Minolta challenge

From my review of the first looks, and from looking at the samples thus far, I don't see the D-7 as being real competition to the E-10. It looks to me like the Fuji cameras with the 6x zoom, which I have played with and have found pretty unimpressive.

I hate electronic viewfinders, and while the Minolta's is supposed to be better than most, I still don't see how it could be as good as an optical one.

The only real benefit I see is the increased resolution and enhanced zoom. The zoom range is impressive, but unnecessary for most of what I do. The resolution, while more is always nice, also is unnecessary for me. While I like the ability to print larger prints, most of my prints are 4x6s, 5x7s or 8x10s. I really think 3.3 or 4.0 megapixels is sufficient for 8x10. When I had the Olympus 2000 and 2020, I have some prints blown up to 8x10 by Ofoto and they were 100% photographic quality. We confidently used them as evidence at a court trial and no one knew they weren't from film.

At least more me, I won't be tempted until someone comes out with a real SLR.
Heres hoping Oly get on with an E-10 successor with the D-7
announcement today. I for one will be going to Minolta Dimage 7
unless Oly fight back before July
 
Second that

First i was a bit impressed by the features but after a closer look there where a number of things i didnt like including the EVF. As you said it is supposed to be better but the EVF's have kept me from buying a digital camera until i found my love the E-10 so no matter how good it is it will never come close to a real TTL viewfinder.

As for some features of course it has them. It would be pretty bad to release a camera now that wouldnt beat some of the features of a camera more than a year old.

And then of course in a few months it will be a new one that has new features from somebody else

I for one am pretty happy with my E-10 and will probably use it as my main camera for another year and then i will probably look into new cameras to find something new. I will not ever give up my E-10 though as it is one of these toys that really makes sense to keep as a backup.

Mike
I hate electronic viewfinders, and while the Minolta's is supposed
to be better than most, I still don't see how it could be as good
as an optical one.

The only real benefit I see is the increased resolution and
enhanced zoom. The zoom range is impressive, but unnecessary for
most of what I do. The resolution, while more is always nice, also
is unnecessary for me. While I like the ability to print larger
prints, most of my prints are 4x6s, 5x7s or 8x10s. I really think
3.3 or 4.0 megapixels is sufficient for 8x10. When I had the
Olympus 2000 and 2020, I have some prints blown up to 8x10 by Ofoto
and they were 100% photographic quality. We confidently used them
as evidence at a court trial and no one knew they weren't from film.

At least more me, I won't be tempted until someone comes out with a
real SLR.
Heres hoping Oly get on with an E-10 successor with the D-7
announcement today. I for one will be going to Minolta Dimage 7
unless Oly fight back before July
 
I wonder if the people at Minolta realize how incredibly ugly their cameras are. If it was the greatest camera in the world I still wouldn't buy it because of the looks, which scream TACKY PIECE OF CONSUMER JUNK. The E-10, on the other hand, looks very pro, very sleek and beatuiful.

Let us thank the gods that, for most manufacturers, the ghastly "retro" styling craze seems to be over. Canon abandoned it with the Elan 7, which is one of the reasons why I bought one. The Elan II was a great camera but it had looks only a mother could love.
 
I'll have to agree. Minolta's designers have no taste and certainly didn't study the market. Minoltas have always been ugly - starting with their old SRT 101 35mm cameras. This new camera may have some more features, but the body is loaded with more buttons and controls and therefore moving parts. Sure, it can create larger images, but the consumer and commercial photo markets have requirements for publication and the E10 can certainly handle that for a long time. If someone needs a sixty foot wide print, we'll shoot it in 8x10 format on film. In the meantime, for normal print and publication work, the E10 will work just fine.
 
You forgot those other words that go with it Elrond...

You are the weakest link...

Honestly Bob,

To think that Oly would rush out a new camera in less than a month just to match Minolta (or anyone else for that matter) is a bit silly.

The E10 is working just fine for me, and I don't see getting anything else for a couple years atleast.

I hope you enjoy your new Minolta. And happy trails pardner.

Vance.
Elrond
Heres hoping Oly get on with an E-10 successor with the D-7
announcement today. I for one will be going to Minolta Dimage 7
unless Oly fight back before July
 
Heres hoping Oly get on with an E-10 successor with the D-7
announcement today. I for one will be going to Minolta Dimage 7
unless Oly fight back before July
One of the night shots from Steve's page is LOADED with hot pixels. Someone pulled the EXIF on it and said it was 1 second. I looked at all of the samples from all of the tests and really like the camera except it's UGLY! It tested 25% better resolution than my E-10. Bigger file sizes for better printing and all that but I don't think I'll be trading up any time soon. One aspect is that I'm just now getting comfortable with the E-10, learning it's foibles and how to tweak it. The other thing is I'm just not able to spend any more money on the hobby and am quite happy with the E-10. In the grand scheme of things, I still love it and this Dimage 7 is truly just a nudge better than the E-10. Now, when the improvement is huge, I may bite. One thing that's bothering me already is that since I don't print much, the E-10 is overkill itself. Going bigger, better would have to make more sense to me and that's not likely to happen. Check out my photopoint Mt. Frazier pictures. Some are fantastic but I goofed some of them up and that's what I'm talking about. Since I don't have a LOT of time to give the hobby, I have to maximize.

