The new 5.0 mega-pixel DiMAGE 7i

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1 The new 5.0 mega-pixel DiMAGE 7i Osaka, Japan, March 5 th 2002: The DiMAGE 7 was named the best digital prosumer camera by TIPA, the Technical Image Press Association. Minolta is pleased to introduce the next generation SLR-type digital camera, the DiMAGE 7i. The new DiMAGE 7i has an improved performance and additional features to make a truly flexible imaging tool. When quality and control matter, the DiMAGE 7i is the camera of choice. With a five-million pixel resolution and a 7X zoom lens, the DiMAGE 7i is a digital imaging center that can control all the essential elements for high-quality photography: sharpness, exposure, contrast, color, and saturation. The electro-optical system has been refined to improve the spectral response. 12-bit A/D conversion and Minolta s image-processing technology, CxProcess, guaranty what you see will be captured. Advanced technology gives the camera professional versatility: a 3-point wide AF system for fast, accurate focusing, Flex Focus Point for precise control over the focusing area, and Direct Manual Focus (DMF) to make instant adjustments to the autofocus. The viewfinder and monitor displays have been expanded not only to show the status of the camera, but also to include a grid for aligning the camera to the horizon or vertical subject elements, or a scale to judge image size in close-up photography. A real-time histogram is available to evaluate the effects of exposure and contrast on the image before it is captured. The new DiMAGE 7i is fast. In the program and aperture-priority exposure modes, the shutter speed tops out at 1/4000s. The new UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous-advance drive mode can capture approximately 7 frames a second to compete with most professional film cameras. The AF system is approximately twice as fast as the DiMAGE 7 and the capturing interval has been reduced to make a more responsive camera. 1

2 Extensive system accessories make the DiMAGE 7i a serious photographic tool. The camera can be coupled with powerful shoe-mounted and off-camera flash units from portable camera strobes to large studio lighting systems. The new wireless/remote function allows slave control over the Minolta 5600HS(D) and 3600HS(D) program flashes. Remote cables and standard 49mm filters can also be used. 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 new finish and a comfortable new grip. The DiMAGE 7i retains the same simple ergonomic control layout of the DiMAGE 7. The Digital Effects Control (DEC) and Digital Enhanced Bracketing gives the photographer control over saturation, contrast, and exposure as well as new control over color. A new filter effect has been added to the DEC; color images can be made warmer or cooler and black and white images can be toned. This offers unparalleled creative freedom when combined with the two new color modes: Vivid Color and Solarization. The DiMAGE 7i can record high-quality 16-bit audio with still and moving images. Along with standard QVGA digital movies, three new movie functions have been added. Night movies allow monochrome images to be recorded in low light, time-lapse movies capture the imperceptible motions of the world, and UHS continuous-advance movies show unfolding events. A flexible, professional-quality imaging tool The DiMAGE 7i is built around a high-precision electro-optical system designed to maximize image quality. The system starts with a 5.24 mega-pixel 2/3-type interline primary-color CCD with 4.95 million effective pixels for fine high-resolution images. The pixel resolution of the CCD will produce 32.5 X 43.3 cm (13 X 17 ) 150dpi prints or 16.3 X 21.7 (6.5 X 8.5 ) photo-quality 2

3 prints; this creates a print size larger than both A3 and A5 respectively. Minolta s image-processing technology, CxProcess, guaranties the image from the CCD will faithfully reproduce the scene. CxProcess controls image sharpness, color, and contrast while minimizing noise to produce vivid, natural pictures. CxProcess controls sharpness by balancing resolution with acutance. This allows fine detail to be preserved while adding depth to the image. Color is critically controlled to prevent objects from appearing over-saturated in the image while remaining vibrant; the warmth of the human complexion or the rich subtleties of green foliage will be rendered as clearly as they were perceived. Contrast is regulated to bring out a luminous quality in the mid-tones and highlights, and to strengthen and enrich the shadows. The secret to photography is in the details. Smooth gradations and fine details bring a photograph to life. The 12bit A/D conversion preserves all the subtleties of the original scene. With billions of colors and 4,096 levels in each color channel, images possess almost lifelike color and detail. This is especially evident in portraiture: smooth complexion, fine hair detail, and vivid eye color. A high-resolution CCD is as only as good as the lens in front of it. The Minolta GT lens is an optical jewel cut in glass. The fast f2.8 f3.5 7X optical zoom is an advanced apochromatic (APO) lens. With a resolution to produce a fine image on a seven-million pixel CCD, this lens employs AD glass and aspheric elements to ensure sharp, contrasty images with no chromatic aberration at any focal length. Although this lens is a fast 7X zoom, it is about the same size as a standard 50mm lens on a 35mm camera. However, its performance is far from standard. With a focal range of 7.2mm to 50.8mm, it is equivalent to a 28mm to 200mm 35mm zoom lens. This lens encompasses the most used focal lengths in photography today. It can range from wide angle for expansive landscapes and 3

