Very useful and user friendly. Good control access (including AE-L).
I have the new S version (y 2k), and it's more plastic-feeling than and old dead (i'm trying to revive it) xg-m a friend gave me. Despite that i think this camera is really a little cheap wonder. It has all the controls you may need for most of your shots, and it weights like good OLD cameras (470 gr.) and not the 300 of these new plastic toys.
Nice grip with thumb support at camera back.
There are a LOT of lenses and accessories for the Minolta X-Series at used market, this means you can still build a complete system.
2 fps winder and 3.5 fps motor drive are available too.
Aperture-priority mode is nice, and very useful for quick shots.
Very good camera to learn the basics of photography (although any old manual slr camera can be a very good teacher too).

Hmm...since a few days ago i'm having a problem with the meter. Sometimes when turning it on, the little arrow above '1000' starts blinking, !with the lens covered !, this problem dissapears in some seconds, but it worries me.
It has no DOF preview, it would be nice. There is no aperture indicator in the viewfinder, and flash sync at is slow at 1/60 for fill-flash at daylight for ex.
Some other features it lacks (no PC socket) can be solved with adaptors.
Minolta is not very interested in MD lenses now.

You must look to this camera as just as it is. If you are looking for a simple-use, known brand, though, good teacher, cheap and open-system manual SLR, then you can't go wrong with the X-370. If you like some of the features it lacks, then you can read some of the X-700 reviews, it's the X-370's big brother, and it's more complete. After that, if you are looking for another kind of cameras, you can go the AF-way or to the all-manual high class way (FM2, F2, OM-Ti, etc.)
I thing one of the big advantadges of the X-Series Minolta is the wide used market. You can find prime sharp lenses for this cameras (including the wonderful rokkor 50 mm. 1.4) at really inexpensive prices when comparing to (to say) Nikon. Some time ago i was thinking in a FM2n, i found one used body at a reasonable good price, but when I see the prices of the lenses I understood that simply i couldn't afford it.
I have a slide projector since few days ago, and after reading some reviews, I bought a used 50 mm. 1.7 for about $ 25. I'm trying to make the sharp and color-saturated shots people talk. :)
Like I said before, i have a 1984 (more or less) XG-M (has more features than the X-370) in changing capacitor process and I'm impatient for trying it. Despite it's an old camera i'll try to make a review as soon as I have some rolls shot with it.
This is the camera we bought for a friend who likes to learn photography on his birthday, I really love it despite its lacks, so I must give it a 5 for value (it's really cheap), and a 4 on overall rating (not 5 for one feature of it's lacks that i wish it had: Aperture in viewfinder :)

Customer Service

Not needed yet, but it has one year warranty and probably i'm asking them about the meter problem soon.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta X-700, Zenit 122 (The Russian Rock :) ), Nikon F401s (4004).

-easy to use
-exceptional picture quality

-shutter is too noisy
-winder is too noisy

An excellent camera for novice or intermediate photographers. I purchased mine used and was very surprised with the quality of the photos - sure beats my Canon EOS (I own 4) and my Canon A series (I have 3) with regards to photo quality.

Customer Service

I appreciate the Minolta web site that offers free downloads on Minolta Instruction Manuals for free. Other makers should have something like this.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS
Canon A series
Minolta AF

Manual focus
Good selection of lenses and accessories
Reliable
Great battery life
Cheap
Easy to use
Pretty much indestuctible

Slow flash sync (1/60)
That's about it, folks!

Superb camera for pretty much any purpose. I understand the UK models seem better spec'd than the US ones but I'm not sure. The Centon range of lenses etc has really opened up the MD lens market again. We've effectively got 6 of these, 14 lenses, and we wouldn't change them for anything.
Who should buy: Anyone wanting an affordable reliable camera, really!
Who shouldn't buy: Sports photographers, people who can't do manual focus, show-offs

Customer Service

Never had to use it.

Similar Products Used:

I have 2 of these X370S's, an X300, and 3 Centon DF300s (same camera, different badge)

Reliable, simple, inexpensive. Makes fine photos. Excellent lenses available on the used market.

