I carry this baby all the time!
Written: Mar 15 '02
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Pros: compact, Easy to use. Sharp lens. 4x6 prints like 35mm, Well made
Cons: As with ALL APS cameras, short zoom range, slow lens, short flash distance.
The Bottom Line: Beats the elp hands down. Don't wait, just get it and move on to having a ball using it. Everyone will be envious.
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| finephoto's Full Review: Konica Minolta Revio Z2 APS Film Camera |
I am a professional photographer. As of 9/01, I have run more than 70 rolls of film and am delighted with this camera.
Strengths:
Just about the the smallest APS out there with a zoom. Beats the Elph due to the fact that the pop up flash on the original Elph I often breaks. The pop up flash also blocks somewhat acess to mode buttons on the top of the Elph and can be hit by fingers. The Revio has all this on the rear, not the top. Instead of an icon changing, the Revio has all the available icon features on a screen all the time and a little triangle pointer that moves when you push the mode button. Therefore you are aware of all the features the camera offers. Much more user friendly and ergonomic. Best thing about the Revio is the view finder window is much larger than the Elph and easier to use if you are near sighted or wear glasses.
Three year warranty, if they still have it available, is a great plus.
Weaknesses:
Slow speed lens which lose a stop when extended to zoom. But this is true of all tiny compact zoom lens. Because of the small compact size of the camera, they could not put a faster lens in because it would be larger in diameter. Also to keep lens quality, it is easier with a small aperture. With the Z2 you can rewind the film, but not reload the film. You can with the Z3! Like all APS cameras, don't expect great quality prints past 5x7, but at that size they look fantastically sharp! . Prints made with the new Fuji Frontier DIGITAL printers make absolutely fantastic prints. (Try Costco). In regards to the problem of slow focus time missing decisive moments: ALL auto focus cameras all have a lag time between pushing the shutter and actual moment of snapping the photograph. Not really a weakness. Once you learn how to use all the features correctly and remember this is a very tiny negative and respect that, if properly used, this camera is just fine. You know the quote: "garbage in, garbage out." I suppose it should read: "sloppy use, inferior images." I use this camera just the way I use any of my other cameras when it comes to composing, etc. and get great images. Some features such as pre-focusing and getting used to have the view window in the center may take a short time to get used to, but once aquainted are nothing to think about again. I preferr having the viewer directly above the lens, that way I know the lens is offset from view only in a short verticle axis, there fore I just raise the camera the proper distance so the lens takes the same exact perspective as the viewer sees.
Similar Products Used:
I ran an accurate lens sharpness test on a tripod along with the original Canon Elph I which has the same zoom range lens.
Customer Service:
I have spoken to the folks in their Tech/Repair department and they are nothing short of great.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 150
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Epinions.com ID:
finephoto
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Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Prof photographer
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