The KM-7D: Minolta's Pro DSLR Swan Song

With much anticipation by Minoltians, Konica Minolta finally released their first digital SLR camera on September 15, 2004. They were pretty much the last major OEM to do so. At the time, the 7D was leading edge technology with a state-of-the-art 6.1 MP APS-C sensor, a bright 2.5  inch rear LCD, revolutionary in-body Anti Shake (AS) and classic Minolta styling reminiscent of the Minolta 7 film camera.

Build

A substantial metal chassis dressed up with a rugged magnesium alloy exterior (and some plastic on the backside) provides a durable frame for the 7D. With its release, the camera back differentiated itself from the DSLR pack with the extra large LCD (now standard on most cameras) and by making the most common functions readily accessible via push buttons. Most DSLR's of the day were much more menu driven and while the KM-7D also uses a plethora of menus, these are mostly for less frequented and/or user defined custom functions. Ingenious layering on the two top knobs puts several functions at your fingertips, including exposure comp in 1/3 or 1/2 EV, flash comp, frame advance modes as well as exposure mode selection with user defined programmable/memory settings.

Technical details and specifications can be looked up in numerous articles on the internet, so I won't regurgitate them here. There have been advances in DSLR technology since the 7D's release, most notably the increased CCD sensor pixel count (10 MP and beyond) and quicker start up times, but even today, almost 3 years later the 7D is still a great camera to own. Many of the features, such as the AF and the Exposure Metering are all still top notch. It's a shame this camera is out of production. More on that later.

Innovative Anti Shake

In my opinion, the best innovation included in the KM-7D (and its little brother, the newer and more consumer oriented 5D,) is the Anti-Shake technology built into the camera body. By means of a feedback loop, the CCD vibrates in opposition to any camera shake that is produced by the photographer. This neutralizes the effect of lens movement on image reproduction and results in sharper images and the ability to use slower shutter speeds if necessary. Typically, a photographer must use a shutter speed of the reciprocal of the lens focal length to obtain a sharp image. For example, a 200mm lens requires a shutter speed of 1/200 second in order to produce a sharp image. Longer lenses require even shorter shutter speeds due to the magnified camera shake. All things being equal, with AS the photographer can potentially shoot 2 or even 3 stops slower, (eg. at 1/60 second) and still maintain sharpness. In the new Sony A100, Super Steady Shot, an improved version of the original AS, provides 3-4 stops compensation. A set of  four green bars in the 7D viewfinder indicates the degree of antishake being employed. The photographer can use this as an indicator as to his own steadiness, and with practice, improve hand held technique.

Nikon and Canon both have Image Stabilized (IS) lenses, so this Anti Shake idea is hardly unique, right? What differentiates the Minolta system from all the rest is the fact that the AS is in the body. You only need to buy the AS once, when you purchase the 7D. With the KM/Sony concept, (5D, 7D or A100) all your Minolta/Sony lenses will now be image stabilized. Even your vintage Beercan 70-210 f/4 telephoto from 1987 now has Anti Shake. Image Stabilization adds roughly $500 to the cost of every Image Stabilized lens you purchase for a Nikon or Canon camera. Think of the cost savings!

The only downside to the Anti Shake being in the body is that it is further down the optical path than the lens based system, and the CCD movement takes more power to accomplish stabilization than the smaller adjustment necessary inside an IS lens. Even still, I find my power supply is quite adequate and battery changes infrequent without any attempts to conserve power while I am out shooting. I use a VC-7D control grip which runs 2 NP-400 Lithium Ion batteries in tandem, so this also helps. I always have a second set of batteries charged and ready to go, so I am never out of power.

The VC-7D is a great accessory for the KM-7D. Besides doubling the available power supply, it also reproduces several control functions in their natural position while you hold the camera vertically. The LCD display will automatically remain orientated as the camera is rotated from horizontal to vertical. Shutter release, both control dials, AEL/Slow Sync, AF/MF and AF Area are all where they should be on the grip for ultimate convenience. The only downside is a little more bulk and weight.

My Initial Observations

The 7D's high res 2.5 inch LCD is now the industry standard for DSLR's. Auto LCD shut off via sensors in the eyepiece reduce glare by putting the LCD into stand by mode as you pull the camera to your eye. Auto Power Off/Stand By (after a predetermined time) also saves battery power. The LCD displays camera settings when in "recording" mode, and can be used to review photos in "playback" mode. While in "playback" mode, histograms and some EXIF data can be displayed along with the image, or a number of other playback options can be chosen, including a magnified image for closer scrutiny. The display has the usual issue of being difficult to see in really bright sunlight but brightness is adjustable.

