Minolta Digital SLR Cameras
Latest Guide
While it's easy to focus on Canon and Nikon, the Minolta digital SLR cameras have a lot going for them.
In fact, Minolta can boast that they have a feature that is not included in any other digital SLR camera.
January 2006 Update - No More Konica Minolta Cameras
Konica Minolta has issues a press release that states they will no longer be producing digital cameras.
The company was losing money to competitors, and has been scaling back production for some time.
They are selling their digital SLR production to Sony, so expect to see a Sony digital SLR sometime soon.
Complete press release from Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta
You may have heard of Minolta cameras also called Konica Minolta cameras. Here's why.
In 2003, two companies firmly rooted in film decided to make the jump to digital.
Konica made film and Minolta offered a wide variety of film SLR cameras. Both were getting left behind with the digital revolution.
Post-merger, the new company spent a lot of time developing their first Konica Minolta digital SLR: the Maxxum 7d.
The Maxxum 7d and the next generation 5d feature a special innovation that is not available on any other digital SLR on the market.
Image Stabilization
The Konica Minolta digital SLR has built-in image stabilization.
In this camera, the sensor is not firmly attached to the camera. It can move around and compensate when you shake the camera with your hand.
Let's be clear: this is not going to take clear shots if you are whipping the camera around, but it will eliminate mild vibration when you are trying to hold the camera steady.
Here's the best part: the image stabilization works with ANY Minolta lens that is compatible with the camera.
This is different from the Canon cameras where image stabilization is only offered in the lenses, not the camera body.
If you want image stabilization with a Canon digital SLR you have to purchase a special lens to get it.
With the Konica Minolta digital SLR, you can use any old lens you have lying around and it becomes an image stabilized (IS) lens because the the IS is built into the camera.
Who can most benefit from this?
You can if your favorite style of photography is portrait, indoor or in the evening/night. In all of these situations you won't have a lot of light.
When there is less light, the camera keeps its shutter open longer which makes it more likely that your photo will be blurry because of camera shake.
With the Konica Minolta digital SLR and image stabilization, you'll get clear photos every time.
Minolta Cameras Today
Since Konica Minolta got into the game a bit later than Canon and Nikon, they don't have as many cameras to choose from. If you're a Minolta enthusiast, then this will make your buying decision that much easier!
Camera | Megapixels | Release Date |
Maxxum 7d | 6.0 | 2004 |
Maxxum 5d | 6.0 | 2005 |
Minolta Digital SLR Guides
Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D
The 5D is incredibly easy to use, and is a great value for portrait and low-light photographers.
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