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Minolta Dimage 7 5MP Digital Camera w/ 7x Optical Zoom | |||
  | 80% Recommended by our customers. Manufacturer: Konica-Minolta Catalog: Photography Release date: 2001-07-24 Media: Electronics Includes batteries: 1 DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1 Model: Dimage-7 Box size: SLR Size Ean: 0043325992292 Upc: 043325992292 Floppy Disk Description: None Special Features: Add-on Lens, DPOF, Macro, Mini-Movie, Remote Control |
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Compatible with: Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 5, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, Windows Macintosh, PowerMac, Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and below |
| Professional Review: |
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The first consumer-oriented 5-megapixel camera to hit the market, Minolta's DiMAGE 7 leapfrogged the competition by coming out at a time when other camera manufacturers were just introducing their 4-megapixel models. The DiMAGE 7 offers an ultrahigh resolution 5.24-megapixel CCD sensor that delivers excellent images for prints as large as 13 by 19 inches. A high-performance, all-glass, 7x zoom lens (equivalent to 28-200mm on a 35mm camera), with a 2x digital zoom, ensures maximum flexibility when composing your shots. Add to this a host of creative controls stacked into a unit with the size and feel of an SLR, and you have a digital camera with the type of functionality typically found only in professional models. Three controls provide access to the camera's primary adjustable features. Digital subject-program selection allows you to set aperture and shutter speed for superior results in five popular formats: portrait, sports action, sunsets, night portraits, or text. A function dial allows adjustment between four modes of pixel resolution, five modes of data compression, four modes of exposure control, five modes of drive options, seven modes of white balance, and five levels of ISO. The digital-effects controller allows image manipulation by compensating for exposure, contrast, and color saturation before the image is saved. As insurance, Minolta provides a fourth control that instantly restores the camera's automatic settings. Changing most settings is a two-handed operation: one hand selects the feature you're adjusting, while spinning a second dial actually changes the setting. The system is reasonably intuitive, but don't plan to make any adjustments with one hand. To preview and review images, the DiMAGE 7 features a digital viewfinder that pivots for comfortable close-ups or tripod shooting. An eye-sensing switch (triggered when you put your eye up to the camera) automatically turns off the TFT LCD viewscreen to conserve battery power. In manual-focus mode, the camera also has an electronic magnification feature. At the push of a button, the center of the image is blown up to 4x original size in the viewfinder so you can check the fine details and ensure the image is in focus before snapping the shutter. In autofocus mode, a flex-focusing option allows the focal point to be moved to any part of the image for off-center shooting. The DiMAGE 7 is so packed with features that it would be impossible to list them all, but here are some highlights: Despite its ultrahigh resolution and extensive set of features, the DiMAGE 7 has a few flaws. To compose shots traditionally, it uses an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which offers far less detail than a traditional optical viewfinder. The 16 MB CompactFlash card provided with the camera holds only 12 images at the default resolution (or a single uncompressed image). Like many manufacturers, Minolta supplies the camera with a set of inadequate AA alkaline batteries (use of rechargeable Ni-MH batteries is recommended, even by Minolta). Though the image sensor is at the cutting edge of technology, the rest of the circuitry can't quite keep up; saving an uncompressed image to the memory card requires a 40-second wait. In addition, we found the multitude of control buttons that must be manipulated simultaneously to be somewhat awkward and initially intimidating. Finally, zooming the lens is a manual-only operation requiring a twist of the barrel--unlike many cameras, the Minolta lacks a pushbutton zoom. These minor gripes aside, the manual zoom is actually faster than an electronic zoom and easy to get used to; larger capacity CompactFlash cards are readily available; and the control systems are easy enough to learn even for the novice. Moreover, since the EVF is a tiny monitor, you can view camera settings while composing your shot--something you can't do with a traditional optical viewfinder. Though some controls may be awkward for beginners, the camera operates in fully automatic mode by default, allowing users the opportunity to manually adjust settings as they become comfortable with the controls. The camera comes equipped with a lens cap, lens shade, neck strap, video cable, USB cable, accessory-shoe cap, 16 MB CompactFlash card, four AA alkaline batteries, and a CD-ROM for DiMAGE image processing software. --Brett M. Nunn and Walt Opie Pros:
Cons:
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| User Reviews: |
