*Full* review posted for the Minolta DiMAGE 7i!
By
Dave Etchells
(Wednesday, June 19, 2002 - 00:29 EDT)
Dave examines Minolta's update to the popular (and capable) DiMAGE 7 digital camera...
Phew, this was one of those reviews where I thought I'd never get done writing! There's just so many features to describe and put into context. I was a big fan of the original DiMAGE 7 when it first appeared a little over a year ago. It was the first 5 megapixel "prosumer" camera, and incorporated a lot of innovative technology, including its ferroelectric EVF (with amazing low light capability) and a really exceptional 7x zoom lens. It wasn't a perfect camera by any means, but it definitely shook up the digicam world at the time.
In the intervening months, it's had some strong challenges from several quarters, but on the whole has aged gracefully. With the DiMAGE 7i though, Minolta's raised the bar again. The list of enhancements and added features is long, and it's clear that they're not just changes for the sake of having something new, but careful responses to feedback from the D7's users. The net result is an impressive upgrade to what was already a very capable camera
It's nice to see a company do such a good job of listening to its users and respond in such a comprehensive fashion. My conclusion? Still not perfect (is anything?), but a pretty dramatic improvement on multiple fronts. Check it out!
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