Amazing camera!! While seemingly very complicated, lots of dials etc. it is so intuitive to use. Everything is laid out so beautifully. A real work of art and design. The display is excellent and better than some of the other features found on other near top of the line cameras. It handles well and I love the battery unit that adds controls when used in verticle mode. So much to say about this great piece of inventivness.

Doesn't have a real mirror lock up, but rather a two second timer that does the same thing.

Okay Nikon and Canon. top this. I dare you. This is a camera for high end amateurs or professionals. Minolta really knows how to make a fantastic camera and prices it well.

Customer Service

Haven't had to use.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 650, 7xi, 9xi, 800si, Canon ftb, F1

Fast autofocus
32 custom funtions at your finger tips.
A joy to use.
Must get vertical grip.

Not built like the 9
Eats batteries so get vertical grip for AA's

Have always owned Minolta and this is the best one yet. Expert at B&H said its more sophisticated then 9.Using with 5600hs flash and 24-105D lens gives super results. Works great with Tamron 90mm 2.8 macro. I love this camera.

Customer Service

Had to have back replaced. Quick service and they brought camera back to factory specs.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 7000i
Minolta 800si

- Good ergonomics/handling
- Bright Viewfinder
- LCD Display
- Fast and sure AF, good in low light
- Reliable ambient metering, great flash metering with new D capability
- Compact size, well put together
- DMF/new AF/MF switch toggle

- AF still a little slow with heavier G lenses

A top drawer camera. Great results, fast AF, excellent metering capability, very nice to use and with exceptionally thoughtful features. Not sure how Minolta is going to top this one, apart from giving it a metal body. Exceptional value, both relative and absolutely. 5 stars from me.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Dynax 9, Dynax 800SI, Contax AX, Some Canon top end cameras

It is nearly perfect even for beginners who want to chose it as a point and shoot camera. Even in "P" mode 95% of the pictures are of good quality.Additionally it offers all possibilities of manual interventions. One may expect that 35 custom functions need a 400-page-manual to operate the camera but due to the fine LCD the camera explains itself.If you already took some pictures with a fully manual camera you will exactly understand what the camera does in automatic mode and you will also know immediately how to use all the options of the dynax7.
I am a bit surprised about all the statements of a "battery eater". German "fotomagazin" rated the "power consumption" with 9 of 10 points. After many films I am still using the first set of batteries (with VC-7).
I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a serious instrument and also for beginners who want to improve their fotographic skills. Data saving will show you your mistakes. But always keep in mind that the camera-body is only an "instrument" to keep away the light from the film. Quality of your fotos is mainly influenced by your lenses. Who spent such a lot of money for a camera should also have a big amount for lenses.

couldn´t find any...
but it does not work properly with my SIGMAs 2,8 28-70(old) and AF-APO 75-300 4-5,6(even older).The first one was modified by Sigma for the Dynax7 FREE. The second I will have to sell.

It´s nearly perfect. I am taking more fotos than ever because it´s fun to use this camera.
PS: excuse me for my English...I am German

Customer Service

didn´t need any yet

Similar Products Used:

SRT 303(b), X-700, 700si

Built-in flash
Infrared AF illuminator
Spot metering
1/2 or 1/3 EVs selectable exposure compensation
DX override
30 secs. - 1/8000 sec.
Flash sync 1/200 sec.
0.8x viewfinder magnification
4 fps frame advance
2 or 10 secs self-timer
Large dot-matrix navigation display with 4 display screens (horizontal and vertical)
Can be illuminated in dark
Exposure history data saving for last 7 rolls
Simple Auto focus/Manual Focus switching with one button
Smooth Focusing
Wide and Local focus areas
Brightness distribution display
Exposure bracketing 3, 5 or 7 frames selectable (bracketing sequence can be changed)
Unlimited Multiple Exposures
Date and time imprinting with selectable format and intensity
Eye-start auto focus and exposure system
Depth Of Field preview
Audio tone for focus confirmation and self-timer
3 Memory settings
35 custom functions
Custom function descriptions can be viewed on navigation display (no need to take notes)
Film leader can be left out after rewinding
Mid-roll rewind is possible
Partially exposed film can be reloaded
Rewinding for multiple exposures is possible
You can not open back-cover when film is loaded

Flash
Red-eye reduction
Rear flash sync
Slow shutter sync
Flash compensation
Flash bracketing 3, 5 or 7 frames selectable (bracketing sequence can be changed)

None.

