Minolta Dimage 7HiMinolta updates their revolutionary five-megapixel electronic SLR with an external flash sync connection, faster continuous mode, an "extra fine" JPEG option, and increased color space flexibility.<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 10/15/2002 |
Operation & User Interface
The Dimage 7Hi's user interface is much more sophisticated than most digital cameras on the market, as it provides significant external control over commonly used settings. As a result, the Dimage 7Hi should be more intuitive for film-based photographers who are accustomed to the "tactile" interface of the traditional 35mm SLR. The difference is immediately apparent with the mechanically-coupled zoom lens control, which provides much more direct control than the motorized rocker switch zooms used by most other digital cameras. The rubber collar grip surrounding the lens barrel is clearly marked with corresponding focal lengths, so you know immediately the zoom setting at which you're operating. Manual focus is more of a "fly by the wire" adjustment, in which a ridged focus ring at the base of the lens is used to control the internal motor that actually makes the adjustment. In my opinion, the zoom control is much more important, however, given that the majority of users will spend more time in Auto Focus rather than Manual Focus mode.
Apart from the overall flash operating mode, you can control almost all of the essential camera functions without having to resort to the on-screen LCD menu system. Most of the camera adjustments are made by rotating a dial, pressing a button, and turning the control wheel. This may sound like a lot of steps, but in practice I've always found external mechanical controls like these much faster to navigate than LCD menu options. In addition to the Mode Dial / Main Power Switch on top of the camera, the major interface elements include a pair of function dials on the left side of the camera, a Control dial just to the right of the Shutter button, and the top-panel LED data readout (or, you can refer to the LCD or electronic viewfinder displays.) Initially, I found it a little awkward to have to view the left side of the camera to select specific parameters, but after a few hours of using the camera, I found myself simply counting the clicks on the dials there to select the options I wanted. Bottom line, while they're rather unusual in the digicam world, the Dimage 7Hi's controls lend themselves to quick, sure operation for experienced users in the heat of concentrated shooting sessions.
Control Enumeration
Shutter Button: Located on the top right-hand side of the camera, this button sets exposure and focus (in autofocus mode) when half-pressed, and trips the shutter when fully pressed.
Control Dial: This ridged wheel sits just behind and to the right of the Shutter button, conveniently under your index finger. All of the most commonly used camera settings are adjusted by using this wheel in conjunction with one of the function dials on the left side of the camera. It also controls aperture and shutter speed in exposure modes where those parameters are placed under the photographer's direct control. (Aperture or Shutter Priority, or full Manual mode.)
Mode Dial / Main Switch: In the right rear corner of the top panel, this knob turns the camera on or off and selects the main operating modes of the camera. Options include: Record, Playback, Movie, Setup, and Computer Connect modes. A button on the dial unlocks it for turning.
Pro Auto Button: Just in front of the Mode dial, on the right, this button resets most camera options to their default settings, and returns the camera to programmed autoexposure mode. (A handy way to get back to square one, after making multiple settings adjustments.)
Subject Program Button: Just to the right of the status display panel, this button cycles the camera through its five "Subject Programs," including Portrait, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait, and Text Modes.
Spot Button: On the back of the camera, just below the Mode Dial, the Spot button locks exposure and/or focus, depending on how you've set it up. An LCD menu option configures the button to match your shooting style. Focus and exposure lock can be set together or as separate functions, and the button can be programmed to either toggle the lock on or off, or only hold the settings while it's depressed.
Display Mode Switch: Also on the back of the camera, just to the right of the EVF eyepiece is the Display Mode switch. This controls the operation of the rear-panel LCD and the EVF displays. Turned fully clockwise, it disables the EVF and enables the LCD screen. Turned fully counterclockwise, it enables the EVF and turns off the LCD. In its middle position, the camera will switch automatically between the EVF and LCD, depending on whether your eye is pressed to the eyepiece. (Or, if configured through the LCD menu, the Auto position turns the EVF on or off depending on when it's in use, and never activates the rear-panel LCD. This mode is good for conserving battery life.)
