Minolta DiMAGE G500 Review/Photos

[JimCockfield]

If anybody is interested in this new camera, I purchased the Konica Version of it in July (Konica Revio KD-510z). The new Minolta DiMAGE G500 is identical except for cosmetics.

I posted a short review of the camera here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read...&opinion=17947

Ritz, Etronics and Good Guys all have the camera in their system for ordering now.

Etronics says estimated ship date of August 25th (today). Good Guys is quoting Sept. 1 from what I'm hearing. Ritz put it on their web site about a week ago -- with an estimated ship date of 7-14 days.

In any event, it should hit the shelves (at least the Minolta DiMAGE G500 version) very soon. BTW, the 2 models are identical in functionality/features, etc. -- only the cosmetics (logo) changed. Although the Miinolta G500 will come with the DiMAGE Viewer software (and my Konica only came with drivers -- no software).

Here's a link to the camera on the Etronics site showing the 8/25 estimated ship date:

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...=mindimageg500

Good Guys has it for less ($405.00 w/shipping, according to forum posters).

I didn't want to wait on the camera to hit the U.S. shores -- so, I purchased a Japanese Model.

Some photos from my new camera are here:

http://www.pbase.com/jcockfield/konica_kd510z

[STaylor]

Jim welcome to BytePhoto .... you did a great job on the review .....

maybe you should be an Official BytePhoto product reviewer

[JimCockfield]

LOL

Well -- actually, so many people have asked me about the camera, that I've thought about trying to take some photos of the menus, etc., and writing a more thorough review.

I seem to get lots of questions about it, where I go into reasonably long explanations about how to do one thing or another -- especially menu navigation (users wanting to know how hard it is to switch metering modes, ISO speeds, etc.).

With a Minolta Logo (and distribution network), this camera should steal some market share away from cameras like the Canon S400.

Most of the e-mails I get, are from users trying to decide between the Canon S400 and this camera (in Minolta G500 clothing) -- now that it should be hitting the shelves soon.

I didn't make my e-mail address available for public viewing here, but since it's public everywhere else, I might as well change my profile here too (so I'll get even more questions about it).

I really like your site layout. If I can contribute more info about the camera, I'd be happy to.

[STaylor]

Jim,
Having your review would be great ’‚’‚…‚’‚‚¦.we have a function in the site to allow user reviews ’‚’‚…‚’‚‚¦ it has not been enabled yet ’‚’‚…‚’‚‚¦as it needs 1 or 2 small changes and then it will be online ’‚’‚…‚’‚‚¦ I’‚’‚…‚’‚…¾‚m glad you like the site I’‚’‚…‚’‚…¾‚m not sure if you know it but BytePhoto has only been online for a little less then 2 months

[JimCockfield]

I'll keep an eye out for the new user review section, and make sure to visit here often.

Keep up the great work!

[STaylor]

Jim you will now find a camera review section that allows for user reviews ....

http://www.bytephoto.com/modules.php?name=Reviews


and select :: write a review ::

[JimCockfield]

Ritz is now showing the new Minolta DiMAGE G500 as IN STOCK (showed estimated delivery of 2-4 weeks as of yesterday, but the page changed today).

http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs...uctId=13097255

This is a great little camera (I bought a Japanese Konica Revio KD-510z in July, which is the same camera except for the logo).

If you're looking for a great "pocketable" camera, check this one out.

I've got a user opinion of it here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read...&opinion=17947