Konica Z-Up 115e

The Konica Z-Up 115e is a 35mm compact point-and-shoot with a 38-115mm zoom lens. It belongs to the Z-Up family that Konica produced from 1988 into the early 2000s. One period source puts it alongside the Z-Up 120 VP and 150 VP as the "culmination of the series: powerful zoom cameras, light, reliable, and very complete, perfect for demanding amateurs." The 115e is the mid-range Z-Up compact, with enough features to satisfy most shooters.

Operation is simple. You get automatic film advance and rewind, a built-in flash, autofocus with focus lock, and auto exposure. A sliding on/off switch doubles as the lens cover. Film speed is set by DX coding from 25-3200 ISO, and the shutter runs from roughly 1/1.5 to 1/320 second. The lens is described as a 38-115mm f/5 design (10 elements in 8 groups). The camera weighs about 230g. Retail listings call it compact, wonderfully reliable, and versatile for both wide-angle and telephoto work - landscape, portrait, or close-up.

The production dates are unclear. Sources date the 115e to the late 1990s, to January 2002, and - in one Russian listing - to 1990. The Z-Up range as a whole spanned 1988 to 2003, so any of these is plausible, and the record doesn't settle it. Battery type is also in conflict. Some sources cite one CR2 and others a CR123A. Specifications beyond the lens, film speeds, and shutter range are undocumented, and no professional reviews of this specific model have surfaced. The strategy behind the line is better recorded. Facing the dominance of Canon, Nikon, and Minolta in the autofocus SLR market, Konica shifted in the late 1980s toward versatile, compact zoom cameras, and the Z-Up line was the result.

Used prices in current listings have ranged from roughly £60 to £65 in UK shops, with one Russian listing at 5,500 ₽. No information on common failure points, repair issues, or long-term reliability has surfaced.

Known specs:

- 35mm compact point-and-shoot

- 38-115mm f/5 zoom lens (10 elements, 8 groups)

- DX-coded film speeds 25–3200 ISO

- Shutter: 1/1.5–1/320 sec

- Automatic film advance and rewind

- Built-in flash, autofocus with focus lock

- Weight: 230g