14 segments metering handling speed overall speed of camera 3-memory-button size and weight price the combination with flash 5400HS absolutely GREAT (wireless flash, high speed flash) 9 films memory of exposure settings

AF with my 100/2.0 lens often misses.

An absolute great camera to use, flash possibilities are priceless with the right flash, the grip vc700 makes the camera identical in use both vertical and horizontal. Very reliable in metering. This is a pro-camera for a amateur price.

Similar Products Used:

Leica R4 Minolta 7000i Pentax MX

I like natural light photography, and shoot a lot at sunset/sunrise. I wanted a camera with good low light autofocus, and a nice bright viewfinder for times when I want to manually focus. I was initially disappointed in the 800, thinking that it metered a little dark in low light. The highly touted viewfinder is not as bright as on the F-5, but appears about 2 stops brighter than HTSI or 400si. After about 20 rolls, I am still learning the camera, and the results are getting much better. I also have my preset functions entered, so it is a lot easier to shift gears without having to open the door. I am really growing to like the camera.

Wish the manual/auto button was a little easier to hit. I have a hard time switching with the camera up to my eye. I am thinking of a Tokina ATX with the focus ring clutch. I usually use autofocus, but like to be able to tweek with it a bit. Also, my pc connection works with some strobes and not with others. Haven't figured this out yet, and I got a Dynax so no customer support.

Viewfinder is brighter than same Elan II or N-70. Low light autofocus also better. My impression is that Nikon flash metering is better. No mirror lock-up, but very soft mirror vibration. Predictive autofocus not quite what I hoped (No N-5 here) Metering is good, but there is a learning curve (don't judge the camera after your first roll). Great value.

Similar Products Used:

400si, Elan II, F-5, N-70

Many features for the cost. Program for quick situations and fully manual with options in between and custom memory settings. Fits in hands comfortably and controls are easy to reach in photo taking position. Intimidating at first with all the features but as you use the camera you learn them easily.

Have not encountered any major weaknesses with camera although camera sales people may try to talk you into other brand because of competitors stronger incentive programs. Not as many stores carry Minolta on hand and sales people tend to not be familiar with them as much.

Love both Minolta cameras I have and would buy Minolta again. 800si gives you great value in features for the money spent. Other cameras of comparable ability tend to be higher priced.

Customer Service

Not used for 800si but after I bought my x-700 and had it for a month it quite on a photo outing. Returned to the store I bought it from and had purchased an extended warranty throught them. Took 3 months to get camera back due to store not Minolta. Called Minolta and they honored my warranty card which I sent in after problem and canceled stores warranty.

Similar Products Used:

1st camera owned for 10 years to present Minolta x-700.

Versatility... you can program it to suit your preferences regarding many control functions . Exposures recorded for 9 rolls of film, and 3 settings can be saved for quick setup. Powerful flash means I need a flashgun much less often, adds to convenience. DOF preview. Spot metering. AF accurate. I almost always use the AF button and point AF- very precise. Exposure ok. AE lock and AF lock buttons (i love that i can tell the camera that i don't want to have to keep my thumb on the AE lock). PC socket. Pa and Ps modes very convenient to tweek settings easily.

Control panel door hides some important buttons...the idea of the door is good but some of the controls need to be outside the door. Plasticy feel, just like most SLRs....but you don't get away from that until you get to the pro SLR price range (or use rangefinders :)).

In terms of features, virtually a pro camera (other than mirror lockup and a bit lower fps than pros). But not in terms of
build quality which seems only average....but thats an excellent tradeoff for a price nowhere near pro prices. I'd recommend any Minolta user thinking of upgrading to buy this camera (unless they have money for pro), because they can't go wrong no matter their experience level...beginners to advanced amateurs will be happy with this camera.

Customer Service

Never had to use them.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 400si, Cosina Voigtlander Bessa R, Olympus midrange SLR, Canon A1, Sureshot A1.

Without considering price there aren't many cameras which are better than the 800si:

1/8000th top speed; built in zoom flash; syncs to 1/250; decent transport 3 frames/sec.; depth of field preview; ergonomically perfect for my hands. nice size and weight.

Too many features behind the "door."
Mirror has locked up with certain monopods. Like any other camera system cheap lenses focus slowly and exhibit a fair amount of hunting.

Without a doubt the best performance/price ratio in the industry. Do not buy cheap lenses!

