The DiMAGE Z10 uses a Minolta GT 8x Mega-zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent coverage of 36 - 290mm. The maximum aperture is f/3.2 - 3.4 and the all-glass lens is constructed of 11 elements in 9 groups. The lens threads accepts 43mm filters and add-on lenses.

The DiMAGE Z10 uses Rapid AF to ensure sharp images with minimum delay. Rapid AF uses a passive AF sensor to instantly estimate the distance to the subject and the camera's CCD to determine the precise focus point. A high-speed drive focuses the lens quickly and smoothly.

The normal focus range is from 1.6 ft. to infinity in Wide and from 4.9 ft. to infinity in Telephoto. In Macro mode the lens focuses as close as 1cm in Wide and 1m in Telephoto.

The Z10's EVF (electronic viewfinder) is quite unique, most other cameras use a tiny color LCD monitor in the eye piece for display. The Z10 employs a shutter-mirror that closes over the 1.5-inch color LCD and redirects the image up to the eye level finder. It has full dioptric adjustment and 98% field of view coverage.

When shooting in less than ideal lighting conditions, precise framing of an image on the monitor can be difficult. Automatic monitor amplification brightens the monitor under low light so the live image is always visible. Since a single monitor is used, photographers won't need to worry about the color, contrast, and resolution difference between separate rear and viewfinder monitors. Because of the viewfinder's large apparent angle of view, the monitor image is large and clear.

The Z10's built-in flash has a guide number of 12/39 (meters/feet at ISO 100). The flash offers With AUTO, Programmed AE and Digital Subject Program selection, Autoflash, Autoflash with red-eye reduction, Fill flash, Slow-shutter sync, Flash cancel With Aperture priority, Manual exposure, or Shutter priority selection, Autoflash with red-eye reduction, Fill flash, Slow-shutter sync, Flash cancel.

The Z10's main functions are controlled by the Mode Dial located on the top of the handgrip. It has positions for Manual, Shutter priority, Aperture priority, Program AE, Movie, AUTOmatic, Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Beach/Sea and Night Portrait.

In between the shutter release and the Mode Dial are the Focus and Flash mode buttons.

On the back is Record EVF - Record LCD - Playback mode lever, in its center is the Power button. The 4-way selector lets you navigate menus and select images during playback, the button in the center accepts menu selections. The "QV" button lets you quickly view the last image captured, press it a second time to delete the image. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menus. The "i+" button controls the amount of data overlayed on the screen and the playback modes.

The Z10 is equipped with a Secure Digital card slot and ships with a 16MB SD card. Compatible with any size SD card, we tested it with the fast SanDisk Ultra II 256MB SD card.

The USB 2.0 port (Full speed, 12Mbps) is on the side below the SD card slot. This connector also handles the Audio-Video Out cable, the format is NTSC or PAL (selectable.) There's a DC INput jack on the other side for an AC adapter or external battery pack.

The Z10 uses four standard AA type batteries, alkaline can be used but we'd highly recommend using high-capacity NiMH rechargeables.

Approximate number of recorded images: 500 frames with alkaline batteries, LCD monitor on, Full-size images (2048x1536), Standard image quality, No instant playback, No full-time AF, Flash used with 50% of the frames. Approximate continuous playback time: 180 min. with alkaline batteries