Minolta Dimage 7 5MP offers an ultrahigh resolution 5.24-megapixel CCD sensor that delivers excellent images for prints as large as 13 by 19 inches. A high-performance, all-glass, 7x zoom lens (equivalent to 28-200mm on a 35mm camera), with a 2x digital zoom, ensures maximum flexibility when composing your shots. Add to this a host of creative controls stacked into a unit with the size and feel of an SLR, and you have a digital camera with the type of functionality typically found only in professional models.
Three controls provide access to the camera’s primary adjustable features. Digital subject-program selection allows you to set aperture and shutter speed for superior results in five popular formats: portrait, sports action, sunsets, night portraits, or text. A function dial allows adjustment between four modes of pixel resolution, five modes of data compression, four modes of exposure control, five modes of drive options, seven modes of white balance, and five levels of ISO. The digital-effects controller allows image manipulation by compensating for exposure, contrast, and color saturation before the image is saved. As insurance, Minolta provides a fourth control that instantly restores the camera’s automatic settings. Changing most settings is a two-handed operation: one hand selects the feature you’re adjusting, while spinning a second dial actually changes the setting. The system is reasonably intuitive, but don’t plan to make any adjustments with one hand.
To preview and review images, the DiMAGE 7 features a digital viewfinder that pivots for comfortable close-ups or tripod shooting. An eye-sensing switch (triggered when you put your eye up to the camera) automatically turns off the TFT LCD viewscreen to conserve battery power.
In manual-focus mode, the camera also has an electronic magnification feature. At the push of a button, the center of the image is blown up to 4x original size in the viewfinder so you can check the fine details and ensure the image is in focus before snapping the shutter. In autofocus mode, a flex-focusing option allows the focal point to be moved to any part of the image for off-center shooting.
Helpful consumer’s review
To my mind, a camera should be a tool, not a participant. I love this camera, because it does whatever you tell it to do, and doesn’t frustrate you with a lot of “smart” features. I had a 35mm camera once with “autofocus”– so-called “point-and-shoot,” and it drove me crazy, because half the time, it didn’t focus on what I actually wanted in the picture.
This camera gives the user total control of light, aperture and zoom. In addition, because there’s no film involved, you can shoot day or night without having to worry about the speed of you film. And by the way, it takes great twilight and night pictures!
All the adjustments are two handed, so it’s like liquid; you don’t have to adjust and check, adjust and check, go back and adjust again, etc. It’s a quicker way to what you want.
Now I’ll admit that’s a personal preference; it’s like stick shift vs. automatic– some people are passionate about one or the other. Some people love point-and-shoot. If you’re one, then this probably isn’t the camera for you.
The camera has 5 megapixel resolution, which means that you can print poster size reproductions of your shots, or crop tiny portions, enlarge then, and have them look really good. This is a photoshop type of camera, a camera for someone who likes to play with images.
