Konica
made several ultra compacts in different lines. The non-zoom optics are
all moderate wide angles of 35mm focal length. Only the Big Mini F
opens up to F2.8. As it is also the smallest of the Konicas, it's the
most expensive. The A4 is much cheaper, so it's a good alternative. And
then there is the Lexio 70. It goes from 28 to 70mm and it has
impressing data at the wide end: F3.4. So it's as good as the other
28mm premium ultra compacts which all open up to F3.5.
The
Z-up 125e shown here is one of a mid range series late models, Z-UP
series has many models and style variants. This one was launched in
2002. Its main features are:
38-125mm F4.1-12.4 Konica lens, 6 elements in 5 groups, autofocus with focus lock, min. focus 0,8m Electronic shutter, 1.5-1/300 Size 114x61x45, Weight 188 gr. 25-3200
ISO, automatic DX coding, self-timer, automatic film advance, exposure correction +1.5EV, infinity lock, several modes
Camera and original pouch.
Camera
front closed.
Camera
back. On top: Viewer. Mode button, red eye setting, mid roll rewind, Tele/Wide switch Film indication window.
Camera switched on. The lens only moves out a little to wide position.
Lens moved out to tele position.
View from above. LCD
screen (flash off set), power button, shutter release.
Camera sets auto flash
as default. Flash
guide number ~20 (!) (m/ISO 100). Back open. The film leader is safely engaged when you close the back.
View from the bottom. Tripod socket. Battery compartment. Takes a CR2 battery.
This
camera is easy to use.
Autofocus is responsive and works well. Putting a film is easy as well,
you drop the film, tear the film leader up to the mark and that's it. The
camera winds it automatically. It has some manual settings if needed,
the menu is very easy to access on a big clear LCD screen.
It remembers your last setting, one push on the mode button and it's
back.
In
comparison to the other ultra compacts, this is mid range quality.
The lens is dim at the wide end, but has an impressing zoom.
However photos at infinity can be blurred by shake in dull weather, the
camera chooses very slow speeds because of its dim lens at the tele
end. If you zoom at close focus and use flash, the results are superb.
The camera is small and light. There are better ones from Konica, like
the
above mentioned Lexio 70, but seen the zoom of 125mm, you will hardly
find
a better one so small and light. There is a Z-up 140 with a better lens inspite of its longer zoom, but it's a bit bulkier.
It's a good point and shoot camera
with a moderate wide angle and impressing zoom lens, good picture quality and nice
finish.
