Konica Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7D

	*	6.1-megapixel CCD delivers uninterpolated images as large as 3,008 x 2,000 pixels.
	*	Interchangeable lens mount hosts a wide range of Konica Minolta lenses.
	*	Advanced Konica Minolta Body-Based Anti-Shake Technology.
	*	Full manual exposure control, with an abundance of custom camera settings and fine tuning for image adjustment.

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Manufacturer Overview

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The Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D is arguably one of the most eagerly-awaited digital cameras announced in the last year or so. Minolta was one of the leading manufacturers of film-based SLRs back in the heyday of that format, in the early- and middle-1970s. As a result, there are literally millions of existing Minolta film SLR owners who have been waiting for a digital model to use their extensive collections of Minolta lenses with. Technically labeled the "Dynax" 7D, most of its fans are likely to simply refer to it as a Minolta Maxxum 7D or just Minolta 7D, given their long familiarity with the Minolta name, dating back well before the merger of Konica and Minolta a couple of years ago.

For Maxxum fans, the new Maxxum 7D will seem immediately familiar and comfortable, as many of its operating controls are carried forward from previous Maxxum film models. The Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D is a true digital SLR though, aimed at professionals and experienced amateurs serious about digital photography. As noted, the camera's wealth of external exposure controls and overall styling match those of earlier Maxxum designs, so many users will immediately feel at home. The Maxxum 7D offers a 6.1-megapixel sensor yielding images as large as 3,008 x 2,000 pixels. In a market increasingly crowded with "me-too" models though, the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D stands out, thanks to one of its unique body-based anti-shake technology. This one feature adds tremendous value, effectively turning family of high-end DiMAGE digicams brought professional camera design to the consumer, marrying the benefits of full exposure control with the ease of automatic and preset shooting modes. Models like the DiMAGE 7 series and the A2 presented pro-level control over the full image (from exposure to attributes such as sharpness, contrast, etc.), but in a package that appealed to experienced amateurs and novices alike, without compromising quality or performance.

all your Minolta autofocus lenses into image-stabilized models. With conventional anti-shake lenses typically costing hundreds of dollars more than models without anti-shake, the built-in anti-shake capability of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D could easily be worth thousands of dollars to a shooter with a large lens collection.

Other characteristics and specifications of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D are fairly typical for a camera of its class, with all the features you'd expect in a basic digital SLR, but wrapped in a uniquely "Minolta" package. The plethora of external buttons and knobs may appear intimidating to some users at first approach, but a very modest amount of time spent learning the camera's interface will leave you appreciating the speed and fluidity that all the external buttons bring to the Maxxum 7D's operation.

Highlights

• 6.1-megapixel APS-C interline primary-color CCD delivering resolutions as high as 3,008 x 2,000 pixels.
• 12-Bit A/D conversion.
• Digital SLR design for a true optical viewfinder.
• 2.5-inch TFT color LCD monitor for image and menu review.
• Interchangeable A-type bayonet lens mount accommodates a wide range of Konica Minolta AF lenses.
• Auto and Manual focus options, with adjustable nine-point AF area and Single and Continuous AF modes.
• Auto, Program AE (with Program Shift), Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual shooting modes.
• Shutter speeds from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds, with a Bulb setting for manual control of long exposures.
• 14-segment honeycomb pattern metering, Center-Weighted, and Spot metering options, with AE Lock function.
• Adjustable ISO from 100 to 3,200 equivalents, with an Auto setting.
• Built-in, pop-up flash with four main operating modes and a Slow-Sync function.
• External flash hot-shoe for Konica Minolta accessory flash units.
• External PC-style flash sync terminal.
• Built-in support for wireless TTL flash exposure with certain Konica Minolta flashes.
• Continuous Advance and Interval shooting modes.
• Digital Effects option controls contrast, saturation, sharpness, and hue adjustment.
• Adjustable White Balance setting with a manual option and full range of Kelvin temperature settings.
• Color modes include Natural (sRGB), Natural Plus (sRGB), Adobe RGB with embedded color profile.
• RAW and JPEG file formats.
• Images saved on CompactFlash Type I or II memory cards, Microdrive compatible.
• "Storage-Class" USB 2.0 High-Speed interface.
• USB 2.0 High-Speed cable and interface software for connecting to a computer and downloading images.
• NTSC or PAL selectable video output signal, with cable included.
• Power supplied by a single high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack or separate AC adapter (available as an accessory).
• Optional vertical handgrip and wired remote control accessories.
• DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) and PictBridge compliant.