The camera is a good size as far as bodies go, and fits comfortably in my hand. It is larger and heavier than the average film camera, but no complaints here. I'm sure with time and innovation, future Sony cameras, (like the A100) will be smaller and more lightweight. On the flipside, I hear and read more complaints regarding the smaller handgrip on the A100 than kudos due to its diminuitive size.

As a Minolta "oldtimer" from the Maxxum 7000 days, I've followed the progression of the Minolta platform as far as the 700si in film. As a result, the 7D layout is very intuitive. For those who finished with a Maxxum 7, I'm sure that comfort level is amplified. I find the 7D to be plenty of camera for my skills and needs.  The range of features meets all of my expectations and then some. 6.1 MP is certainly adequate and the camera is reliable and fun to shoot with. Whether I am at home taking equipment photos for my Ebay listings or on vacation with a full lens arsenal, the 7D is a total pleasure to use and a beautifully designed machine.

With a firmware update in early 2005, the 7D buffer was enlarged and sequential shooting at 3 fps, even in RAW + JPEG improved immensely. I use a fast writing 2 GB Sandisk Extreme III CF card and this gives me about 160 frames capacity when shooting in this mode. (Bursts of about 10 frames will  put the camera into 'thinking' mode for 5-10 seconds while it processes the images and empties the buffer) I have a second card as back up and use a little 80 GB Media Gear portable hard drive to download photos if I am away from the PC.

Ports for the RC-1000 remote cord and USB connection are behind sliding covers. No plugs to lose or break off. The CF card slot is conveniently hidden behind a large door on the side of the camera.

Some Minor Downsides

My only serious complaint about the camera (and I've heard these complaints echoed in Minolta forums) involves the on-camera flash and AF Illuminator used on the 7D. Occasionally, a picture will come out overexposed. What's even more irritating is the pulse burst of light the flash emits in low light to assist the camera AF. Gone is the near infra-red beam that was seen on every good Minolta film camera body. Attaching a flash (I use the 3600HS (D)) to the hot shoe cures both of these issues. The AF preflashing can cause your subject to blink or squint just as the camera fires the flash for exposure and releases the shutter.

There appears to be a defect in some 7D and 5D bodies that causes a "Black Frame" to appear when a photo is taken after the camera has sat dormant for a long period of time. When shooting, the shutter does not open while the CCD is enabled - the end result is a photo of darkness from behind the closed shutter curtain. It apparently has to do with a low voltage situation in the shutter curtain ciruitry. Some users find this quite distressing, and have lobbied Sony to recognize the issue and fix it. After almost 3 years of anecdotal evidence of the problem, Sony has just now recognized that the problem does occur. Users afflicted by this issue are hoping it will be a warranty/recall repair. I've never experienced this issue with my 7D, knock on wood!

The Recent Past

After the successful debut of the 7D in 2004, Konical Minolta released the 5D model in 2005. It was a more consumer oriented DSLR with fewer esoteric features, but still a very nice camera. KM also pulled out of Canada in 2005. Then in February 2006, KM folded its film camera and photo lab operations completely worldwide. Digital camera production ceased. The remaining supply of the 7D bodies and dedicated accessories were sold out by July 2006. In my opinion, had KM stuck it out, the 7D would have made a great platform for future upgraded versions of the camera, much in the manner that Canon has just released the improved next generation Rebel XTi, now 10 MP plus additional features. Unfortunately for this once great Japanese camera company, and Minoltians everywhere, low margins and fierce competition were the final nail in the Minolta coffin. (Warranty service and repair of 5D and 7D bodies are now covered by Sony.)

The Future

The KM digital SLR technology and the rights to the alpha lens mount were sold to Sony in February 2006 and this led to the release of the Alpha A100 a few months later. Word on the street is that with the A100, Sony has decided to tap the lower end of the consumer market first as this body compares more to the 5D than the 7D. It is an upscale consumer model, albeit with improved Anti Shake, dust management/CCD shake, a 10 MP sensor and a retail price that continues to drop. The good news is the alpha mount will continue, but it seems the bad news is that Maxxum Prosumers will have to wait a little longer until Sony releases a replacement for the pro level 7D, hopefully sometime this year. There have been a few rumours that the camera will be a 7D based  upgrade, but this is only speculation to date.

Update: April 17, 2007

At the 2007 PMA, Sony released information and prototypes of two new DSLR camera bodies. One appears to be the advanced amateur replacement for the 7D (an A10?) with loads of features that will be released later this year. The other is a Professional level body that, while promotional literature is vague, seems to suggest that the camera will have a full frame image sensor. Pricing was not released for either camera.

Numerous new zoom and prime lenses were also shown at the PMA, reaffirming Sony's committment to the Alpha (Maxxum) mount. Things are looking very good for legacy Minolta users, as well as new converts to the camera system.