Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D SLR Review

The LCD monitor works as a Navigation Display allowing seamless operation with clear and concise camera settings displayed with comprehensive shooting information, indicated with large, easy to read text. Aiding ease of use further, the display automatically switches from horizontal to vertical format when shooting in the upright "portrait" format.

The amount of time the display remains active is user selectable (5s, 10s, 30s, 1m). When you put your eye up to the viewfinder it automatically turns off the LCD monitor's backlight.

You can choose the display mode to be simple (left) or detailed (right)

Centrally mounted on the back is the large, easy-to-view 2.5-inch, 115,000-pixel color monitor. It can be used as the information display, for accessing the menus and is an excellent display for in-field review of your pictures.

Controls on the back are plentiful. The main main power switch is on the left of the viewfinder. To the viewfinder's right, the Function (Fn) button which accesses the focus modes, metering modes, flash compensation, color space and image adjustment menus (see page 4 for more info). The +/- button for setting exposure compensation or changing aperture value in Av and M modes. The AE lock button for reframing off-center subjects or shooting panoramas. When using flash, the AEL button activates slow-sync, balancing the ambient light with the flash exposure so that both subject and background are properly exposed.

To the right of the LCD are the 4-way controller, in the center is the OK/Spot AF button; Spot AF button selects the center focus point. The 4-way controller is also used to navigate the 5D's menu system, and scroll through an enlarged image in playback mode. Below and to the right is the Anti-Shake on/off switch.

The Menu button is on the left of the LCD and calls up the 5D's menu system with a sub-menu for Record, Playback, Custom Functions and Setup. The other three buttons are used in playback mode - see page 5 for more info.

The Exposure-mode dial is located on the top of the grip, having positions for Full-auto program, Program exposure, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual exposure, Night Portrait, Beach/Water, Landscape, Sports or Portrait. The control dial is located at the front of the grip; it controls a variety of settings within the context of the camera's current mode of operation. The shutter release is ergonomically located in a depression between the front control dial and the Drive Mode and ISO buttons.

The White Balance dial is on top to the left of the flash hot shot and has positions for Auto, Preset and Custom white balance, as well as Color temperature. The White Balance button at the center of the dial calls-up a white balance menu appropriate to the dial's position.

Images are stored on CompactFlash devices. The Maxxum 5D can use any capacity CompactFlash Type I or II card and is fully compatible with IBM/Hitachi Microdrives. It supports the FAT12/16/32 file systems and is fully compatible with CF cards over 2GB.

I recommended buying a BIG card for this camera, especially if you use the Raw+JPEG save option. Shown here is the speedy and spacious SanDisk Extreme III 1GB CF card.

I/O Ports: Inside the CF compartment is a combination full speed USB 2.0 digital port (up to 54Mbps) for image downloading - it can also be connected directly to any PictBridge compatible printer. The mini-connector also handles the Video Out port (selectable for NTSC or PAL television systems). Not shown here is the DC IN port on the back for an optional AC power supply.

The Maxxum 5D is powered by NP-400 7.4v 1500mAh lithium rechargeable pack. At normal temperature (68°F/20°C) it's good for ~550 pictures without flash or ~300 pictures if the flash is used 50% of the time. (CIPA standard testing)

The supplied BC-400 (U.S. and Canada) compact charger requires 90 minutes to charge a fully depleted NP-400 battery pack. The Maxxum 5D can NOT use the VC-7D grip made for the Maxxum 7D even though it uses the same battery.