Exhausting research showed me that the ideal camera does not exist. However, some cameras do have 30 fps video: SONY W1 or P100, The Panasonic Z10 or Z20, Kyocera M410R, and Konica Minolta Z2. The three latter manufacturers offered large zooms as well. However only Panasonic offered a stabilized zoom, and on the other hand was so big tha I decided against it.

All the above cameras offer only middle-of-the-road resolution of 4-5 megapixels. On the other hand, friends with higher resolution cameras tell me that they never use maximum resolution anyway, so I decided I could compromise on the megapixel race and get some other useful features instead.
When the Z3 with stabilised zoom was released I took a chance and bought it here at Amazon although none of the established digital photography websites had yet reviewed it.

Having used the Z3 for a week and taken about a hundred photos, I am pleased with my decision. The photo quality is as good as I expected, as regards sharpness and colour. The optical 12x zoom is fantastic, and with 4x digital zoom you can shoot the moon and have it fill the entire screen in fairly good resolution. I could read the lisence plates of cars standing 200 yards away.

Additionally the camera is fairly compact but has an unusual shape, so get the Konica Minolta case for it.

Video is very good, as expected. You get a built-in loudspeaker for instant playback. Besides you need a fast SD card, I got a 512 MB Sandisk Ultra II and am happy with it. An additional plus with SD cards is that they fit into my Palm Tungsten handheld for direct downloading of photos.

The instruction manual is good as well, not too big but detailed. Unlike cameras like Olympus C-5060 and C-8080, that have received a lot of praise for their optical qualities but criticism for their complicated menu structure, the Z3 is very straight-forward with just the right repertoire of features. It is really easy to use. When we add quick startup and focusing, I feel most of my requirements are met.

I also bought the 2500D external flash with vertically swivelling head, which came at a very competitive price compared to dedicated flashes from other manufacturers. The built-in flash is nevertheless quite strong in most indoor situations.

Such features for 499 dollars is a good deal. However Konica Minolta have chosen very cheap solutions to some other needs:
- the LCD at the back of the camera is very small, and it does not swivel. All other comparable cameras have larger screens, most of them swivel. If your eyesight is not 100%, get a different camera.
- the built-in flash does not pop up when needed, you have to push it up with your hand.
- The lens itself is not threaded, only the barrel around it. You have to buy a big adapter in order to attach the most basic UV filter. The camera will also not fit into the case with the adapter on.
- low light metering is poor, often impossible. A focus assist lamp should have been included.
- the body is plastic. It feels fairly sturdy but many competing cameras are made of metal.
- Konica Minolta did not bother to include NIMH batteries in the box. They are absolutely necessary but cost extra.
- it is a pitty that such a big lens is not f2.0, only f2.8-4.3. The older Olympus C-5060 and Canon G3 have it - why not newer cameras?

To sum it up: if you need a digital camera beyond the basic point-and-shoot type, video matters a lot to you, and you are willing to carry a somewhat bulky camera around in order to get a big zoom, the Z3 may be the camera for you. Unless you are willing to wait for a future Z4 or Z5 that has it all.

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Good, but not great, January 4, 2005
Reviewer: Robert Pawlak "rjpawlak"
Plusses
- 12X zoom with anti-shake lets you take pictures of things that are difficult to capture otherwise. For example, I take quite a few pictures of my animals, and when you get close to them, they tend to move. This camera lets you maintain your distance and get a good shot.
- Video mode is good. High res, and works surprisingly well in low light.
- Very good ergonomics as far as controls are concerned. Menus for various camera modes are well laid out.
- Exceedingly fast operation. Turn it on, and it is ready to go. Repeated shots are also very fast.
- Easy access to real time histogram of current image.
- Reasonably powerful flash.
- Great macro and super macro mode.
- Takes AA batteries and SD cards.

Minuses
- Small LCD display, but with some use, you'll be able to tell if you got a good shot or not.
- I think familiarity with some of the other picture taking modes of the camera is a must (i.e. aperture and shutter priority modes).
- Some purple fringing at high zoom.
- Noise in images, even at low ISOs.
- Some difficulty focusing in low light situations.

I haven't noticed any problems with capturing video to my SD card, like the other reviewer mentioned (I have a Kingmax platinum card). Nor do I think the SD card door is `flimsy'. It is thin to be sure, but I've never had a problem with it.

I think color saturation is fine. Color balance is very natural on normal setting. Vivid color setting produces rich color. Battery life seems decent to me, I use high capacity NiMH cells.

Overall, this is not a SLR, but you're not paying the same money either. Overall, I think this is a decent camera and worth the price.

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