Very user friendly, good control placement, solid feel, good DOF, bright finder, meter seem very accurate.

No mirror lockup, flash sync a bit slow

An excellent camera for the novice and experienced alike. Very reliable, personally have run hundreds of roll through mine with no problems at all. Would also recommend the film winder G which also has worked great. A great camera for the price.

Customer Service

None to date

Similar Products Used:

SRT-101, Kalimar K-90, Pentax ZM

Easy to use. Depth of field preview. Solid construction. Simple, efficient controls.

No shutter priority. Slow shutter (1/1000). Flash sync is poor. Needs batteries to run shutter. Would like to have light meter exposed.

If you want a sturdy simple manual camera, buy this. Lenses are cheap and readily available.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta SR-T.

Meter still works very well despite being 20 years old. Takes pefect pictures despite age. Program mode and Aperture mode plus full manual. Exposure compensation allows +/- 2 stops. Depth of field preview. Lots of parts and accesories available. Second hand parts and lenses cost cheap on E-bay comparative to say Nikon. Can still build complete system if you want to.

No double exposure. No shutter priority. Flash sync only up to 1/60. Shutter speed only up to 1/1000. Sponge on back cover needs replacement due to age.

Great camera for someone who wants to try photography but doesn't have thick wallet. Will give all new cameras a run for their money if user is willing to learn.

Customer Service

None needed.

Similar Products Used:

My first SLR.

Rugged
Simple-to-use program mode
Aperature-priority and full manual modes available
Exposure compensation mode
Depth-of-field preview

No true shutter-priority mode
Function dial needlessly difficult to change

Excellent manual focus SLR camera, with all the features a serious amateur photographer would need.

Most plsased with: program mode, which actually works very well. Aperature-priority mode coupled with DOF preview, which is necessary for serious photo composing. Viewfinder is quite bright compared to other SLRs of its period.

Minor gripes: In shutter-priority mode, you must manually adjust the aperature until the viewfinder meter shows the selected shutter speed. Not a problem for those of us who grew up with needle-meter cameras, but new photographers might find this unnecessarily bothersome. The program selection dial cannot be moved from the program position until a lock button is depressed, requiring two-hand operation; nearly drove me crazy until I made peace with it. Otherwise has survived years of use and abuse with grace, and has captured terrific shots.

Great value in 1984 when purchased new. Less now that there are so many AF SLRs available. But an outstanding used manual SLR value. I will miss it greatly when I move up to a Nikon N80 AF body.

Customer Service

Never required in 16 years

Similar Products Used:

None

Depth of Field preview, exposure compensation, TTL autoflash in P mode, bright viewfinder,

I don't like the exposure compensation lock button, you have to use two hands to adjust the EC dial. A little plastic feels in hand, that makes you doubtable about the durability.

Good quality/price ratio, easy to use, nice built, accurate meter system.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE-1, Elan IIe

Strong, reliable body - has survived three generations passed down in our family.

flimsy winder for such a great body. Does not show f-stop through view- finder like lower x-series minoltas. (is mine broken?)

most professionals would cry and complain because the x-700 doesnt have 'professional' options and characteristics but (IMHO) I've snagged some pictures on this baby that would make those same professionals whine at how much they spent and wasted on their fancy equipment. The photograph is in the eye of the photographer and the quality of the lens. Make sure to take advantage of the huge MD lens series.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Minolta x-570 series

Easy to use. Reliable.

It's not always easy to see the exposure parameters in the viewfinder.

A very good camera for the beginner who wants to understand what is the photography and how a camera works.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

SRT 100, 600si, 800si

The X-700's greatest strength, I believe, is it's versatility. There are an incredible variety of lenses and accessories available for this camera, and it is capable of doing most anything an intermediate photographer desires. It is my standard grab-and-go camera. It is easy to load, easy to handle and maneuver, and smooth to operate. The viewfinder is bright, the meter is very accurate, and the film advance is smooth.

There is no shutter priority mode (never needed it), nor is there a mirror lock-up feature.

This would be an ideal camera for anyone interested in getting started in photography as a hobby. I would even reccommend it to more experienced professionals interested in a manual focus 35mm SLR.

After 2 years of use with this body, I have experienced no problems whatsoever. The lens selection is great. I reccommend the 50mm f/1.4 MD as a primary lens. I also reccommend the 8mm fisheye, it creates pictures that make people say "Wow!" Having the motor drive is fun, too. Simply put: I will never get rid of this camera, and I fully expect it to remain my cornerstone 35mm SLR for as far as I can see.

Customer Service

I have never needed to use it.

Similar Products Used:

My first SLR was a Minolta XG-1, which, though basic, was sturdy and forgiving. I upgraded to the X-700 and totally love

Sturdy camera. I'm very tough on equipment and I've used this camera for many years. It's also easy to use under any condition.

None

I will continue to purchase Minolta cameras and equipment.

Customer Service

Good. I can get just about anything I need for this camera and service is quick and complete.

Similar Products Used:

I've used Minolta for as long as I can remember.

Simplicity and easy to use. Good size. It's rougher that most of the new models.

A little heavy.
The external cable shooter is a little difficult to install.

It's a very good camera because their versatility. I begun with this camera and it's still my favorite. Riding in Cusco ruins, it resist a horse accident in rocky soil !!!

Customer Service

Here in Peru I never have to use costumer service.

Similar Products Used:

A full manual Nikon but I don't remember the model (EM maybe?)