Cameras
Camcorders
Cell Phones
Components
Desktops
HDTV
Home Theater
GPS
Laptops
Monitors
MP3 Players
Networking &
Printers
Storage
Print
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
More…
Photograph: Rick Rizner
Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Digital SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-100mm Lens (6.3MP, 3008x2000, 3.6x Opt)
- Spec Navigator
- Digital Format
- Display
- Exposure
- Image Processor
- Included Software
- Lens
- Shutter
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Power
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Connectivity
- Other Features
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 6.1 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CCD |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 3008 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 2000 |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format |
|
| White balance | 0 |
Lens
| Accessory Lens | No |
| Lens Model | Minolta AF Zoom 28-100mm f/3.5-5.6 D |
| Telephoto Aperture Maximum | 5.6 mm |
| Wide-Angle Aperture Maximum | 3.5 mm |
Exposure Controls
| Maximum shutter speed | 4000 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 |
| Bulb setting | 0 |
| ISO equivalencies |
|
| Exposure settings | 0 |
| Exposure compensation range | 0 |
| Number of scene modes | 0 |
Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D
Maxxum 7D Digital SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-100mm Lens (6.3MP, 3008x2000, 3.6x Opt) Review, by Richard Baguley August 1, 2005
Although many of the digital SLRs that we tested have a plentiful supply of buttons, the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D has the most: 24 dials and buttons spread around the camera. But this approach has a big upside: It makes the controls much easier to get to. For instance, on many cameras you have to use an LCD-screen menu to access the exposure or flash compensation settings, but the Minolta 7D puts these controls on two dials on the left side of the camera body. Likewise, additional controls--a button for switching between autofocus and manual focus, a dial for changing metering modes, and a dial for selecting the white balance mode--enable you to make further adjustments with your thumb without taking your finger off the shutter button, or your eye from the viewfinder.
You can assign custom settings to three positions on the exposure mode dial, so you can switch between them quickly. Other cameras allow you to save settings, but you usually have to go into an on-screen menu to access them; putting them on the exposure mode dial makes them much easier to access.
In our tests, the Maxxum 7D produced images with accurate and bright colors when using a custom white balance and manually adjusted exposure setting, and its test shot taken with the built-in flash scored very high. However, the indoor test shot taken without flash scored lower than those of most other SLRs we tested. All the 7D's images looked a little soft. Only the Pentax *ist DS scored lower on sharpness. However, although the 7D began to show noise when we increased the ISO to its maximum of 1600, this noise was much less noticeable than what many other cameras produced, visible only as a mild mottled pattern in areas of flat color.
The 7D is the only digital SLR body we've seen that has built-in antishake technology, which lets the camera compensate for minor movements while you're taking a picture. Some high-end lenses for other cameras include optical stabilization (where an element inside the lens moves); the 7D instead moves the CCD sensor into the camera body to compensate for movement. We found the feature to be reasonably effective: Although it can't compensate for major movements, it did overcome the slight blurring that can be caused by shaky hands or long lenses. It was less effective in low-light situations that require a longer exposure. A visual indicator shows up in the viewfinder when the camera thinks that antishaking won't work. The auto ISO feature (where the camera picks the most appropriate ISO setting) is also unique. Again, we found it to be reasonably effective at picking an appropriate speed for most situations.
A good selection of lenses is available for the camera. However, the range is not as wide as what's available for Canon or Nikon cameras (or for the Fujifilm Finepix S2 Pro, which uses Nikon lenses). The $1590 kit we looked at included a 28mm to 100mm lens, but you can buy the body alone for $1499. The camera is powered by a single 1500-milliampere-hour rechargeable battery, which lasted for 278 shots taken over a period of roughly 2.5 hours. That's probably enough for a good day's shooting but it's significantly less than other SLRs we've tested; all other models reviewed this month reached our testing cutoff of 500 shots. A spare battery costs $45 and is probably a wise investment.
We liked the large 2.5-inch LCD monitor on the 7D: It was the biggest and brightest of the tested cameras and made previewing the pictures easy. There is no display on the top of the camera: Information such as the shutter speed and aperture setting is shown on the LCD instead. One nice touch: the f readout automatically rotates when you are shooting in portrait mode, making it easier to read.
Upshot: The Minolta 7D offers a profusion of manual controls and an innovative antishake feature, but its image quality was subpar.
Richard Baguley
Show Less 
0 Comments | 0 Topics | Print Only This Review
User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Digital SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-100mm Lens (6.3MP, 3008x2000, 3.6x Opt)
1 Review Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 1 review
-
Reviewed by: JohnnyW
Duration of ownership: 6 Months
Strengths: Easy to use. Durable. I can use all of my existing Minolta lenses. A top of the line dslr at prices 1/2 - 1/3 of the original.
Weaknesses: Lack of replacement parts?
Overall: I have used this camera extensively for the past 6 months and I have been very satisfied with this camera. I don't make any prints larger than 8x10, so the 6.3 mega pixel ccd chip is more than adequate for my uses. The external controls enable me to make very quick adjustments for rapid changes when I am taking my photos. I was nervous about getting this camera, since some of the replacement parts are probably not available, but Sony honors the standard warranty. The camera has given me no problems and it seems very durable.
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
-
Reviewed by: cpflum
Strengths: Very nice camera, lens are interchangable with previous Minolta cameras
Weaknesses: Lower pixils than many comprable cameras
Overall: The 2.5 inch color monitor is a nice feature to review pictures that were recently taken. The Anti-Shake system is a nice plus which is not offered in other cameras. The 6.1 million pixel is lower than many similar priced cameras, but doesn't seem to be too much of a weakness unless you are printing very large formats.
-
Reviewed by: jaeamlo
Strengths: A/S; fastest digital camera I used; image second to none with the 2.5" view
Weaknesses: with the $200 rebate--NONE
Overall: I've only had this camera for a few day now but with each day I'm loving it more. Using it with the SanDisk 1G Extreme III CF card, it's by far the fastest digital camera I've used. The KM 28-100 kit lens is a very nice addition. Of course it's not in the same class as your APO's--but a nice light 'carry around' lens for a lot less money. All of the photos taken with this lens have been way above average quality. The only thing that I can see that's not above average is it's a little show AF in low light and a little soft on the edges wide open. But stop her down and she take very nice photos. It's the first time I bought a "kit" lens with any SLR camera because I've heard, like everyone else, that kit lens aren't any good. I think this one proves 'em wrong. Unless you already have glass in the same focal, I personnal think it's worth the few extra bucks.
Shop for the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Digital SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-100mm Lens (6.3MP, 3008x2000, 3.6x Opt)
Sorry, the product you requested isn't currently available from any of our sellers.
Cameras similar to the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Digital SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-100mm Lens (6.3MP, 3008x2000, 3.6x Opt)
We recommend these Cameras for their similarities to the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Digital SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-100mm Lens (6.3MP, 3008x2000, 3.6x Opt) in features, specs, ratings, and user interest.
- Before you buy
- How to Buy a Digital Camera
People who looked at the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Digital SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-100mm Lens (6.3MP, 3008x2000, 3.6x Opt) also looked at:
Start New Topic Don't see the answer to your question? Ask it here!
Lenovo Laptop Deals
-
ThinkPad Edge A welcome refresh of Lenovo's workhorse line that improves look and feel without sacrificing the features that make ThinkPads so well-loved.
-
ThinkPad T400 Performance meets portability in T400's lightweight design, switchable graphics and superior power management.
