Minolta Dimage 7 5MP Digital Camera w/ 7x Optical Zoom

by Konica-Minolta

Product Details

Product Manual [1.43mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 2 x 3 inches ; 1.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005MA7J
• Item model number: Dimage-7
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,881 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

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:

A supermacro mode allows images to be captured from as close as 5.1 inches.

Four modes of data imprinting with up to 16 characters help you keep track of your work.

Movie provides up to 60 seconds of lower-resolution moving images.

The built-in flash has two selectable metering options and three flash modes. An accessory shoe for optional flash units adds even more varied shooting scenarios.

A quick-view or instant-playback button that allows you to view the image you just captured and decide whether or not you want to save it to your CompactFlash card without switching out of the shooting mode.

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:

• 5-megapixel sensor is the highest resolution available in a consumer camera
• Impressive 7x optical zoom lens
• Virtually every function can be controlled manually, including focus
• Movie mode captures short film clips
• SLR-style look and feel

Cons:

• Generally skimpy set of included accessories
• Adjusting most settings requires the use of both hands simultaneously

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I like it., November 11, 2001

By 

Steven Callaghan (Garden Grove, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minolta Dimage 7 5MP Digital Camera w/ 7x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I like this camera. I'm what I call a professional amateur with lots of cameras. I've been taking pictures for 36 years with several different point and shoot, seven different Nikons, the Hasselblad 500 C/M, and now with a handful of digital. I've used an original Casio (<<1meg), an original Sony Mavica (<1meg), a Kodak DC290 (2.1), the Olympus C2100 (2.1), and now the Minolta Dimage 7 (5.24), which I chose instead of the Olympus E-10 (4meg). The most important thing I've learned is that there is no perfect camera, not even the Hasselblad. Every camera has good and bad things, it's up to the photographer to figure out how best to use each camera for the particular subject matter.

The first thing you need to fix with the Dimage 7 is the power supply. I solved this problem with the QB1+ battery pack and the MDC4 power cord from Quantum I also got the MDC2 power cord so I can use the QB1+ with my Kodak DC290 and Olympus C2100, and in case I get the Olympus E-20 and Nikon 5000 for Christmas. With AA batteries, I usually only got 20 pics. With the QB1+, I don't know how many pics I get because I've shot more than 200, all with flash, with the view set to auto so it's always switching between the screen and view finder, with using the quick view, with switching between capture and review modes, and I still have more that half the charge.

The next thing is a filter for the lens. I put a 49mm B+W skylight filter on, but at wide angles (28-35), the edge of the filter ring shows up on the top left corner of the image. You no longer see it when you get to 50mm and above. One way to fix this problem is to crop that part of the image out in Photoshop. Another way is to not use a filter. That makes me uncomfortable. I'm going to go ahead and use a filter, and when I need the 28-35mm shot, I'll just back up a little more to leave enough room to crop out the filter ring.

The auto focus is slow and not very good, which means high speed actions shots are almost out. Shooting manual at infinity works just fine. One way to put more of the subject at the infinity range is to up the ISO to 400 or 800. That moves where infinity starts. Another trick is to us small apertures, which for this camera is either 6.7 or 8, in combination with the ISO. When I do use the manual focus ring, I use the screen instead of the viewfinder. When I use the auto focus, I always use the spot focus instead of the area focus. One trick I use when I'm taking picture of my buddies playing pool, is to use the spot auto focus, pick out an average distance, get the focus, then switch to manual focus. The Dimage 7 has the ability to range with the auto focus and then remember that range when to switch to manual. I take a handful of shots, re-range using the spot auto focus, switch back go manual, and take another handful of shots. I keep the good ones and delete the bad ones. I do the same thing with high speed action shots. I pick out some average distance, range with spot auto focus, switch to manual, and shot the action as it goes by. If you wait for the auto focus, you'll never get the shot.

For memory, I prefer the Viking 128 meg CF. It holds 60-70 pics at size 2560 and quality Fine, which is where I like to shoot. You can get the 128 at Amazon now for only ... plus a rebate which takes it down to ... It's a great deal and I've never had a bad one. I take five of them with me when I go out, which gives me 300-350 shots per day. Forget about downloading images from the camera. Take the CF out of the camera and use a Zio! reader from Microtech.

