Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi

It's also worth pointing out that images are captured using the relatively wide Adobe 1998 or sRGB colour spaces, tagged with ICC profiles for colour matching - another feature for serious users.

In terms of image quality, we were impressed with the colour reproduction, which can be adjusted for a natural or vivid effect, plus saturation across seven levels. The image contrast (tone curve) may also be changed from the standard settings. The built-in flash is a bit pedestrian to recycle on full output, but it offers modes for interior, fill-in, slow, rear or front sync, plus red-eye reduction. The advanced feature set continues with a hotshoe for Minolta's top SLR flash guns and a PC socket for a studio flash. We tested the DiMAGE 7Hi in a studio environment where we found it best suited to shooting stationary targets.

The DiMAGE 7Hi is an impressive update to an already superb camera. Image quality is excellent and the extensive feature set includes a variety of high-end options to suit the more advanced user. We don't like the digital viewfinder, but if you're looking for a relatively compact and powerful camera the DiMAGE 7Hi fits the bill.

Author: John Clements