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Written on May 18, 2002 Summary: Super Camera: Overcoming Batttery Life After years of SLR photography with Nikon gear, finally made the transition to digital. After much research, purchased a Minolta Dimage 7. It is fantastic! Have used it indoors for rock climbing events, and externally for portrait, flower, snow boarding, skiing, and climbing shots. Only problem is battery life. I get about an hour's life (c. 120 shots) from a set of three nickel-metal hydride batteries. My solution has been to buy three sets of batteries, and purchase a Q2 QUest quick charger that works on either 12 volt car/boat systems, or plugs into home outlets. Batteries are charged in about an hour, as opposed to the multi-hour epic using the charger that is shipped with the camera. Camera is easy to use, and has been an easy transition from SLR's. Using OFOTO, my print and film costs have dropped so much my wife even thinks the camera will pay for itself in a year or so!  Written on May 15, 2002 Summary: Ergonomically Smooth I read lots of reviews and handled lots of high-end digital cameras before deciding on the Dimage 7. I'm not disappointed. The Dimage 7 handles very like a good 35. The manual zoom, an astounding 28-200mm, provides lots of composition latitude. All controls are handy and easy to use. Learning curve is really flat. Photos are sharper than 35mm film images (when resampled to 300 dpi and printed at a lab). Most complaints seem to be in the power consumption area. One must understand that battery operated equipment is only as good as the batteries one uses. By purchasing an extra set of NiMH AA batteries and conditioning them properly, I've had NO problems with lack of available power. You've got to cycle the batteries through the charger four or five times, after fully draining them, in order for them to go the distance. I'm getting about 80 to 100 hi-res shots per set. Overall, I'm very pleased with the Dimage 7. I've even begun a selloff of all my trusted Nikon film cameras. Digital is finally affordable, dependable, and definitely here to stay. If you're looking for a digital camera that is easy to operate and delivers consistently great photos, the Dimage 7 will do the job. I'd also recommend Adobe PhotoShop Elements as an affordable, feature-packed photo editing software. For the money, you can't beat it. Written on May 3, 2002 Summary: Minolta DiMage 7 This is my first digicam and it's been keeping me company for 2 months. The main reason that made it stand out from my other choices was the GT lens which Minolta incorporated as a main feature of the company's great return to the digi-world. I had confidence in the lens and it doesn't let me down either. The pictures are stunning in color and sharpness! No doubt about it. However, there are two drawbacks that hinder my rating the camera 5 stars. First, it drains battery so fast. I had to invest on 3 sets of rechargeable 1600 mAh to feel comfortable when hanging out with it. Second, the auto-focus function of the camera can sometimes drive you nuts. It can easily get you the wrong focus when the framed area is inadequately lit, or when you are focusing at a black subject in the spot focus mode. The remaining features of the camera are user-friendly and reliable. I set the image size at 2560 X 1920 and image quality Fine (jpeg format) which retains high resolution while maintaining manageable file size. In view of its remarkable performance, it deserves the "Prosumer" categorization. Written on April 23, 2002 Summary: This aint a point and shoot camera! When I was looking for a digital camera, my number one requirement was that it be an SLR. The high end Canon SLR Digital, that can change lenses, was way beyond my budget... I then looked at the Nikon's, Olympus, Canon's, Minoltas, and others. I liked the DiMage 5/7's looks, feel, and options. The DiMage 7's 5.2 megapixel was a deciding factor, as was the night vision viewfinder, and the independant size/quality feature. This is one of the few cameras where you can change the picture size, and picture quality (megapixels) seperately. Most cameras tie maximum size to the maximum pixels. I did a lot of research before buying. Which is why I also purchased 1800 mah NiMH batteries, and a 256mb memory card. With this setup, I can take about 70-8x10's at 5.2mp, or about 250-5x7's at 3.1mp, without the flash. The auto-focus seems to work best outdoors, or with the flash, but manual is very easy to use, so it doesn't matter much. I haven't used the timelapse feature yet, I assume it would need a powerpack for long timelapses. I also haven't used the movie feature either, but then again, that's what camcorders are for. One last note, The built-in LCD should only be used with a powerpack attached, that sucker can drain those 1800 mah's in 15 minutes, and regular batteries in 5 minutes! Almost forgot, like with a film SLR, you can change the F-stops to help control your depth-of-field. And you can also change your shutter speed, ISO number, etc. Overall, it's a great camera, if you're willing to use a digital SLR! Written on April 12, 2002 Summary: No Audio for Movie Recording I just thought it was important to point out that this camera doesn't have a microphone to record audio during movie recording. It's not a big deal, but this website didn't say that anywhere, so I purchased it, and then found out. I haven't received it yet, but I'm still excited. I might have waited for the 7i, but not just for audio. But remember, if audio movie recording is important to you, then don't get this camera! |
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