Price, body

Vertical Grip

Price drop to 449USD makes this camera extremely affordable for beginners and also prosumers
Well thoughful body design, improved noise, improved DOF, and better ergonomics

Customer Service

Satisfactory

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F90X, Minolta 7000, 7000i 600si

Too MANY to list. This is a great camera and is easily the best value in the camera world.
Good metering - it's always right, if you know how to set it up for those 'different' situations ie backlighting etc.
Brightest viewfinder available.
Intenscreen doesn't make any for it because quote "We can't offer anything better than what Minolta makes."
Buttons are well placed.
Good balance.
GREAT feel in the hands.
Good looking.

Even tho' I use an accessory flash the built in flash is a 'killer.' It alone rates a 10.
LOTS of lenses available.

None really, but could change a couple of things. Five frames per second would be nice. A mirror lockup would also be nice. A few complain of the 'trap door', but personally I think it's a good idea, all the unfrequently used buttons are out of the way and let's face it, they are not that difficult to access.

With so many very good brands to chose from, it was really a matter of reading for 3 months....reviews, articals, etc and not let obvious favoritism sway me. I honestly felt the 800si was by far and away the winner for value.(Pentax has a new one that is interesting for the cost) The camera does 99% of anything I could wish for. After 1 year and about 60 rolls of film I have nothing but praise for this camera. There are a couple 'hidden' functions that the manual doesn't tell you about, but call MINOLTA and they will tell you about them. My Bottom Line is this: READ the manual (you will have to keep it with you) and you will be proud to say " I took these pics with an 800si."

Customer Service

Used for a 300si once. Really good (call the California office)

Similar Products Used:

Most everything. Cannon, Nikon, Pentax, etc.

Great Spec, large number of features, feels great in the hand, clear view finder, custom features (Pre-set bracketing, fantastic!),powerful flash and DOF preview.

Accessibility of some features ( the hidden buttons) - Zoom Creep / slide! I use a 28-200mm zoom and on the 505si, the zoom locks when the camera is off - not so on the 800si, and when out in the field this is a real irritation - I have resorted to using rubber bands to stop the zoom from telescoping out.Not a design omission I would expect on a camera of this spec - however this may not happen with Minolta Zooms.

I agree with other reviews - outstanding value for money and a great camera that bridges the advanced amateur / pro specs. In the UK this was awarded a Best Buy in 1998, a couple of years of being "out there" does not make the camera any poorer; though the Magazines / Media tend to write a lot more about newer models. There is likely to be more second hand 800si's becoming available as current users trade in for the Dynax 7 - so I would encourage would-be purchasers to keep a good look out for an even better value for money purchase on this model!

Customer Service

Not had reason to use.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus OM10, Minolta 505si

Features galore. Admittedly, never used most. Feels lovely in hands - everything in right place - yes, many features hidden, and you need the manual to check how to access them unless you use them often, but it makes the camera tidy. For point and shoot, it's perfect. Focus is very fast, and eyestart also.
Sooo strong - a couple of serious drops - including one from a height of 2m, then down a flight of stairs - smashed a skylight filter, scratched lens body, but on body, only had to replace back door (a small catch on the side broke). Cost of replacing back door: $66.

Film rewound in mid-roll by mistake a couple of times - had it repaired, now no problems. When I drop it (ouch!) mirror locks up, but this is no real problem (push Depth of Field preview).

A brilliant camera. As I said, I'm replacing my 505si with a new (well, secondhand!) 800si as a backup.
Perfect for those not used to technical features who want a fast, good, uncluttered camera, as well as those who want a feature-laden camera.

Customer Service

Used independent repairer.

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 7 II, Minolta Dynax 505si (back-up body - but am after new 800si!).

Awesome camera!!!!

None so far

Can't go wrong. Pleasure to useown.

Customer Service

Haven't had to use

Similar Products Used:

Canon T70, Canon A1

Feels good in hand
Features
Easy to use
Beautiful to look at
Verticle grip is MUST!!
3 memory recall
auto illuminated LCD
very accurate metering!!!!!

3 fps could be little faster for this class, but good enough for me.
sold body but not tank.
hidden function behind the doors..like flash modes, bracket, double exposure..etc..but it's all good....

Go Buy It!!

Customer Service

good...
It took them 2 weeks to replace my LCD panel that was broken when i smashed it on to concret floor..^^

Similar Products Used:

N90s, EOS A2

WOW!! TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION THEM ALL, HERE ARE THE TOP ONES:FANTASTIC EXP CONTROL,DATA RESOURCE MEMORY,EYE START CONTROL COUPLED WITH AN ALREADY SOLID AUTOFOCUS,NICE BRIGHT VIEWFINDER,SOLID FEEL AND REPUTATION FOR RELIABILITY!!

WOULD PREFER GREATER USE OF DIALS THAN BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF THE CONTROL DOOR.

I BOUGHT THISMCAMERA FROM IZZY BROWN @FOCUS, SMOOTH TRANSACTI0N, VERY HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE. I BOUGHT THE "DYNAXX" VERSION, THERE IS NO DIFF, EXCEPT FOR THE PRICE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME CAMERA AS THE NEW"7", WITH GREATER USE OF DIALS AND THE LCD ON THE BACK, ADDED TO THE "7". THE 800SI IS THE BEST DEAL OUT THERE @ THIS TIME AMONG HIGH END SLR'S!!

Customer Service

HAVE NOT NEEDED

Similar Products Used:

MINOLTA XTSI, NIKON N80,8008S,CANNON EOS 630

Excellet metering and autofocus. I love being able to easily change aperture and/or shutter speed while P mode. Great feel, especially with vertical grip and I far prefer the button controls to dials. Data recall function.

Would like to be able to download data to PC. No eye controlled focussing as in EOS 3. I don't like the eyestart, but that's easy to turn off.

Great camera with more features than I'll ever need. Excellent value but I'm tempted by the new Dynax 7.

Customer Service

Not required but very efficient and reasonable service for the old 500.

Similar Products Used:

Dynax 500si.

I'm just a beginner, I wanted a camera that I can grow into. This is the one - I love it! There is so much to learn, I know I won't have to go out and buy a new camera in a year or two. I am still learning all the features and that will take some time as I am teaching myself. I like that I can use all the auto features or go manual.

The only weakness I can state right now is the weight. It is a bit heavy-but my tripod is on it's way!

Whether you are a beginner or expert, this camera has everything you need!

Customer Service

Haven't had to use it yet.

Similar Products Used:

no others

Very ergonomic, especially with VC-700, many pro feature, the best built in zoom flash, great metering system.

plastic body looks fragile.

This is the great camera for hobbyist like me, feature like pro camera (it's semi pro). I've brought this camera to mount Reinier, and it was rain at that time, and the camera got wet. I thought it'll be broken or will have some problem. But guess what? it didn't affected at all! still works great!
but too bad i have to sell it. Maxxum 7 had stole my heart....=P

Customer Service

didn't need it

Similar Products Used:

Maxxum 700si, Maxxum 7, EOS 3