Details of two new extended-range compact digital cameras have been posted on the main Konica Minolta website.

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January 22, 2005: Details of two new extended-range compact digital cameras have been posted on the main Konica Minolta website.
The DiMAGE Z5 is a 5-megapixel version of the current DiMAGE Z3 model and features the same 12x optical zoom lens (35-420mm equivalent in 35mm format) plus the company’s CCD-Shift Anti-Shake image stabilisation. The new model has a larger (2-inch) CLD screen than the Z3 and features the latest CxProcess III image processing. A new Rapid AF focusing system claims to be able to lock on to a subject in 0.2 seconds at the wide lens position or 0.3 seconds with the tele setting. As in the DiMAGE Z3, predictive AF is supported, along with wide-area AF and spot focus with focus area selection. Manual focusing is also provided and the Super Macro mode allows close-ups to be taken from 1-100 cm.
Shutter speeds range from four to 1/1000 second but the new model appears to lack the Z3’s time exposure setting, which allows shots up to 30 seconds long to be taken. The top ISO setting has been reduced from ISO 400 to ISO 320 in the new model. Movie capture is unchanged, with both VGA and QVGA resolutions supported at 30 and 15 frames/second (fps) and the camera can continue recording until the memory card is full. The Z5 also uses four AA batteries.
The DiMAGE Z20 is an upgrade to the current DiMAGE Z10, with a 5-megapixel CCD replacing the Z10’s 3.2-megapixel sensor. The new model has the same 6-48mm (8x) optical zoom lens, which has a focal length equivalent to 36-290mm in 35mm format. Internal storage of 14.5 MB is complemented by a SD/MMC card slot and the Z20 can record movie clips in VGA or QVGA format at 15 fps or QVGA at 30 fps. The built-in flash supports fill-in, red-eye reduction and slow-synch settings plus flash cancel with the A, S and M exposure modes. No hot-shoe is provided for accessory flash units and the camera is not fitted with Anti-Shake image stabilisation.
More information about the new models can be found at http://konicaminolta.com/products/consumer/digital_camera/dimage/index.html.