One key thing for me also is the view finder. I never use the LCD except for reviewing pictures.

I've got a question for the printing crowd out here: What do you do with all of those prints? Is your house wallpapered with them? All of my prints from my 35mm days are just collecting dust. That's what got me so excited about digital and why I bought the E-10. Everyone I know has a computer and when I want to share, well, you know the rest!

Ken
 
I believe this new entry into the 4 - 6 MP range will depress the market price of the E-10. I would expect street price (not NY dealers) to fall below $1500. Likely NY/Brooklyn dealers will drop prices in the $1300 - $1500 range, if Oly cuts.
Heres hoping Oly get on with an E-10 successor with the D-7
announcement today. I for one will be going to Minolta Dimage 7
unless Oly fight back before July
 
Ken,

I have a few 8x10 prints framed, but most of my prints I keep in a looseleaf binder.

I also have reservations about the D-7 viewfinder and doubt I would be satisfied with it. Add to that the build quality of the E-10 and its ergonomics and I'm sure I will keep it. Using the E-10 is just so much fun. I will not give that up for a few extra pixels.

Frank B
Heres hoping Oly get on with an E-10 successor with the D-7
announcement today. I for one will be going to Minolta Dimage 7
unless Oly fight back before July
One of the night shots from Steve's page is LOADED with hot pixels.
Someone pulled the EXIF on it and said it was 1 second. I looked at
all of the samples from all of the tests and really like the camera
except it's UGLY! It tested 25% better resolution than my E-10.
Bigger file sizes for better printing and all that but I don't
think I'll be trading up any time soon. One aspect is that I'm just
now getting comfortable with the E-10, learning it's foibles and
how to tweak it. The other thing is I'm just not able to spend any
more money on the hobby and am quite happy with the E-10. In the
grand scheme of things, I still love it and this Dimage 7 is truly
just a nudge better than the E-10. Now, when the improvement is
huge, I may bite. One thing that's bothering me already is that
since I don't print much, the E-10 is overkill itself. Going
bigger, better would have to make more sense to me and that's not
likely to happen. Check out my photopoint Mt. Frazier pictures.
Some are fantastic but I goofed some of them up and that's what I'm
talking about. Since I don't have a LOT of time to give the hobby,
I have to maximize.

One key thing for me also is the view finder. I never use the LCD
except for reviewing pictures.

I've got a question for the printing crowd out here: What do you do
with all of those prints? Is your house wallpapered with them?
All of my prints from my 35mm days are just collecting dust.
That's what got me so excited about digital and why I bought the
E-10. Everyone I know has a computer and when I want to share,
well, you know the rest!

Ken
 
Hi Ken,

I've got 3 or 4 11x14 prints framed. 1 13x19 framed. All scattered throughout the house. I've sold two 11x14's, and given two away on mother's day.

I printed up some 8x10's and placed them in a notebook binder so that I can bring it to work for others to see. I find it's a lot easier to sell a print with an 8x10 sample, than a 4x6. ;o)

Vance.
Heres hoping Oly get on with an E-10 successor with the D-7
announcement today. I for one will be going to Minolta Dimage 7
unless Oly fight back before July
One of the night shots from Steve's page is LOADED with hot pixels.
Someone pulled the EXIF on it and said it was 1 second. I looked at
all of the samples from all of the tests and really like the camera
except it's UGLY! It tested 25% better resolution than my E-10.
Bigger file sizes for better printing and all that but I don't
think I'll be trading up any time soon. One aspect is that I'm just
now getting comfortable with the E-10, learning it's foibles and
how to tweak it. The other thing is I'm just not able to spend any
more money on the hobby and am quite happy with the E-10. In the
grand scheme of things, I still love it and this Dimage 7 is truly
just a nudge better than the E-10. Now, when the improvement is
huge, I may bite. One thing that's bothering me already is that
since I don't print much, the E-10 is overkill itself. Going
bigger, better would have to make more sense to me and that's not
likely to happen. Check out my photopoint Mt. Frazier pictures.
Some are fantastic but I goofed some of them up and that's what I'm
talking about. Since I don't have a LOT of time to give the hobby,
I have to maximize.

One key thing for me also is the view finder. I never use the LCD
except for reviewing pictures.

I've got a question for the printing crowd out here: What do you do
with all of those prints? Is your house wallpapered with them?
All of my prints from my 35mm days are just collecting dust.
That's what got me so excited about digital and why I bought the
E-10. Everyone I know has a computer and when I want to share,
well, you know the rest!

