Rating: 
Summary: Poor workmanship and terrible customer service
Review: I would warn anyone of buying any minolta digital camera if they are at all concerned about manufacturing quality and customer service. I bought a Dimage 7hi nine months ago and had several rubber pieces fall off within the 1st two months. One of these was the surface for the manual zoom function on the lens. When this came off and allowed dust into the underlying plastic mechanism (yes plastic!), the plastic piece broke rendering the zoom lens useless. When I sent this to Minolta, they told me they would not honor the warranty because the camera had been "used a lot." In fact, they wouldn't even acknowledge poor workmanship for the rubber piece and charged me repair cost for the whole thing minus 30%. Please let your readers know what they are getting into if they buy a minolta product...as for me, I will never buy one again!
Rating:
Summary: Poor workmanship and terrible customer service
Review: I would warn anyone of buying any minolta digital camera if they are at all concerned about manufacturing quality and customer service. I bought a Dimage 7hi nine months ago and had several rubber pieces fall off within the 1st two months. One of these was the surface for the manual zoom function on the lens. When this came off and allowed dust into the underlying plastic mechanism (yes plastic!), the plastic piece broke rendering the zoom lens useless. When I sent this to Minolta, they told me they would not honor the warranty because the camera had been "used a lot." In fact, they wouldn't even acknowledge poor workmanship for the rubber piece and charged me repair cost for the whole thing minus 30%. Please let your readers know what they are getting into if they buy a minolta product...as for me, I will never buy one again!
Rating: 
Summary: Exceeding Quality & Performance
Review: I’ve been a shutterbug since elementary school, I’m 41 now and own 7 different cameras 35MM SLR’s as well as digital. I purchased the camera on 7/22/03 and the Minolta 7Hi has got to be one of the best camera buys I’ve ever made. The wide range of options offered in this model is so amazing I thought I was using my Minolta XTSi, which has some of the same features on the 7Hi, the appearance, ergonomics’, options, quality and functionality is what set this camera apart from all other Digital’s.
I love the vivid color option, which really enhances and brings out the rich colors and the picture quality is awesome due to a superbly clean focusing lens.
I have experimented with all the picture quality options, but I continue to use the super fine setting, tight grains, and crisp clear pictures.
The sports mode setting is awesome; the camera will process the pictures as you continue to snap shots on fast moving items and storing the pictures in the internal memory (64MB) until it’s finished writing to the flash card.
I bought this camera as a bundled package, case, tripod extra 256MB CF, UV & Polarizing filters, Macro & 2X telephoto lenses with a spare set of rechargeable batteries with charger. The chances are if you are a serious photographer you will want these anyway so it’s defiantly a cost savings. I tried to use regular AA bat’s (DON’T) this camera is designed to use rechargeable, it will drain the regular AA’s in mere minutes!!
I did purchase eight (2 Sets) of 2300 mAh batteries and fully charged there’s more than enough juice to use up a 256MB Card, worth the investment. I had started out with a low end digital (1.3 MP Olympus), not sure if digital was for me, but after using it I basically grew out and wore out of this one (Sent it in twice for repairs) and was in the market for a more entry level professional model. Looked at the Nikon’s, Canons, Fuji … I didn’t settle because I wanted the best quality for my money, so the Minolta 7Hi was the ticket. I’m now getting better picture results with this digital camera and can make the same adjustments as a 35MM SLR, aside from the non interchangeable lens this camera steps up and exceeds the 35MM Film class. The 16MB card supplied with the camera is a joke in my opinion; I don’t think it would be too much to ask for Minolta to supply at a minimum 64 or 128 MB CF card. I’ve played a little with the movie clips but not enough to comment on other than it doesn’t seem to stay in focus when I try to zoom in?? This could be user error, due to lack of experience. I have not played with the external flash option yet, but plan to in the near future. The hot shoe option on this model is replaced with a cable type plug-in?? Don’t know why other than it’s a proprietary thing with Minolta? A way to charge more for a product it seems. Overall if you’re a Photonut, take a lot of pictures, and want a little more out of a digital camera, you’ll get plenty from the 7Hi.
