First
there was the Dimage
7, then the Dimage 7i, and now the Minolta's Dimage 7Hi. Each
of these last 2 models represent incremental but nonetheless significant
improvements to the original Dimage 7.
The
physical layout of the controls on the Minolta Dimage 7Hi continues unchanged
from the Dimage 7 and 7i. As with the 7 and 7i, the Dimage 7Hi has a grip
topped by the Shutter Release, and a Control Dial —
the small wheel to the right and slightly behind the shutter release —
used to make selections including aperture and shutter speed.
The top of the camera provides a large Data Panel with, to its
right, a combination Main Switch and Mode Dial, and two other buttons.
The round one closest to the data panel allows choosing the Subject-Programs;
while the other, labelled with a [P], is a Pro-Auto button
that immediately resets the camera to its basic program mode and returns
most settings to their defaults.
The
Data Panel is back-lit. Its light is activated when the shutter release
is pressed halfway. The information shown on the Data Panel includes:
aperture, shutter speed, program modes, shots remaining, battery state,
image size and quality, ISO, etc. Depending on the mode in use, and the
settings selected, additional information will be displayed, such as:
exposure compensation, white balance, self-timer and flash mode.
The
primary control for the Dimage 7Hi is the Mode Dial:
Power
On/Off. The dial has a lock to prevent the camera from being turned
on accidentally.
Still
image recording mode.
Playback
mode.
Movie
mode.
Setup
options.
Connection
mode.
The
Function Dial, on the upper left side of the camera, is used in
combination with the Control Dial. First the Function Dial is rotated
to the desired position. Then, while holding down the button at its centre,
the Control Dial is turned until the desired setting appears in the viewfinder
or on the LCD screen. This way it provides a fast and efficient way to
change settings for:
P/A/S/M
(Exposure Modes): Program with Program Shift, Aperture Priority, Shutter
Priority, Manual mode.
Metering:
Multi-segment, Centre-Weighted, Spot.
Memory:
5 sets of camera settings can be memorized.
Still
on the left side of the camera, another control works the same way as
the Function Dial, this one called the Digital Effects Controller.
The Digital Effects Controller is used for:
Exposure
Compensation or Flash Compensation: exposure compensation uses
the Control Dial, while Flash Compensation uses the up and down
arrows of the 4-direction controller on the back of the camera.
Both can be varied over 2EV in 1/3EV increments.
Contrast:
can be varied over ±3 increments.
Colour
Saturation:
also
can be varied over a range of ±3 increments.
Filter:
the filter effect can either warm, or cool the colours of the image.
Once again ±3 steps are possible, with the positive side
warming and the negative side cooling the colours.
Closer towards the back of the camera, another button provides a simple
means to switch between Manual and Auto focus; while above, an external
flash connection — new on this model — is provided.
The Minolta Dimage 7Hi continues the use of a Ferroelectric 4.8mm (0.19
inch) reflective liquid crystal microdisplay for the viewfinder. The electronic
viewfinder (EVF) claims to provide an equivalent visual resolution of
220,000 pixels. The viewfinder can be tilted up 90° — adding
some flexibility to the camera angle that can be used. A diopter correction
is fitted on the left side, near the exit pupil, and has a rubber trim.
Either
the EVF or the 1.8 inch LCD screen, recessed into the back of the Dimage
7Hi, can be used, and the camera is able to automatically detect which
one is required. A sensor which is fitted on the right of the viewfinder,
can detect when the camera is brought up to the eye, turning the EVF on,
and the LCD screen off. A switch to the right of the viewfinder provides
3 settings: EVF, A (Auto), and LCD identified by the standard symbol .
This
same control also has a centre button labelled
which is used to overlay information on either the EVF or the LCD. The
information displayed is extensive, covering all the most important settings.
In addition, a histogram can be displayed, either showing the distribution
of brightness in the subject in real time, or that of an image under review.
Directly
below the Mode Dial pod, the Dimage 7Hi provides a Spot-AE lock
button which by default allows locking the auto exposure, but which can
be re-programmed in the menu.
Five other controls are organized on the right side of the LCD screen.
First, the Menu button, and below a 4-direction controller that
is mainly used for navigating the menus, and which has a confirmation
button at its centre.
Next is the QV (Quick View) button, used to see the last captured
photo without having to switch the Mode Dial to the Playback position.
Finally, a small square button can be used to magnify an image in playback
or activate the digital zoom.
.
which is used to overlay information on either the EVF or the LCD. The
information displayed is extensive, covering all the most important settings.
In addition, a histogram can be displayed, either showing the distribution
of brightness in the subject in real time, or that of an image under review.