Ken
 
I agree too, it looks ugly. Smply having 1million pixels more is not enough. I woul dhave been happy with a decent G1 - if I could have gotten one - and since moving to the E10 I have not been amazed at the extra pixels. However, I do overall prefer the image on the E10.

Also that LCD viewfinder. I note that all the serious SLR digicams use a genuine through-the-lens view. The main problem with an analogue SLR is cost of film, film scanner; and the cleaning up of scans - not the viewfinder.

Seems to me that MInolta should have a rethink. I think Olympus is heading on the right lines... Improve the E10.

Dave
 
I am happy to hear this news today. I was planning to
get the E-10 in June or July. Now I have another
camera to look at and maybe this will push the price
of the E-10 down.

Bill
Heres hoping Oly get on with an E-10 successor with the D-7
announcement today. I for one will be going to Minolta Dimage 7
unless Oly fight back before July
 
Thanks, I always wondered. My favorite pictures are on my screen saver and my monitor is in my living room. It gets looked at more than any photo that I ever had.

Ken
I've got 3 or 4 11x14 prints framed. 1 13x19 framed. All scattered
throughout the house. I've sold two 11x14's, and given two away on
mother's day.

I printed up some 8x10's and placed them in a notebook binder so
that I can bring it to work for others to see. I find it's a lot
easier to sell a print with an 8x10 sample, than a 4x6. ;o)

Vance.
Heres hoping Oly get on with an E-10 successor with the D-7
announcement today. I for one will be going to Minolta Dimage 7
unless Oly fight back before July
One of the night shots from Steve's page is LOADED with hot pixels.
Someone pulled the EXIF on it and said it was 1 second. I looked at
all of the samples from all of the tests and really like the camera
except it's UGLY! It tested 25% better resolution than my E-10.
Bigger file sizes for better printing and all that but I don't
think I'll be trading up any time soon. One aspect is that I'm just
now getting comfortable with the E-10, learning it's foibles and
how to tweak it. The other thing is I'm just not able to spend any
more money on the hobby and am quite happy with the E-10. In the
grand scheme of things, I still love it and this Dimage 7 is truly
just a nudge better than the E-10. Now, when the improvement is
huge, I may bite. One thing that's bothering me already is that
since I don't print much, the E-10 is overkill itself. Going
bigger, better would have to make more sense to me and that's not
likely to happen. Check out my photopoint Mt. Frazier pictures.
Some are fantastic but I goofed some of them up and that's what I'm
talking about. Since I don't have a LOT of time to give the hobby,
I have to maximize.

One key thing for me also is the view finder. I never use the LCD
except for reviewing pictures.

I've got a question for the printing crowd out here: What do you do
with all of those prints? Is your house wallpapered with them?
All of my prints from my 35mm days are just collecting dust.
That's what got me so excited about digital and why I bought the
E-10. Everyone I know has a computer and when I want to share,
well, you know the rest!

Ken
 
The challange still falls very short with the electronic view finder and no external sync connection for flash except the hot shoe. This is a step backwards for a new pro sumer camera ! I will wait for the next OLY upgrade or if I hit the LOTTO this weekend I will buy a Nikon DX !

The best always,

JP Photography
Heres hoping Oly get on with an E-10 successor with the D-7
announcement today. I for one will be going to Minolta Dimage 7
unless Oly fight back before July
 
The challange still falls very short with the electronic view
finder and no external sync connection for flash except the hot
shoe. This is a step backwards for a new pro sumer camera !
Why is this such a big deal? A hot shoe is all that is necessary. If you need a PC connector just buy a $10-$15 hot shoe to PC connector adapter. I use one for my Canon film cameras and they work just fine.

I tend to agree with most on the EVF. But I won't condemn it until I test it for myself. I've never used one that I liked. Therefore I am skeptical. But I will evaluate Minolta's with an open mind.
 
Keep in mind...this review is on a pre-production unit. That equates to a probable release several months down the road with shortages quickly occuring on release. Anyone who has owned a computer has been throught this techno change before. In my opinion, the E10 will be around for quite a while just due to its rugged construction and stable performance. There is always something greater around the corner but the E10 has made its mark. The best all of us can expect may be some downward pricing by Olympus, once the Minolta is produced and some sizable market share is being seen. (year end)
 
The hotshoe connector puts the sync wire at the top of the camera and the wire never finds a good place to rest ,and is an add on peice something to loose ,forget, or be broken. I like Minolta cameras, sharp lens, My 1st pro camera 30 years ago was an SRT 101 and performed great for 6 months till I required a camera with a motor drive and traded up to a Nikon system.

The best always,

JP Photography
Heres hoping Oly get on with an E-10 successor with the D-7
announcement today. I for one will be going to Minolta Dimage 7
unless Oly fight back before July
 

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