I would give this one 6 stars but only 5 are available!!
Rating:
Summary: Exceeding Quality & Performance
Review: I’ve been a shutterbug since elementary school, I’m 41 now and own 7 different cameras 35MM SLR’s as well as digital. I purchased the camera on 7/22/03 and the Minolta 7Hi has got to be one of the best camera buys I’ve ever made. The wide range of options offered in this model is so amazing I thought I was using my Minolta XTSi, which has some of the same features on the 7Hi, the appearance, ergonomics’, options, quality and functionality is what set this camera apart from all other Digital’s.
I love the vivid color option, which really enhances and brings out the rich colors and the picture quality is awesome due to a superbly clean focusing lens.
I have experimented with all the picture quality options, but I continue to use the super fine setting, tight grains, and crisp clear pictures.
The sports mode setting is awesome; the camera will process the pictures as you continue to snap shots on fast moving items and storing the pictures in the internal memory (64MB) until it’s finished writing to the flash card.
I bought this camera as a bundled package, case, tripod extra 256MB CF, UV & Polarizing filters, Macro & 2X telephoto lenses with a spare set of rechargeable batteries with charger. The chances are if you are a serious photographer you will want these anyway so it’s defiantly a cost savings. I tried to use regular AA bat’s (DON’T) this camera is designed to use rechargeable, it will drain the regular AA’s in mere minutes!!
I did purchase eight (2 Sets) of 2300 mAh batteries and fully charged there’s more than enough juice to use up a 256MB Card, worth the investment. I had started out with a low end digital (1.3 MP Olympus), not sure if digital was for me, but after using it I basically grew out and wore out of this one (Sent it in twice for repairs) and was in the market for a more entry level professional model. Looked at the Nikon’s, Canons, Fuji … I didn’t settle because I wanted the best quality for my money, so the Minolta 7Hi was the ticket. I’m now getting better picture results with this digital camera and can make the same adjustments as a 35MM SLR, aside from the non interchangeable lens this camera steps up and exceeds the 35MM Film class. The 16MB card supplied with the camera is a joke in my opinion; I don’t think it would be too much to ask for Minolta to supply at a minimum 64 or 128 MB CF card. I’ve played a little with the movie clips but not enough to comment on other than it doesn’t seem to stay in focus when I try to zoom in?? This could be user error, due to lack of experience. I have not played with the external flash option yet, but plan to in the near future. The hot shoe option on this model is replaced with a cable type plug-in?? Don’t know why other than it’s a proprietary thing with Minolta? A way to charge more for a product it seems. Overall if you’re a Photonut, take a lot of pictures, and want a little more out of a digital camera, you’ll get plenty from the 7Hi.
I would give this one 6 stars but only 5 are available!!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, solid pre-professional digicam
Review: I'll say this right up front: I love this camera. It's the third Dimage I've had - previously, I owned the 7 and the 7i, and I *may* go for the A1 soon. It's a fine camera, but it's not a *great* camera. Pros:
- solid construction
- wonderful manual features, esp. the rotating focus ring
- lots of controls to customize shots
- excellent zoom lens, that happens to be manual (a plus!)
- variety of colorspaces to choose from
- uses standard AA batteries Cons:
- some noise, mostly on 800 ISO shots
- complex to learn
- hard to carry around - it's not that heavy, but it's awkward
- eats batteries (though this has not been a problem for me, as I just carry a spare set of rechargeables)
- rubber ring around zoom lens requires occasional removal and re-taping (as on all of the Dimage 7's) This camera has so many features that it opens a lot of doors for experimentation. The ones I particularly use:
- manual zoom
- manual focus
- 30 sec bulb exposure
- external flash port
- good "sunset" mode
- good video w/ audio
- digital viewfinder that switches to B/W in low light
- high speed shot mode
- excellent digital zoom doubler (2x) For $600 new, the current price, it would be hard to find a camera even close to this quality for $200 more.
