Love the way the camera feels in my hand and the location of all the controls. Also like the blend of both multi-function buttons and analog dials. Exposure control is awesome. I also like the data that stored for every shot taken. I download this info into a spreadsheet to use in improving my selection of settings in future outings.

Totally agree that this camera is POWER HUNGRY! Easily remedied by using the VC-7! Not crazy about the on-camera flash.

Could also have used a viewfinder curtain for use when doing tripod work.

Great camera, great value for the money. Definitely invest in the Vertical Control Grip (VC-7) as it not only puts all the controls right in the perfect spot, but gives you the opportunity to run AA batteries instead of draining the in camera lithium battery! I use rechargable nickel-metal batteries and love it!

The rear display is extremely useful while doing any tripod work. Seeing the exposure settings without looking through the viewfinder is really useful. I also use the honeycomb display to ensure proper exposures.

Customer Service

Excellent! Had an early model that required the software update. Performed smoothly and quickly and a got a free T-Shirt to boot!

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 400si
Canon A1

Nice layout of controls and display of information.

Well built and feels good in my hands. Size is right for my small hands. Solid feel. Survived a 4 foot drop onto the pavement of a parking lot without a single scratch.

Loads of features - everything I would ever need in a camera.

Navagation display is incredible. Shows exposure settings, exposure history, depth of field, exposure value for each of the 14 honeycomb metering segments, etc.

AF is very fast and quiet compared to the XTsi, R2k, and 8008.

Eats batteries like mad. I'm currently looking at the VC-7 grip.

No real MLU, but 2sec mirror pre-fire is actually good enough.

A great camera...what else can I say. Took this camera and the 24-105mm(D) with me on a 2 week trip to Italy and it was all I needed. I think Minolta has got their stuff together again.

Customer Service

Have only emailed them before and their response was quick and helpful.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta XTsi, Canon Rebel 2000, Nikon 8008.

Also have used many Minolta manual focus cameras.

Super fast autofocus.
Superb Handling.
Excellent build and finish.
Easy to use

NONE

This is the best camera in its price range and hundreds of dollars more! It is better in terms of ease of use and handling than any of the cameras I have used , listed above. This is a great peice of kit!!!!!!!!!

Customer Service

Excellent

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 800si
Canon Eos Elan 7e and 3
Nikon N90s, N80
Pentax ZX5n

Fast,accurate focusing and light metering. Controls easy to understand and use.

Could have a little more weight.

The 7 is a great camera to use and for the price I don't think Nikon or Canon can match it! Its a great backup camera to my 9. And like any other camera system buy top end lens.

Customer Service

Have not used

Similar Products Used:

9000
9xi
9
F100

Superb en and very pleasent to work with. Never Had more pleasure to work with other camera's

It's not build out of metal, although that's also not allways the best option.

Guess what, i payd for it and its lenses and kept it for myself. I love it.

Customer Service

Very good, they gave this camera to try for 3 weeks as a promotion.

Similar Products Used:

I work with a F5, f3a and and a manual Minolta (x700).

Magnificanet handing ans lightening fast autofocusing.

Small for my hands but works great with the optional battery pack grip

Excellent SLR!

Customer Service

?

Similar Products Used:

Contax G2
Elan 7
Pantax Pz1p

Focusing, handling, build quality, features.

NONE

The best peice of kit in town!
A joy to use.

Customer Service

Phil Bradon at Minolta Service is super friendly.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon n80
Nikon N90s

Navigation Panel. Quickand sensitive autofocus.
Super easy to use

None

It is amazing how a good camera can improve your photography. I have it with the 24-105 lens and this combo is almost impossible to beat in advanced amateur category!

Customer Service

?

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel 2000

Data saving ideal for beginners, large LCD display lots of info, build-in flash is handy, metering seems quite good (see below)

Hard to select AF points in the corner, too many options could be distractive to beginners, AF not as fast as I wished

I used SLR during college days. In the last 9 years I have been using P&S (35mm & APS) and digitals. After a 2-week trip to the Andes in Peru in late 2000, I found my 400+ pictures taken with a high-end P&S APS came out far worse than my friends who used 35mm SLR (resolution, sharpness, exposure, brightness). Then I read articles in photo.net and understood the key reasons (film size, apertures, optics). I have been itch to purchase a SLR even since.

I figured it can't go wrong buying the top of the line, so I was ready to buy either Nikon F5 or Canon EOS1v. Just happen then my friend stop by my office with his F5 and AF-S 28-70mm/f2.8. It was VERY VERY nice. But with the F5 in my hand, I decided it's too heavy for me. Thus rule out all the top of line F5/EOS1/Dynax9.

I figured that I will be taking pictures of my kids 2/3 of the time, and the rest travel photos. I want a compact SLR.

My friend was kind enough to lend me his Nikon F3, bunch of Nikkor lenses and a Metz 32CT3 flash. The idea was to see if I really like to use SLR or just a temporary itch. If I like the F3, he would then lend me the F5 to try.

