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Minolta's DiMAGE 7Hi digital camera. Courtesy of Minolta, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Minolta Announces DiMAGE 7 Update
By
(Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 07:00 EDT)

Japanese camera company Minolta Corp. has today announced an update to its DiMAGE 7 series of digital cameras at the Seybold San Francisco trade show.

Whilst the DiMAGE 7Hi is fairly similar to the existing 7i model, Minolta must consider it to be a quite significant update, as it will apparently continue to sell both models alongside each other. Changes include a new flash-sync terminal compatible with both center-negative and center-positive studio lighting setups, the manual shutter speed has been extended to 15 seconds, and the chassis color has been changed from silver to black.

  • Built-in PC Sync connector compatible with both center-negative and center-positive studio lighting setups
  • Color space can be selected for each picture (sRGB or Adobe RGB)
  • Economy compression mode has been removed and replaced with a new lower-compression mode, 'extra fine'
  • Shutter speeds in manual mode have been extended to 15 seconds (bulb mode still allows exposures to 30 seconds)
  • The 3 frames per second burst mode has been extended to 10 frames in Fine JPEG, 7 frames in the new Extra Fine JPEG, 5 frames in RAW or 3 frames in TIFF
  • Customisable user interface, including
    • Select buttons/dials for memory recall and manual exposure settings
    • Exposure bracketing only, or digital effects bracketing too
    • ICC color profile can be attached to image files
    • Default for delete confirmation (yes / no)
    • Undo function if camera is accidentally reset
  • New cool white fluorescent white balance setting, as well as two new custom settings (for a total of three)
  • Black magnesium alloy body
  • New contoured rubber grip
  • Supports Print Image Matching II

The Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi will begin shipping in the USA later this month at a price of US$1,299 (€1,323 / £833 / ¥154,000 excluding exchange rate fluctuations, taxes and duties.) Following are press images and full specifications courtesy of Minolta. More details can be found in the press release below.

Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi
Number of effective pixels 5.0 million
CCD
2/3-type interline primary-color CCD
Total pixels: 5.2 million
A/D conversion 12 bit
Camera sensitivity Auto, ISO 100, 200, 400, 800 equivalents
Focal length 7.2 - 50.8mm (35mm equivalent: 28 - 200mm)
Lens construction 16 elements in 13 groups (includes two AD glass elementsand two aspheric elements)
Maximum aperture f/2.8 - f/3.5
Minimum focus distance 1.6 ft. (0.5m) from CCD
Macro focus range
At 7.2mm:
11.8 - 23.6 inches / 30 - 60 cm from CCD
8.3 - 20 inches / 21 - 51 cm from front of lens
At 42.7 - 50.8mm:
9.8 - 23.6 inches / 25 - 60 cm from CCD
5.1 - 19.7 inches / 13 - 50 cm from front of lens
Maximum magnification
0.177x (1: 5.65)
Equivalent to 0.7x (1: 1.43) in 35mm format
Area covered at maximum magnification 1.97 x 1.46 inches / 50 x 37mm
Optical zooming control Manual zooming ring
Filter diameter 49mm
Viewfinder type
EVF (Electronic viewfinder)
Variable-position: 0-90º
Automatic monitor amplification
Electronic magnification
Viewfinder LCD
Ferroelectric 4.8mm (0.19 inch) reflective liquid crystal microdisplay
Equivalent visual resolution: 220,000 pixels
Monitor LCD
46mm (1.8 inch) low-temperature polysilicon TFT color
Total pixels: 118,000
Field of view
EVF: 100% (approximately)
External LCD monitor: 100 % (approximately)
Display-mode switch Auto-display, Electronic-viewfinder display, External LCD-monitor display
Viewfinder magnification 0.31 - 2.1x
Diopter control - 5 ~ +0.5 diopter
Eye relief 20mm
Shutter CCD electronic shutter and mechanical shutter
Shutter speed range
15 - 1/4000 second at ISO 100 in programmed-AE and aperturepriority exposure modes.
Maximum shutter speed is 1/2000 second at ISO 100 in shutterpriority and manual exposure modes.
* The slowest shutter speed varies with the camera-sensitivity (ISO) setting.
Bulb (maximum 30 seconds)
Autofocus system Video AF
Autofocus areas
Wide focus area, Spot focus point
Flex Focus Point control is available with the spot focus point.
Focus modes
Autofocus: Single-shot AF, Continuous AF
Manual focus with 4x electronic magnification
Focus lock By pressing shutter-release button partway down. Also possible with spot-AE lock button.
Metering Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Multi-segment metering 300 segments
Exposure control range
Programmed AE and aperture-priority modes:
Wide: EV -1 - 18
Telephoto: EV -0.4 - 18.7
Shutter-priority and manual modes:
Wide: EV -1 - 17
Telephoto: EV -0.4 - 17.7
Exposure modes Programmed AE (with program shift), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual
Digital Subject Programs Portrait, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Text
Exposure compensation ± 2 EV in 1/3 increments
AE lock With spot-AE lock button or by pressing the shutter-release button partway down
Flash control ADI, Pre-flash TTL, Manual flash control
Flash range
Wide: 1.6 - 12.5 ft. / 0.5 - 3.8m (approximately)
Telephoto: 1.6 - 9.8 ft. / 0.5 - 3m (approximately)
(Camera sensitivity: auto)
Flash modes Fill-flash, Red-eye reduction, Rear flash sync, Wireless/Remote flash
Flash recycling time Approximately 7 seconds
Flash compensation ± 2 EV in 1/3 increments
Flash-sync speed All shutter speeds
External flashes
Auto-flash metering with Program Flash 3600HS(D), ProgramFlash 5600HS(D), Macro Twin Flash 2400,* Macro Ring Flash1200.*
*Macro Flash Controller is necessary.
Non-dedicated off-camera flash units can be used using the camera's flash-sync terminal.
Continuous-advance modes
UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous advance: approximately 7 frames per second
High-speed continuous advance: approximately 3 frames per second
Standard continuous advance: approximately 2 frames per second
*Actual speed may vary depending upon the subject and camera settings.
Approximate number of frames that can be captured at one time with the continuous-advance drive modes:
Continuous advance†1 UHS continuous advance†2
RAW:
5
-
Super Fine:
3
-
Extra Fine:
7

