600HS (D)
Continuous advance - UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous advance: Approximately ten 1280x960 frames in one second - Standard continuous advance: Approximately 1.5 frames per second* Actual speed may vary depending upon the subject and camera settings. Approximate number of frames that can be captured at one time with the continuous-advance drive modes:UHS continuous advance
Progressive Capture Maximum number of images that can be recorded with the Progressive Capture mode:UHS: 10 framesStandard: 6 frames
Exposure bracketing Three frame bracket in 1.0, 0.5, 0.3 EV increments
Self-timer Approximately 10 seconds
Movie Recording time dependent on memory card capacity, image size, and frame rate.Frame rate: 15 frames per second, 30 frames per secondFast forward and rewind control.With and without monaural audio with playback volume control.JoggingMovie frame capture Night movie (automatic selection or disabled)
White balance control Automatic, Preset (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash), Custom
Digital Effects Control Contrast compensation, Sharpness
Contrast compensation Three levels (Low, Normal, High)
Sharpness settings Three levels (Soft, Normal, Hard)
Color modes Natural Color, Vivid Color, Black and White, Sepia
Noise reduction User selectable dark noise reduction
Digital zoom Maximum 4x in 0.1x increments
Copy function To copy single or multiple images to the same or another memory card.
E-mail Copy function Creates a compressed 640x480 or 160x120 JPEG image for transmission.
Date imprinting Year/month/day (Format can be changed.)Imprinting can be disabled
Key customization The function activated by the flash-mode button can be changed.
Image-quality modes Fine, Standard, Economy
Number of recorded pixels (Still images) 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 4801280 x 960 in UHS continuous-advance mode
Number of recorded pixels (Movie clips) 640x480, 320x240, 160x120
Storage capacity Approximate storage capacity of a 16MB SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card:Still images 2048x1536 1600x1200 1280x960 640x480Fine 9 frames 14 frames 22 frames 69 framesStandard 17 frames 27 frames 39 frames 100 framesEconomy 32 frames 47 frames 69 frames 150 framesMovie clips 640x480 320x240 160x12030 fps 13 seconds 21 seconds 1 minutes 22 seconds15 fps 26 seconds 41 seconds 2 minutes 30 seconds* Movie clips recorded with audio.* Actual number of images may vary depending upon the subject and memory card used.
File formats JPEG, Motion JPEG (MOV) DCF 1.0-compliantDPOF-compliant (Supported by printing functions in version 1.1) Exif 2.2
Folder name formats Standard, Date
Printing output control Exif Print, PRINT Image Matching II
Recording media SD (Secure Digital) Memory Cards, MultiMediaCards
Computer interface Full-speed 12Mbps USB
Direct print USB DIRECT-PRINT
AV output NTSC, PAL (selected on the camera)
Batteries Four AA batteries: Alkaline, Ni-MH
Battery performance (Playback) Approximate continuous playback time: 300 min. with alkaline batteries.
Battery performance (Recording) Approximate number of recorded images: 250 frames with alkaline batteries, LCD monitor on, Full-size images (2048x1536), Standard image quality, No instant playback, No full-time AF, Flash used with 50% of the frames.
External power source 6V DC with specified AC adapter (sold separately)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 4.31 x 3.05 x 3.15 inches (109.5 x 77.5 x 80mm)
Weight Approximately 10.8oz. (305g) without batteries or recording media
Operating temperature 32-104°F (0-40ºC)
Standard accessories Neck Strap NS-DG5000, Lens Cap LF-242, Accessory Shoe Cap SC-1000, AV Cable AVC-200, 16MB SD (Secure Digital) MemoryCard, USB Cable USB-500, DiMAGE Viewer, ArcSoft VideoImpression CD-ROM, Four AA Alkaline batteries
Optional accessories AC Adapter AC-1L, Leather Neck Strap NS-DG1000, External High Power Battery Pack Kit EBP-100, Wide Converter Kit ZCW-100
System RequirementsIBM PC/AT compatible computers with Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, Windows Me, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 98*, or Windows 98 Second Edition* and with a USB port as standard interface.
Apple Macintosh computers with pre-installed Mac OS 9.0 - 9.2.2, Mac OS X v10.1.3 - 10.1.5, and v10.2.1 - 10.2.6 and with a USB port as standard interface.
o The computer and operating system must be guaranteed by their manufacturers to support USB interface.
o Problems may be encountered depending on what other USB devices are being used in parallel with this product.
o Only a built-in USB port is supported. Problems may be encountered when the camera is connected to a USB hub.
o Normal operation may not be possible even when all the system requirements are met.* Users with Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition must install dedicated driver software included in the DiMAGE Z1 package.
Specifications, accessories and system requirements are subject to change without notice.
DiMAGE, CxProcess, and Minolta are trademarks or registered trademarks of Minolta Co., Ltd.
Windows is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Macintosh is a trademark or registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. Other corporate names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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