While regarded as an "amateur" camera it has most of the features most people would need, and has an intuitive, dial/button/LCD layout.

Lightweight and easy to carry.

Manual settings and full auto.

Auto rewind, film feeding, etc.

No "true pro" features like a motorized grip or external flash sync.

All plastic, including the lens mount and film rewind spool.

No diopter adjustment, this can be a problem in manual focus or difficult to compose scenes where it looks soft in the viewfinder but the camera says it's locked on.

Many of the Maxxum 4/5's have a problem with the viewfinder showing blue smears or discoloration. As what I can only assume is to save costs rather than a glass prism it uses internal mirrors to send the image up to the viewfinder. Something on the mirrors discolors over time, and don't try cleaning them. I'm pretty sure they're plastic as using a solvent caused the coating to come off and ruined the camera. Lesson learned. If you can live with the funny colors in the finder you'll be good.

The Maxxum 4 (along with seemingly all the later Maxxums) is a bargain for people wanting to try film but still have a "modern" body. This is partly because film bodies in general have had the floor fall out from the market, but also because MInolta stopped making cameras some years ago.

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Nikon FM
Pentax Auto Zoom

Ultra light camera which is ideal for someone who walks or travels. The light weight also helps you to shoot in very low light situations. I have been able to take hand held exposures of over a second with no shake! Very fast auto focus. A great introduction to autofocus slr's.

The autofocus has a little trouble in dull light, but you can switch to manual for extra control.

This is a great entry-level auto focus camera. I have carried it around the world on various holidays, putting about 30 films through it and have experienced no faults at all. I love the lightness and compact design, which although not particularly macho, is ideal for everyday shooting. The defualt 38-70mm lens is not the best in dull light situations, with the autofocus struggling for sharpness, but in good daylight the camera will give excellent results straight out of the box.

Great autofocus. Tons of features, including ones I don't even understand. Very easy to use. Excellent photo quality. Very light and compact.

The camera and lens are both plastic. But what isn't these days?

I became a big pain in the rump to my family when I purchased a FujiFilm A330 digital camera last year. I was constantly photographing them, tweaking the photos on my PC, and sharing them with relatives. Well, as annoying as I was then, I am several times as annoying now that I've purchased the Minolta Maxxum 4 35mm SLR. This is the first SLR I've owned, so don't expect an expert opinion here, but I will say that if far outperforms my digital. I'm not even using it anymore. The 35mm prints simply look better. Honestly, I thought my digital camera had awesome photo quality, but film, despite those who say it is doomed to obsolescence, is still better. I plan on using this Minolta until film is no longer available, or until it becomes prohibitively expensive. Hopefully by then digital cameras will have improved enough to match the quality of film.

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Very light weight, easy shot, fast focus, accurate color

original 28-80mm lens not sharp. Build-in night shot function weak. I need tune it manully.

I bought this camera for spare use because it's extremely light weight, user friendly. I like it's fast focusing and accurate color pattern. But the default 28-80mm Lens was not good, expecially on the micro-shot. You may need buy another Sigma lens if you can afford. By the way, Dynax 3 is a very cost-effective camera that I ever own.

Customer Service

Never use b4

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Nikon F65, Canon EOS 300

Many different options ot choose from. You're not limited to one kind of photo.

None that I have encountered so far.

Great Camera! Many different features that make your photos look great.

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Havent had to use this.

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Minolta Camera from 1982. I still use this camera also. Very reliable and durable.

Fast Focusing for beginner level camera, Large bright view screen, custom features, good quality and value

None yet!

Great Camera awesome features. If you want to know more then go to minoltas website... thats what helped me to decide to buy this product

Customer Service

Never had to use it!

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I've used the minolta Maxxum 3 date but never owned it

Quality of photos taken is great.

I got this camera sa a start to learning and working with SLR photography, having most of my experience in digital. I think this is a great camera for someone just starting out. I looked at several cameras and decided on this one. Pics are good, show good detail and have required very little color or density adjustment from the lab to develop them. I run a quality one hour photo lab and I've seen lots of bad 35mmSLR photos, and the quality of this camera has proven itself! Controls are simple to operate and understand. Instruction manual is well written and spells out what you need. Price was very fair and spent much less than I thought I would have to!

Customer Service

not had to use yet!