Created: 20 October 2026 · Last edited: 22 October 2026

MI-504 / MI-506 / MI-506DC

The Power Zaurus MI-500 series, released in July 1997, substantially reduces the size of the original Color Zaurus while increasing its processing performance. The range consists of the MI-504, MI-506 and MI-506DC. The MI-504 has 4 MB of total memory, comprising 2 MB of RAM and 2 MB of flash memory, while the MI-506 increases this to 6 MB and adds an integrated 33.6-kbit/s data modem with 14.4-kbit/s fax capability. The MI-506DC combines the MI-506 with a digital camera card.

The smaller enclosure measures approximately 161 × 90 × 23 mm and weighs about 320 g with its battery, making the Power Zaurus considerably more portable than the original Color Zaurus. Its 4.3-inch colour LCD has a resolution of 320 × 240 pixels and displays up to 65,536 colours. The smaller display, more compact battery and other power-saving improvements help reduce the device's size and weight by more than 35%. A redesigned system also makes processing approximately two to four times faster than on the Color Zaurus.

Sharp introduces several new software features, including continuous handwritten-character recognition, which can recognise Japanese characters even when their radicals and phonetic components are written without lifting the pen between them. The WWW browser supports HTML 3.2, while IrTran-P enables wireless transfer of images between compatible devices via infrared. The spreadsheet application can read and save files in Excel 95 XLS format, and the word processor supports RTF, allowing data exchange with Microsoft Excel 95, Word 95 and Ichitaro 8. The MI-506 and MI-506DC also come with Sharp's Power Connection software (CE-ZS2), which enables drag-and-drop file transfers with a PC, synchronisation with Outlook 97 and the import of Excel 97 and Word 97 files.

The MI-50x models feature a PC Card Type II slot and support the CE-AG03 digital camera card, which can also be purchased separately for 38,000 yen. The camera features a 1/4-inch, 0.35-megapixel progressive-scan CCD sensor, a lens with a variable aperture of f/2.4–f/8 and 2× optical zoom. Its 4× total zoom, four- or 16-frame continuous shooting modes and ability to attach photographs to entries in the Zaurus address book are new features compared with the earlier CE-AG02 camera card. The camera measures approximately 124 × 89 × 24 mm and supports close-up photography from about 6.5 cm. The older CE-AG02 camera card is also compatible with the Power Zaurus.

The MI-506DC includes the CE-AG03 camera card in the package, whereas the MI-504 and MI-506 are sold without it. Another optional accessory is the portable keyboard (CE-KB1), priced at 9,000 yen.