Curious.. Dynax 7D vs A200

[Gadgetman]

It's just so strange that Canon would name its camera the same as the KM D7D. Fortunately, this has led to plenty of opportunities for the 7D (and I am talking about the original one!) to re-introduce itself. Just last Saturday, I bumped into someone I knew and the subject of camera was discussed. He proudly announced that he is now using the Canon 7D. Being polite, I complimented on the powerful features of the 7D and then jokingly told him that I have a 7D too. That took some of the pleasure from him obviously, but imagine his confusion when I drew out my 7D from the camera bag! The real pleasure was all mine when I saw his expression of confusion turned into envy. My 7D is equipped with the awesome vertical grip and fitted with the very professional looking SAL18250, not to mention the impressive and intricate dials, switches and buttons all over the camera. Imagine his surprise when I finally told him this is is an obsolete 6 mega-pixels that is already 5 years old!

 

[Galdor]

It's just so strange that Canon would name its camera the same as the KM D7D. Fortunately, this has led to plenty of opportunities for the 7D (and I am talking about the original one!) to re-introduce itself. Just last Saturday, I bumped into someone I knew and the subject of camera was discussed. He proudly announced that he is now using the Canon 7D. Being polite, I complimented on the powerful features of the 7D and then jokingly told him that I have a 7D too. That took some of the pleasure from him obviously, but imagine his confusion when I drew out my 7D from the camera bag! The real pleasure was all mine when I saw his expression of confusion turned into envy. My 7D is equipped with the awesome vertical grip and fitted with the very professional looking SAL18250, not to mention the impressive and intricate dials, switches and buttons all over the camera. Imagine his surprise when I finally told him this is is an obsolete 6 mega-pixels that is already 5 years old!

:bsmilie: :thumbsup:

 

[cookie88]

I may seriously consider a upgrade as the slow focusing is getting on my nerves. Just back fr my kid's school performance and its very much a hit-n-miss trial-n-error result.

Or maybe its my poor skills :think:

 

[android17]

I may seriously consider a upgrade as the slow focusing is getting on my nerves. Just back fr my kid's school performance and its very much a hit-n-miss trial-n-error result.

Or maybe its my poor skills :think:

Consider the a700 then, the fast af will satisfy ur thirst for speed

 

[TME]

I may seriously consider a upgrade as the slow focusing is getting on my nerves. Just back fr my kid's school performance and its very much a hit-n-miss trial-n-error result.

Or maybe its my poor skills :think:

Are you using wide area focus or centre focus spot? The wide area focus is not reliable at all... too few sensors to determine focus accurately and quickly enough... I use the centre focus spot and aim for high contrast edges where the edge cuts across the edges of the centre focus AF sensor... you'll find that you'll get more hits than misses... also use a deeper aperture like f/5.6 so that focus and recompose will still yield sharp images...

Of course the 7D's AF module is definitely not good enough still... so an upgrade to the A700 will make a world of difference...

 

[cookie88]

I manually select my focus points. I'm using f4 and ISO200. The indoor lighting is not the most ideal but still can focus. I try to avoid higher ISO for noise considerations.

An upgrade to A850 will b most interesting but quite an overkill for me. Mayb juz play the waiting game and c wat replaces the A700

Are you using wide area focus or centre focus spot? The wide area focus is not reliable at all... too few sensors to determine focus accurately and quickly enough... I use the centre focus spot and aim for high contrast edges where the edge cuts across the edges of the centre focus AF sensor... you'll find that you'll get more hits than misses... also use a deeper aperture like f/5.6 so that focus and recompose will still yield sharp images...

Of course the 7D's AF module is definitely not good enough still... so an upgrade to the A700 will make a world of difference...

 

[nsalman]

I'm loving it! The 7d feeeels good.

 

[Gadgetman]

Don't forget also that you have the option to hit the AF/MF toggle button and just go manual focus instead (if all else fails). This is really one useful feature in the 7D and A700 that should be implemented on all alpha bodies (rather than an out-of-the-way AF/MF switch near the lens mount for the 300-500 series)

 

[tokrot]

I may seriously consider a upgrade as the slow focusing is getting on my nerves. Just back fr my kid's school performance and its very much a hit-n-miss trial-n-error result.

Or maybe its my poor skills :think:

It's the camera and your skill as well. You can go for sony newer models but definitely you are going to miss the minolta colors, accurate WB and also the build as well. I hope sony can get the design of model with the existing alpha AF speed and the above features correct. Sony introduces new features but take away the good old ones. *what a pity* IMHO, sony's current line of camera design (Photo colors and body build) still cannot make it, that probably explains why I have no sony products... :bsmilie:

 

[eow]

To said that Minolta wb is accurate is totally untrue...it as bad as other cameras in a real shooting situation (bad lighting)
color wise the current a550 had the best color output among the km and alpha dslr

 

[tokrot]

To said that Minolta wb is accurate is totally untrue...it as bad as other cameras in a real shooting situation (bad lighting)
color wise the current a550 had the best color output among the km and alpha dslr

i disagree. You can check dpreview and other forums as well as many other reviews. You have my words that many would agree with my statement. The WB is definitely better and accurate than any alpha in sony line up and so are the colors.