32

Fine:
10
62
Standard:
17
100
†1 at full (2560x1920) image size.
†2 at SXGA (1280x960) image size.
*Actual number of images may vary depending upon the subject and camera settings.
Interval recording 2 - 99 frames Interval time: 1 - 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes,45 minutes, 60 minutes
Digital Enhanced Bracketing
Exposure, Contrast, Color saturation, Filter
Exposure: 1.0, 0.5, 0.3 EV increments
Contrast, Color saturation, Filter: fixed increments
Number of frames in bracket: 3
Self-timer Approximately 10 seconds
Movie
Standard movie mode: 60 seconds (maximum) at 15 frames per second with and without monaural audio
Night movie mode: 60 seconds (maximum) at 15 frames per second with and without monaural audio
Automatic selection function between standard and night movie modes available.
UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous-advance movie mode: approximately 7 frames per second with monaural audio
Time-lapse movie mode: no audio and played back at 4 frames per second
Audio Voice memo: 5 seconds or 15 seconds (maximum) monaural audio with still image
Color modes Natural Color (sRGB), Vivid Color (sRGB), Black and white (neutral and toned), Solarization, Adobe RGB
Camera color spaces sRGB, Adobe RGB
White-balance control
Automatic
Preset (Daylight, Tungsten, Cloudy, and two Fluorescent settings)
Custom (three settings)
Sharpness settings Three levels (Soft, Normal, Hard)
Digital Effects Control Exposure, Color saturation, Contrast compensation, Filter
Digital zoom 2x
Data imprinting
Year/month/day (Format can be changed.)
Month/day/time
Text
Text and serial numbers
Imprinting can be disabled.
Image-quality modes RAW, Super fine, Extra fine, Fine, Standard
Number of recorded pixels (Still images):
2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480
1280 X 960 in UHS continuous-advance mode
Number of recorded pixels (Movie clips):
Time-lapse movie at all image sizes
640 x 480 in UHS continuous-advance mode
320 x 240 in standard and night movie modes
Storage capacity
Approximate storage capacity of a 16MB CompactFlash card:
RAW: 1 frame
Super fine: 1 frame
Extra fine: 2 frames
Fine: 5 frames
Standard: 10 frames
Movie† 50 seconds
* Recorded at: 2560 x 1920
** Actual number of images may vary depending upon the subject and memory card used.
† Total number of seconds that can be stored
File formats
JPEG, TIFF, Motion JPEG (MOV), RAW
DCF 1.0-compliant
DPOF-compliant (Supported by printing functions in version 1.1)
WAVE
Printing output control Exif Print, PRINT Image Matching II
Recording media
Type I and Type II CompactFlash cards
IBM Microdrive (170MB, 340MB, 512MB, 1GB)
PC Interface USB 1.1
AV output NTSC, PAL (selected on the camera)
Batteries
Four AA Ni-MH or alkaline batteries
Use of Ni-MH batteries is recommended.
Battery performance:
(Playback)
Approximate continuous playback time: 120 minutes
Based on Minolta's standard test method: 1850mAh Ni-MH batteries,
External LCD monitor on, EVF off.
Battery performance
(Recording):
Approximate number of recorded images: 220 frames
Based on Minolta's standard test method: 1850mAh Ni-MH batteries, EVF on, External LCD monitor off, Full-size images (2560 x 1920), Standard image quality, No instant playback, No voice memo, Flash used with 50% of the frames.
External power source 6V DC with specified AC adapter (sold separately)
Dimensions 4.61 (W) x 3.56 (H) x 4.43 (D) inches(117 (W) x 90.5 (H) x 112.5 (D) mm)
Weight 18.7 ounces (530 grams) without batteries or recording media (approximately)
Operating temperature 32-104 ºF (0-40 ºC)
Standard accessories Leather Neck Strap NS-DG1000, Lens Cap (49mm) LF-1249, Accessory Shoe Cap SC-9, AV Cable AVC-300, 16MB CompactFlash Card, USB Cable USB-100, DiMAGE Software CDROM (Includes DiMAGE Viewer), Lens Shade DLS-7Hi, Four AA, Ni-MH batteries, Ni-MH Battery Charger
Optional accessories AC Adapter AC-1L, External High Power Battery Pack Kit EBP-100,Remote Cord RC-1000S, Remote Cord RC-1000L, Step Up Adapter 49mm - 62mm
System Requirements
IBM PC/AT compatible computers with Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 98*, or Windows 98 Second Edition* and with a USB port as standard interface.