Rating:
Summary: Good, solid pre-professional digicam
Review: I'll say this right up front: I love this camera. It's the third Dimage I've had - previously, I owned the 7 and the 7i, and I *may* go for the A1 soon. It's a fine camera, but it's not a *great* camera. Pros:
- solid construction
- wonderful manual features, esp. the rotating focus ring
- lots of controls to customize shots
- excellent zoom lens, that happens to be manual (a plus!)
- variety of colorspaces to choose from
- uses standard AA batteries Cons:
- some noise, mostly on 800 ISO shots
- complex to learn
- hard to carry around - it's not that heavy, but it's awkward
- eats batteries (though this has not been a problem for me, as I just carry a spare set of rechargeables)
- rubber ring around zoom lens requires occasional removal and re-taping (as on all of the Dimage 7's) This camera has so many features that it opens a lot of doors for experimentation. The ones I particularly use:
- manual zoom
- manual focus
- 30 sec bulb exposure
- external flash port
- good "sunset" mode
- good video w/ audio
- digital viewfinder that switches to B/W in low light
- high speed shot mode
- excellent digital zoom doubler (2x) For $600 new, the current price, it would be hard to find a camera even close to this quality for $200 more.
Rating:
Summary: Finest I've ever owned or Used
Review: I've been a serious amateur photographer for at least 50 years. This is my 3rd digital camera. It was difficult deciding between the Nikon 5700 and the Minolta 7Hi. The 28mm capability of the zoom lens plus all the other features made me go for the Minolta. I've not been disappointed. The lens is absolutely pin sharp. The Auto focus (a problem with all the Nikon coolpix cameras) is right on for 99.9% of my exposures. And it focuses quickly. If this camera has a weak point....it is the hot shoe which is a propriatory one which can be used only with Minolta external flash units. It is a dirty trick that Minolta played and their flash units cost a fortune. Hopefully Vivitar will come along with a compatible flash unit for the 7Hi. I've never been able to observe the so-called noise that some reviewers have objected to in the images. Low light level images turn out beautifully. I've tried all the color profile settings while playing around with the various profiles with my HP printer. I've finally returned to the Normal sRGB setting even though it has a smaller gamut than the Adobe RGB profile. I seem to realize better compatibility with my printer when I use the sRGB setting. Images made with the camera then blown up to 8 X 10 on matte surface paper have an almost 3 dimensional quality. Beautiful, rich colors, so sharp it's almost too good to be true. This is the sharpest lens and best camera I've ever owned in my life and I'm 67 years old. AND, guess what? The local Micro Center store had a 20% off sale on all digital cameras so I was able to get my 7Hi at a reasonable price from a local dealer without having to fight with high pressure salesmen on the phone. This one is a real keeper.
Rating:
Summary: No more 35mm
Review: I've been involved with photography for nearly 50 years, and recently went digital. WOW!!! I'm having more fun with the 7Hi than I've had in years. This camera is capable of doing far, far more than I had any idea was possible. I'm still trying to figure out what all I can do with this camera. The quality of the image on "very fine" mode is unbelievable. Between the 7Hi and my new Photoshop Elements 2.0 I'm finding how much fun it is to have a darkroom on my desktop. The instruction manual is not the easiest thing to use, however; and don't bother with the Dimage Viewer - go straight to Photoshop.
This is no camera for for the point and shoot folks. Aside from the price, this piece requires a bit of photo knowledge to get where you're going. You can set it up to point and shoot, but there are many better options for that at much lower price.
Overall I believe the results achieved by the 7Hi are limited only by the abilities of the photographer.
Rating:
Summary: A real camera!!
