800si is a refined upgrade from 700si & both of them are much more powerful than 7xi.
Certainly, 7xi is cheaper to own. If u plan to use it for 2-3 yrs, 800si/700si is a much better choice.

At least focusing capability is better and 800si has a strong internal zoom flash.

Don"t trust me! Just read how users worldwide comments below.

http://www.photographyreview.com/pscCameras/35mm/Konica%20Minolta,800si/PRD_84442_3105crx.aspx

MINOLTA用既DC, 一般NOISE好大, 似乎唔夠NIKON/CANON來.
長痛不如短痛, 一個無希望既系統, 補貼幾多都係無希望,
別為一、兩枝鏡妨礙真正UPGRADE機會.

Re:
BIT數是問題, 這已經由音樂CD年代已經討論不休.
現在的PRO-BACK已經用16BIT/CH, DSLR亦有用14BIT/CH.
大部份PROSUMER已經用12BIT/CH, 一般機仔都10BIT/CH.

12 bit 是記錄時用，最後都係8 bit。
一般DC在中光是無問題的，在high key或low key的位而仍有良好gradation沙smooth才見digital 的問題。這是digital仍弱的地方。

民用化是需要一個過程, 進化也是. 我的第一部DC是OM
C-2000, 現在回看那些FILE, 依然不覺差.

在中光度時會覺得很好。
在黑任及光位的地方就分高下。
例如張相人面爆光，因digital clipping而造成極難看的漸變。
under時在黑位也會有類似情況。

用Hi-Fi比喻，原子粒機爆聲時特性似CCD，而膽機則似菲林，人佳覺得膽機聲比較好聽，因其非線姓clipping無咁刺耳。

我用過DC不下十部，DC比菲林誰好要看情況。

Dear 香港至*NET*超人,

Bingo, your words exactly what I"ve told to my wife before.  You"re really a genius.

As a long term benefit, I prefer to abandon the Minolta (sorry to all "KM" fans regarding this declaration.)  

Before we get marriage, we meet because photography, we love because photography and we marry also because photograpy.  So stupid?  Ha ha ha.  

Both of us have common interest, however, we are using diferent systems.  I"ve Nikon, while she"ve Minolta.  Of course, I"ve tried to change her mind to adopt Nikon equipments but failed.  

She hate my bad ergonomic FM2, bulky F90x, damn heavy F4s, dim light viewfinder F80, and toy like D70.  Oh my God, why her taste is so special!?(@!#$%*&)  And why there is only Minolta in her mind!?  She will only touch her equipments anyway.

But I know I love her much, so I respect her choice.  That why"s we got delimma here.

Thanks again 香港至*NET*超人.

I"ve reviewed the details of F75 and found it is very reasonable priced (below HK$2K.)  Although the sync speed is relative slow, we could apply other technique to get rid of the matters (e.g., using ND filter, etc., when the situation is unavoidable.)  

With rough figures and image illustration from the web, the body size indeed is quite suitable to ladies.  Hence, I"ll ask her to evaluate this model from the shop.  

One more thing, Nikon lens are not the burden to us because I"ve over ten pieces from AI to AFS versions.  Therefore, we can just "write off" the Minolta stuff and acquire a F75 is enough.  Hope she will take this "last" solution.  The cost, of course, is HK2000.  

Thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks ........

Dear 香港至*NET*超人,

My wife was agreed this "last" option and we will get the camera by Saturday.  

However, would you please give some more advice on :-

1. Buy Tamron 28-75 F2.8 (at HK2xxx) instead of Nikon 24-85 F2.8-4 (at HK3xxx.)  Is there big different on optical performance between these models (disregardless of their zoom ranges) ?

2. Buy Nikon 24-85 AFS (G) F3.5-4.5 instead of Nikon 24-85 F2.8-4 (D) (also HK2xxx vs HK3xxx.)  To save money and weight!?

3. Buy battery pack with vertical shutter (at HK3xx) or just ignore it.

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Just for your reference.  My current lens and accessories

Nikon 12-24mm F4 (DX), Tokina 17mm F3.5, Tamron 19-35 F3.5-4.5, Nikon 24mm F2.8 (D), Nikon 24-120mm F3.5-5.6 (VR), Nikon 50mm F1.4 (AIS) and F1.8 (D), Nikon 75-150mm F3.5 (E), Nikon 85mm F1.8 (D), Nikon 105mm F2.5 (AIS), Tamron 90mm F2.5 AF Macro (old version), Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 (version 3), Nikon 70-300mm F4.0-5.6 (G), Kenko Pro 300 2X and 1.4X.

Metz 32MZ1, Nikon SB26, Nikon SB27, Nikon SB800

BATTERY PACK只對日打夜打的人有用, 其他人, 心理大於一切.

祝購買順利.

In view of your Nikon lens lineup, it"s most economical to get another Nikon body.

Good luck to you both in photography pursuit down the road.

Real photographers get the best possible out of their equipment.

Thanks again 7D and gigakpt,

To gigakpt,

I have MB-20, MB-21 and MB-23 to couple my F4 body, however, the camera body is still very heavy even coupling with MB-20 (around 1kg.)  If MB-23 is attached, it will be weighted over 1.4Kg.  Hence, F4 is not a good fit camera for women.  
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Outside the topic, F4 is the best "manual" SLR camera ever made by Nikon.  

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