The DiMAGE Z3 arrives from Konica Minolta

With a CCD-shift Anti-Shake System to accompany its 12X optical zoom; the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 gives you amazingly steady and reliable telephoto shots. It also delivers the picture away with it's Rapid AF that's the fastest auto focus in its class*1, meaning you'll never miss even the most fleeting photo opportunities. The AF also has Predictive Focus Control, which enables unmatched high-speed focusing that brings out the very best in the Z3's superior ability to capture moving objects.

Previously a function provided in the high-end DiMAGE A-series, the CCD-movement Anti-Shake System is now added to DiMAGE Z3. This system compensates to minimize the effect of camera shake allowing hand held picture taking at 2-3 shutter speeds slower than on cameras without an Anti-Shake function*2 (equivalent to 2-3 exposure increments).

For dim evening shots and telephoto shots, both of which are susceptible to shake due to the necessary use of a relatively slow shutter speed, you get steady, shake-free images without the use of a flash or a tripod. Unlike an optical Anti-Shake system, the Konica Minolta proprietary Anti-Shake System uses a unique CCD-shift mechanism. This keeps the lens design compact and the camera unit lightweight.

The DiMAGE Z3 sports a 12X optical Mega Zoom, which combined with a 4X digital zoom provides up to 48X zoom. The DiMAGE Z3 is endowed with a newly developed GT APO lens offering strikingly clear, high-contrast, high-resolution images thanks to Konica Minolta G lens optical technology. The AD (anomalous dispersion) glass and two aspheric elements help the DiMAGE Z3 correct spherical aberration and curvi-linear distortion; factors that can cause problems at high magnification zoom ranges. The advanced, high-sensitivity 4-megapixel CCD combines with Konica Minolta CxProcess™ II technology to deliver images as beautiful as those one can see in the mind's eye.

The DiMAGE Z3 incorporates an AF-dedicated ASIC to video AF System for focusing, enabling its Rapid AF to focus faster than previously possible. Focusing time is approximately 0.15 of a second in wide-angle position and approximately 0.2 of a second in telephoto position. The DiMAGE Z3 is fast in other ways, too. It boasts fast start-up, a real motion monitor with an incredibly fast 50-fps capability for smooth video viewing, a minimum shutter-release time lag, and continuous shooting at 2.2 fps. All this means you need never miss a shot.

The DiMAGE Z3 also boasts advances in basic performance. The Movie Recording Function allows you to take high-resolution movies that are as beautiful as TV programs or footage taken with a dedicated video camera. In addition to the VGA-size (640 X 480 Standard) mode that captures movies with a smoother frame rate of 30 fps, Konica Minolta has added a new, High Quality Image Fine mode (640 x 480 Fine). The Silent Zoom feature employs a newly developed Silent Zoom mechanism that greatly reduces the amount of noise from the optical zoom while shooting movies with sound.

Despite its powerful 12X zoom, the DiMAGE Z3 sports a light, compact body design evoking a modern, cosmopolitan image. The DiMAGE Z3 has a built in ergonomic grip making it easy and comfortable to carry around and its large, intuitive operation layout keeps you in control at all times. The DiMAGE Z3 was designed in collaboration with a European design company whose painstaking efforts at all stages ensure that the product is embodied with sophisticated style appreciated by a modern European taste.

Product Highlights

• 12X optical Mega Zoom with CCD-shift Anti-Shake System
  
• Fastest-in-class*1 Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control
  
• Konica Minolta GT APO lens for the most accurate, expressive images imaginable
  
• High-quality images from it's 4-megapixel CCD combined with Konica Minolta CxProcess™ II image processing technology
  
• High-resolution movies that look as good as broadcast television or video camera footage
  
• Easy operation in a cosmopolitan design that's lightweight and compact
  
• A wide range of convenient functions to enhance the fun of digital photography.

Features

CCD-Shift Anti-Shake Function
The DiMAGE Z3 is the first Konica Minolta Z-series model to include Anti-Shake technology. This provides the user with unprecedented control and accuracy when taking shots in the evening twilight or with zoom. The high-precision CCD-shift method employs the proprietary Smooth Impact Drive Mechanism (SIDM), in which angular velocity sensors detect the degree of camera shake and move the CCD to compensate for and correct this. The SIDM enables compensation to minimize the effect of camera shake at 2-3 shutter speeds slower than on cameras without this Anti-Shake function*2 (equivalent to 2-3 exposure increments). The DiMAGE Z3 can correct shaking without increasing shutter speed or raising ISO sensitivity, factors that can increase image noise. The CCD-shift method does not require extra correction lenses like optical anti-shake systems, so the DiMAGE Z3 body is kept compact and light. The DiMAGE Z3's anti-shake system is effective in correcting both the finite movement of pressing the shutter-release button and the larger or and slower movements of the user's body.

