Minolta's
Dimage 7 was the first 5 megapixel camera to reach the market, and
its release generated a lot of interest. The Dimage 7, and its 3.3 megapixel
twin the Dimage 5, are similar in appearance and share much in common,
including a solid magnesium alloy exterior.
The
Dimage 7's grip supports a 2-stage shutter release with, to its right,
the Control Dial, a small wheel used to make setting changes in
combination with other controls. Behind these, towards the back, are two
other buttons: the Pro-Auto [P] button, which immediately
engages the Program mode; and to its left, the round Subject-Program
button which, in combination with the Control Dial, allows the selection
of pre-programmed scene modes.
On
top of the camera, a good-size top mounted display, with a backlight activated
when the shutter release is half pressed, indicates all the settings.
The information presented there includes the basics: aperture, shutter
speed, program modes; but also include a myriad of other details about
the camera. The display is one of the most complete on a digital camera
to date.
Two
main dials are fitted on the Dimage 7. The first is the Mode Dial,
located on top of the body, near the back of the camera. Its 6 positions
control:
Power
On/Off. Requires pressing in a locking mechanism that prevents the
camera from being turned on accidentally.
Still
image recording mode.
Playback.
Movie
mode.
Basic
camera Setup.
USB
Connection mode.
Second is the Function Dial, on the top left side of camera. Its
design seems to have been inspired by a similar dial used on the Sony
DSC-D770. The Function Dial also provides 6 positions: Image Size,
Image Quality, Priority Program Mode, Drive, White
Balance, and ISO. Turning the dial to the desired option and
holding in its centre button, allows the setting to be selected by the
Control dial (the small wheel by the shutter release). This is a simple
and elegant system.
The
left side of the Dimage 7 supports additional controls. A three position
switch labelled Effect is used, again in conjunction with the Control
Dial, to make changes to exposure compensation, contrast
or colour saturation.
Closer to the back of the camera sits a Focus selector and towards the
front, on the lens barrel, the switch to activate the macro mode.
The
Minolta Dimage 7 uses an Electronic ViewFinder (EVF). The viewfinder provides
the equivalent of 220,000 pixels to display the image.
It can be tilted up 90° to the vertical, allowing its use for photos
that require unusual camera angles such as macrophotos. Its display is
bright — and adjustable — and yields as good an image as can
be had with an electonic viewfinder. A diopter correction is fitted on
the left side.
The
other controls are on the back of the Dimage 7. First, near the viewfinder,
is a rotary switch that decides whether the EVF or the 1.8 inch
LCD screen is used.
In addition, it provides an Auto setting that lets the camera automatically
select either the viewfinder or the LCD screen. The system uses a sensor
(the dark rectangular areas on the right of the viewfinder's exit pupil)
to detect the fact that the user has brought the camera's viewfinder up
to the eye.
Immediately
below is the Menu button; further down, the 4-direction control
that serves to make selections in the menus, or review photos. Yet further
down, is the Quick View control to review a just captured photo
without having to resort to the Playback mode. The same button can also
be used to delete the image.
Lowest on the back is a square button that can either magnify an image
under review (4X), or if enabled in the menu, turn on the digital zoom
(2X), or a 4X magnifier to help manual focus. The digital zoom itself
is simply an image cropping device that captures a central portion of
the image frame.
Finally,
completing the user controls on the back of the camera, is the AF/AE
Lock button, placed directly below the Mode Dial. Its precise function
can be set in the camera menu, either as a straightforward AE Lock, or
an AF/AE Lock.
It can be tilted up 90° to the vertical, allowing its use for photos
that require unusual camera angles such as macrophotos. Its display is
bright — and adjustable — and yields as good an image as can
be had with an electonic viewfinder. A diopter correction is fitted on
the left side. 
used.
In addition, it provides an Auto setting that lets the camera automatically
select either the viewfinder or the LCD screen. The system uses a sensor
(the dark rectangular areas on the right of the viewfinder's exit pupil)
to detect the fact that the user has brought the camera's viewfinder up
to the eye.