4 confined interiors to telephoto for intimate portraits and details of distant landmarks. A straightforward manual zooming ring makes framing simple. The fast f2.8 f3.5 aperture easily permits natural light shooting without having to use a flash, which destroys the expressive ambient light. The DiMAGE 7i zoom has a new dual-focal macro system. This system allows the lens to be set at the wide-angle or telephoto position to take advantage of different focal lengths. At the wide-angle position, the larger field of view and depth of field create a stronger perspective and a sense of space. The telephoto position isolates the subject and minimizes distortion with a narrow field of view and shallow depth of field. Pro level features for all shooting conditions Focus is critical. The speed and accuracy of the DiMAGE 7i s autofocus system has been improved to create a more responsive camera. The DiMAGE 7i s wide AF makes accurate focusing simple. Within the focus frames are three sensitive AF sensors including a central crosshair sensor; the crosshair sensor guaranties accurate focusing regardless of subject contrast orientation. The camera automatically locates the subject within the wide frames and confirms the point of focus by briefly displaying the active AF sensor. The AF system works in low-light conditions, the fading light of twilight or dimly lit interiors, without the need of a special AF illuminator; the monitor and viewfinder image is automatically amplified so the subject is always visible. The DiMAGE 7i is the first Minolta digital camera to incorporate Direct Manual Focus (DMF). DMF is found in professional-level film cameras like the award-winning Dynax/Maxxum 7. After the AF system has focused and locked on the subject, the focus can be fine tuned manually. Flex Focus Point adds unlimited versatility to the AF system. When the camera is fixed to a tripod or when the position of the focal plane is critical as with 4

5 close-up photography, it can be very difficult to use most autofocus systems because camera must be moved to focus and then repositioned to compose the image. Flex Focus Point is a single crosshair sensor that can be placed anywhere within the field of view. With the camera on a tripod, simply use the four-way controller to position the Flex Focus Point on the subject; the AF system will use that point for each exposure. The performance of the DiMAGE 7i s Flex Focus Point has been improved. As with the DiMAGE 7, the viewfinder and monitor display active camera settings, exposure information, and warnings. This information can be turned off so that the entire image can be viewed. The DiMAGE 7i has two additional displays for critical composition: grid and scale. Usually found in large-format view cameras, the grid makes aligning the camera with vertical or horizontal elements within the image simple; confirming that the horizon or buildings are straight in landscape or architectural photography is easy. The scale can be used in close-up photography to judge the relative proportions of the subject. Unique to digital imaging, the DiMAGE 7i s real-time histogram shows the luminance distribution of the image before it is captured. Displayed with the live image, the histogram allows the subject brightness and contrast to be evaluated to optimize the camera s exposure and contrast controls. The DiMAGE 7i has a dynamic shutter-speed range from four seconds to a fast 1/4000 second to control exposure and motion in the program and aperture-priority exposures modes. In shutter priority and manual modes, the maximum shutter speed is 1/2000s. Bulb exposures up to thirty seconds can also be made. Lights, action, and the DiMAGE 7i camera Photography is an expression of light. The DiMAGE 7i can capture unpredictable natural light or use the reliable output of portable and studio flash systems. The DiMAGE 7i has an extensive system of accessories. 5