Further Advances in Rapid Autofocus (AF) with Predictive Focus Control
The DiMAGE Z3 incorporates an AF-dedicated ASIC to video AF system. Focusing takes a mere 0.15 seconds at wide angle and only 0.20 seconds at telephoto. In Continuous AF, the DiMAGE Z3 includes Predictive Focus Control, which allows the capture of sharper images of moving subjects-like a child running at full speed. When it comes to fast and reliable Autofocusing, the DiMAGE Z3 is clearly ahead of the pack.

There are other factors that contribute to an increase in speed in the DiMAGE Z3. The DiMAGE Z3 has an enhanced focusing lens drive that moves the focusing lens more than twice as fast as any previous DiMAGE Z model. Its Quick Speed Image Readout in AF function reads images from the CCD at a rate of 100 fps from when the shutter-release button is pressed partially until the image is brought into focus, giving contrast information in half the time of normal mode (50 fps). With Optimized AF Sequence in Video AF the DiMAGE Z3 uses AF Sequence Control to simultaneously determine the focus drive direction and drive the lens to the position of maximum contrast through repeated focusing. This means that auto-focusing operations start as soon as the shutter release button is pressed partially.

The DiMAGE Z3 also offers improved AF accuracy synergising several features. 5-point Area AF uses five focus areas that overlap horizontally and thus reduce AF failures that can occur when subjects appear in between focus areas causing a perspective conflict. A human subject sensor algorithm uses colour information in n AF area to prioritise and focus on that area if more than 50% of the area is occupied by flesh tone. This reduces shots that mistakenly focus on the background rather than on the person in the picture.

Incredible 48X Total Zoom Range
Combining the 12X optical zoom with the 4X digital zoom delivers up to a 48X total zoom; perfect for taking distance shots at sports events or when capturing distant scenery. This incredible 12X optical zoom delivers a focal range equivalent to a 35-420mm range on a 35mm camera lens. With the digital zoom the total available zoom power is equivalent to 35-1680mm (35mm equivalent).

Konica Minolta GT APO Lens
The DiMAGE Z3 employs a newly developed high-performance lens system that can support CCD's with up to 5 million effective pixels. The optical lens system consists of 13 elements in 10 groups and includes two AD (anomalous dispersion) glass lenses and two aspheric elements; a construction that produces sharp, high-quality images. Multi-coating on 14 lens surfaces ensures minimal flare and ghosting throughout the zoom range. It employs a five-blade iris to beautifully reproduce a near-circular diffused background.

4-Megapixel CCD for Beautiful Prints
The 4-megapixel, 1/2.5-inch CCD produces plenty of detail for creating high-quality enlargements, as large as 36.4 x 25.7 cm at 150-dpi print resolution. In addition, the CCD's primary colour filter offers high colour fidelity.

Superbly Detailed Images with CxProcess II
Konica Minolta CxProcess™ II image processing technology incorporates characteristics like smooth gradations, natural skin tones, and brilliantly clear colours for images that are more natural and lifelike. The DiMAGE Z3's 4 Megapixels allow the capture of fine lines and intricate detail for stunning digital images.

High-quality Movies as Beautiful as TV or Video Camera Footage
The DiMAGE Z3 takes movies in VGA size (640x480) at 30 fps for smooth video together with sound, rivalling the quality of TV programs or video camera footage. You can choose from three movie image sizes: 640x480 (Fine), 640x480 (Standard), or 320x240 (Standard). Thanks to the Anti-Shake function, the DiMAGE Z3 records telephoto movies that are smooth and clear. The XR (Extended Recording) Movie function allows the recording of longer movie clips onto the SD memory card. With Night Movie, the DiMAGE Z3 can record in extreme low-light conditions thanks to a CCD that's four times more sensitive than conventional sensors. The DiMAGE Z3 employs a newly developed Silent Zoom mechanism that greatly reduces level of noise from the optical zoom, which can be picked up while shooting. It's also possible to select the favourite scenes from a movie clip and save them as still images with the cameras Movie Frame Capture.

UHS (Ultra High Speed) Continuous Shooting
The DiMAGE Z3 captures 15 images at 10 fps at UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous shooting.

Progressive Capture
With the DiMAGE Z3 in Progressive Capture mode, the images are saved automatically upon the release of pressure from the shutter-release button. "Progressive Capture" means that the last sequence of images is saved: as many as 6 images (in Standard continuous advance) or 15 images (in UHS continuous advance). So when shooting fast-moving objects, Progressive Capture ensures that they are recorded when and where you want them. These functions are handy for shooting sports events or for recording and improving your form in personal sports training situations.

