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Minolta Dimage 7 Minolta unleashes the first 5-megapixel camera, with a tack-sharp 7x zoom lens, and amazingly sensitive electronic viewfinder! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Dimage 7 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on Dimage 7 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Operation & User Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Image Storage & Interface>> Page 9:Camera Modes & Menus Review First Posted: 5/23/2001

Camera Modes and Menus

Still Capture Mode: Accessed by turning the Mode dial to the red camera symbol, this is the mode for all still-image capture operation. (Programmed, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual exposure modes are selected via the Function Dial.)

Playback Mode: Indicated by the green arrow symbol, enables playback of previously captured images.

Movie Mode: Enables capture of (silent) movie sequences.

Setup Mode: Displays an LCD menu system allowing configuration of deeper camera operating modes, memory card reformatting, menu language choice, etc.

Computer Connection Mode: Activates the Dimage 7's USB port for downloading images to a host computer.

NOTE TO OUR READERS: The following menu options may change slightly in production models of the Dimage 7. Most are likely to remain the same though, and they serve to show many of the capabilities and options of the camera. We thus chose to show them here, with the caveat that there may be changes in subsequent retail units.

Still Picture Shooting Menu Basic Options

• AF Mode: Controls AF mode operation. Options are single, to focus once when the shutter is pressed, or continuous, to engage the autofocus system continuously.
• Metering Mode: Selects from Multi-Segment (the default), Center Weighted, or Spot metering modes.
• Flash Mode: Choose from Fill-Flash, Redeye Reduction, and "Rear F-sync." (This last is apparently a slow-sync option that combines slower shutter speeds with the flash. The "Rear-F" likely refers to what is commonly known as rear-curtain sync, in which the flash fires just before the shutter closes, rather than just after it opens. With rapidly moving subjects, this produces motion blurs that trail the sharp, flash-exposed image, rather than preceding it.)
• Flash Comp: Exposure compensation adjustment for the flash. Range is +/- 2 EV, in 1/3 EV steps.
• Flash Metering: Selects flash metering method. Options are ADI Flash, which uses distance information from the autofocus system to control flash exposure, or Pre-flash TTL, which uses a preliminary metering flash to gauge exposure before the shutter opens.
  

Still Picture Shooting Menu Custom1 Options

• Memory: Allows you to store up to 3 different combinations of custom camera settings, for later recall.
• Exposure Bracket: The Dimage 7 offers an automatic exposure bracketing option. This menu item sets the size of the exposure step between shots. Options are 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 EV.
• Interval: The Dimage 7 also has a built-in intervalometer, that lets you snap photos at preprogrammed intervals. This control sets the interval between exposures anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes.
• Frames: The second half of the intervalometer control, this option sets the number of frames to be acquired, from 2 to 99.
• AF/AEL button: As mentioned in the main text, you can reprogram the function of the AF/AEL button on the camera's back panel. Options are as follows:
  • AF/AEL Hold - Locks focus and exposure while you hold down the button
  • AF/AEL toggle - Toggles the AF/AE lock on and off with successive presses.
  • AE Hold - Locks exposure only when the button is held. (AF activated by shutter button.)
  • AE Toggle- Toggles exposure lock on and off with successive presses.
• Mag Button: Controls function of the Magnify button on the camera's rear panel. It can either toggle the 2x digital zoom on and off, or activate a 4x electronic magnification, as an aid to focusing in manual focus mode.
  

Still Picture Shooting Menu Custom2 Options

• Sharpness: Lets you select varying degrees of in-camera sharpening of captured images: Low ("Soft"), Normal, or High ("Hard")
• Color Mode: Lets you choose between color and black & white image capture
• Data Imprint: The Dimage 7 can imprint information on the photos themselves. Options are Year/Month/Date, Month/Day/Hr:Min, Text, or Text with a numeric ID string.
• Inst. Playback: Optionally enables an immediate playback of each photo, for either 2 or 10 seconds after it's captured.
  

Playback Menu Basic Options

• Delete: Lets you delete the current photo, all photos, or marked photos.
• Lock: "Locks" a captured image to prevent its accidental erasure. (NOTE: Protects against "delete" operations, but not against card reformatting.)
• Index Format: Lets you choose between 4 or 9 frame thumbnail image displays.
  

Playback Menu Custom1 Options

• Slide Show: Initiates a slide show of photos on the memory card.
• Play: Chooses whether to play all photos or only marked ones in the slide show.
• Duration: Set the duration for each "slide" in the slide show, from 1 to 60 seconds.
• Repeat: Chooses whether or not to repeat the slide show after all photos have been displayed.
  

Playback Menu Custom2 Options

• Print: Set up photos for DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) printing. This selection lets you choose whether to print the current photo, all photos, or only marked photos.
• Index Print: Chooses whether or not to order an index print of all photos.
• Cancel Print: Deletes all print orders on the card.
• Copy: Makes a duplicate copy of either the current photo or of all marked photos.
  

Setup Menu Basic Options

• LCDbrightness: Adjusts LCD backlight intensity in 5 steps (arbitrary units).
• EVFbrightness: Adjusts EVF brightness in 5 steps. (Useful to preserve night vision when shooting in low light, or for being able to see the display clearly when in bright sun.)
• Format: Reformats the memory card. (NOTE: Erases all photos, even if they've been "locked.")
• Power Save: Sets idle delay before the camera enters low-power mode. Options are 1, 2, 5, 10 minutes.
• Beep: Sets annunciator beep volume to high, low, or off.
• Language: Sets language for menus. Options are Japanese, English, French, German, or Spanish.
  

Setup Menu Custom1 Options

• File#Memory: Chooses whether or not to number images sequentially across memory cards. If set to "yes," the Dimage 7 will remember the last number used to name a file, even if a different card is inserted. (A common feature, but very handy to prevent accidentally overwriting images when they're copied to your computer.)
• Select Folder: As an aid to organizing large numbers of photos, the Dimage 7 lets you set up separate folders on the memory card. If you have more than one folder defined, this menu selection lets you choose which you want to use to save photos in.
• New Folder: Lets you create a new folder to save photos on the memory card.
  

Setup Menu Custom2 Options

• Reset default: Resets all menu choices to their factory default values.
• EVF autoSwtch: Changes the behavior of the EVF and LCD when the Display Mode switch is in the "auto" position. Options are:
  • Auto EVF/LCD - switches between EVF and LCD. (One turns off as the other turns on.)
  • EVF auto ON - EVF comes on when your eye is at the eyepiece, but the LCD remains powered up. (Use if you like *really* short battery life!)
• Date/Time Set: (If you need us to explain this one, you'd better think again about buying a digicam. ;-)
• Date Format: Choose between YYY/MM/DD, MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYY date formats.
• Video Output: Select either NTSC or PAL video timing for the video output signal.
  

Computer Transfer Menu Options
The Dimage 7 connects directly to a computer as a "storage class" device. This means that on a supporting operating system (Mac OS or Windows ME or 2000), no additional driver software is needed. What's a bit unusual about the interface is that you need to go to this menu, select the USB option, and hit "enter". The camera then says "Initializing USB Connection", at which point it will show up on the computer's desktop. No big deal, but most cameras you simply put in the computer-connect mode and plug them in. - We're not sure why the D7's USB connection has to be "initialized".