The Amateur’s Professional Camera
Written: Apr 13 '00 (Updated Apr 13 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: QUALITY, ease of use, NUMEROUS advanced features!
Cons: nothing significant.
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| sgentile's Full Review: Konica Minolta Revio Z2 APS Film Camera |
The Konica Revio can be fully appreciated by both serious and amateur photographers alike. Anyone who requires a dependable camera that can be trusted to produce “quality photos” will be pleased with this camera’s performance. At $200 it isn’t inexpensive; but it is the size of a deck of cards, is easy to use, and has most of the “whistles and bells” of today’s higher-end cameras. This is a camera you can depend on for delivering professional results. I am actually quite amazed by how spectacular some of my photos have turned out using this camera! This camera is portable and lightweight; a plus for those carrying cumbersome diaper bags. I recommend the Konica Revio camera to amateurs as well as people who take their photography a little more seriously. This is a QUALITY camera.
Just for the record, I haven’t had formal training in photography since high school (in 1984). That’s when 110 film was all the rage. I have been an avid picture taker for most of my life, and do know good pictures when I see them. My recent needs include documenting my daughter’s growth and capturing her smiles. Being able to count on my camera to seize those once-in-a-lifetime moments is major priority to me. I have used most of the auto features and the zoom quite a bit. All of these features are simple to utilize, and work extremely well. I have been very happy with the Konica Revio.
Is there anything “bad” about this camera?
No. The only bad characteristic about this camera worth discussing is that at first glance it is intimidating. It’s very compact, has many buttons and features, and a thick user manual. Take a deep breath, open the manual and you will see that it is so thick because it is written in 7 different languages. A closer look at the manual also reveals that it is easy to follow, and your camera will be easy to use.
Ok, I do have one little complaint (I just remembered). This camera allows you to print “titles” (see the advanced features section of my review). It allows for “Merry Christmas” but it does not have a “Happy Hanukkah” or “Happy Kwansa”…. I guess the “Season’s Greetings” will have to suffice. At least Seasons Greetings can be used to encompass all needs, and save you money on those generic, pre-printed photo cards that I used to buy every year.
Camera Requirements.
• A single CR2 (3V) lithium battery.
• 1x240 cartridge film. (This is the oblong shaped film. It is a little more expensive to purchase and develop, but quote worth its price.)
FEATURES.
The Konica Revio is loaded with features. Most of which are incredibly easy to use. I will first list the obvious (standard) features, then list the “advanced” features with a little description of what they do.
Things that Take the Guess-Work out of Taking Great Pictures.
• Auto flash.
• Auto film loading.
• Zoom lens.
• Multi-auto-focus system.
• Focus lock.
• Auto rewind.
• Red-Eye reduction.
• Self-timer.
• Battery power symbol (tells you when your battery is low. Batteries will last about 12 rolls of film, if using flash for half of your pictures).
• Frame counter (counts backwards to indicate how many pictures you have left).
This camera also comes with a velvet-feeling carrying case and a nylon strap. The carrying case can be used on a belt or any other kind of strap. It is also small enough to fit in your purse.
Other (advanced) features that make this camera STAND OUT.
Because I don’t understand many of these features, I will use Italics for descriptions taken out of the manual. The instructions for how to use these features are quite easy to understand; they are presented to you in simple language, going through "step by step." I'm sure once my 17 month-old daughter learns to sit still for me, I will have more time to experiment with these attractive-sounding features.
• Auto date.
The date is quartz controlled & programmed through 12/31/2050. You can choose NOT to have the date printed on your pictures, or printed in the following styles: “Year/month/day” or “Month/day & hour/minute”.
• Title.
You must first select the language; US English, French, German, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese. Then select the title you want from this list: I love you, Thank you, Season’s Greetings, Happy Birthday, Congratulations, Merry Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.
• Flash ON Mode.
Daylight flash photography is effective for back-lit subjects, strong shadows, or on cloudy days.
• Night View Portrait
Flash fires in synchronization with slow shutter speed. </i>
• Flash OFF Mode.
In flash OFF Mode, the flash will not fire even under poor light. This mode is great for when flashes are not permitted or when you want to show only “actual” lighting (outdoor sunset pictures, for example).
• 1.5 exposure compensation mode.
This feature slightly over-exposes the picture to bring out high-lights in a blacklighted scene, or to capture detail in shadows or when contrast is high.
• Long Distance Mode.
Use this mode to take pictures of distant landscapes and when shooting scenery or landscapes through a glass window. Focus will be set at distance for maximum sharpness.
• Photography using “Remote Control”.
The remote control transmitter is sold separately.
Last Comments
If you are looking for a camera that will allow you to take professional looking pictures with minimal "thinking" required, the Konica Revio camera is for you. It is also the right choice if you are looking for a portable, lightweight camera, and are interested in "broadening your horizons"... there are enough advanced features here for you to experiment with. I highly recommend the Konica Revio.
Recommended:
Yes
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sgentile
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Location: New England, United States
Reviews written: 249
Trusted by: 477 members
About Me:
I'm a mother who focuses on safety, fun, & value. I write from experience.
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