Minolta's new DiMAGE 7Hi brings a range of professional features to its highly acclaimed predecessor, the DiMAGE 7i, further enhancing the camera's appeal to serious photographers. Whether in the studio, or on location, the DiMAGE 7Hi maintains the no-compromise image quality and performance of the DiMAGE 7i, with the added benefit of professional features, including a built-in Synchro terminal, embedded colour profile in output image files, and full resolution continuous advance at 3 fps. The DiMAGE 7Hi is clearly an attractive option for the demanding amateur, business user and professional photographer alike.

Enhancements to an award-winning design
The DiMAGE 7Hi builds on the solid foundation of the DiMAGE 7, the Technical Image Press Association's "Best digital prosumer camera 2001-2002", and extends the features introduced with the DiMAGE 7i to meet the needs of the most demanding digital photographer.

At the heart of the DiMAGE 7Hi is the same trusted high-precision electro-optical system, designed to maximise image quality. A 5.24 megapixel, 2/3"-type interline primary colour CCD delivers 5 million effective pixels for fine high-resolution images providing, for example, A3+ in 150 dpi prints and A5+ in photo quality. Minolta's CxProcess image-processing technology controls image sharpness, colour and contrast while minimising noise to produce smooth skin tones and vivid, natural clarity and depth of image. 12-bit A/D conversion and CxProcess ensure that what you see is what you capture.

Minolta's GT lens is able to deliver sharp, high-contrast images with no chromatic aberration at any focal length. Its size is comparable with that of a standard 50mm lens on a 35mm camera - a fact which belies its performance. The fast 7X zoom with a focal range of 7.2 - 50.8mm is equivalent to a 28 - 200mm 35mm zoom lens.

DiMAGE 7Hi with features for the professional user
With the professional and serious amateur photographer clearly in mind, Minolta has enhanced its digital flagship with several high-end features. A built in Synchro terminal promotes the DiMAGE 7Hi to a complete studio camera. The camera can be directly 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. With a faster autofocus than its predecessor, and new high speed continuous advance capabilities of up to 3 fps in TIFF mode, the DiMAGE 7Hi is totally at home in the thick of the action.

Close attention has also been paid to the camera's new digital functions. To capture images under varying natural and artificial lighting sources, white balance is controlled with nine settings; five pre-set, three custom, and one auto. So that colours are not distorted when printed or displayed on monitors, the colour space can be selected between sRGB and Adobe RGB, and the camera's ICC profile can be attached to the image file. The DiMAGE 7Hi also has, over and above the previous extra fine, fine, and standard quality settings, a super-fine setting which creates a high-quality TIFF file without compression, and a RAW setting which creates a Minolta RAW data file. After making changes to shooting functions, the camera can be instantly reset to programmed-automatic operation with the press of a button. Another helpful new addition is the undo function, which will return the camera to the previous settings if the reset is pressed inadvertently.

The LCD monitor and Digital Hyper viewfinder have been improved on the DiMAGE 7Hi for more accurate colour rendition. Captured images can be also be easily viewed from within the recording mode. Simply pressing the Quick View button displays the images on the memory card. Except for menu controls, all playback functions are available in Quick View; recorded pictures can be enlarged to confirm sharpness and a histogram can be displayed to judge exposure and contrast.

The DiMAGE's new features are to be seen but not felt. Now with an attractive rich black finish, the camera's rugged body is just as lightweight and compact as its predecessor, and constructed of the same high-tech magnesium alloy, making it easy to take anywhere. The contoured grip which gave the DiMAGE 7Hi such secure, comfortable handling has also been maintained.

DiMAGE 7Hi on display at Photokina
The DiMAGE 7Hi provides a further professional element to Minolta's range of digital imaging products on view at the Photokina show in Cologne. The new addition to the family can be seen at the Minolta stand, G18 in Hall 1.2.