Minolta Maxxum 7 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only)

The Maxxum 7 is the first SLR body to adopt a dot matrix navigation display, giving you the camera's overall status at a glance. The large 1.5-by-1-inch LCD panel is positioned on the camera's back cover and provides a variety of information to meet users' specific preferences or skills. This information includes camera settings, custom functions, exposure history, meter index, brightness distribution, depth of field, and data memory (selectable in five different languages). And for easy readability, the LCD display automatically shifts from horizontal to vertical orientation depending on the camera's position. This feature saves photographers the trouble of changing their holding position each time they check the data panel--which is typically placed on the top of the camera.

The central processing unit in the Maxxum 7 has a data processing speed five times faster than earlier AF SLR models. This camera provides the world's fastest autofocus speed, in spite of the greater volume of data received from the wide focus area, due to its powerful lens driving motor that promises quick accelerations and decelerations of lens movement. The Maxxum 7 is able to track abrupt changes in speed or direction perfectly. In fact, the second you bring this camera to your eye, the lens snaps into focus and is ready for use, even if you, or the object you are shooting, happens to be in motion. For example, with a 300mm lens attached, the Maxxum 7 can accurately follow an object moving as fast as 31 miles per hour to within 26 feet.

The new AF module incorporates eight line sensors, as well as Minolta's unique center dual cross-hair sensors. Its nine-point sensors cover the central area of the viewfinder frame and divide it horizontally and vertically into thirds. By efficiently covering a wide focus area, the nine-point sensors assure great flexibility when composing pictures and allow the photographer to precisely capture moving subjects. The Advanced Distance Integration (ADI) flash metering system provides greater accuracy when used with Minolta's new AF lenses, which incorporate distance encoders. The guide number control and the four-segment preflash metering work together to virtually eliminate the influence of background or subject reflectance in your photographs.

The Maxxum 7 also features 35 customizable functions that allow photographers to take instant control of virtually all camera functions. Its ergonomically redesigned AF/MF control button permits the switch between autofocus (AF) and manual focus (MF) modes via a button located on the back of the camera. This button is easily operated without losing sight of the subject in the camera's viewfinder.

Relatively small (5.6 by 3.8 by 2.6 inches) and lightweight (20.3 ounces), this camera's compact body, with the ultracompact AF 24-105mm f3.5 to f4.5 standard lens, assures greater handling and carrying comfort. With power performance features such as a top shutter speed of 1/8,000 second and a maximum drive speed of four frames per second--and all of this in a body smaller than any other 35mm AF SLR with comparable features--the Maxxum 7 sets a new standard for performance and compactness.

Product Description
You have a vision. You know what you want to achieve. And the Maxxum 7 makes it possible, faster and easier than ever before. An advanced focusing system with an ultra-fast AF speed puts this SLR at the top of its class. The new integrated operation system features familiar dial controls, extensive customization capabilities, and a revolutionary dot matrix navigation display that gives you the camera's status at a glance. The Maxxum 7's improved capability is everything you've been looking for in an SLR. At last, the vision is clear.Minolta's unique nine-point AF system with center dual cross-hair sensors covers a wide focus area providing more flexibility and greater focusing precision. The new AF module incorporates eight line sensors and Minolta's unique center dual cross-hair sensors. Due to refinements in the algorithm and CCD control, the Maxxum 7's central processing unit has a data processing speed of about five times faster than earlier AF SLR models. In addition, the camera's powerful lens driving motor promises quick accelerations and decelerations of lens movement. As a result, the Maxxum 7 provides the world's fastest AF speed in spite of the greater volume of data received from the wide focus area. With the multi-dimensional predictive focus control, the Maxxum 7 is able to track abrupt changes in speed or direction - even a U-turn - perfectly.

What really sells this camera, though, is the wireless flash. Do not underestimate how much this can improve your flash pictures. It is very easy to use -- I literally have shown my 3 year old, who was very curious, how to do, and got some good shots of him in the process. If you buy this camera, you should buy at least one of the Minolta "D" flashes.

As you take bracketed shots in continuous focus mode, the camera does a good job of remaining in focus. For those of us with glasses, there is a diopter adjustment in the viewfinder that adjusts the viewfinder to our own current prescription. On manual focus, this has a real impact on my photos, where my focus was previously a bit soft much of the time.

I end up with a couple of minor complaints -- the selector button that lets you choose which sensor to use in focusing is placed right where my nose can hit it, and I've had to learn to take care not to accidentally change the setting with my nose. Also, I'd like to see the new anti-shake technology that is being incorporated in Minolta's new digital 7 incorporated into the 7. I suspect it is just time until this happens.

All in all, an extraordinary camera.