Review: I've been using a variety of 35mm SLR cameras for more than three decades and I place great importance on the feel of the camera in my hand. I approached my recent purchase of a 5MP camera with some early leaning towards Nikon since I've worked with two of their CoolPix cameras. I tried to do my homework on the web and am aware of most +'s and -'s. The hands-on experience sold me on the Minolta 7Hi. I love the fact that there is manual control, on the lens, of the zoom. I love the fact that the camera permits "DMF" or direct manual focus, which allows you to take advantage of a fast autofocus system that feels much faster than the Nikon (35mm or CoolPix), and THEN to tweak it manually with a ring on the lens. I love the fact that the LCD switches off whenever you put the camera up to your eye to use the electronic viewfinder (EVF). About four weeks of shooting in Islamorada, Miami, and New York have only strengthened the love affair. This is one great camera. The images, both on screen and printed are gorgeous. I don't print at >=11X14 and the noise is so much better (to my eye) than my earlier digital cameras that I can not say it is a problem. The 12bit A/D and the 64MB RAM buffer in the camera are really nice additions that I think are not found in the other two 5MP choices. The UHS (ultra high speed) mode is incredible.....we're going to use that in my research laboratory in ways that I hadn't even imagined at the time I chose the camera (thanks to an adaptor from Brunel Microscopes in UK) . Finally, I think they designed the menus in a very easy to learn way. Nikon menus (880, 990, 995) always seemed a bit impenetrable to me. But, I move through all the 7Hi menus all the time and had little difficulty keeping straight how to do what where. This is a real credit to those who designed the user interface. I've added a spare set of 4 AA 1850mAh batteries and (now that each set has been cycled 3-4 times) this will be more than enough for many hundreds of 5MP shots. I also sprang for a 49mm UV filter, a couple of high speed 256MB CF cards and am considering a firewire CF card reader. Otherwise, the bundle is complete. My single most significant gripe is that the Minolta software crashes all the time under Mac OS X 10.2. The current Mac version is useless, while the Windows version seems OK. But, this isn't the camera's fault, presumably is something that Minolta will fix soon, and really only limits your use of RAW images. Photoshop, Canvas, or iPhoto all work fine. This is a real camera that just happens to store the images digitally rather than on film. I'd say this camera finally delivers on the digital promise.
Rating:
Summary: Yet another faulty USB connection story.
Review: I've read all the reviews on this camera, and it is all that people say it is. It has a great feel, and is packed with a ton of fantastic Prosumer features. In all the reviews I have read there is one flaw that seems to appear frequently, .....faulty USB connector. I received my camera, I immediately read the manuals, installed the software, and started shooting (I love the artificial shutter sound). I went to transfer the pictures to my PC (Windoze XP on a P4)... and guess what... It couldn't find the camera. I reread the software and camera manuals 2 times. There are no soft or hard switches to enable the USB port. I set the camera to all possible modes (including transfer) no luck. I tried another USB port, another USB cable, I upgraded the DImage Software, I upgraded the camera's firmware, I tried the cable with my 3030 it worked on all USB ports, I read the flash card through a card reader ...the DImage software found the card and transferred the pictures. The USP Port is broken, faulty, flawed, kaput. Back it goes.. Repackaged.. Dropped at UPS for return to the merchant... (Tough choice, back to the merchant or to Minolta for repair! I opted to return it to the merchant to avoid the inevitable frustration of proving to the manufacturer that the camera is actually broken, and I'm not retarded... i.e. "Try this" "Try that" we'll send you new software yada yada yada) Wait 15 days while the wheels of the dot com bureaucracy crank out a replacement camera. (the only bad thing about buying online is returns) If you buy this camera TEST THE USB PORT IMMEDIATELY! I've read of too many USB failures from too many consumer reviews for this to be a coincidence. I think Minolta isn't adquately testing the camera's USB port during it's QA process. I love the camera... I'm happy with my selection... I just wish I didn't have to deal with this one minor issue, and all the time it takes to cure it! P.S. I think my rebate might have gotten hosed in the process.. all the criteria are suddenly not valid (I had to return the camera with the packing slip which was also necessary for the rebate!) Hope this helps.
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