Real Motion LCD Monitor
The DiMAGE Z3 features a Real Motion LCD Monitor, which delivers crystal clear images to the user at an unparalleled 50 fps. Conventional monitors on digital cameras use only a 30-fps display format that sometimes results in a blurry or delayed display. The 50-fps Real Motion monitor rate gives an exceptionally smooth live view.

Noise Reduction
Noise Reduction automatically filters out unwanted blemishes and graininess associated with slow-shutter shots taken under low light conditions

P A S M Exposure Control and Metering Modes
The DiMAGE Z3 offers the widest control over exposures. There are four exposure modes: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual. Select manual exposure to enable up to 30-second time exposures. The DiMAGE Z3 has three metering modes: Multi-segment, Center-weighted, and Spot. Multi-segment Metering uses 256 segments to determine optimum exposure.

Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection
Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection automatically chooses the best program exposure mode for your images. You can also manually select from Portrait, Sports Action, Landscape, and Sunset Modes. You can also set the DiMAGE Z3 to Night Portrait Mode in the menu settings. Whatever the mood, this convenient function enables the taking of fabulous digital pictures, automatically.

Get as Close as 1cm with Super Macro
Shoot amazing close-ups in either Macro or Super Macro mode. Whichever mode you choose, the image quality will record close-ups that are both stunning and powerful. In Super Macro mode, you can use the cameras lens as close as 1 cm from your subject.

Key Customise
For added flexibility and convenience, the flash button can be customized to handle different settings. This means that instead of going through the menus on the LCD, the flash button may be used to change settings such as the drive mode, white balance, focus mode, colour mode, or sensitivity.

PictBridge*3-Compliant
Forget all about complicated connections with a PC. Get fast, fun printouts directly from your camera by connecting the DiMAGE Z3 to a PictBridge*3-compliant printer. You can check which images you want to print on the DiMAGE Z3 LCD monitor and then simply print out your favourites in no time at all.

New Ergonomic Design
The DiMAGE Z3 design is advanced yet familiar and easy to use. Despite its large 12X zoom range, it weighs only 335 g. It's also a pleasure to carry and operate even for camera novices. The ergonomic form ensures it is easy to hold even for those telephoto zoom shots.

ArcSoft VideoImpression™ 2 CD-ROM †
ArcSoft VideoImpression™ 2, bundled with the DiMAGE Z3, offers a fun way to merge your movie clips and still shots. Working through a step by step guide, text, music, and special effects can be added to your movie clip. Record the finished movie onto a DVD to share with friends and family.
† (Only compatible with the Windows® operating system.)

Optional Wide Converter (Wide-Angle Converter ZCW-300 Kit)
The optional Wide Converter Kit adds to the versatility of the DiMAGE Z3. The lens has an equivalent 35mm system focal length of 26mm wide angle that is ideal for capturing indoor or outdoor architecture and panoramic landscape shots.

Compatible with Optional Flashes
The DiMAGE Z3 is equipped with a flash unit that literally adds brilliance to your digital pictures. But if it's even more flash power that's required, consider the Konica Minolta Program Flash 2500(D), Program Flash 3600HS(D) or Program Flash 5600HS(D) All of these incredibly versatile and powerful flash units are compatible with the DiMAGE Z3.

