Konica Minolta Dynax 7D pricing and availability revealed
Read the press release:
Konica Minolta Dynax 7D
If you've been holding your breath for that long-awaited Konica Minolta DSLR - we have the details!
First thing this morning we were able to publish official press details of not only the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D (called the Maxxum 7D in the Americas) digital SLR body, but also a matching
battery grip and
two new lenses.
UK pricing and availability has just arrived on our newsdesk and here it is:
Price and Availability Information
| Model | Guide Price | Availability
|
| Konica Minolta Dynax 7D Body Only | £1,149.99 | Late October
|
| Konica Minolta 17-35mm f2.8-4 (D) | £419.99 | Late October
|
| Konica Minolta 28-75mm f2.8 (D) | £349.99 | Late October
|
| Konica Minolta VC-7D | £149.99 | Late October
|
| DiMAGE Master Software | £99.99 | December
|
| DiMAGE Transfer (Download from www.konicaminoltasupport.com) | FREE | January ‘05
|
So what do you think?
Is a six megapixel entry into the market enough at this stage? And is a body-only price tag of £1149 the right price? We haven't been informed, so far, of any kit deals so it looks like the 7D plus the new 17-35mm f/2.8-4 (25.5-52.5mm equiv.) adds up to £1569.98. Of course a lot of Konica Minolta's target customers will already have a gadget-bag stuffed with Minolta-fit lenses.
The shift factor
Undoubtedly, the one feature of the Dynax 7D that interest will focus on is its moving CCD sensor anti-shake system. By making the CCD move there is no need to build expensive moving elements into lenses and, in theory, all Minolta AF lenses will benefit to varying degrees from the system. It has certainly worked to great effect on the Konica Minolta
Dimage A1 and
A2 fixed-lens cameras.
Big LCD
The 7D has a uniquely large monitor screen
A welcome feature in the new 7D is the over-size (2.5 inch) LCD monitor, which – from memory – makes it easily as the largest DSLR monitor yet. Hopefully other DSLR makers will follow this lead.
Build quality
Our information is that the body has magnesium alloy front panels and base. That doesn't sound to me like it's a full magnesium alloy chassis, so we'll try obtain clarification on that.
Zone matching
An interesting-sounding 7D innovation is something called Zone Matching. Konica Minolta describes this as a new technology that: "..allows the precise reproduction of tonal gradations in highlights and shadows; essential in difficult shooting conditions with predominant highlights and helps ensure noise free lowlight images." In other words, it's designed to preserve the dynamic range of your images when both extreme highlights and dark shadows are present.
Much of the rest of the 7D specification is fairly conventional and it's clear that this camera is a high-end amateur to low/mid spec, pro offering. It's not going to affect Canon EOS-300D or Nikon D70 sales, but is certainly pitched at the Olympus E-1, Pentax *ist D, Canon 10D and 20D and the Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro.
We had a lot of response when we first brought news of the 7D back at
PMA in Las Vegas in March. So now you know the facts and figures – are you pleased or disappointed? Share your
thoughts with us and we'll publish some selected responses.
Order your Konica Minolta Dynax/Maxxum 7D from Adorama in the US or from Amazon:
or through
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| Click on the flag that best relates to your location |
| Each Amazon outlet can ship to most countries in the world. |
Here is what you said
Your feedback after the news of new Konica Minolta Dynax/Maxxum 7D (5)
We had a great deal of reaction to the first news that Konica Minolta was going to produce a digital SLR. Now that all the details have been revealed, the feedback we have received so far has been rather less that a torrent. But here are a few of the comments for your perusal. Don't forget, we might add your comment to this page of you have something interesting to say.
Martin Kirk, from Denmark is certainly inspired by the news:
I am, by all means PLEASED with the released info of the 7D. The 7D is going to be T-H-E BEST DSLR on the market for a long time... and i think that all the Minolta fans, who have been waiting for it, have been doing the right thing !
Canon's new 20D is 8 mpix, but no other news since the 10D... so i guess their stuck on the design for now...
As for the Dynax/Maxxum 7 design - it opens a world of possibilities to the photographers around - the design is so good and fast-to-use that the last 2mpix can be compensated.
The fact is, that REAL photographers, whose main goal is HIGH-RES, will use either Film+scanner or Hasselblad 20-30 Megapixel cameras instead...
6.3 mpix is enough to be very creative, without having the trouble with HUGE file-sizes which in the end cost a lot of money in CF-cards and fast computers to operate with these files.
So all in all - A Very satisfying camera... I plan to be able to buy it within as short time as possible... can't wait to get my hands on to it!