I was about to buy Canon EOS 30 (Elan 7E) and decided to buy Dynax 7. I didn't like Canon's white AF assist light which thrown by its built-in flash. I also found the viewfinder of Dynax was more comfortable than Canon's.

Similar Products Used:

Canon FTb
Canon AE-1
Canon A-1

Compact, accurate Auto focusing, Fast AF, Relaible Metering and Flash exposure,

No real Mirror lock-up, No Eye piece shutter.

Best camera for the Money. This will be my last 35mm format camera. This is the first Af camera that I belived its focusing metering more accurate than my manual focusing. The brightest view finder and magnification to date. The best optics in camera than any other 35mm camera. As a Photographer I don't have much to mumble about. But as a Optical Engineer this is just one JEWEL.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

N80, N90, N50, ElanIIe, Elan7E, Eos 1, FM2N

Fast AF
LCD keeps recent exposure info for several rolls - good for learning
intuitive control
accurate metering and focus
everything you need within reach
Lots of optional features

surface plastic feels a bit cheap
flash too weak

Bought this camera from pickacamera.com. DON'T buy from them!! They sent me Dynax 7 saying it's the same thing, even so it's not covered in waranty and I can't get rebate. Talked to manager and he said at price this low it can only be a dynax, after I proved him wrong(call mpsuperbuys for same price, great guys) he insisted I pay for shipping cost to return it.

Customer Service

not yet needed

Similar Products Used:

Pentax ZX-5n ZX-7

Great Auto Focus
Fabulous Metering
Intuitive controls
Vast array of Settings and features
Excellent photos!

Heavy

I am really glad I got this camera to replace my broken, not fixable 500si. It is definitely a step up from the 500si and I will be able to grow into it and learn for a long time to come.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Maxxum 500si

Records exposure parameters for 7 film rolls, comfortable feel, fast auto focus, easy to read LCD display, ADI flash metering

Built in flash is a bit flimsy, you can't use IR film (if thats what you are into)

This camera is a DREAM for those who are learning the ins and outs of photography. It is packed with features for real growth potential and experimentation. Also, the camera will remember all of the important camera and exposure settings (including focal length with zooms) for 7 rolls of 36 exposure film. You can throw away your notebook!! The large LCD display makes reviewing the data a pleasure. If you have the money, and you want a great learning tool, do yourself a favor and get one.

Customer Service

Haven't needed any.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta HTsi plus
Canon EOS1N
Nikon N8008

Superb layout. All controls positioned for quick intuitive access. Very clear veiwfinder. LCD displays in finder and rear panel extremely legible. Shutter and motor quiet. Fast precise autofocus. Incredible range of custom functions ranging from filmtip in/out, bracketing preferences, auto/manual rewind etc. Other useful features include PC flash input, high-speed sync, D of Field preview, AE/spotmeter/focus locks, "smooth-focus" to eliminate the dreaded hexagons on defocussed highlights, 3 personal memory settings, and full data recording for 7 rolls of film. Excellent value.

Knobs and dials a little too stiff for my liking. Autofocus noisy compared to Canon. Needs the new "D" lenses for certain functions such as ADI flash metering. Seems well built but possibly not rugged enough for sustained professional outdoor use.

As regards specification, features, optics, ergonomics and value the Dynax 7 is probably the best camera on the market, beating Canon, Pentax and Nikon hands down in most departments. Experience with some past Minoltas puts a question mark over reliability and durability but I've had problems with Nikons aswell. If silent autofocus is vital, get a Canon EOS. If you want a status sybol get a Leica or top of the range Nikon. If you just want the best featured and most enjoyable camera for advanced amateur or semi-professional use you will not get better than the Dynax 7.

Customer Service

Minolta UK are slow and expensive for servicing and repairs.

Similar Products Used:

I've used and owned Minolta 7000, 9000, 700si, 9xi, Nikon F3, FM2, FE2, Contax 139, 167, and I've handled various Canon EOS and recent Nikon and Pentax models.