Home > Consumer Reviews > Minolta Dimage 7 Digital Camera [5.2MP 7.1xOptical]

This review might save you the extra cost (and small benefit) of buying a Dimage 7i or 7Hi!!

The D7 is great value now it's being remaindered. BUT

1. You need to upgrade the internal software (Minolta call it firmware) This gives you near D7i performance for about $35, much faster focusing and lots of other improvements. (see minoltausa.com and/or some of the specialist minolta D7 websites)

2. You must have quality 2000 mah NiMh batteries and charge them using a quality 'intelligent' pulse charger. (Rayovac PS4b?)

3. You must minimise power comsumption by setting the camera:
LCD off and EVF on auto (only comes on when your eye comes near the viewfinder),
EVF and LCD brightness set to 2 or less,
Instant playback set to 2 sec or less,
Auto switch off set to 1 minute,
Auto focusing set to single - not continuous.

1,2 & 3 above will enable, very roughly, 8 hours of shooting and 120 shots.

4. Lastly - have the patience to deal with all the buttons and learn the camera!

Bought this on a recomendation whilst on hollidays in the Canaries, and boy am I glad. Picture quality, ease of use and general SLR feel to the camera make it the best I have tried! Would agree about battery munching - but a charger and 12 rechargeable batteries solved that issue. Cannot rate this too highly!

The dimage 7 I think is the best camera ever, I have now been using the Dimage 7 for 1 month and find the Quality of the prints unbeatable.
The controls are what you would expect from a top of the range Digital camera,They are easy to use when you get used to them and if you as like me are a Minolta fan the Dimage 7 is a must.
The only real downfalls that I can really find is the casing which has a plasticy feeling to it, and the camera eats the batteries, but I can live with these faults.I can always buy a power pack.

I have had my new Minolta for just over a Month now, I also use a good 35mm SLR, with 70-210 Zoom. Having shoped about alittle before buying the Dimage 7 this being a replacement for my damaged Agfa Digital the choice to great of what to buy. But having narrowed down to a couple before buying. the choice made was the right one. Picture quality Excellent, ease of use, the wife can pick up and shoot. But I can turn every thing off and trust the Light meter if I want to. Well worth the investment, Worth every Penny, Might Consider selling the SLR.

This superb camera from Minolta leaves the others standing. Image quality means pictures in excess of A3 size can be printed without pixelation. It has all the features of a top flight 35mm SLR but can be used but novices alike. The zoom range of this camera is excellent and the image quality from the new type of electronic viewfinder has to be seen to be believed compared to the competition. All in all a 'must have'for any photographer who is seriously moving over to digital.