Apple Macintosh computers with Mac OS 8.6** - 9.2.2 or Mac OS X v10.1-10.1.5 and with a USB port as standard interface.

  • The computer and operating system must be guaranteed by their manufacturers to support USB interface.
  • Problems may be encountered depending on what other USB devices are being used in parallel with this product.
  • Only a built-in USB port is supported. Problems may be encountered when the camera is connected to a USB hub.
  • Normal operation may not be possible even when all the system requirements are met.

* Users with Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition must install dedicated driver software included in the DiMAGE 7Hi package.
** Users with Mac OS 8.6 must download and install free driver software from the Apple Computer web site.

Windows is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Macintosh is a trademark or registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. Other corporate names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Specifications, accessories and system requirements are subject to change without notice

More Photos
.

Source: Minolta Corp.

Original Source Press Release:

MINOLTA INTRODUCES THE STYLISH NEW DiMAGE 7Hi DIGITAL CAMERA

New 5 megapixel digital camera with built-in 7x optical zoom lens, faster autofocusing, new flash synchronization terminal and superior image quality enhances the DiMAGE line

San Francisco, CA (September 10, 2002) - Minolta Corporation expands its digital camera line with the introduction of the new sleek and stylish Single Lens-Reflex (SLR)-type Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi. Based on the award-winning DiMAGE 7 and incorporating improved features from its sister model - the top-of-the-line DiMAGE 7i - the new DiMAGE 7Hi has been further enhanced with features such as a built-in flash synchronization terminal making it a versatile digital imaging tool in the studio and on location, as well as everyday use.

With a 5-megapixel resolution, 7x optical, 2x digital zoom lens and superior GT Lens technology, the DiMAGE 7Hi is a complete digital imaging center that can control all the essential elements for high-quality photography: sharpness, exposure, contrast, color, and saturation. With 12-bit A/D conversion and Minolta's image-processing technology, CxProcess, what you see will be what you get. In addition, image quality choices have been improved with the inclusion of a new extra-fine image setting.