But from Martin's unbridled enthusiasm we move to Peter, whose email address suggests he's based in the UK and he's rather more cautious:
• Entry of 6.1 MP is disappointing given the introduction of the all new EOS-20D
• Lack of pricing of packages (Presumably meaning discounted kit prices including a lens – Ed) will undoubtedly lose sales to Canon (I am a Minolta film slr user now considering moving to Canon)
• Poor lens packages designed for ultra wide angle and mid range use – in comparison to latest Canon offerings highlights issue
• Ability for anti-shake to work over a much wider range, without any independent press reviews remains a worry.
Plus points
• Large lcd screen
• Anti-shake…if it works
But Minolta must announce packages to compete into this new market…or else it will be at least 2 years behind other more established manufacturers. Minolta film users like myself have been waiting years, and now the wait is slow, big build up promised, and it requires a massive final punch to make a noticeable entry to the marketplace.
First thoughts are that it will be overpriced, under-featured, and at least 1 year behind other manufacturers.
I had hoped for better…and I still hope…as I haven’t parted with my money yet…it’s this or the canon eos-20d.
My personal feeling is that the resolution issue will turn out to be a minor one. Two million extra pixels, although undeniably attractive, is not as useful as it might sound. Konica Minolta has some useful experience with its anti-shake technology with the A1, A2 and its newest fixed lens model, the A200 and this has received mainly positive reviews. I certainly can't wait to get my hands on the 7D to try.
Maurizio Rocco, from Italy, echoes some of Martin's concerns:
The price of camera plus a kit lens it’s too high in relationship with the competition!!!!
The optimist in me suggests that Konica Minolta will adjust the price to suit the market demand. A good example of this is the new breed of 8 megapixel fixed lens cameras – by all accounts, sales were very slow until prices were cut and now they are flying out of the shops. The only danger is that Konica Minolta might be tempted to exact a price premium on the keen early adopters – but only time will tell.
From Hungary, Zoltan Arva-Toth wrote a lengthy judgment of Konica Minolta's efforts:
My feelings are, um, mixed. I use a Minolta Dynax 505si film camera, and my current digicam is also of the same brand: a DiMAGE A1. So I know what to expect from the Anti-Shake system, at least.
The Dynax 7D looks like a potent camera with lots of great features BUT come on! a price tag of 1150 pounds, which is equivalent to about 1700 euros over here on the Continent, is WAY too high in this market environment. Konica Minolta have probably conducted proper surveys on brand/price trade-off in their key markets but I think they are playing a dangerous game here. For there are zillions of Minolta owners out there who have patiently been waiting for the Konica Minolta equivalent of the Canon EOS 300D, the Nikon D70 or the Pentax *ist DS, i.e. an affordable body to put their glass in digital use. The Dynax 7D isn't what these people have expected, which means many of us will consider trading our Minolta lenses and system flashes, and buying into the Nikon, Canon or Pentax system.
Another possible aim they might have had in mind when announcing this body at the PMA show, i.e. widening their user base, is almost out of the question at this price. For whilst the Anti-Shake system, the dial/lever-based operation and the huge TFT LCD are all good things, the reality is: one can buy the 8.2-megapixel, 5-fps EOS 20D for a lower price.
And frankly, even though Minolta have a long track record of photographic inventions, reaching back into the 1960s or farther, they simply don't have the same brand equity as do Nikon, Pentax or Leica, to name but a few. Even those of us who know about their pioneering role in modern photography will likely have photocopiers and other office equipment, rather than cameras, as a top-of-mind association with the brand name Minolta. So I think they might just not be able to extract from their customers the price premium they are aiming for.
The market is very competitive out there and Konica Minolta will not be able to sit on its laurels if sales are slow. However, the 7D has a very good looking specification and it also has genuinely unique features. I also see a lot of Minolta film SLR users out and about still. Pentax seems to be doing OK with its rather conventional DSLR offerings and Olympus, with perhaps the hardest job of all because it's selling a brand new system, seems to be doing OK. Caution is a very natural sentiment, especially in situations like we find Konica Minolta in.
Finally, Greg, who doesn't indicate where he hails from, is of the very firm opinion that:
The body is priced more than twice at what it should be to be competitive with similar cameras.
Greg's view doesn't, arithmetically, make sense, but the gist of his feeling is certainly clear!
What’s your reaction – to the reaction above or to the Dynax/Maxxum news in general? We'd like to add more of your feedback here so get writing!
Order your Konica Minolta Dynax/Maxxum 7D from Adorama in the US or from Amazon:
or through
|
|  |
|
| Click on the flag that best relates to your location |
| Each Amazon outlet can ship to most countries in the world. |
