Konica Minolta have recently discovered that some of its digital cameras may show the following symptom after not being used for a long time. When you take the initial photo, “Err” is displayed in the finder and the image turns black or dark blue. In most cases, “Err” can be cancelled by turning the main switch again and then photos can be taken normally.

The following products may be affected:

MAXXUM/DYNAX 7D
MAXXUM/DYNAX 5D

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BeHardware have recently done a survey comparing 10 Stabilised Digital Cameras including Canon Ixus 800-IS, Casio Exilim S600, FujiFilm FinePix F11, Konica Minolta Dimage X1, Nikon Coolpix P4, Olympus Mju 720 SW, Pentax Optio W10, Panasonic DMCFX01, Ricoh Caplio R3, and Sony DSC-T9. In the conclusion they write;

“We were looking for a compact, thin, fast, camera with image stabilization. Out of the 10 tested, one clearly finishes ahead, the Canon Ixus 800-IS. It doesn’t have major disadvantages, it’s good for macro, video and has a 4x zoom instead of the 3x of most of its competitors.”

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Popular Photo Magazine has done some tests comparing the low-buck DSLRs including Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, Konica Minolta Maxxum Digital 5D, Nikon D50, Olympus Evolt E-500, and Pentax *ist DS2. Here are the results;

Photo source: PopPhoto.com

If you’re looking for a camera with superb image quality, Canon EOS Rebel XT should be your first choice. Followed by Olympus Evolt E-500, Nikon D50, Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D and Pentax *ist DS2.

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Latest Discounted Digital Cameras

Cheap Digital Cameras Watch is a place to find the latest discounted digital cameras available on the internet. Everytime we find new offers we will list them here. Come back often as this page is updated as soon as we find a new offer.

Last Update: 02.03.06

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Cameras.co.uk has recently reviewed the Konica Minolta DiMage Z6, a six megapixel (CCD) digital camera with 12x optical zoom lens and a 2″ LCD screen.

“There are many digital cameras with long zoom lenses to choose between. In my opinion the Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 struggles to keep up with the competition. I was disappointed with the colours the camera produced and I also have concerns about the shutter lag. Therefore I would suggest looking elsewhere if this type of digital camera appeals to you.”

>> Konica Minolta DiMage Z6 Review Roundup

Konica Minolta has released a new firmaware update for Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1. The v1.10 update will Shortened shutter-release time lag (time period from when the shutter-release button is pressed down fully to when exposure begins) and shortened operation time lag (time period from zooming lever is operated to when operation of any other function button is accepted).

Download Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1 Firmware Update v1.10 for PC & MAC

Installation guide for DiMAGE X1 firmware is available in English, Česky, Deutsch, Español, Français, Italiano, Russkij, and Svenska.

Imaging Resource recently posted their review on Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D, the 6,1 megapixels camera with interchangeable lens mount, and advanced Konica Minolta Body-Based Anti Shake Technology. In conclusion they wrote:

“The Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D’s images contain a lot of detail, but the default in-camera sharpening settings leave the finest detail a little soft-looking, and there’s just a hint of a “halo” along strongly contrasting edges. The resulting images take unsharp masking in Photoshop or other image-processing program well, but you’ll want to dial down the in-camera sharpening to get the best results with post-exposure unsharp masking. At low ISOs, the Maxxum 5D’s noise suppression system seems to do a pretty good job of preserving detail in areas of subtle contrast, although you can still see some sign of its operation.

The Maxxum 5D handles very well, looks good, and feels solid. Images at up to ISO 800 are very usable even at 8×10 inch print sizes, which is a good benchmark. It offers a useful focal length range in the kit lens, with very high optical quality, but its big attraction is its in-camera image stabilization, extending low light shooting to nearly any lens you can mount on it. Considering that this system effectively turns all your lenses into anti-shake models, the higher cost of the 5D’s body relative to competing models seems very well justified. Negative points were relatively minor (depending, of course, on the type of shooting you’re looking to do) - A slight tendency to underexpose, particularly when confronted with scenes having strong highlights, an occasionally hesitant AF system, and a tendency to lose subtle subject detail at high ISOs. All in all, the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D is a very solid choice for anyone looking at the current field of digital SLRs…”

Theano Nikitas reviewed the Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 at CNET and gave it 6.7 out of 10 (good). He wrote:

“The good: 12X zoom lens; Anti-Shake image stabilization; broad feature set; extremely close macro focus; flexible continuous-shooting modes; compact SLR-style body.

The bottom line: Compact and affordable, the image-stabilized megazoom Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 delivers a solid feature set. Finicky photographers may take issue with its image quality, though.”

Mark Goldstein reviewed the Konica Minolta Dynax5D/Maxxum5D and gave the camera 4.5 out of 5 stars at PhotographyBlog. He wrote:

” Priced as an entry-level camera, the Konica Minolta Dynax 5D offers much more than an entry-level specification. It only has a few missing features when compared to its bigger brother, the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D, relying on cheaper build materials rather than removing features to bring the price down. Compared to rivals such as the Canon Digital Rebel XT, Nikon D50 and Pentax *ist DS, the Konica Minolta Dynax 5D offers more bang for your buck / punch for your pound in terms of what it can actually do. This does make it slightly harder to get to grips with at first, especially for the beginner DSLR owner, but don’t let that put you off, as it means that this camera has more to offer in the long run. Konica Minolta’s proprietary anti-shake system is a real bonus at this price and more importantly it really does work as advertised. Coupled with the great, noise free image quality from ISO 80 all the way up to ISO 800, this makes the Konica Minolta Dynax 5D an attractive proposition for anyone who wants a low-light digital camera. It may only have 6 megapixels, but the Konica Minolta Dynax 5D delivers fantastic image quality in almost every situation. Add the large 2.5 inch LCD screen, effective flash and general quick responsiveness, and you have a camera that thoroughly deserves to be on your DSLR wish-list. You should seriously consider this camera if you don’t already have a vested interest in the likes of Canon or Nikon - existing users of Konica Minolta film SLRs should not be the only target market. The supplied lens may feel cheap, the body may be made of plastic, and it may “only” have 6 megapixels, but don’t let any of that put you off the Konica Minolta Dynax 5D. Highly recommended.”

Mike Stensvold reviewed the Konica Minolta Dynax5D/Maxxum5D at Photographic Magazine Online and wrote:

” Metering performance was excellent, and the 5D did a great job with bright, high-contrast subjects like white birds in direct sun. Dynamic range and color reproduction are excellent, but highest-quality JPEG images were a bit noisier at all ISO settings than with the 7D (I couldn’t test RAW image quality because the necessary software was not yet available when we received our test sample). All in all, though, image quality is very good. Besides ISO settings from 100 to 3200, the 5D offers an Auto ISO mode, in which the camera sets an appropriate ISO for the shooting conditions—very handy in rapidly changing lighting situations.

Bottom Line: The Maxxum 5D is a little slower than its “big brother” Maxxum 7D, but it’s a very good camera, capable of turning out very good images at a very good price—I wouldn’t have shot nearly 5000 photos with our test camera if it hadn’t delivered the goods.”

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