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Digital Camera Reviews and Ratings By manufacturer:
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Fans of Minolta cameras waiting for a DSLR will be happy to know that full details of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D DSLR (also known in some parts of the world as the Dynax 7D Digital) have finally been released after months of hints, partial previews and teasers from Minolta. Read the full press release announcing the camera from Minolta below.
The Maxxum 7D has a 6.1 megapixel CCD, A-type bayonet lens mount, Anti Shake, 2.5inch LCD, RAW, RAW+JPEG, sRGB/Adobe RGB, Pentaprism view finder, and storage is CF type I/II.
Official Konica Minolta Dynax 7 site.
Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D image samples
See more image samples from the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D.
Pantip has a hands on preview of the Maxxum 7D/Dynax 7.
Popular Photography has a first look at the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D and writes - 'The 23.7x15.6mm CCD sensor has 6.11 million effective pixels that capture a 6MP (3008x2000-pixel) file. JPEG compressions are standard, fine, and extrafine. There's also a RAW and RAW+JPEG mode, but no TIFF format. Burst capacity planned is 3 fps with nine frames total. Image controls for color space are sRGB, vivid color RGB, and Adobe RGB. The 7D features five levels of correction for sharpness, contrast compensation, and color saturation. It's also PictBridge enabled.'
eDigitalPhoto reviews the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D and writes - 'Of course, image quality is where it’s at, and the Kyocera M410R delivers some of the most pleasing colors and sharpest images we’ve seen in the 4-megapixel class. Kyocera rightly and modestly claims that you can get great 8x10 prints out of this camera (at full res, Fine) and our tests verify that. Frankly, we’ve grown weary of other 4-megapixel camera makers claiming you can get 16x20 prints, or bigger, from their models. Being PictBridge compatible, you can just plug the camera or the SecureDigital card from the camera into a printer and get very good results right off the bat. Particular attention seems to have been paid to rendering excellent skin tones, and portraits made with the camera are very, very pleasing.'
Luminous Landscapes reviews the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D and writes - 'The Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D has come late to the party, but, if I may be allowed to torture the analogy a bit, it is one of the most attractive dates to show up. It is priced just slightly above its competitors, and even this is likely to smooth out as the pipeline gets filled, and the initial feeding frenzy settles down.
In terms of features, the Maxxum 7D is loaded. Just about every control and gizmo that one could want is included, and even some that no other manufacturer offers, such as Anti-Shake in the body, and a truly huge rear LCD screen.
Build quality appears to be very fine, and image quality is comparable to that of any other comparably equipped and priced camera to be found on dealers shelves.
Photographers who appreciate mechanical controls as opposed to buttons and menus will thrill to the Maxxum 7D.'
Digital Photography Now has posted a first look review of the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D
Steve's Digicams reviews the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D and writes - 'With a price and feature set aimed at the prosumer dSLR market, the 7D falls a bit short of current competitive benchmarks. Shooting performance, image resolution, and image quality at high ISO are more comparable to last years models, such as the Canon 10D, than to current industry leaders, like the Canon 20D. Its body-integral CCD-shift Anti-Shake feature is a first among dSLR's, but is no more effective than the lens-based image stabilization or vibration reduction features of its competitors. Lens cost should be considered when comparing systems; the 7D's Anti-Shake feature may provide a cost advantage versus purchasing multiple IS or VR lenses of competing systems.'
DP Review reviews the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D and writes - 'In use the 7D proved to be an excellent 'photographic tool', it feels good to hold, it's easy to change settings (thanks to the fact that almost all the major settings have external buttons / levers) and the camera feels responsive in use. The 7D is one of those cameras which I enjoyed using and encourages you to shoot more and experiment more (the availability and access to manual controls achieves this).'
Pocket Lint reviews the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 and writes - 'The overall balance between a point and shoot camera and one that offers high resolution and manual control is about right here. The downside to the package is that you’ll have to deal with an overly sensitive shutter button and sluggish Auto Focus.
The DiMAGE A200 is easy to use yet packed with tools for the more advanced user. Picture quality is superb with noise controlled and colour well rendered; highlights are retained in all but the most challenging situations, there’s little noise to speak of until you get beyond ISO 400 in low light and handling is great too. Overall the A200 is another superb package from Konica Minolta.'
DCRP reviews the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D and writes - 'There's a lot to like about the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D, and I'm not quite sure where to begin, so I'll start with its design. The 7D is extremely well-built and offers plenty of dials and switches, as well as a large 2.5“ LCD display. At first all those knobs seem a little intimidating, but I like how easy it is to change things in this way. At the same time, I wish some of them had locks, as I screwed up the metering on more than one occasion. The 7D is sturdy and easy to hold, thanks to a large, rubberized right hand grip. The camera enjoys full compatibility with all Maxxum AF lenses. But the real bonus here is the Anti-shake system: almost any lens you attach to the camera will have image stabilization, since it's the CCD that's stabilized and not the lens. And this system will help reduce the effects of camera shake when you're taking pictures indoors without the flash, or outdoors with a telephoto lens (though I didn't get the chance to test the latter).'
PC Mag reviews the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D and writes - 'Although the 6-megapixel Maxxum 7D is pricey relative to the competition, its excellent construction, outstanding ergonomics and handling characteristics, and built-in image stabilization will have most users agreeing that it was well worth the wait and money. We wish its built-in flash performed more consistently and that Konica Minolta offered a more appropriate standard zoom lens, but apart from this there is a lot to like about this new D-SLR.'
