Rating: 
Summary: some important "cons" to be noted
Review: After reading so many "pros" I must add some "cons":
1 - Service - I bought my brand new camera on July 2003 used it fo 3 months and then it stoped functining - showing the "error" sign.
I droped it to the Minolta representative in Israel 3.5 months ago, and have not received it back yet.
Minolta Japan did not reply my e-mail.
2 - You have to carry atleast 2 sets of extra batarries, because it "eats" them more than any other camera I have used.
3 - When you compare the size in megabites of this camera's photos with similar pixle photo made by another make - you may find that this camera use almost double amount of m.b. to create the same photo.
Rating:
Summary: some important "cons" to be noted
Review: After reading so many "pros" I must add some "cons":
1 - Service - I bought my brand new camera on July 2003 used it fo 3 months and then it stoped functining - showing the "error" sign.
I droped it to the Minolta representative in Israel 3.5 months ago, and have not received it back yet.
Minolta Japan did not reply my e-mail.
2 - You have to carry atleast 2 sets of extra batarries, because it "eats" them more than any other camera I have used.
3 - When you compare the size in megabites of this camera's photos with similar pixle photo made by another make - you may find that this camera use almost double amount of m.b. to create the same photo.
Rating: 
Summary: Unbelievable Results -- Incredible Flexibility
Review: As the only prosumer camera with an equivalent 28mm lens, this camera stands alone. Add to this the ability to control almost every aspect of the image, and you have one great camera. I was astonded at the image quality this camera produces, and the fit and finish are of a high quality as well. My only reservations are the cost, the styling, and the fact that Minolta's software is required to process RAW images. It would be preferable to be able to capture a RAW tiff even considering the considerable file size required to do so. Please investigate other competing prosumer cameras; but, for overall capability this camera is at the top of the list.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect lightweight replacement for SLR film camera
Review: Feature-packed but easy to use. For the quickshot, just remove the lens cap, turn the control dial from "off" to "record", turn the zoom ring on the lens while composing, press the shutter release part way to focus and meter then all the way down to take the picture. About one second later you can take another one. Buttons and dials are very intuitive. While composing and enjoying the full information viewfinder you can roll the function wheel, located just behind the shutter button, to change the f/stop-shutter combination. The autofocus draws a red box around the object focused on. If by chance the autofocus selected the wrong object, just turn the focus override ring on the lens until the correct object is in focus. The auto and manual focus are both very fast, accurate, and work great in low light. The viewfinder autoswitches to black and white in extreme low light to make autofocusing easier. For great skin tones, press the mode button to select portrait. For continuous focusing and high shutter speed press it again for action. Again for scenery, nightshots, or document photo. Button on side toggles between manual and auto focus. Function dial in combination with function wheel allows you to scroll through any combination of compensations for color, contrast, brightness, ISO equivalent (100-800), burst frame speed (up to 7fps), exposure control (program, aperture, shutter, or manual), and metering mode. This same dial is used to control what type of bracketing you want to do in burst mode. For normal pictures, you can leave everything in automatic. For unusual situations you can apply manual override. Built-in flash casts a soft light on the subject rather than the harsh light by some point-and-shoots. If you want super flash power using your old manual flash rather than buying a compatible new automatic shoe-mounted external flash, you can attach any pc-cord type external flash and set the exposure to manual. Press the info and function buttons at same time to see a much brighter viewfinder when manually controlling exposure. There is also a button that quickly resets your controls to programmed automatic in case you don't want to individually return the controls to automatic. I chose over the Nikon Coolpix 5700 because in-store model 5700 did not focus very fast, 7Hi uses standard filters (49mm) without adapters, 7Hi 28mm equivalent wide angle gets more people in the picture, the 7Hi 200mm equivalent telephoto matched anything I ever needed in my SLR film camera, 7Hi has dual range macro allowing me to focus at the telephoto setting so I get the shot without casting shadows on the tiny subject, and the 7Hi uses standard AA batteries. The battery charge life is a bit short but I do not believe I would swap any feature it has for longer battery life. I simply carry at least two spare sets of batteries and the charger on my outings. Under moderate use I get about two hours of use per charge. Drops to just over an hour for heavier use. Recharge time is 4 hours. To me the functionality and results are well worth the slight battery inconvenience. The 2560x1920 resolution makes great photos.