 

[eow]

I had km and sony, owned canon and olympus and panasonic..the km color imho is no big deal

 

[T.A.]

I do not have the A550 so I don't know how it is. Of the cams that I've tried so far, Minolta's (KM)
wb does look more neutral but they too aren't totally accurate since Minolta tend to prefer a slightly warmer tone.

I do remember when 7D/5D was out, there were some comparison and canon, like sony tend to prefer more aggressive processing.
It has it's good and bad I guess, although I do like KM's color, I believe many more would prefer canon / sony.
When I put a pic (from 5D) next to the real thing, not only is the color closer, the level of sharpness under the default settings look closer too.
It's good if you want a more accurate base to work with but not if you're just going share with others w/o processing as many might
comment how unsharp or dull the colors might be on some of the pics.

At that time, KM was praised mainly because there's less chance of colors clipping and
less tendency of lost details due to unsharpening (if required) a pre-sharpened image.
Few years have passed since then, no idea how things are now.:sweat::bsmilie:

 

[Getz10]

I do not have the A550 so I don't know how it is. Of the cams that I've tried so far, Minolta's (KM)
wb does look more neutral but they too aren't totally accurate since Minolta tend to prefer a slightly warmer tone.

I do remember when 7D/5D was out, there were some comparison and canon, like sony tend to prefer more aggressive processing.
It has it's good and bad I guess, although I do like KM's color, I believe many more would prefer canon / sony.
When I put a pic (from 5D) next to the real thing, not only is the color closer, the level of sharpness under the default settings look closer too.
It's good if you want a more accurate base to work with but not if you're just going share with others w/o processing as many might
comment how unsharp or dull the colors might be on some of the pics.

At that time, KM was praised mainly because there's less chance of colors clipping and
less tendency of lost details due to unsharpening (if required) a pre-sharpened image.
Few years have passed since then, no idea how things are now.:sweat::bsmilie:

"Photographers" now wants everything straight from camera....enuff say :bsmilie:

 

[tokrot]

I had km and sony, owned canon and olympus and panasonic..the km color imho is no big deal

Well, that's probably your eyes spectrum of colors may not be as sensitive or good as some individuals. There are few of us (and those in other forums too) who can really see the colors differences. I admit I am one of them.

Canon is strong in Red.
Olympus is strong in Red and Blue
Panasonic's LX3 is strong in Brown.
KM is also strong in Brown.

Those strong in Blue are good in sky photo taking, those strong in brown are good in portrait/animal taking (esp skin tone colors) and landscape.

 

[tokrot]

You sir, are a tard.

well, almost all of your replies are insults. Be prepared for a ban!:bsmilie:

 

[eow]

Well, that's probably your eyes spectrum of colors may not be as sensitive or good as some individuals. There are few of us (and those in other forums too) who can really see the colors differences. I admit I am one of them.

Canon is strong in Red.
Olympus is strong in Red and Blue
Panasonic's LX3 is strong in Brown.
KM is also strong in Brown.

Those strong in Blue are good in sky photo taking, those strong in brown are good in portrait/animal taking (esp skin tone colors) and landscape.

ok blame it on me for having an less than ideal color spectrum... i rest my case,
Here the following shot of the km5d,a200 and gf1 taken casually..pls tell how u distinguish the legendary minolta color from the pics shown below

 

[tokrot]

ok blame it on me for having an less than ideal color spectrum... i rest my case,
Here the following shot of the km5d,a200 and gf1 taken casually..pls tell how u distinguish the legendary minolta color from the pics shown below

These are not good examples. KM colors really shine in good lights. Let me show you some of them:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1035&message=18363382 This one is taken with cheap lens..

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1035&message=17992651 This one taken with kit lens and a wide lens

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1035&message=15961609 Taken with cheap lens and 28-75...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1035&message=17647569 Taken with 7d. check the exif info.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1035&message=15331365 Taken with kits and cheapo 75-300

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1035&message=14813766 taken with kit only..

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1035&thread=33077580&page=3

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1035&message=32160723&q=7d+pictures&qf=m These taken by owner of alphamountworld, he still like his 7d colors very much though he owns a a900. You can check his review on 7d on his site.

Btw most of the pics above are not color processed or with minimal color processed and can still produce stunning IQ taken with cheapo lens. There are many good links which are now gone/missing over the years in dpreview forum. They have really very good IQ of 7D to show.

And there are many ppl who still prefer KM colors in many forum threads if I would to dig out to show you.

And now if you would show us that some of A550 taken without colors processing or minimal (straight out from camera with kits lens and cheap lens or whatever) to prove your case that A550 has better colors?..

I am not sure what colors you seeing but KM colors are really look fantastic to my eyes.

 

[Elec35GS]

The thing is, the dynax 7d definately has better controls but color wise i would say it is good and above average but nothing to shout about. it is certainly not the best because best is subjective.

 

[eow]

We have to moved on

here a snapshot of the A550 indoor flourscent lighting at iso 12800 and 6400