Relative smallness and lightness. Rubberized grip Absolutely superb spec. Honeycomb metering-accurate always Navigation display-NOT a gimmick but tremendously useful Built-in flash Exposure info recorded and easily viewed for 7 rolls of film-A great learning tool fast AF Nice idiot proof dials and levers that can't be adjusted accidentally. High speed flash sync Distance encoded lenses Multiple exposure capabilty. rear curtain sync. Basically this camera has everything you could possibly want and a lot more besides in an easy to use package Dioptre adjustment,(I could go on and on!!)

Not enough distance(D) encoded lenses available. Not a large selection of the high quality G lenses available.Needs to rival Canon's L series! No infra red remote control facility-a real shame.(AS Dynax 5QD version has this capability) Would like an even bigger memory storage for film info/exposure data-maybe 20 rolls worth or even more AF slightly coarse-when compared to the EOS silent and smooth focussing.However just as fast,if not faster!

First things first.Had an EOS system for the last 10 years.Had the whole lot stolen.Thought that it would be UNTHINKABLE to move to another brand and miss out on superb reliability,handling and USM lenses.Waited for Canon to release a new model-not the EOS1 or 3 as these were pro spec and priced to match.Then Minolta released the 7 and my faithfullness to the EOS system went out the window! Beautifully demure/compact body.The specification at the price is simply out of this world.The metering system in my opinion is the best there is.Even the amazingly powerful but COMPACT 5600D flash is superb.It always gives out just the right amount of light-the distance encoding from the supplied 24-105mm lens helps here.Also to get a standard lens with a 24mm wide end was terrific.Optically it is fantastic and small and light to boot!

Customer Service

Not needed.Very reliable

Similar Products Used:

A large selection of SLRs from various brands.Canon EOS.Nikon heavy and old fashioned and poor AF. First SLR ever was Minolta 5000-Definitely from another era!

Great features Informative LCD panel Good Build quality

None

A wonderful camera - a real joy to use. I traded all my Nikon stuff for 'The 7' and have not regretted one bit. Compare its specs with models of any other brand in this price range and see if any one can come close... The really important features - Mirror lock-up, DOF preview, Spot metering, very fast AF, easy switching to manual focus - are all there to help you grab the shot. The LCD navigation display is very versatile and useful. The build quality is very good too. If you want to buy a feature-packed, user-friendly, high-performance 35mm camera without breaking the bank, look no further...

Customer Service

Not reqd

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F80, F70, FM3A Canon EOS88

Dozens of options

None

This is a great camera! I has many features that keep you interested in learning more. I have not tried that many other SLR's but the 7 is just fun to work with. Auto focus with the D type lens is very fast and the body looks awsome!!

Customer Service

never needed

First-rate ergonomics. All the features you might ever need and more. As has been mentioned, the VC-7 is a very useful (though pricey) accessory.

- Not meant for particularly heavy-duty use (and abuse). The rubber/plastic in some parts of the camera are rather soft. - Body is not 100% rigid: Mounted on a tripod, the entire body 'sags' just a *little* after tightening the ball head (no, its not the ball head). - No mirror lock up with auto-bracketing. You can still do it manually, but it takes longer with a little more hassle. - Flash compensation with only in +/- 0.5EV stops instead of 1/3 EV (though I've never needed 1/3EV). - Depth-of-field preview button 'sticky' to depress. I prefer the feel of the Maxxum 5's DOF preview button. - VC-7 vertical grip not active unless eye sensor is engaged: Buttons will work only if camera is held up to your eye. This is extremely annoying! I have played around with all the settings and can't seem to override this. Is it just me or does everyone else have the same problem? - I also wish for the ability to output the recorded exposure history either onto the film or directly to a computer (without the need for the costly DS-100 accessory). - Metering is affected by light coming through viewfinder. A built-in shutter blind like that on the Maxxum 9 would be a wonderful feature to have.

This is an amazing camera!

Customer Service

Haven't tried.

Similar Products Used:

Maxxum 5, 9

Interface & Wireless Flash. The data analysis is cool!

Lack of automatic pop up flash.