Rating:
Summary: Minolta Dimage 7Hi 5.2MP Amazing
Review: I am finally getting the pictures that I always wanted to take. I have been shooting 35mm SLR's for 20 years and I may never go back. I picked this camera up used 2 weeks ago and have just printed my second set of prints through a good camera shop. For the second time my jaw dropped at how wonderful the colors, and black and white for that matter, looked. The one thing to watch for when printing and this is with all digital cameras is the ratio size compared to 35mm. You will need to constrain the image a bit in a computer-based software like Photoshop or Paintshop pro to avoid getting part of your image. Simply use the marquee tool and set it to a fixed aspect ratio and the crop the image. Once you have gotten beyond this there is no limit to what you can do with this camera. Try the black and white on this unit also it really does a great job but you might miss the grain. This camera never leaves my side. Anyone want to buy an SLR?
Rating: 
Summary: Damage rather than Dimage and POOR service
Review: I bought this camera based on positive reviews by other. The camera came defective right from the box -- the memory card cannot be ejected from the camera. I called Minolta twice for this problem. The first time they said they would send me a form to fill up for repair and service. I waited for a week and nothing had happened. I then call again and the operator bluntly told me that they were not going to send me anything. But they would E-mail me a "request for service" form. Then I am supposed to find my own way to send the camera to their repair center. If I choose to ship the camera to repair center, they explicitly disclaim any cost nor any liability from shipping and handling. I am very frustuated that Minolta would take such an indifferent approach to their defective products. I find their attitude and product warranty policy totally unacceptable.
Rating:
Summary: Great purchase
Review: I have bought this camera 2 years ago for 650$ and spent another 350$ for a 1GB CF2 IBM Microdrive. It was one of the best purchase i ever did.
Rating: 
Summary: Batteries will not hold a charge
Review: I love the features of the camera. However, after carefully following instructions about battery charging 4 times so that they would hold a charge, I have recharged them 6 times and they will not hold a charge. Even when they are fresh, they will not power the camera. It's going back to the store tomorrow for a refund. I am not interested in getting a brand new camera fixed. It is one week old and is obviously defective.
Rating:
Summary: NICE CAMERA
Review: I recently purchase this camera and Im very impress with it. I still trying to figure it completely, cause is loud it with all the bells and whistle. What i love the most about this camera is the fact that i can use the minolta flash wireless. To me that is a plus hard to match. Is small, light, easy to travel on this days. I carry this camera with me everywhere with two flashes and it become a portable studio.
Rating:
Summary: The best digicam on the market
Review: I spent several months researching the high end amateur digital cameras, looking for (and hoping to find) the ideal camera to pursuade me to give up film photography. I had a very demanding set of criteria: great lens, at least 5 MP, at least 7X optical zoom, lots of photographic control, Compact Flash and IBM microdrive compatible, non-proprietary rechargeable batteries, and it had to feel really good in my hands. To my surprize, such a camera does exist - the Minolta Dimage 7Hi. I tried it out at a local store, and was so impressed I immediately ordered it from Amazon.com. Now, over 4,000 pictures later, I'm absolutely thrilled. This is one awesome camera, that takes incredible pictures. Every feature works like clockwork, and the photo control is terrific. It's solid and even looks great. I've compared my pictures to those of a few friends using Canon and Nikon high-end digicams, and the 7Hi results are as good or better. I'm a very picky person who's been into photography and darkroom work for over 30 years, and I I've not shot a picture using film since I bought my DImage 7Hi - it's just too good and too much fun.
If you want a great digicam, that produces photos that rival the best you've taken with film, this camera won't disappoint.
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