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Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D Quickly on the heels of its first dSLR, Konica Minolta shrinks the form factor and the price without losing in-camera image stabilization. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Maxxum 5D Test Images Maxxum 5D Imatest Results --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Field Test 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure, Drive Modes & Flash 7. Shutter Lag/Cycle Times 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes and Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power & Included Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on Maxxum 5D Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index (Next): Field Test>> Page 1:Intro and Highlights Review First Posted: 10/31/2005

	*	6.1-megapixel CCD delivers uninterpolated images as large as 3,008 x 2,000 pixels.
	*	Interchangeable lens mount hosts a wide range of Konica Minolta lenses.
	*	Advanced Konica Minolta Body-Based Anti-Shake Technology.
	*	Full manual exposure control, with Scene settings, and refined control of image adjustment.

 

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Manufacturer Overview

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When Konica Minolta introduced the Maxxum 7D, its first dSLR, it was big news. The 7D body was big and the price was pretty high, too. Because Minolta was one of the leading film-based SLR manufacturers of the early- and middle-1970s, millions of Minolta film SLR owners have been anxiously awaiting just the right digital model to use their extensive collections of Minolta lenses. The Maxxum 5D shrinks the form factor and the price of the original 7D, but it keeps the in-camera image stabilization that made the 7D so compelling.

The new Maxxum 5D also shrinks the number of dials and buttons of the 7D into a simpler but still comprehensive set that many Maxxum fans will immediately recognize. The 5D offers the same 6.1-megapixel sensor as the 7D, yielding images as large as 3,008 x 2,000 pixels. Also like the 7D, the 5D incorporates technology unique to Konica Minolta cameras: anti-shake technology in its body, which does not require a special image-stabilized lens. This one feature adds tremendous value, turning all your Minolta autofocus lenses into image-stabilized lenses. With conventional anti-shake lenses typically costing hundreds of dollars more than models without anti-shake, the built-in anti-shake capability of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D could easily be worth thousands of dollars to anyone with a large lens collection.

The 7D's LCD does display images at a slightly higher resolution (although you really have to look at them side by side to notice). It also transfers data through its USB port a little quicker. The Maxxum 5D doesn't offer all the options of the 7D, but we didn't miss any of those rarely-used settings.

But the 5D adds a few things, too. Chief among them is what Konica Minolta calls Digital Subject Programs, more commonly called Scene exposure modes on other cameras. There are five on the Konica Minolta 5D: Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Sunset, and Night Portrait.

Other characteristics and specifications of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D are fairly typical for a camera of its class, with all the features you'd expect in a basic digital SLR, but wrapped in a uniquely "Minolta" package. The reduced set of external buttons and knobs are not intimidating even at first glance, and after just a short time learning the camera's interface you'll be able to set the 5D for any situation.

 

Highlights

• 6.1-megapixel APS-C interline primary-color CCD delivering resolutions as high as 3,008 x 2,000 pixels.
• 12-Bit A/D conversion.
• Digital SLR design for a true optical viewfinder.
• 2.5-inch TFT color, low temperature polysilicon LCD monitor for image and menu review.
• Interchangeable A-type bayonet lens mount accommodates a wide range of Konica Minolta AF lenses.
• Auto and Manual focus options, with adjustable nine-point AF area, and Single and Continuous AF modes.
• Auto, Program AE (with Program Shift), Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual shooting modes.
• Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Sunset, and Night Portrait exposure modes.
• Shutter speeds from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds, with a Bulb setting for manual control of long exposures.
• 14-segment honeycomb pattern metering, Center-Weighted, and Spot metering options, with AE Lock function.
• Adjustable ISO from 100 to 3,200 equivalents, with an Auto setting.
• Built-in, pop-up flash with four main operating modes and a Slow-Sync function.
• External, proprietary flash hot-shoe for Konica Minolta accessory flash units.
• External PC-style flash sync terminal.
• Built-in support for wireless TTL flash exposure with certain Konica Minolta flashes.
• Continuous Advance and Interval shooting modes.
• Digital Effects option controls contrast, saturation, sharpness, and hue adjustment.
• Adjustable White Balance setting with a manual option and full range of Kelvin temperature settings.
• Color modes include Natural (sRGB), Natural Plus (sRGB), Portrait (sRGB), Landscape (sRGB), Sunset (sRGB), Night View (sRGB), Night Portrait (sRGB), Black & White (sRGB), Adobe RGB and Adobe RGB with embedded color profile.
• RAW and JPEG file formats.
• Images saved on CompactFlash Type I or II memory cards, Microdrive compatible.
• "Storage-Class" USB 2.0 High-Speed interface.
• USB 2.0 High-Speed cable and interface software for connecting to a computer and downloading images.
• NTSC or PAL selectable video output signal, with cable included.
• Power supplied by a single high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack or separate AC adapter (available as an accessory).
• Optional vertical handgrip and wired remote control accessories.
• DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), Exif 2.2 and PictBridge compliant.