Third Time's The Charm The new DiMAGE 7Hi is the third model in an evolving line of hi-res Minolta prosumer digital cameras that offers 5-megapixel resolution, a superb 7X optical zoom lens, and enhanced autofocusing, exposure, electronic flash and image-processing capabilities. This new flagship of Minolta's DiMAGE line is a compact, self-contained camera that offers fast operation and a host of advanced features that will appeal to advanced amateurs—as well as to pros who aren't ready to invest in a digital SLR system with interchangeable lenses and other add-on accessories.
The original DiMAGE 7, introduced in early 2001, was the industry's first 5-megapixel digicam. At $1500, it bridged the gap between 3- and 4-megapixel consumer cameras and the existing 6-megapixel professional digital SLRs which sold for several thousand dollars more. Despite a somewhat indecisive autofocusing system and its propensity for devouring batteries, the DiMAGE 7 delivered fine results and was quite successful.
Round Two
In early 2002 Minolta introduced the DiMAGE 7i, which—despite its outwardly similar appearances—offered significantly improved operation and some interesting new features to boot. Retaining the best features of its predecessor—notably the excellent, wide-range zoom lens, a 5.24-megapixel CCD, and Minolta's unique CxProcess image processing technology—the DiMAGE 7i was a much faster, more responsive camera. The top shutter speed was increased from 1/2000 to 1/4000, and the new model boasted an Ultra High Speed (UHS) 7 fps continuous drive mode for action photography.
Other improvements offered by the second model included improved battery management, increased creative control over color—enabling you to tone black-and-white shots and make color images warmer or cooler—a new movie mode for creating 60-second videos with 16-bit audio, and significant improvements to the LCD monitor and electronic viewfinder. The DiMAGE 7i also added a Direct Manual Focus (DMF) capability which enabled the user to fine-tune focus manually once the AF system locked onto the subject. For added focusing versatility, the camera's Flex Point System permitted you to move a cross hair anywhere within the image frame to quickly focus on off-center subjects, as did the DiMAGE 7.
Version Three
The original DiMAGE 7 was discontinued with the introduction of the DiMAGE 7i, which now remains in the line as a sister model to the new top-of-the-line 7Hi. While still constructed of rugged (yet lightweight) magnesium, the new 7Hi is easily identified by its professional-looking matt black (as opposed to silver) textured finish. The 7Hi also boasts an improved rubberized handgrip for more secure, comfortable handling. While the layout of the controls remains the same as in the earlier models, Minolta's new flagship camera offers one conspicuous external modification; a built-in flash terminal on the left side of the body that enables you to connect the camera to standard professional studio and location lighting equipment. The lack of this PC socket in the DiMAGE 7 and 7i cameras limited their appeal to many pro shooters.
Like the earlier models, the 7Hi also features an advanced pop-up flash with a choice of two metering modes, as well as a hot-shoe for use with Minolta's powerful 5600HS(D) and 3600HS(D) external flash units. The camera also supports a wireless/remote capability which enables multiple, off-camera use of these two flash units which will function as slaves when triggered by the built-in flash.
With a dynamic shutter speed range from a maximum of 15 seconds to a top 1/4000, the 7Hi utilizes the improved AF system of its predecessor, with autofocusing that is about twice as fast as that in the original DiMAGE 7. The camera features a three-point wide-area AF system that delivers precise results, even under low-light conditions. The camera utilizes one of the three AF sensors within the focus frame to locate your subject, and briefly displays the active sensor while confirming focus.
New to the DiMAGE 7Hi is a high-speed continuous drive mode that enables you to shoot at 3 fps with full-size images at any quality setting (including Raw and TIFF). This new responsiveness is courtesy of the camera's enhanced 64MB SDRAM buffer (twice the size of that in the 7i).
Quality Control
The new DiMAGE 7Hi features an Extra Fine JPEG setting in addition to the Fine and Standard modes, so you can create image files with varying levels of compression. You also have the option of shooting Raw files or Super Fine TIFF files for optimum quality with no compression. Once opened with with the Minolta DiMAGE Viewer software that comes with the camera, Raw files can be saved with either 8-bit or 16-bit color depth.
The results we received when using the almost lossless Extra Fine JPEG mode were virtually indistinguishable from the much larger files that resulted when shooting in the uncompressed TIFF mode.
