Overview | |
---|---|
Type | Single-lens reflex |
Lens | |
Lens | Interchangeable via Minolta A-type bayonet mount |
Sensor/Medium | |
Sensor | 23.5 × 15.7 mm CCD |
Maximum resolution | 3,008 × 2,000 (6.1 megapixels) |
ASA/ISO range | ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, and Auto |
Storage | CompactFlash (CF) (Type I or Type II) or Microdrive |
Focusing | |
Focus modes | Single-Shot, Continuous, Auto, Manual |
Focus areas | TTL CCD line sensors (9-points, 8 lines with center cross-hair sensor) |
Exposure/Metering | |
Exposure modes | Manual, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, Program, Auto, 3-Programmable modes |
Exposure metering | EV 0 to 20 (at ISO 100 with f/1.4 lens) |
Metering modes | 14-segment Honeycomb, Spot, Center Weighted |
Flash | |
Flash | Built-in pop-up with hotshoe |
Shutter | |
Shutter | Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane Shutter |
Shutter speed range | 1/4000 sec – 30 sec, or Bulb |
Continuous shooting | RAW / RAW+JPEG: 3 frame/s, up to 9 frames, JPEG Extra Fine: 3 frame/s, up to 12 frames, JPEG Fine: 3 frame/s, up to 15 frames, JPEG Standard: 3 frame/s, up to 19 frames |
Viewfinder | |
Viewfinder | Eye-level fixed pentaprism |
Image Processing | |
Custom WB | Auto, 6 adjustable presets, Manual, Color temperature |
General | |
Rear LCD monitor | 2.5" TFT LCD, 207,000 pixels |
Battery | NP-400 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery |
Optional battery packs | Vertical Control Grip VC-7D |
Weight | 760 g (1.68 lb) body only |
The Maxxum 7D, labelled Dynax 7D in Europe/Hong Kong and α-7 Digital in Japan and officially named "DG-7D", is a 6.1 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera, or DSLR, produced by Konica Minolta. It was the top model of their DSLR range; the Maxxum/Dynax 5D consumer-grade model was the other.
The 7D was first announced on 2004-02-12 at the PMA show, with full details released just before the 2004 photokina show on 2004-09-15. The production camera was released in late 2004. Production ceased when Konica Minolta announced their exit from the camera business in January 2006. Regardless of its high specification (for the time) and innovative feature set, it came with a very high price tag. The 7D was available as body only, but also with a kit lens; a 17-35mm f/2.8. Like the Nikon 18-70 kit lens found with many Nikon DSLRs, this lens was regarded as of high enough quality to do justice to the sensor within the body, unlike the cheap zoom kit lenses found with many DSLRs. In 2006 Sony acquired the Konica-Minolta camera business although remaining inventory continued to be sold, alongside the K-M based Sony α100. On release, the camera retailed for around £1000 GBP; somewhere between the Nikon D300 and Canon 40D.
The 7D features a Magnesium alloy body, plastic in the rear, and primarily external controls. The body includes external controls for exposure compensation, flash compensation, focus mode, shooting mode, exposure mode, drive mode, metering mode, white balance, focal area, ISO, and two dials that are used to control shutter speed and F-stop. Presence of the external controls for most functions encourage experimentation without having to traverse through menus.
The 7D's 2.5-inch (64 mm) LCD also doubles as the control LCD. Rather than having a second, status LCD located elsewhere like some Canon and Nikon DSLRs, it displays information such as exposure settings, aperture, shutter speed, battery life, and other miscellaneous recording information. The LCD, when acting as the control LCD, also rotates 90° based on the rotation of the camera to keep all of the information shown upright.