6 The DiMAGE 7i is compatible with the Minolta program flash 3600HS(D) or 5600HS(D) units. These powerful flash units can be used directly on the camera. Both flashes have a zoom head that automatically adjust as the camera s lens is zoomed in and out, and their heads can be tilted for bounce illumination. The 5600HS (D) also has a swivel head and the flash output can be controlled with power ratios. The wireless/remote flash function gives even more control over flash photography by allowing multiple off-camera Minolta flash units to be fired simultaneously by the camera without the need of cables. Minolta 5600HS(D), or 3600HS(D) flash units can be placed around the subject to create attractive side lighting. By using the built-in flash and TTL metering, the camera controls the output of the off-camera flash units for perfect exposures. Unlike most slave flash systems, the built-in flash will fire the remote Minolta 5600HS(D) or 3600HS(D) units without influencing the lighting of the final image. The DiMAGE 7i is also compatible with normal slave units where the camera flash can act as a main or fill light while triggering single or multiple off-camera lighting units. For close-up photography, Minolta has a high-quality macro lighting system. The Macro Flash Controller can be coupled with the Micro Ring Flash 1200 or the Micro Twin Flash 2400 lighting sets. Both these systems give considerable control over lighting in confined spaces at close working distances. The optional PC Flash Adapter allows the DiMAGE 7i to be connected to professional studio and location flash systems. Simply slide the PC Flash Adapter into the camera s accessory shoe and plug the flash s PC cord into the adapter. Designed for center-negative and center-positive polarities, the flash adapter is compatible with most studio and location lighting systems. The DiMAGE 7i can be fired with the 50cm remote cord RC1000S or the 5m remote cord RC1000L. The optical zoom accepts standard 49mm filters. 6

7 A fast, professional, ergonomic design The DiMAGE 7i is a responsive imaging tool built to work effortlessly under demanding situations. The high-performance AF system is twice as fast as the DiMAGE 7. And with two continuous-advance rates, you are sure to catch the action as it unfolds. New to the DiMAGE 7i is the UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous-advance mode. Using SXGA size images (1280 X 960 pixels), this new mode can capture approximately 7 frames per second. This is equivalent to many motor drives on professional 35mm cameras. The standard continuous-advance mode can capture images of all sizes from full-size (2560 X 1920) to VGA (640 X 480) images at an increased rate of a maximum of 2 frames per second. The DiMAGE 7i is fitted with a new 1.8-inch low-temperature high-contrast color LCD monitor. The monitor has an extended color gamut, contrast, and dynamic range. These improvements make judging image quality and sharpness even easier. The monitor has a wide-viewing angle so that the camera does not need to be held perpendicularly to clearly view the live image. Captured images can be easily accessed from the recording mode. Simply pressing the Quick View button displays the recorded images. The images can be enlarged to confirm sharpness and a histogram can be displayed to judge exposure. Images can be displayed with or without shooting data. The controls and dials are laid out for clear, intuitive operation. All shooting controls are placed around the grip area. The camera can be controlled with the thumb and index finger while allowing a firm grip on the body. Creative and high-level functions are placed on function dial and Digital Effects Control on the other side of the camera. Setting single or multiple functions is quick and easy. The function dial sets the metering, drive, and exposure modes as well as the white balance, camera sensitivity, and memorized camera settings. The Digital 7

8 Effects Control allows changes to be made to color, saturation, contrast, and exposure. Located above the grip, the main dial turns the camera on and gives direct access to the recording, playback, movie, setup, and data-transfer modes. Placed on the back of the camera, the controller is a straightforward five-way array used to control many of the camera s advanced features and menus. The controller has been redesigned with separate the four-way key and central enter button. The DiMAGE 7i is housed in a feather-light magnesium-alloy body. This high-tech alloy provides the benefits of rugged die-cast construction without the weight. Magnesium is the lightest structural metal on earth, about 30% lighter than aluminum and 65% lighter than steel. The alloy body was given a warm bright silver finish imparting an air of elegance to the DiMAGE 7i. The DiMAGE 7i is not only light, it is compact. The body is significantly smaller than compact 35mm SLR cameras with a built-in flash and zoom lens. This sophisticated imaging system can easily slip into a fanny pack or hip bag. A new contoured grip gives the DiMAGE 7i secure, comfortable handling. When handholding the camera in low-light conditions, nothing is more important than a well-balanced grip to hold the camera steadily. The grip has a new faux leather cover that extends to the back of the camera for comfort and security. Features, functions, and fun that are only found in digital cameras The Digital Hyper Viewfinder gives the camera the same feel as an SLR. It can be tilted between 0 and 90 for comfortable shooting at low angles or in confined spaces. The viewfinder has an improved optical system for easier viewing and a reduction in aberrations, as well as refined color matching for more accurate color rendition. Because the viewfinder LCD is shielded from ambient light, it makes the perfect tool when working in bright lighting 8