Shutter is rather loud and does not have a quality feel. No problems with exposure though.

I have enjoyed this camera but never really loved it. The lenses are very good. Exposure metering is fine. Wide ISO settings. Good Flash sync. Cannot find fault with the Photos.
Perhaps the only thing that holds this camera back for me is the "feel" of the mechanics. Maybe I am expecting too much from an inexpensive SLR.
I would highly recommend this camera to anyone looking to get into 35mm photography. The manual focus, manual metering and simple controls are a perfect learning combination. This camera is capable of making excellent photos.

Customer Service

Never needed it. Major plus

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE-1
Canon Rebel 850
Olympus Infinity

easy to use, durable

None

This camera although now a classic takes some amazing pictures that equal and perhaps even look better to what Minolta is now offering with SLR. I started using it in college for a photo class and can't seem to let go of it yet.

Customer Service

never

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE-1, Minolta x-700

* Manual Focusing
*Apperture & shutter priority
*Light and easy to carry around
*Extrememly durable (almost impossible to break it)
*TTL preview
*Battery lasts for ever
*wide range of acceptable lenses
*takes incredible sharp and crisp pictures
*Auoto exposure
*Very accurate meter

* Preview of Depth of field would be nice but not a big problem
* Built-in flash

This is a great camera, very similar to my Minolta XG-1 which I have been using without a problem over 15 years. I use my X-370S to take films as I use my XG-1 for dia positives. Both cameras perform amazingly, giving in most cases much better results than my Nikon. I think my XG-1 slightly outperforms the X-370S, but in many cases they have quite similar picture qualities.
Especially for beginers and intermediates, this is a unrivalled camera. Buy it. You won't believe what a value you get for this price.

Customer Service

Never needed, it seems like it's not going to.
Never take it to the repair shop, buy a new one, it is so expensive.

Similar Products Used:

-Minolta SRT
-Minolta XG-1
-Nikon F-401
-Minolta EX-135
-Pentax KX

Durable and easy to use. Feels great on the hands and is able to use MC and MD lenses from Minolta.

Loud shutter.

I love this camera! The Minolta's manual focus camera's are just great, but the x-370 is my favorite. One of the nice things about this camera is that you are able to find all kinds of used or new lenses for it. I own a Minolta MD 50mm, 135mm, Minolta MC 135mm, & Minolta Celtic 200mm. Some of these date back as far as 1967 lenses, but work great! Also the quality of photo's from this camera almost always come out looking crisp and sharp (In color and b/w prints). I know the x-370 is now a classic, but if you're able to find one for a reasonable price and in near mint to mint condition, I would consider getting one for that someone who is strarting out or just wanting to have an extra as backup.

Customer Service

Mirror locked up once and film advance would'nt work. (since it was under warranty-fixed for free)

Similar Products Used:

x-7a, x-700, Canon AE-1

Very durable
LONG battery life
Lenses/accessories are easily scrounged

None

I received my X-370 as a gift in 1987 for use in high school photojounralism. I have carried it on countless hiking, search-and-rescue and pleasure trips. I guess the many years in a harsh and dusty desert climate took their toll... It developed an occasional light leak and I sent it off for a rebuild this week.

This camera is a workhorse and has stood up to much abuse. It's not a point-and-shoot, but the internal light meter is accurate. I'd recommend it for someone who is getting started and wants a camera that will last.

Customer Service

Just sent mine off for new seals.

Similar Products Used:

Cannon and Pentax, various models.

-Manual Focus
-Good electronics
-Auto exposure modes
-many advanced accessories
- Still begin manufactured

None

The Minolta X-370 as well as the X-700 are still manufactured today as Minolta's Top Manual Focus camera line. Parts are still availible.
Who said it was discontinued...

Customer Service

Still under warranty

Similar Products Used:

Everything

very durable
scratch resistance is awesome

poor lens mount
it was made of thin metal!!

what can i say?
just a simplified versatile gear made by Minolta,
not more

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F80
Yashica FX3 2000
Nikon FM-2
Nikon F3