Specifications

Number of effective pixels:	4.0 million
CCD:	1/2.5-type interline primary-colour CCD Total pixels: 4.2 million
Camera sensitivity:	Auto and 50,100, 200, and 400 ISO equivalents
Focal length:	5.83 - 69.9mm (35mm equivalent: 35 - 420mm)
Lens construction:	13 elements in 10 groups
Maximum aperture:	f/2.8 - f/4.5
Minimum focus distance:	Wide: 0.6m/2.0ft from front of lens Telephoto: 2.0m/6.6ft from front of lens Wide: 0.685m / 2.2ft from CCD Telephoto: 2.085m/ 6.8ft from CCD
Minimum macro distance:	Super Macro Standard macro Focal length 10.45mm* Wide Telephoto From front of lens 1 cm 10cm 120cm From CCD 9.5cm 18.5cm 128.5cm
Maximum magnification:	0.20x Equivalent to 1.2x in 35mm format
Area covered at maximum magnification:	31 x 23mm /1.2 x 0.9 in.
Viewfinder type:	Electronic viewfinder 0.3-type with a total of 118,000 pixels
LCD monitor:	3.8cm (1.5 inch) digital-interface TFT colour Total number of pixels: 78,000 (approx.) Automatic monitor amplification
Field of view:	Viewfinder: 100% (approx.) LCD monitor: 100 % (approx.)
Diopter control:	- 3 ~ +1m-1
Eye relief:	20.8mm
Shutter:	CCD electronic shutter and mechanical shutter
Shutter speed range:	4 - 1/1000 s in programmed-AE and aperture-priority modes. 15 - 1/1000 s in shutter-priority and manual exposure modes. Bulb (max. 30 s) 2 - 1/1000 s in auto-recording and Digital Subject Programs
Autofocus system:	Video AF system
Autofocus areas:	5-Point Wide Focus Area Spot focus areas with Focus Area Selection
Focus modes:	Single-shot AF, Continuous AF with predictive focus control, 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:	Automatic (Portrait, Sports action, Landscape, Sunset, Standard) Manual (Portrait, Sports action, Landscape, Sunset, Standard, Night portrait.)
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: 0.2 - 4.0 m / 0.7 - 13.1 ft. (approx.) from front of lens Telephoto: 1.2 - 2.5 m / 3.9 - 8.2 ft. (approx.) from front of lens (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:	7 s (approx.)
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: 10fps (approx.) (1280 x 960) - Standard continuous advance: 2.5 fps (approx.)?(2272 x 1704) * 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:
Progressive Capture:	Stores images from the built-in memory to the memory card from the latest frame captured with the continuous advance. Maximum number of images that can be recorded with the Progressive Capture mode: UHS: 15 frames (10 fps) Standard: 5 frames (2.5 fps) (2272 x 1704, Standard)
Exposure bracketing:	Three frame bracket in 1.0, 0.5, 0.3 Ev increments
Self-timer:	10 s, 2s (approx.)
Movie:	Recording time dependent on memory card capacity, image size, and frame rate. Frame rate: 15fps, 30 fps Audio: monaural Optical zoom is ON in recording Movie 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)
Colour modes:	Natural Colour, Vivid Colour, Black and white, Sepia
Noise reduction:	User selectable dark noise reduction
Digital zoom:	4x (max.) in 0.2x increments
Copy function:	To copy single or multiple images to the same or another memory card.
E-mail Copy function:	Creates a compressed 640x480 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: 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 1280 x 960 in UHS continuous-advance mode Movie clips: 640x480, 320x240
Storage capacity:	Approximate storage capacity of a 16MB SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card: Still images   2272x1704 1600x1200 1280x960 640x480 Fine 6 frames 14 frames 23 frames 50 frames Standard 14 frames 23 frames 38 frames 67 frames Economy 27 frames 41 frames 53 frames 100 frames Movie clips 640x480 FINE 640x480 Standard 320x240 Standard 30 fps 9sec 14sec 30sec 15 fps 19sec 28sec 58sec * 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): with audio DCF 2.0-compliant DPOF-compliant (Supported by printing functions in ver. 1.1) Exif 2.2
Folder name formats:	Standard, Date
Printing output control:	Exif Print, PRINT Image Matching II, PictBridge
Recording media:	SD (Secure Digital) Memory Cards, Multimedia Cards
Computer interface:	Full-speed 12Mbps data transfer with USB 2.0 compatible computer
AV output:	NTSC, PAL (selected on the camera)
Anti-shake system:	CCD-shift Anti-Shake system User selectable
Batteries	Four AA batteries: Alkaline, Ni-MH
Battery performance	Playback: Approximate continuous playback time: 220 min. (approx.) with alkaline batteries. Recording: Approximate number of recorded images: 170 (approx.) Conforming to CIPA (included 4X AA alkaline batteries, included SD memory card)
External power source:	6V DC with specified AC adapter (sold separately)
Dimensions:	108.5 (W) x 80.0(H) x 83.5(D) mm 4.3(W) x 3.1 (H) x 3.3 (D) in.
Weight:	335g / 11.8oz. (Approx.) without batteries or recording media
Operating temperature:	0-40ºC / 32-104°F
Standard accessories:	Neck Strap NS-DG7000 Lens Cap LF-243 set Accessory Shoe Cap SC-1000 AV Cable AVC-700 16MB SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card USB Cable USB-2 DiMAGE Viewer CD-ROM ArcSoft VideoImpression™ 2 CD-ROM (for Windows only) Four AA Alkaline batteries
Optional accessories	AC Adapter AC-1L or AC-11 Camera Case CS-DG1000 Leather Neck Strap NS-DG1000 Wide-Angle Converter ZCW-300 kit Adapter ring for attaching filter/converter ZCA-300 PROGRAM FLASH 3600HS (D), 5600HS (D), 2500(D)