9 conditions. The Digital Effects Control (DEC) is an image-processing center built into the camera. As with the DiMAGE 7, exposure, contrast, and color saturation can be adjusted before the image is captured. The DiMAGE 7i has an additional Filter setting to control the overall color of the image. When taking color images, the filter can affect the mood of the picture by making the color cooler or warmer in seven levels. When used with black and white images, the filter can create a warm or cool toned image similar to sepia or gold toners with photographic prints as well as the unique tones of magenta and green. Ten tones are available. The Digital Effects Control allows image data to be maximize at the scene by controlling the essential elements of image quality. Exposure controls the brightness of the image. Contrast controls the difference between brightness levels; increasing the contrast makes the highlights brighter and the shadows darker. Color saturation changes the vividness of the colors. To guaranty the correct level of adjustment is made with the Digital Effects Control, a Digital Enhanced Bracket can be made. A bracket is a series of images with a slight increase and decrease in exposure. The DiMAGE 7i can also make a contrast, color saturation, and filter bracket. Simply select the bracketing drive mode and then select the image quality to be bracketed. The camera will automatically make a three-image bracket of the selected quality. Digital Subject Programs optimize exposure and image-processing controls for specific shooting conditions and subjects. Simply select the appropriate Digital Subject Program and the camera is ready to shoot. Five subject programs are available: Portrait: optimized to reproduce warm, soft skin tones and a slight defocusing of the background. Sport action: to make clear, sharp images of fast moving subjects. Sunset: optimized to reproduce rich, warm sunsets. 9

10 Night portrait: for deep, subtle night scenes. When used with the built-in flash, the subject and background exposures are balanced. Text: for the crisp reproduction of black text on white backgrounds. As with the DiMAGE 7, personal camera settings for specific situation can also be saved. The camera can memorize the specific functions and settings in use. These can be recalled and reapplied to the camera at any time. As well as Natural Color and black and white, the DiMAGE 7i has two new color modes for creative control: Vivid color and Solarization. Vivid Color increases the saturation to produce vibrant color images. Solarization creates a partial reversal of image tones to produce unique imaging effects Thoughts and comments can be recorded along with a still image. Voice memo allows a 16-bit audio track up to 15 seconds to be attached to an image after it has been captured. The voice memo can be played back in the camera. Data imprinting allows the date or time to be printed on the image as well as text and serial numbers. The electronic keyboard used to imprint text has an expanded character set for German and French. Accents and umlauts can be added to certain vowels and the German double s can be used. The DiMAGE 7i will not only produce great still-images, but also makes digital videos in multiple creative formats. Standard QVGA (320X240) color movies and monochrome night movies up to 60 seconds with 16-bit audio can be made. The night-movie mode can record movie clips under extreme low-light conditions. The interval function can produce a series of still images taken at regular intervals or it can combine the images into a time-lapse movie at any image size. The time-lapse movie plays the images back at 4fps so that normally imperceptible motion springs to life: the blossoming of a flower or the setting of the sun. In UHS continuous advance, a VGA (640 X 480) movie file can be created of an unfolding event. The Digital Effects Control can be used with the movie modes to adjust color, contrast, saturation, and exposure. 10

11 When quality and control matter, the new DiMAGE 7i is the imaging tool to use. No other camera can offer the features and convenience in such a compact, durable package. 11

12 Technical Specifications Number of effective pixels: 4.95 million CCD: 2/3-type interline primary-color CCD Total pixels: 5.24 million A/D conversion: 12 bit Camera sensitivity: Auto, ISO 100, 200, 400, 800 equivalents Focal length: mm (35 mm equivalent: mm) Lens construction: 16 elements in 13 groups (includes two AD glass elements and two aspheric elements) Maximum aperture: f/2.8 f/3.5 Minimum focus distance: 0.5m (1.6 ft.) from CCD Macro focus range: At 7.2mm: cm ( in.) from CCD cm ( in.) from front of lens At mm: cm ( in.) from CCD cm ( in.) 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: 50 x 37 mm (1.97 x 1.46in.) Optical zooming control: Manual zooming ring Filter diameter: 49mm Viewfinder type: EVF (Electronic viewfinder) Variable-position: 0-90º Automatic monitor amplification Electronic magnification for manual focusing 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 12

