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Konica Minolta DiMAGE 7i Kit (5.24MP, 2560 x 1920, 7X Opt, 16MB CF) (MINOLTA-QMS-2779301)

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Powerful and flexible, the DiMage 7 is a serious hobbyist''s camera.

Minolta DiMage 7i

DiMAGE 7i Kit (5.24MP, 2560 x 1920, 7X Opt, 16MB CF) (MINOLTA-QMS-2779301) Review, by Tracey Capen December 2, 2002

WHAT'S HOT: The DiMage 7i, a refinement of the DiMage 7 we reviewed a year ago, has all of the same great features as its predecessor: extensive controls, 5-megapixel imaging, a 7X optical zoom that starts at a wide 28mm focal length (35mm equivalent), and a horizontally and vertically swiveling electronic viewfinder that automatically turns on when you place your eye to it.

The most important new feature in the DiMage 7i is audio recording--something sorely missing in the DiMage 7. Not only do you get audio with your movie clips, but you can add audio notes of up to 15 seconds to your still images. Other improvements include a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 second (up from 1/2000) and a new seven-frames-per-second continuous shooting mode. Called "UHS continuous advance," this setting has some limitations: You can take up to 15 shots at a the relatively low maximum resolution of 1280 by 960 and the JPEG compression set to "fine," but you cannot use the better "superfine" or RAW settings. (You can shoot bursts of up to four frames at 2560 by 1920.)

WHAT'S NOT: We are still not thrilled with the electronic viewfinder held over from the DiMage 7. Images appear somewhat grainy in it, and they tend to jump as you pan the camera. Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-F717, which we reviewed at the same time, has an electronic viewfinder that seems both faster and sharper--and more pleasant to use.

The 7i's pop-up flash is also a bit harder to use than the Sony's. In low light, the Sony's flash pops up automatically; the 7i's flash must be manually raised/engaged. And very few other cameras, especially advanced models, force you to go into menus to change basic flash settings.

Minolta's support hours are among the shortest offered: 9 hours, weekdays only.

WHAT ELSE: The DiMage 7i has the bulk and weight (1.5 pounds) of a traditional 35mm single-lens reflex model; this is not a pocketable camera. Despite a near excess of buttons and dials, it's easy to work with. In the tradition of 35mm SLRs, it has rings on the lens for adjusting focus and zoom settings, making focal-length changes especially quick. A dedicated button lets you switch immediately into program mode. And though the menus are layered, navigating them is easy enough.

Image quality as about the same as what we found in the DiMage 7, about average for the cameras we've tested. Overall our test images were a bit underexposed and tended toward high contrast, especially our outdoor shot with lots of blue sky and shaded walls. And while the images were sharp, samples from competing models were a bit sharper.

Battery life seems to have improved with the 7i. One set of four AA batteries delivered only 169 shots with the DiMage 7; we took 250 shots with the 7i before its batteries gave out. And the camera's autofocus seems to work better, as well. Minolta states that the 7i's autofocus locks twice as fast as the previous model does. Though we couldn't test that claim because we didn't have both cameras at the same time, the 7i did not exhibit any of the focus swimming (in which the camera's focusing mechanism grinds back and forth as it tries to lock) that we noted with the Dimage 7. It's still not especially fast, but it's tolerable.

UPSHOT: Powerful and flexible, the DiMage 7 is a serious hobbyist's camera.

SUMMARY

Minolta DiMage 7i

5 megapixels, 2560 by 1920 maximum resolution, 28mm to 200mm focal range (35mm equivalent), f2.8 to f8 aperture range, shutter speeds from 4 seconds to 1/4000 second, electronic and LCD viewfinders, USB and video connections, 16MB CompactFlash media, four rechargeable AA batteries, 13.6 ounces with batteries, Minolta Dimage Viewer software. One-year parts and labor warranty, toll-call support for 8.5 hours on weekdays.