After 3 rolls of Kodak Supra 100 all taken in aperture pirority, I was blown away with the picture quality. Especially the brightness and exposure correctness. The only trouble was getting good focus in portraits since F3 is manual focus and my kids didn't want to stand still for the time I need to focus. So I decided I want SLR for the quality, and AF is a must. And I decided that I want to purchase one immediately.

I was thinking of a Nikon F100 when I see an ad for Dynax 7. I decided on the Dynax 7 for the data storage and ability to view on-camera without adding more wires to my PCs.

After two days shopping, Wing Shing give the best price (other chain stores like Stereo and Broadway was selling at US$784). I also purchase the new AF 24-105mm/f3.5-4.5 D lens (US$359).

After the first roll came out, I was horrified that the quality was substantially worse than pictures taken with the F3. The pictures were dark.

I thought the potential reasons for the difference were:
a. the body
b. shooting condition
c. the lens

I cannot believe the D7 is worse than the F3 because D7 is much newer invention from a reputable company. And the reviews from this forum and other sites.

The shooting condition could be the problem as the 3 rolls with F3 was 60% outdoor day-light, 20% indoor day-light or interior light without flash, 20% indoor w flash. While pics taken with D7 were all indoor, 50% with flash.

After reading more from photo.net I thought the most likely reason was the lens. So I went back to Wing Shing, return the 24-105mm, and purchased an AF 85mm/f1.4G (US$597) and a US$100 tripod to boot.

I have shot 5 rolls in the next 3 days. I am happy to say the initial quality was very good. I say initial because I am still waiting for the 8"x10" prints to come in a few days. When I see the larger prints then I can 100% say the quality was good.

FYI the 5 rolls including indoor with or without flash, outdoor daylight, night pics with long shutter release (20" and 30"), close-up head-shot, scenery of the famous Hong Kong Bird Street. 80% were taken in A-mode, rest split between S, P and M mode. All pics taken with AF. All pics developed in 4"x6" prints and good ones to print 8"x10".

With the F3, the yield was ~70% mainly because my problem with manual focus. With the D7, over 90% of the pics were technically good (bright, right exposure, in focus). Few bad ones were because my mistake in manual mode. One picture taken in A-mode was complete wrong in shutter speed perhaps because it was a head-shot with very strong back light. Quick a few bad ones were because of out of focus. Either the AF is not as fast as I imagined or mis-handling on my part.

With the technical side covered, I can now concentrate on composition and other artistic angles.

I am very happy and not (much) regret for buying the Dynax 7. My planned next purchase include (in order of) 50mm/f1.4, wide-angle (either 17-35mm/f3.5G or 35mm/F1.4G), maybe the 28-70mm/f2.8G. After the first bad experience with the small aperture zoom lens, I think I would stick to mostly the G-series.

I was going to buy the external data saver, but decided not to. Instead I put all the negatives in an album, and write down on each frame the speed, aperture, metering mode, flash used or not, etc. So that I forced myself to review the data and to compare and learn something.

I also told myself to control the urge to buy more lenses (perhaps except the 50mm because seems everyone recommended to learn with a 50mm prime), until I take more picture in manual to learn about the basics. I think too much functions/zooms is bad for beginner/learners like myself. Also I would try to shoot in slide before buying more gear.

Bottomline: I would recommend others to buy Dynax 7. But I would also strongly recommed against the Minolta recommded 24-105mm zoom for its small aperture. Go for the G-series if you can afford it. A mid-range lens render your investment in a great body to a P&S. If your budget is tight, go for a cheaper body but still should get a good lens.

Lastly, I was really happy with Wing Shing. In Hong Kong, the common practice was for shops to accept return ONLY if the product was defeative but not because of the buyer made the wrong choice. But Wing Shing was willing to take back the 24-105mm at 100% credit (although a bit reluctantly at first). Also their price was good. The sales rep I had was Ms Chan (maybe she's the manager). If you come to Hong Kong, you should check them out.

Sorry for the long comments. I hope my personal experience would help you to get the right setup. If you are considering this camera, you really should budget similar amount to buy a good lens.

Customer Service

The Minolta Hong Kong personnel did not know about the software problem when I called in mid-Apr 01. But they call me the next day to confirm the current stock, even with the specified serial number, were all fixed.

I also emailed Minolta and they provided the same respond 2 days later, and point me to Minolta Europe site which seems to be more informative.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F3, 35mm/f2, 85mm/f2, 105mm/f2.5
Various P&S, APS, Digital Cameras

Ease of use and variety of features, finally DOF and mirror lock-up

I shoot with my left eye and during vertical sports shooting my forehead is constantly contacting the autofocus sensor selector. Camera was broken right out of the box though. Went into error mode after every second frame.

Love the features but am waiting to see how Minolta support's their product.

Customer Service

Waiting to see if Minolta stands by there product. I bought a new camera that came broken out of the box. I requested a new body back from the factory repair shop. I did not pay $849 to start off with a factory refurbished camera

Similar Products Used:

Have owned maxxum 7000, 7000i, and and 7xi