The Minolta X-700 is a 35mm SLR introduced in 1981 and represents the last manual focus SLR by Minolta before the release of the Maxxum 7000 in 1985.

Minolta’s brochure called it a “state of the art quartz-control electronic 35mm SLR” They boasted a first ever “shutter weighted system” meaning the camera is programmed to favour a higher shutter speed in low light situations.

It had a body very similar to the XG-M, electronically controlled step-less speeds, and the Minolta Program System.

The Minolta Program System or M.P.S. included a series of accessories that worked directly with the program mode on the SLR. A flash that automatically adjusted based on the camera settingS for example. Something we take for granted these days.

Unsurprisingly, the Minolta X-700 was awarded Camera of the Year on two continents.

The Minolta X-700 Blows Up

Popular Photography did a detailed lab report in November of 1982, including a total disassembly. It was noted that some parts from the XG-7 and XG-M were used. They was also mentioned that a lot of the x-700 was plastic.

The Minolta X-700 was endorsed by famous photojournalist Harry Benson. He’s quoted as saying:

“I have to admit it makes ‘creative decisions’ amazingly close to the ones I myself would make on manual.”

“The X-700 is one of the new breed of 35mm cameras that are almost idiot proof” Creative Computing Magazine (1984).

After a few years on the market, a new model was in town but not everyone was happy. As you might imagine people were pissed when the Maxxum 7000 introduced. New lenses, a new mount, basically a complete overhaul.

In an issue of Popular Photography one reader vents his frustration.

“I checked for many many months before I bought the X-700.” says Popular Photography reader Donald Nelson. “If Minolta had even given the slightest hint it was coming out with a fully automatic camera, I would have waited and paid the additional money for it. All accessories for the X-700 soon stopped being available. I was stuck with an out of date camera less than a year after I purchased it.”

PopPho replied saying that it’s impossible to predict these things, Minolta isn’t going to tip the competition of a new system they are working on and the X-700 wasn’t exactly fresh off the line anymore.

One thing not too many people saw coming was the X-700 outlasting the Maxxum 7000. In fact it outlasted several models.

From what I can gather, it coasted through the 80’s and 90’s as an amateur and student favourite. In this 1998 camera ad you can see one still being sold with a 50mm f1.7 for $250USD

Ultimately the x-700 would have an incredibly long production run, finally being discontinued in 1999, though one source says it was as late as 2001. Considering we live in a society that buys a new pocket computer every couple years, any piece of tech that lasts this long is pretty amazing.

The Minolta X-700 remains a solid choice for the photography student and enthusiast.