Useful features packed in a value for money body; reliable; good build quality; excellent wireless off-camera flash photography; last 9 frame countdown; very hany memory setting which helps my wife take great photos without knowing much about the gizmos; sensible/versatile VC700 grip which allows using aa-sized batteries

Despite manufacturer's claim, autofocus haunts easily; depth of field preview botton is in the most awkeward place, for many creative functions need to buy separate cards; lacks multi-segment TTL flash sensors; although many information can be obtained from the metering index in the viewfinder, it is so complex to learn (and keep in mind) that what is shown in each exposure mode!

700si is a great amateur camera catering for a wide range of needs. It sucks that expensive add-on cards are needed for feature which come free on some other cameras. Some unique and innovative features when it was released made this camera an excellent choice.

Customer Service

Never had a problem.

Similar Products Used:

I owned Canon EOS630 (far inferior to 700si), Pentax Z1 and Canon EOS5 before this. I would say Z1 was averagely in the same league while EOS5 was superior (but more expensive).

This camera has more features then any camera I have ever owned. It can do almost anything even the most expensive cameras can do.In my opinion it has a better metering system than the wonderful canon T90 of a few years ago. It has multi-spot metering with a multi spot metering card. The camera is mind-boggling.This camera can not be beat no matter what the price.

None

There is no better SLR made. This camera can do anything.

Customer Service

None needed.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F3, 90s 8008s CanonT90 EOS630 EOS1 Pentax Mx Minolta 9XI & 700si

-advanced level specification, fast shutter and sync. speed
-fine metering with excellent functions
- high speed sync. and wireless flash technology
-informative viewfinder

- relatively weak AF performance - one cross-type sensor in the center would make more sense instead of the two horizontal ones
-scary noisy DOF preview
-card system: lot of extra capabilities are available with the use of too many different cards
-MLU missing
-illuminated LCD panel would be useful

Lot of features in a well built and ergonomic body. Best price/performance on earth (only 300 USD for a brand new 700si!). Get a VC-700 grip and forget about expensive 2CR5 batts. Despite it was launched in 1993, still a very capable camera.

Customer Service

Not requested

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 505si
Nikon F-90x

Good ergonomics, excellent specification, light weight, very clear viewfinder.

Expansion cards and flip-doors are a joke, why can't the functions be on the outside body ?
Autofocus noisy compared Canon, hunts and uses lots of batteries. D of F preview noisy.
LCD top-plate readout difficult to read in low light.
like other Minoltas the electronics are unreliable. My brand new 700si sometimes decides to rewind films of its own accord part way through the roll, the fault is intermittent and Minolta seem unable to fix it. I've had problems with loose electrical connections to flip-doors and flash terminals and awful battery consumption on other Minoltas. I'd prefer to change back to Nikon or Canon but I've got lots of Minolta fit lenses so it's too expensive to swap to another system.

Nice handling, good specification, but UNRELIABLE.
Expect trouble.

Customer Service

Minolta UK are fairly quick, but expensive, and can't trace / cure all the faults.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 7000, 9000, 9xi.
Nikon FM2, FE2, F3.
Contax 139, 167.