$1000
201/825-4000
www.minoltausa.com

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User Reviews From Around the Web

Reviewed by: mbr8879576

Strengths: 28-200mm Lens is the best deal at its price class. This single factor out weigh all other purchase consideration.

Weaknesses: The flash, screen eats up battery fast. Bulky. Video without sounds (with the original model, Dimage 7). The manual focus for close up is not very sharp, I had a hard time to photo my Opal Jewelry.

Overall: Please Get a Microtech CF card reader ($20) and U do not need the software, cables etc., comes with it from Minolta. Get a SanDisk 256 MB CF Ultra that is fast and save battery. Get the best NiMH battery and charger (Maha C204F charger, Powerex 2200mAh NiMH battery Oct. 2003). Get a set non-recharable Lithium Ion battery for back up (cost around $10 for a set of 4). I rarely use the 5M pixcel because it is too large to send over internet or Ofoto/Snapfish.
Reviewed by: ljbonis

Strengths: It is an incredible camera for the price. It is the first digital camera I used which come close to the 35 mm camera level. In both quality and ease of use.

Weaknesses: The much talked about battery usage. I find it difficult to focus correctly when using the manual telephoto settings. Somewhat bulky body coupled with the lack of a good leather ready case.

Overall: The camera is a joy to use if you discount the above mentioned difficulties. You can save batteries by not using the screen to record. The video part of the camera is excellent, but lacks sound recording which makes it a drawback for using. The 60 second limitation is also a disadvantage in video mode. I have three Leicas, a Rolley and 2 Nikons and still use this camera 90% of the time.
Reviewed by: pastorjames

Strengths: Quality of immage is incredable! Ease of use. works great with Windows XP with out software. Built-in Flash. Zoom lense is awesome (28-200) and 400mm digital effect. All Praise.

Weaknesses: Uses a lot of batteries if using large screen. Solution below. Use SLR eye piece to save energy. 16MB Compact flash is really a joke. Some online stores give 128MB included.

Overall: Quality of immage is incredable! After owning several Minolta 35mm SLR's this was a very easy transision. All of my Minolta Si & Xi accessories work seamlessly. For example the 5400HS flash, remote, etc. For the battery issue I solved that by going to Walmart and purchasing the NiMH Rayovac 1850mAh recharge kit. It comes with a 110v and 12v adapters. With three sets of four AA NiMH you should be set for a full day or two of shooting constantly. Just recharge on the go in the car. Find a 512mb - 1gb cf card and buy it at the same time. A 128mb cf card will hold about 45 immages in 5 mega pixels - fine mode(+/- 2.6mb each)this is my favorite mode. If you were to record in the 5 mega pixels - raw mode each immage is 15mb and a 128mb card will only hold 8-9 pictures. This is the price you pay to have such great quality in an immage. It costs less than the other 5mp cameras. Don't settle for anything else.
Reviewed by: joeb34

Strengths: Best lens on any digicam (APO, 2.8 - 3.5, 7 X optical zoom) Amazing array of features; you can take photos either full auto; or make the full range of manual adjustments. Love the EVF.

Weaknesses: Others have mentioned that this camera is a battery eater. I found that when using 1850 NiMH that I could take at least 200 photos. Noise: Not overly bad and certainly not a show stopper.

Overall: A long time photographer. I ordered a Dimage 7Hi; however, they were not in stock so the dealer gave me a 7i until he got the 7Hi's in (and that's another story). This camera is an absolute jewel and a steal at its low price. Photos at full resolution, even blown up to 11"x14", are superb. Frankly, you don't gain a lot by buying the 7Hi for about an extra $500, in retrospect, I should have kept the 7i. Far better than the equivalent Canons and Nikons.
Reviewed by: jnd260

Strengths: Lots of Settings

Weaknesses: WAY TOO MUCH NOISE in the image.

Overall: I'm very unhappy with the camera. I bought it for the 5 Mega pixels and 7 X zoom. But the reality is that there so much noise in the image that is very annoying.

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