Imaging Resource reviews the Konica Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7D Digital Camera and writes - 'the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D is easily one of the most eagerly-awaited digital cameras in the last year or so. Many thousands (millions?) of Minolta film SLR owners have been waiting and hoping for a digital SLR to use with their extensive collections of (typically excellent) Minolta optics. Now that the Maxxum 7D has arrived, their wait is over, and the obvious quality and features of the new model appear to justify the long wait. While it has the usual "Green zone" full-auto mode for pure "point & shoot" photography, the 7D has an absolute wealth of controls and modes, that could make for a longer learning curve before you become familiar with all its capabilities. That said though, once you do learn its ins and outs, the 7D's user interface is one of the most powerful and fluid we've seen to date. The 7D's "bristling" (Shawn's word, and a good one) collection of controls makes for very easy, intuitive operation once you learn where they all are and what they all do.'
Luminous Landscapes has a good first impression review of the Konica Minolta 7D and seems pretty impressed - 'What pleases and amazes me most about the 7D is when I think back in my mind to the thousands upon thousands of pictures I've taken in my life using too wide an aperture, or too fast a film, or struggling with camera-holding techniques, making attempt after attempt to steal a clean shot in low light. And also, of course, thinking of all the shots that got away because of camera movement. The more such examples you can recall in your own experience, the more you will love the Konica-Minolta 7D. Personally, it has convinced me that spending any less for a DSLR would have been a golden opportunity tragically missed.'
Outback Photo also has a good user review/diary of the 7D.
Also read the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D/Dynax 7 User Manual.
Learn more about the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D/Maxxum 7D from the following press release announcing the camera.
Konica Minolta Press Release
KONICA MINOLTA INTRODUCES THE MAXXUM 7D – WORLD’S FIRST*1 DIGITAL SLR CAMERA WITH REVOLUTIONARY BODY-INTEGRAL, ANTI-SHAKE TECHNOLOGY/
New 6.1 megapixel interchangeable lens digital camera represents the culmination of the optical and photo-imaging expertise of two of the most respected names in photography
Mahwah, NJ (September 15, 2004) – Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. today unveils the new Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera. This groundbreaking new 6.1-million-pixel resolution, interchangeable lens digital camera is the world’s first digital SLR featuring a body-integral CCD-shift, Anti-Shake (camera-shake compensation) technology that combines enhanced picture quality, performance and improved handling characteristics. This new digital SLR also features a large, easy-to-view, high-definition 2.5-inch color LCD monitor and is compatible with virtually any Maxxum AF lens.
“Drawing on the tradition of technical expertise that gave birth to the Maxxum 7000, the world's first body-integral autofocus 35mm SLR camera, the RD-175, one of the world's first consumer-use digital SLR's, and the world's first washless photofinishing system, the NPS-1 Mini Lab, the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D draws on more than a century of optical and photo-imaging expertise of two of the most respected names in photography,” said Todd Schrader, vice president of marketing for Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. “In addition, the new Maxxum 7D also inherits the intuitive operating ease of the award-winning Maxxum 7 35mm SLR, and maintains full compatibility with Maxxum system lenses and accessories which is sure to please loyal Maxxum photographers around the world.”
Specifically designed to match the performance requirements of the camera’s large 6-megapixel CCD, the Maxxum 7D’s unique, built-in exclusive CCD shift-type Anti-Shake technology makes this new camera the first digital SLR to feature a body-integral Anti-Shake function. This system instantly and precisely shifts the CCD to compensate for camera motion. And it’s so effective photographers can shoot at shutter speeds up to three steps slower than what they could use without it. So even in low light, photographers can keep their images clean and sharp, free of the image-degrading noise that creeps in when they boost ISO sensitivity. And because the mechanism is integrated directly into the Maxxum 7D’s cameras body, it works with virtually any Maxxum AF lens – a major advantage for photographers when compared to bulky and expensive lens-based optical stabilization systems and software-based “digital correction systems” that can degrade image quality.
Konica Minolta’s award-winning Anti-Shake technology provides images with reduced blur due to camera shake, even when shooting dimly lit scenes or when using telephoto lenses and shooting macro subjects without the aid of flash or a tripod.
The Maxxum 7D offers effective Anti-Shake protection with every lens*2 in the Maxxum AF line. Whether using telephoto, wide-angle, zoom, macro or standard, the system analyzes data on focal length, current aperture setting, and focusing distance so that it can optimize Anti-Shake performance to offer the highest level of protection.
In addition, the camera also features a large, easy-to-view, high-definition 2.5-inch color LCD monitor housed on its back-plate. The large screen handles the tasks of menu navigation and image display, also providing shooting information and camera setting displays.
The New Maxxum 7D also features Konica Minolta’s proprietary, CxProcess™ III image processing technology that delivers high-definition, natural-looking images. High speed image processing is achieved using the all-new Advanced LSI engine designed to help provide fast data handling for improved camera responsiveness and control.
In keeping with its acclaimed Maxxum film SLR counterpart, the Maxxum 7D inherits a similar, simple-to-use dial and lever operation system. Enhancing handling further, the new model also features a superbly-bright, easy-to-view, high-performance viewfinder designed to be comfortable and easy to use.
The new digital SLR also offers a comprehensive function set, designed to meet a diverse range of photographic challenges and user needs, complemented by a broad range of Maxxum accessories that give photographers a complete system back-up.
*1 As a lens-changeable digital SLR camera
*2 Except AF16mm Fish Eye and Macro Zoom 3x – 1x
Posted by Darren in our Minolta category on September 15, 2004