13 TFT color Total pixels: 118,000 Field of view: EVF: 100% (approx.) External LCD monitor: 100 % (approx.) Display-mode switch: Auto-display, Electronic-viewfinder display, External LCD-monitor display Viewfinder magnification: x Diopter control: 5 ~ +0.5 diopter Eye relief: 20mm (from eyepiece) Shutter: CCD electronic shutter and mechanical shutter Shutter speed range: 4-1/4000 s in programmed AE and aperture-priority modes, Maximum shutter speed in shutter-priority and manual modes is 1/2000s. Bulb (max. 30 s) 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 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 Shutter-priority and manual modes: Wide: Ev 1 17 Telephoto: Ev Exposure modes: Programmed AE (with program shift), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual 13

14 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 metering: ADI, Pre-flash TTL, Manual flash control Built-in flash range: Wide: m ( ft.) (approx.) Telephoto: 0.5-3m ( ft.) (approx.) (Camera sensitivity: auto) Flash modes: Fill-flash, Red-eye reduction, Rear flash sync, Wireless/Remote flash Built-in flash recycling time: 7 s (approx.) Flash compensation: ± 2 Ev in 1/3 increments Flash-sync speeds: All shutter speeds External flashes: Auto-flash metering with Program Flash 3600HS(D), Program Flash 5600HS(D), Macro Twin Flash 2400,* Macro Ring Flash 1200* *Macro Flash Controller is necessary. Compatible with PC Flash Adapter Continuous-advance modes: UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous advance: 7 fps (approx.) with SXGA (1280 x 960) images Standard continuous advance: max. 2 fps (approx.) Interval recording: 2 99 frames Interval time: 1 10 min., 15 min., 20 min., 30 min., 45 min., 60 min. 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 brackets: 3 frames Self-timer: 10 s (approx.) Movie recording: - Standard movie mode: 60 s (max.) at 15fps with and without monaural audio - Night movie mode: 60 s (max.) at 15fps with and 14

15 without monaural audio Automatic selection function between standard and night movie modes available. - UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous-advance movie mode: at 7 fps (approx.) without audio - Time-lapse movie mode: at 4 fps without audio Audio: Voice memo: 5s or 15s (max.) monaural audio with still image Color modes: Natural Color, Vivid Color, Black and white (neutral and toned), Solarization White-balance control: Automatic, Preset (Daylight, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Cloudy), Custom 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, Fine, Standard, Economy Number of recorded pixels (Still images): 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 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 16 MB CompactFlash card: RAW: 1 frame Super fine: 1 frame 15

16 Fine: 5 frames Standard: 8 frames Economy: 13 frames Movie 49 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 ver. 1.1) WAVE Printing output control: PRINT Image Matching, Exif Print 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: 110 min. Based on Minolta s standard test method: 1700mAh Ni-MH batteries, external LCD monitor on, EVF off. Battery performance (Recording): Approximate number of recorded images: 200 frames Based on Minolta s standard test method: 1700mAh 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 16

17 Dimensions: Weight: Operating temperature: Standard accessories: Optional accessories: separately) 117 (W) x 90.5 (H) x (D) mm (4.61 (W) x 3.56 (H) x 4.43 (D) in.) 525 g (18.5 oz.) without batteries or recording media (approx.) 0-40 ºC ( ºF) Neck Strap NS-DG7 Lens Cap (49mm) LF-1249 Accessory Shoe Cap SC-9 AV Cable AVC-300 CF (CompactFlash) Card (16MB) USB Cable USB-100 DiMAGE Software CD-ROM (Includes DiMAGE Viewer) Lens Shade for DiMAGE 7i DLS-7i Four AA Ni-MH batteries Ni-MH Battery Charger AC Adapter AC-1L or AC-2L Camera Case CS-DG7 External High Power Battery Pack Kit EBP-100 Remote Cord RC-1000S Remote Cord RC-1000L Step Up Adapter 49mm 62mm PC Flash Adapter PCT-100 Specifications and accessories are based on the information available at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice. 17

18 System Requirements IBM PC/AT compatible models 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 models with Mac OS 8.6** or Mac OS X v 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 of the Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition must install dedicated driver software included in the DiMAGE 7i package. ** Users with Mac OS 8.6 must download and install free driver software from the Apple Computer web site. System requirements are based on the latest information available at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice. * 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. 18