CompactFlash Card Type I • IBM Microdrive • MMC Card • SD Card
Compression Modes
Fine • SuperFine • Normal • Uncompressed
Compression Type
JPEG
File Size (High Res.)
9.85 MB (13 images on 128MB card)
File Size (Low Res.)
0.21 MB (about 610 images on 128MB card)
ISO Speeds
Auto • 100 • 200 • 400 • 800 • 1600 • 3200
Flash Type
Built-In & External
Flash Functions
Flash Off • Front Sync Flash • Rear Sync Flash • Fill-in Flash • Red-eye Reduction Flash
Viewfinder
Optical (Through-the-lens)
LCD Panel
With LCD Panel
LCD Panel Size
2 in.
LCD Screen Resolution
207,000 pixels
LCD Protected Position
Without LCD Protected Position
Interface Type
USB 2.0
Video Interface
Video Out
Battery Type
Proprietary Lithium
Battery Life
400 Images
Self Timer
2 Sec. • 10 Sec.
Mp3 Built In
Built-in Microphone
Without Built-in Microphone
Built-in Speaker
Without Built-in Speaker
Tripod Mount
With Tripod Mount
Operating System
Apple Mac OS 9 • Apple Mac OS X • Microsoft Windows 2000 • Microsoft Windows 98 • Microsoft Windows 98SE • Microsoft Windows ME • Microsoft Windows XP
Width
5.91 in.
Depth
3.05 in.
Height
4.17 in.
Weight
1.68 lb.
Warranty
1 Year
Included Accessories
Software • USB Cable • Video Cable • Driver • Lithium Battery • Battery Charger • Lens Cap • Strap
Release Date
Q4, 2004
Product ID
22554153
Product Description
The premiere digital SLR camera from Konica Minolta, the 7D inherits the intuitive operating ease of the 35mm Maxxum 7, and maintains full compatibility with the Maxxum system of lenses and accessories.
CCD-Shift Anti-shake system
9-point autofocus
Capture rate: Up to 9 consecutive frames at 3-frames per second
Pop-up flash
Flash sync: 1/160 second (with Anti-shake OFF), 1/125 second (with Anti-shake ON)
Strengths: Anti shake built into the body.
Very low noise. Probably the best 6 megapixel for noise or lack of.
Many controls are accessible as dials and buttons on exterior of camera.
Good grippy rubbery dials.
Excellent viewfinder.
Good ergonomics.
Solid construction of body.
Eventually a good price with kit lens (total included tax and shipping).
Uses Sony Alpha mount as well as Minolta lenses.
Weaknesses: No longer made. Parts may be hard to find.
Software cannot be updated in it as KM no longer makes it and Sony has moved on.
Flash on top is plastic.
Focus hunts but, again, true of many DSLRs?
Some metering issues but, apparently, common among many models and brands. May be as much the photographer(s) problem as the camera....
Bottom Line:
A fine camera good for any type of photographer. Enough for a pro and plenty for a beginner but not too overwhelming.
Excellent images http://gallery.mac.com/moderno#100009 (takes 30± secs to load up each page on slow DSL) These were shot with the KM kit D zoom and KM AF 28-75 D zoom.
Very neutral color accuracy (versus warm Nikon, redish Canon, and bright Sony)
Heavy (which is neither positive nor negative - just an observation.)
Kit lens is better than most others.
(Note: purchase price included lens, tax, and shipping.)
Strengths: Excellent user interface. Basically you don't need to read the manual and each button is very reasonable located.
Anti-shake works. Every lens can Anti-shake.
Wireless flash capability without the need for extra controller.
On camera flash available.
Image quality is good.
Weaknesses: I tried to use the flash in wedding, I was shocked that why the flash explosure is incorrect. That was first time I use digital camera. I wonder it is my eyes' problem or not and I used a lot of time to test the Sony 56 flash. I found that the flash explosure is incorrect.
