If you're tired of cameras from Canon and Nikon, Look into the Konica Minolta Maxxum series of cameras if you find yourself tired of those from Nikon and Canon. In this review, we will note the features of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D.
The Maxxum 7D is a midrange digital SLR that can apply optical image stabilization with any lens. It has an interesting and unique Anti-Shake system which works with all lenses and also has an efficient control layout. Let's find out more.
The Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D is finished in a professional matte black comparable to most standard DSLRs. Although conservative in its angular design, it still looks good. The body consists of a hybrid of magnesium-alloy and plastic and is well-built and crafted. It includes a nicely contoured grip and feels sound. Without a lens, the camera weighs in at about 30 ounces, which is an ounce or two heavier than average for this camera class.
The Maxxum 7D omits the separate status LCD and instead relies on the camera's main LCD to display shooting settings, which is an appealing design convention. On this particular Maxxum, the large 2.5-inch LCD has room to show more settings than the usual status LCD. These settings include ISO, color mode, and image parameters, to name a few.
The optical system of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D has obviously been carefully thought out to enable one to take great photos. The digital camera comes with a 6.1 megapixel resolution and an Anti-Shake mechanism.
The Anti-Shake mechanism prevents image blur created by camera motion. This mechanism is built in the Maxxum 7D's body and works by shifting the CCD. This enables it to function with all Konica Minolta autofocus (AF) lenses.
In addition, the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D's sophisticated AF system incorporates nine focus points. You can designate the active point yourself or leave all of them active and let the camera decide which to use from shot to shot. You can also set the camera to automatically switch to continuous or tracking AF operation if it detects subject movement.
Extensive exposure options are available on the Maxxum 7D. These include all four standard exposure modes; three light-metering modes (14-segment honeycomb, center-weighted, and spot); ambient exposure compensation either in half-EV increments to plus or minus 3EV or in one-third-EV increments to plus or minus 2EV. The sensor's sensitivity can be set to auto or from ISO 100 to ISO 3,200 in 1EV increments.
The user controls of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D are where they should be for the advanced photographer's camera. The most significant features are controlled by means of dedicated external buttons, rather than being in the menu system itself.
Thumb and forefinger command wheels control exposure adjustments along with other shooter settings. The white-balance control consisting of a rotating switch surrounding a button that smartly accesses multiple menu choices is the fastest and most flexible to date.
Flash setting or ambient exposure compensation can be controlled with a dial on the camera's top left side, but can also be made using the forefinger wheel, which I found to be more proficient. Overall, control placement and operating efficiency on this camera are among the best I've seen on any DSLR.
The Konica Minolta 7D's noted battery life is more or less adequate for a full day's shooting. If you are reliant on a long battery life, you can always take along some extras that can be purchased at your neighborhood camera store.
The Nikon D70s allows your pictures to be stored in CompactFlash Type I/II memory cards cards. You can also use a MicroDrive if you wish. Pictures are easily transferred from the camera to the PC via the USB 2.0 interface.
There are only a few negatives to note in the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D. First of all, the camera has a slow start-up. You are also limited to one JPEG compression ratio in raw-plus-JPEG, and there is no way to steer clear of noise reduction processing in high ISO images.
I do hope this review of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D has been of help to you. If you're looking for a decent professional SLR camera to take shots with, then the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D might be tough to beat. Of course, do your own research first before shelling out your cash. Happy shopping!
The Maxxum 7D is a midrange digital SLR that can apply optical image stabilization with any lens. It has an interesting and unique Anti-Shake system which works with all lenses and also has an efficient control layout. Let's find out more.
The Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D is finished in a professional matte black comparable to most standard DSLRs. Although conservative in its angular design, it still looks good. The body consists of a hybrid of magnesium-alloy and plastic and is well-built and crafted. It includes a nicely contoured grip and feels sound. Without a lens, the camera weighs in at about 30 ounces, which is an ounce or two heavier than average for this camera class.
The Maxxum 7D omits the separate status LCD and instead relies on the camera's main LCD to display shooting settings, which is an appealing design convention. On this particular Maxxum, the large 2.5-inch LCD has room to show more settings than the usual status LCD. These settings include ISO, color mode, and image parameters, to name a few.
The optical system of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D has obviously been carefully thought out to enable one to take great photos. The digital camera comes with a 6.1 megapixel resolution and an Anti-Shake mechanism.
The Anti-Shake mechanism prevents image blur created by camera motion. This mechanism is built in the Maxxum 7D's body and works by shifting the CCD. This enables it to function with all Konica Minolta autofocus (AF) lenses.
In addition, the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D's sophisticated AF system incorporates nine focus points. You can designate the active point yourself or leave all of them active and let the camera decide which to use from shot to shot. You can also set the camera to automatically switch to continuous or tracking AF operation if it detects subject movement.
Extensive exposure options are available on the Maxxum 7D. These include all four standard exposure modes; three light-metering modes (14-segment honeycomb, center-weighted, and spot); ambient exposure compensation either in half-EV increments to plus or minus 3EV or in one-third-EV increments to plus or minus 2EV. The sensor's sensitivity can be set to auto or from ISO 100 to ISO 3,200 in 1EV increments.
The user controls of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D are where they should be for the advanced photographer's camera. The most significant features are controlled by means of dedicated external buttons, rather than being in the menu system itself.
Thumb and forefinger command wheels control exposure adjustments along with other shooter settings. The white-balance control consisting of a rotating switch surrounding a button that smartly accesses multiple menu choices is the fastest and most flexible to date.
Flash setting or ambient exposure compensation can be controlled with a dial on the camera's top left side, but can also be made using the forefinger wheel, which I found to be more proficient. Overall, control placement and operating efficiency on this camera are among the best I've seen on any DSLR.
The Konica Minolta 7D's noted battery life is more or less adequate for a full day's shooting. If you are reliant on a long battery life, you can always take along some extras that can be purchased at your neighborhood camera store.
The Nikon D70s allows your pictures to be stored in CompactFlash Type I/II memory cards cards. You can also use a MicroDrive if you wish. Pictures are easily transferred from the camera to the PC via the USB 2.0 interface.
There are only a few negatives to note in the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D. First of all, the camera has a slow start-up. You are also limited to one JPEG compression ratio in raw-plus-JPEG, and there is no way to steer clear of noise reduction processing in high ISO images.
I do hope this review of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D has been of help to you. If you're looking for a decent professional SLR camera to take shots with, then the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D might be tough to beat. Of course, do your own research first before shelling out your cash. Happy shopping!
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