Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi Review

Click on the DiMAGE 7Hi to take a QuickTime VR tour

Minolta has significantly improved their popular DiMAGE 7i with the introduction of the new DiMAGE 7Hi. It employs the same 5-Megapixel imager, Minolta GT 7X optical zoom, flexible Hyper Viewfinder and the same lightweight, stylish and durable metal body, only now it's finished in professional black. Most of the DiMAGE 7Hi's improvements are internal; an almost lossless Extra Fine JPEG mode with just 1:2.5 compression. The color space (sRGB or Adobe RGB) is now selectable and the ICC profile is embedded in the output image. There's a new high-speed continuous advance drive mode and a large 64MB SDRAM buffer that makes it possible to record at approx. 3 frames per second with 2560 x 1920 full-size images at any quality setting including TIFF or RAW. The shutter speed range is 15 seconds to 1/4000 second in the program and aperture-priority exposures modes. The DiMAGE 7Hi has a customizable user interface (the following items are customizable from the setup menu: Memory recall method, Control dial in M mode, Bracketing, Manual shift, Color profile, Dialogue default on the delete confirmation screen and Undo function for "P" reset.)   And one more new feature on the outside is a standard PC flash sync port for easy connection to external lighting equipment.

The DiMAGE 7Hi features a 2/3-inch CCD image sensor with 5-Megapixel effective resolution. The camera incorporates a 7x zoom apochromatic Minolta GT LENS with two anomalous dispersion (AD) glass elements for color accuracy and dual aspherical elements which, combined with a 2x digital zoom, provides a compact lens design with a wide image capture range. The optical zoom lens range 7.2mm - 50.8mm (equivalent to 28mm - 200mm in 35mm photography).

The DiMAGE 7Hi's 3-point wide AF system assures fast, accurate focusing, and the Flex Focus Point gives you precise control over the focusing area. The Direct Manual Focus (DMF) feature allows for instant manual adjustments to the autofocus. The AF system is almost twice as fast as the original DiMAGE 7, and the capturing interval has been reduced to make it a more responsive camera.

The DiMAGE 7Hi features Minolta's proprietary CxProcess, an image processing technology that provides clear and natural images. In image processing, too much emphasis on natural color produces flat color pictures. Overemphasizing the color range creates an unnatural color scheme. CxProcess balances both extremes by controlling sharpness, color reproduction, tonal gradation and noise to optimize results. The 12-bit A/D conversion provides a finer tonal gradation, with deep shadows, brilliant highlights and millions of colors, up to 4,096 levels in each RGB channel. Minolta's 12-bit A/D conversion provides exquisite details in portraiture: smooth complexion, rich shadows, and luminous highlights, as opposed to the standard 10-bit A/D conversion with its limited 1,024 levels per RGB channel.

The Digital Hyper Viewfinder provides photographers with clear images, even under bright light. With its reflective ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) viewfinder and a visual resolution equivalent to almost 220,000 pixels, it's the first time such a sophisticated optical device has been used on a high-resolution consumer SLR-type digital camera. The variable position viewfinder can be tilted up to 90 degrees for added flexibility and creativity in shooting. The Digital Hyper Viewfinder allows the photographer to simultaneously monitor the image and camera settings. And in low-light situations the viewfinder signal is amplified so you won't miss any important shots.

The DiMAGE 7Hi's 4x Electronic Magnification can enlarge the central area of the image in the viewfinder during manual focusing - an important feature when image sharpness is critical, especially with close-up photography. There are three exposure-metering modes: multi-segment, center-weighted and spot. The multi-segment metering technology uses both light values and color information to accurately calculate the exposure. With emphasis on the main subject, the luminance patterns on the CCD and AF information are used to accurately calculate the exposure.

The camera's controls are optimally laid out for ease of use. Frequently used functions are placed in a simple, function-dial system. The Digital Hyper Viewfinder and the LCD monitor offer a graphic-user interface with a full array of shooting information. The pro-auto button allows users to easily reset the camera to fully-automatic operation. The eyepiece sensors detect if the Digital Hyper Viewfinder is being used, and switch the display between the viewfinder and the monitor accordingly.

Under the stylish metal exterior is a solid alloy frame

DiMAGE 7Hi Features:

• 7x optical zoom with manual zoom and focus control on the lens
• 5-megapixel imager for images up to 2560 x 1950 pixels
• 12-bit A/D conversion provides a finer tonal gradation
• 1.8-inch low-temp 118,000 pixels, high-contrast color LCD monitor with extended color gamut, contrast, and dynamic range
• Color Viewfinder, 220,000 pixels, variable position can be tilted up to 90 degrees
• CCD-RAW and Uncompressed TIFF image modes
• New ExtraFine (1:2.5 compression) JPEG mode plus Fine and Standard
• The color space (Native or Vivid sRGB, Adobe RGB) is selectable and the ICC profile is embedded in the output image
• 3fps Continuous-advance mode with 64MB SDRAM buffer captures 2560 x 1920 full-size images at any quality, including TIFF or RAW
• Ultra High Speed 1280x960 capture at 7 fps
• Up to 60 secs of 320x240 motion video at 15fps with 16-bit audio
• Program AE with Shift, Aperture priority, Shutter priority and Manual modes
• Shutter speeds from 15 seconds to 1/4000 in Program and Aperture priority exposures modes
• Digital Program modes: portrait, sports, night portrait, sunset and text
• 9 white-balance settings including three custom settings
• ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100, 200, 400 and 800 equivalents
• 5 or 15 sec audio memos can be added to still images
• Built-in PC flash synchronization terminal
• Digital Enhanced Bracketing: exposure, contrast and color saturation
• Digital Effects Control for exposure compensation, contrast and color saturation
• Flex Focus Point, changes the extra-wide focus to a cross-hair spot focus point that can be moved to anywhere within the image
• High Performance flash with Advanced Distance Integration flash metering
• Three exposure-metering modes: multi-segment, center-weighted and spot
• Playback/QuickView with histogram feature
• Exif Print and Epson PRINT Image Matching II compatible
• Data imprinting that records date, time and descriptive information on an image.
• Feather-light magnesium-alloy body with a professional black finish and a large rubber grip for easier holding

The Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi and DiMAGE 7i will be available side-by-side at retail at differing price points. The DiMAGE 7Hi is available now with an estimated street price of $1,299.

Physical Views

The DiMAGE 7Hi is smaller than most people imagine!