Customer Service

Never needed so I cannot comment.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N90; Minolta X700, 500si; Canon EOS Elan.

Seem to be a good one specially by the custom functions you don't have to use program cards anymore for tha kind of camera it's 0k, at the moment if you are not a whole time pro, I consider it like the entry level between intermediate and advance amateur.

Poor focussing accuracy in low light conditions, the dials for aperture and speed can be moved easy by accident or how you take or carry the camera, the infrarred in one side of the lens can be blocked by the hand and long lenses, besides it's weak compared to the one that comes with the dedicaded flashes. When you use other lenses than minolta, focus is slowly, and when you use minolta dedicated lenses from minolta it works a little better, but not better than 7xi and 9xi. When you measure light for the exposure trought the lens it is not really accurate you need to correct one F-stop open. Another thing is that tru the hot shoe for flash you can not use the adater from hot shoe to pc cord or to use pc cord when you can use the dedicated pc terminal, or use other flashes when you want to put it in the top of the camera like in the older models. with out use the pc cable to the flash.

none

Customer Service

They know their job pretty well, but whe you need asistence regarding in how you can use or combine different products they are not cooperative

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel G,Minoltas 7x,i 9xi & X-700

A camera for all seasons !!! all types of photography, its for a pro when you want it to be and for a beginner (P) button when you dont.

so much to learn -so many pictures to take.

I have used a Canon EOS 300 before -feels like it came out of a 'lucky bag' compared to the 800si.
'lucky bag'= bag of sweets and cheap & nasty toys used to be popular in UK !

Customer Service

not used it

Similar Products Used:

canon EOS 300

This is my first autofocus camera.I find that autofocus is a great help when taking quick shots of people.I've missed great picture opportunities when trying to manuel focus in poor light.The Minolta 800si seems to have solved that problem.Its many features keeps me going to the instruction book.In time I hope to master them.My hands are small,but it feels good in them.The built-in flash is just the thing for outdoor fill flash.It saves one the time and trouble to mount an accessory flash unit.The ease of multiple exposures without moving the film is most convenient.This many featured machine puts very few limitations on ones photo opportunities.It may take some time to learn all of them since its as much computer as camera.

It has a plastic feel.A Maxxum 9 at a much higher price would solve that.

I would recommend this camera to anyone regardless of experience.

Customer Service

None needed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon F1

- acurate metering. This camera outperformed my expectations in difficult lighting situations including twilight, night and sunset pictures. Bracketing my shots wasn't required.
- autofocus. Of course, I can only compare to what I have used in the past, but I find the 800SI's autofocus to be fast and acurate on a variety of different subjects. This camera didn't even flinch in low light situations. Changing focus modes can also be done quickly while still looking through the viewfinder.
- big, bright viewfinder. I use to put my contacts on before I went shooting for the day, as wearing glasses often blocked the corners of the viewfinder. With the 800SI, I find that I can keep my glasses on and still clearly see all four corners of the viewfinder. The transparent-LCD viewfinder took a little bit of getting use to, but clearly indicated focus/exposure zones without cluttering the viewfinder display. Eyestart operation was also equally effective both with and without glasses.
- multitude of features. Depth of field preview, powerful zoom flash, wireless flash, backlight LCD pannel, film exposure memory, rear sync flash, memory setting recall, etc. make this camera well worth its money.

- shape and feel. I have small hands and often find it difficult to hold the camera steady without using two lens. Of course the extra weight of this camera in comparison to some others I've used will play a factor, but I can't help think that a smaller more contoured grip would benifit people with a similar situation.
- organization. While the feature door keeps many of the cameras extra buttons away from cluttering the rest of the camera, a couple options like spot metering, continuous shooting, etc. are really inconvenient to access.

This camera has met all my expectations. Minolta is often overlooked for mainstream SLR cameras, but its quality, price and features has always been a strong factor. The 800SI has performed reliably in every situation I've encountered. With teriffic metering and focus system, sharp and bright viewfinder and more on camera features than I can count, this camera has it all.

Customer Service

- not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 400SI, 550SI, Nikon F70, Canon Rebel G

Handling
AF accuracy
Metering
Gorgeous to look at

None

Outstanding advanced amateur to Pro camera.

Similar Products Used:

Ela IIe, Nikon N90s, Penta ZX5n