WHAT'S HOT: The KD-500Z offers high-resolution imaging power and several methods of audio recording in a package that's not much bigger than a deck of cards. The camera's dark gray, stainless-steel body has a solid, durable feel as well. In addition to capturing still images, the KD-500Z records movie clips of about 30 seconds each, with audio. It also lets you record audio notes to accompany still images or use the camera as a (rather expensive) digital dictation machine. We were extremely impressed by this camera's fast start-up: Slide the lens cover back, and it's ready to shoot in about 2 seconds--significantly faster than many of the cameras we've reviewed to date. Power down is equally fast.

Other high points include a bright LCD panel that displays well-saturated, accurate colors, and an extremely simple playback control. Instead of separate switches for playback and instant photo review, which most digital cameras use, the KD-500Z has one button that immediately switches you in and out of playback mode. The only drawback: You can play back images only with the camera fully powered up and with the lens extended. Konica throws in Adobe's Photoshop Elements--a fine software package for editing your images.

WHAT'S NOT: A few too many of the important controls are buried in menus--especially for a camera in the 5-megapixel category. Just switching into movie mode, for example, takes at least five button presses. Resolution and exposure value settings are squirreled away in the menus, too. Printed documentation for the KD-500Z consists of a small, multiple-language quick guide. More-detailed instructions come in Acrobat files on the bundled CD; you'll have to print them out if you want to sit down and read about all of the camera's capabilities.

WHAT ELSE: The Konica produced fairly accurate colors and exposures, and fine detail--generally pleasing to our eyes. Enlarged prints made from the camera's images, however, weren't as sharp as those from higher-end 5-megapixel models, such as the Olympus C-5050 Zoom. Colors in the Konica's shots looked a bit flat.

Except for its quick start-up, this model is not especially fast to use. There are a few dedicated buttons--for flash control, macro, and deleting images--but the other functions are buried in layers of menus. Fortunately, they are easy to read and decipher. Aside from its plethora of audio recording options, the KD-500 lacks most advanced controls, such as manual focus and aperture- or shutter-priority settings. Due no doubt to its relatively small size, the KD-500Z uses a small, proprietary rechargeable lithium ion battery that earned a score of Fair in our lab's battery run-down test, providing 226 shots before needing a recharge. That will get you through a long weekend, but you'll need to use the bundled recharger or a second battery ($50) to handle an extended vacation.

The KD-500Z comes with a 16MB SD card. It's the first non-Sony camera we've seen that also includes a Memory Stick slot--useful if you have other digital devices that work with the Memory Stick, such as a Sony VAIO PC.

UPSHOT: A contender in the growing class of high-end point-and-shoot cameras, the KD-500Z is nicely designed, solidly constructed, and fun to use. Its small size makes it a fine travel camera.

SUMMARY

Konica Digital Revio KD-500Z 5 megapixels, 2592 by 1944 maximum resolution, 39mm to 117mm focal range (35mm equivalent), f2.8 to f8.2 aperture range, shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/2000 second, optical and LCD viewfinders, USB and video connections, 16MB SD media, Memory Stick slot, rechargeable lithium ion battery, 7.9 ounces with battery; Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 software. One-year parts and labor warranty, toll-call support for 9 hours on weekdays. $600 800/285-6422 www.konica.com