Impressive camera. The VC-7 vertical grip/battery pack is a must!

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N80 Canon Elan 7

User interface!

None I can think of

The best I have used, and I’ve used all sorts of bodies. What makes this camera is the user interface. Once you know the camera, you can switch settings like second nature and very easily. This is very important to getting the job done. Battery life is outstanding, they usually last me 60 36-exp rolls per set, add a VC7 grip to switch power sources can you go ~120 rolls – the Nikon and Canon guys always give me the eye when I keep shooting while they swap batteries! Auto focus is top notch, and while some lens could focus faster, like the 28-70mm 2.8 G, it’s sufficient (soon to change next year with the intro of SSM internal motor lenses). All in all, the number one reason to buy this is the user interface. No longer do you have to hunt or take your eye from the view finder. The Maxxum 7 offers 3 custom programmed modes! Perfect when switching between different kinds of film, or tweak your camera to match the time of day or salutation. Program each 3 modes before head out so you’re ready. Buy it and this camera will become an indispensable tool.

Customer Service

Never used them

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F5 Nikon F100 Canon EOS-1 Maxxum 9xi All kinds of lenses

Speed, price, finder, pretty much everything...

Good question...

Superb camera! Fast, fairly light and easy to use. Every button is well thought out and placed where it makes most sense. It´s great having the display on the back that can show you the data on your last images. Excellent focusing and a very nice viewfinder. Just make sure you get the verticalgrip as weel, makes it even better!

Customer Service

Haven´t needed it yet. But great support when asking for tips on lenses and stuff.

Similar Products Used:

None, really.

Intuitive, AE accuracy, AF speed, customability, ergonomics, w/VC-7 you can have extra batteries for 2 x's the battery life...

Lack of IS/SM lenses. No digital counterpart...

An excellent Pro-feature camera in a consumer market...

Customer Service

Minolta Corp. USA - haven't used them but have heard nothing but good....

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Maxxum 600si, Leica IIb, Canon II, Canon QL3, Nikon CP800, Minolta x-700, Maxxum 450si, 5000i, 7xi, Canon T-90, Nikon F-1

Light weight yet great. The usual stuffs...

1. sometimes overexpose, 2. AF illuminator's position 3. Strange placement of DOF button. 4. Some usuless custom functions. 5. AF sensors are too close together... 6. It's not dust protected.

Trust me, this camera's been appearing in my dreams last few months... Finally I managed to save enough money and hastiliy bought it from ebay last month. While it still matches most of my expectations, just a few glitches: 1. In a very simple situations, The camera sometimes overexpose, don't know why. 2. AF is slower than my expectations. Maybe it's the lens... 3. The AF illuminator is always blocked by my middle finger. When in low light, I have to consciencely move my finger. 4. Louder than I expected. I work for my college's newspaper. I do take alot of concert pics/speeches... etc. It seems bit too loud for that. 5. the 35 customs... I think they are all crap, except may be about 15 of them... 5. AF sensors are too close together... 6. It's not dust protected. Other than these... What can I say, dream come true! I love this camera. I became so attached to this camera that I have to touch the camera for a while before I go to sleep.... ha!

Customer Service

I expected to get an email or something after registering the product... But haven't heard anything from them

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F80, Minolta SRT-201, X-700

Superb metering, autofocus. Low light autofocus. Intuitive layout. Bright view finder Strong built in flash Databank. Compact.

Price. Camera and lens almost set me back $2000 Canadian a year ago.

It was time to replace the old Pentax ME Super. I first examined the Canon Elan 7 and the Nikon N/F80 and their lenses, although good cameras both had important features that the other did not. Since this would be a longterm investment I did not want to compromise. Tried out the Maxxum 7 on a whim and my prayers were answered. This is an excellent full feature camera at a moderate price. Superb auto focus and metering, intuitive user friendly layout, strong built in flash, holds well in the hand, compact size, very bright viewfinder, and useful data bank. I matched this with the minolta 24-105 zoom and a polarizer filter. I have taken some truly amazing photographs over the past year. Highly recommended if you can afford the camera and matching lens.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan 7 Nikon N80