"With the introduction of the new DiMAGE 7Hi, Minolta makes it easier and more affordable to bring digital imaging into the studio," said Jon Sienkiewicz, vice president of marketing, Minolta Corporation's Consumer Products Group. "Differing from its sister model, the DiMAGE 7i, this new camera's built-in flash synchronization terminal and extra-fine image setting are sure to please the professional level photographer as well as advanced amateurs looking for the best digital photography has to offer. Building on the success of the award-wining DiMAGE 7 series of digital cameras Minolta is proud to now offer a broad line of high quality digital cameras each designed for different applications and different users."

The new DiMAGE 7Hi features a 2/3 inch-type CCD image sensor with 5-megapixel effective resolution. The camera incorporates a 7x zoom apochromatic Minolta GT LENS with two anomalous dispersion (AD) glass elements for color accuracy and dual aspherical elements which, combined with a 2x digital zoom, provides a compact lens design with a wide image capture range. The optical zoom lens range is 7.2mm - 50.8mm (equivalent to 28mm -200mm in 35mm).

The image formed on the CCD is enhanced by Minolta's exclusive CxProcess image processing technology to optimize sharpness, color reproduction, tonal gradation and noise to create clear and natural images. The wide dynamic range is provided by an improved electro-optical system with 12-bit A/D (analog to digital) conversion to ensure natural color and tonal reproduction.

The Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi features a 3-point wide AF system for fast, accurate focusing, a Flex Focus Point for precise control over the focusing area and a Direct Manual Focus (DMF) to make instant adjustments to the autofocus.

Just like the DiMAGE 7i, the DiMAGE 7Hi's AF system is almost twice as fast the original DiMAGE 7, and the capturing interval has been reduced to make a more responsive camera. In the program and aperture-priority exposure modes, the shutter speed tops out at 1/4000 second. The new high-speed continuous-advance drive mode allows successive images to be captured at approximately 3 frames per second even with high-quality TIFF and RAW images. UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous-advance can capture approximately 7 frames a second to compete with most professional film cameras.

The DiMAGE 7Hi features three image-quality settings - extra fine, fine, and standard - to produce JPEG files with varying degrees of image compression. To preserve all the detail in an image with no compression, the super-fine setting creates a high-quality TIFF file and the RAW setting creates a Minolta RAW data file. This RAW data can be opened in the supplied DiMAGE Viewer software and saved with an 8-bit or 16-bit color depth.

A new built-in flash sync terminal allows the DiMAGE 7Hi to be connected to professional studio and location flash systems. Simply plug the flash's PC cord into the terminal. Designed for center-negative and center-positive polarities, the camera is compatible with most studio and location lighting systems.

Accurate color reproduction is a necessity for today's photographer and simple for the DiMAGE 7Hi. To capture images under varying natural and artificial lighting sources, white balance is controlled with nine settings, five preset, three custom, and one auto. So that colors are not distorted when printed or displayed on monitors, the color space can be selected between sRGB and Adobe RGB, and the camera's ICC profile can be attached to the image file.

The LCD monitor and Digital Hyper viewfinder have been improved for easier viewing and more accurate color rendition. These are housed in a durable magnesium-alloy body with a rich black finish and a comfortable new rubber grip. The DiMAGE 7Hi retains the same simple ergonomic control layout of the DiMAGE 7 and 7i.

The DiMAGE 7Hi can record high-quality 16-bit audio with still and moving images. Along with standard QVGA digital movies, three new movie functions allow greater creative freedom.

The Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi and DiMAGE 7i will be available side-by-side at retail at differing price points. The DiMAGE 7Hi will be available to consumers in September 2002 with an estimated street price of $1,299.

For more detailed information on features and specifications of the Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi,
please refer to the enclosed backgrounder and specification sheets.

Minolta Corporation
Minolta Corporation, headquartered in Ramsey, New Jersey, is the largest subsidiary of Minolta Co. Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, a leading manufacturer of cameras, business equipment, radiometric instruments and planetariums. Minolta Corporation's Consumer Products Group (CPG) markets 35mm film and Advanced Photo System cameras, digital cameras, binoculars, accessory lenses, photographic light meters, 35mm and Advanced Photo System film scanners and other consumer products.

The corporation's Business Products Group (BPG) markets digital and analog office equipment. Products include black-and-white copiers, digital black and white printer/copiers, plain-paper laser facsimile machines, digital color printer/copiers, micrographic systems, document management software, and related office equipment.

For more information, visit Minolta's Web site located at www.minoltausa.com or access Minolta's PHOTOFAX at 800-528-4767.

All brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

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