Vendor not willing to fix the flash explosure problem. I learnt from the internet that they may need to tune both the 7D and my Sony 56 flash. However, it still doesn't work after I sent them to Sony for the tuning. Anyway, the need for tuning the new Sony 56 flash in order to match the faulty 7D is stupid idea. And Sony doesn't take the burden to fix this problem decently.
Battery use up quickly.
That's why I upgrade the 7D to A100.
When I turn make any setting or turn the dial, the LCD doesn't tell me what I am doing. I hope that the LCD should light up for 3 seconds showing me what new value I have input (e.g., when I turn the shutter speed dial, it should light up the LCD).
The AF-assistance lamp in Dynax 7 is removed. It is rediculous.
Bottom Line:
When it first selling in Hong Kong, I bought it at an expensive price. Then, I discover that there are a lot of problems with this camera.
1. When using wide angle lens (e.g. 24 mm), flash explosure with 3600 or 5600 flash is 1-2 step below average. No matter ADI or P-TTL. And the result is unpredictable. But, wireless flash doesn't has any problem.
2. Some times under explosure at a rediculous level.
Other problems : (Minolta fixed them )
1. Back focus
2. CCD is not aligned correctly.
3. After turn on the power, it fails to take picture. I need to restart the camera.
I went back and forth many times to the Minolta/Sony center to fix those problems. And I have spent a lot of time testing with different lens/flash/setting combinations in order to convince myself that it was my fault. However, with strong evidence that it is the camera's problem.
After 2 years of frustration , I have upgraded the 7D to A100. My new A100 works perfectly with my 5600 flash.
Am I unlucky ? Or it is sample veriation ? Or it is the problem of all first batch product alone ?
In summary, it could be a excellent professional camera. However, the faulty parts of the flash controlling components and all other manufacturing fault makes the camera useless.
Similar Products Used: Minolta Dynax 7 (film camera)
Sony A100
Both of the above are 5 star excellent products.
Type of photography: People
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
allan everett
a Expert
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2006
Strengths: SOLID BODY, EXCELLENT CONTROLS AND MENUS, EXCELLENT LENSES FROM KM.
Weaknesses: THE RUBBER HAND GRIP IS A PARTY POOPER! KM SHOULD HAVE MADE THE GRIP SOLID LIKE ON THE CANON 30D AND THE NIKON SERIES.
WHEN THE GRIP COMES OFF, IT IS VERY HARD TO GLUE BACK ON THE BODY.
THE DESIGN OF BOTH DIALS ON THE TOP WITH THE RUBBER RINGS. POOR DESIGN; MINES CAME OFF AND OF ALL KNOBS, IT HAD TO BE THE EXPOSURE COMP DIAL.
Bottom Line:
THIS IS ONE GREAT FEATURED, SOLID BUT UNDERATED CAMERA. THE PHOTOS AND LOW NOISE IN THE HIGH ISO ARE EXCELLENT.
Strengths: magnesium alloy body
Antishake (even with lenses such as 1.4/35mm, 1.4/50mm or 1.4/85mm => imagine the new possibilities!!)
Weaknesses: Lousy quality control at the beginning; sensor not parallel to lens mount => huge backfocus
Bottom Line:
Over all, and after resolving initial problems with the sensor, the Dynax 7D is simply a GREAT D-SLR. Compared to Nikons D70 / D70s the overall quality of the body is much better (magnesium alloy), the camera is perfectly easy-to-use, and the viewfinder is very, very nice (as with all (semi-)professional Minolta SLR's). And finally the built-in AntiShake is simply great. Is there any Nikon or Canon f/1.4 (or even f/2) lens with VR or IS ...? All my old primes (and zooms, of course) now are perfectly "stabilized" lenses, giving you an extra 3 stops if necessary. In addition Minolta provides some of the best lenses on the market, comparable only to the corresponding Leica lenses (e. g. the 2.8/100mm Macro, the legendary 2.8/200mm APO HS or the new 2.8/70-200mm APO SSM and 2.8/300mm APOM SSM).