Information Button: Located in the middle of the Display Mode switch, this button controls the amount of information displayed on the EVF and LCD screens while in Record and Playback modes, and it activates the Index display in Playback mode. The available information screens are controlled via an option on the Setup-mode menu.
Menu Button: While the Dimage 7Hi does make considerable use of external controls, it also has an extensive LCD menu system, with three screens of menus in both Record and Playback modes. Pressing the Menu button calls up the menu system, and dismisses it when you're done.
Five-Way Controller: In the center of the back panel's controls (to the right of the LCD monitor), this rocker control steps through selections within the LCD menu system and interacts with various status messages or requests for confirmation that appear on the LCD screen. You navigate the menus by pressing one of the four arrows around the control's periphery, and confirm selections by pressing the button in the center of the control. (I really like the separate button in the middle of this controller. It makes selecting menu items much more certain than rocker controls that rely on you pressing the control in the middle to make a selection. I frequently end up inadvertently pressing such controls slightly unevenly, changing the menu selection, rather than confirming it. A separate button as on the 7Hi avoids this problem.) In Playback mode, pressing the up arrow calls up the histogram display. In record mode, pressing and holding the center of the control switches the camera between Wide and Spot autofocus modes. Once in Spot AF, rocking the control moves the Spot crosshair around the frame, converting it to Flex Focus Point mode.
QV/Delete Button: Below the Four-Way Controller, the QuickView button lets you quickly switch from Record to Playback mode to view just-captured images. When viewing an image, pressing this button prompts the camera to ask if you want to delete it.
Magnify Button: Below and to the right of the Four-Way Controller, this button can be configured (via an LCD menu option) to either toggle the 2x digital zoom, or to magnify the center of the image by 4x for manual focusing. In Playback mode, this button initially magnifies the image 2x, after which the up/down arrows on the Five-Way Controller increase or decrease magnification in steps of 0.2x, up to a maximum of 4x.
Battery Compartment Latch: Directly below the LCD screen, this latch opens the battery compartment cover. It was slightly challenging to actuate this latch while simultaneously pressing on the compartment cover to hold it closed, but it's far from the worst battery compartment design I've seen. (And from my own battery testing experiments, I've come to appreciate the value of having very tight contact between the battery terminals and the batteries themselves. Very tight contact reduces contact resistance, increasing battery life to a surprising extent.)
Function Dial: Located on the left side of the camera, just below and between the flash head and electronic viewfinder, this dial is the primary interface for controlling the most frequently used camera settings. Options include Memory, Metering, Exposure Mode, Drive, White Balance, and ISO. You change a setting by rotating the dial to the appropriate position, and then pressing the central button while rotating the ridged Control dial. When you press the center button, the corresponding camera option is displayed in isolation on either the LCD or EVF (whichever is in use), so you can see its current value as you rotate the Control dial.
Digital Effects Controller: Below and forward of the Function Dial is the Digital Effects Controller. Its operation is very similar to that of the Function Dial, in that changes are made by rotating the dial to select a function, pressing the central button, and scrolling the Selection Wheel. Options include Exposure Compensation, Contrast, Color Saturation, and Filter (a hue adjustment).
AF / MF Button: Just to the rear of the Digital Effects Controller, this button switches the camera between automatic and manual focus operation.
Manual Focus Ring: Surrounding the base of the lens barrel, this ribbed ring controls focus when the camera is in Manual focus mode. This is a "fly by wire" control, in that it isn't directly (mechanically) connected to the optics, but rather commands an internal motor to move the lens elements.
Zoom Control Ring : A rubberized ring around the middle of the lens barrel, this controls the optical zoom, moving the lens from wide angle to telephoto positions. Unlike the zoom controls on most digicams I've tested, this collar on the 7Hi is directly connected to the lens elements, providing very precise, sure-footed control.
Macro Focus Switch: Located on the left side of the lens barrel, this
control engages the macro focusing option.
Diopter Control Dial: Practically hidden on the left side of the optical
viewfinder, this tiny dial adjusts the viewfinder display to accommodate eyeglass
wearers. It varies the eyepiece diopter setting over an unusually broad range.
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