The really nice thing about the Dimage 7 is not only the 5.24 meg image, but the 12 bit analog to digital converter. Both of these things combined means that the image has a ton of information for color corrections. I don't know yet what the Olympus E-20 or the Nikon 5000 has for A/D conversion, but if it's not 12 or more bits, I may save my money and not buy either one. The size of the A/D converter is very important and should not be under estimated. With that much information, I can make a very wide range of color corrections when I get the image into Photoshop. Then I send it off to Ofoto.com to get magnificent $4 8x10's. Believe me, I've spent... to ... for an 8x10 at custom photo labs, and I'm very happy with the quality of a digital image on a ... Ofoto.com 8x10. Plus, I don't even have to leave my house to get it.

Bottom line, although the Dimage 7 may not be for everyone, I like it. It won't replace either my Nikon F5 or my Hasselblad 500 C/M, but it does make a very nice addition. I'll keep it, especially now that I have the QB1+ battery pack.

P.S., You can see some of my images at ...

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's You Be in Control, November 22, 2001

By 

Rivkah Maccaby "Rivkah Maccaby" (Bloomington, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Minolta Dimage 7 5MP Digital Camera w/ 7x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

To my mind, a camera should be a tool, not a participant. I love this camera, because it does whatever you tell it to do, and doesn't frustrate you with a lot of "smart" features. I had a 35mm camera once with "autofocus"-- so-called "point-and-shoot," and it drove me crazy, because half the time, it didn't focus on what I actually wanted in the picture.

This camera gives the user total control of light, aperture and zoom. In addition, because there's no film involved, you can shoot day or night without having to worry about the speed of you film. And by the way, it takes great twilight and night pictures!

All the adjustments are two handed, so it's like liquid; you don't have to adjust and check, adjust and check, go back and adjust again, etc. It's a quicker way to what you want.

Now I'll admit that's a personal preference; it's like stick shift vs. automatic-- some people are passionate about one or the other. Some people love point-and-shoot. If you're one, then this probably isn't the camera for you.

The camera has 5 megapixel resolution, which means that you can print poster size reproductions of your shots, or crop tiny portions, enlarge then, and have them look really good. This is a photoshop type of camera, a camera for someone who likes to play with images.

There are a few drawbacks:

It takes almost a minute for the picture to store, so if you want to take photojournalistic shots, like athletes in action, hitting the shutter as fast as you can move your finger, this isn't the right camera.

Also, as with just about any computer tool, you have to buy accessories. It comes with two alkaline batteries, which struck me as strange, because I didn't think that could be sufficient, but I thought "Hey, if the manufacture includes them...." I was right the first time. Fortunately, I already had some NiMH rechargeables, and they last for 60-70 shots. There's an adapter for indoor use as well, although I don't have one. You're going to want to buy an additional memory card too. I got the Viking 128 meg CF, and I like it.

Because of the high resolution, e-mailing or posting images takes a long time, and people who receive them will have a long wait on the download. Of course you can always print the image, and then scan it in, which is what I've done. Believe it or not, the scanned images from this camera actually look better than scanned actual photographs. This is probably because I've played with them, and gotten them to look good on screen before I've printed them. I've also used the highest quality photo-finish paper I could find.

I'm very happy with this camera. A camera is an individual thing, though. Before you buy, think through exactly what you want, and buy the camera that suits you. If you want outdoor nature shots and architectural shots at all times of day and night, portrait shots, and candid shots, and want to print them as album photos, and want to be able to crop, adjust color, and cut and paste, this is a great camera.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Photos -- Painfully Slow Autofocus, November 2, 2001

By 

Hank Burch (Spanish Fort, AL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Minolta Dimage 7 5MP Digital Camera w/ 7x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

My camera decision came down between the Dimage 7 and the Olympus E-10. My former camera was a Fuji MX2900.

I wanted two things in the new camera: SLR design and feel and pixels! I wanted a digicam that can truly replace my film SLR.

The Dimage 7 was a bit more affordable than the E-10 and beat it in nearly every technical spec. What finally sold me was the zoom capability of the D-7, its wider range of shutter speeds, and wide range of manual options.

Shortcomings: Everyone moans about battery consumption and it's warranted. Do not buy this camera unless you also get NiMH rechargeables. Alkalines are good for 15 minutes. In my opinion, the biggest shortcoming of the D-7 is the autofocus speed. I have a toddler who does not like to sit still, and the D-7 simply cannot keep up. I agree with those who say an AC adapter should be included, especially since it is a very hard accessory to find. A minor annoyance that didn't appear in the brochure is that the video function does not collect sound. Not a dealbreaker, but someone out there will want to know.

Bottom line - I think it's a great camera. It takes excellent pictures in any lighting condition, has a great built in flash (red-eye reduction that actually works!), and feels like a real camera. Oh, did I mention that it takes great pictures??