Minolta was a challenger, facing the giants Canon and Nikon, but it was able to stand out thanks to high manufacturing quality and numerous innovations. It was one of the rare brands to design and produce its own optics.

Among the major innovations, we can cite:

• • • First camera using a 16mm cassette in 1957 (camera originally designed by Konan)
    • Shutter speed record obtained at 1/2000 in 1958 with the V2 (next the V3 will even go to 1/3000)
    • First SLR integrating a CDS cell in 1962 with the SR7
    • First SLR with full program mode in 1981 with the X700
    • Smallest compact camera in the world in 1982 with the AF-C
    • First SLR with autofocus integrated into the body in 1985 with the 7000
    • First SLR with multi-zone measurement and predictive focusing in 1988 with the 7000i
    • Smallest SLR in 2003 with the 3L

For the record, we can also cite the Vectis 300 (APS format), first compact camera built in steel casting.

Minolta, however, was never able to steal the spotlight from the market leaders for professionals, the fault of several (fatal) marketing errors, such as the XM (1973), a true marvel equipped with all the possible options for the time, but… without a motor ! The version equipped with an integrated motor will arrive shortly after, but too late. Same thing for digital, where the brand arrives too late.

After a merger with Konica which did not save them, the photo division was sold to Sony. Sony having adopted numerous Minolta concepts, the brand’s optics remain compatible with the new digital cameras.

I will therefore present to you here some models from my collection.