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(Almost) everyone should be aware that Sony's consumer camera division was purchased from Konica-Minolta in 2005. They had first announced a partnership, which changed very quickly to a buyout to a lot of surprise and shock. However, far fewer people are aware of how many contributions Minolta made to the industry. Your Steady Shot IBIS was first introduced by Minolta in their first digital DSLR, the Maxxum/Dynax 7D. Minolta made only two digital SLRs, the 7D and 5D.
Minolta was the first company to introduce a commercially successful Autofocus System, and the first to introduce an in-camera motorized film advance. These both debuted in the Maxxum/Dynax 7000, released in February of 1985. Minolta also built a very early 'stabilization system' into their programming. The camera would recognize the lens and limit the shutter speed so it didn't fall below what was necessary for a sharp photo. Minolta's history is rich with these types of innovations, yet they continued to lag behind Canon and Nikon for a solid market share. One reason was the Exxon Lawsuit that was brought shortly after the Maxxum/Dynax was introduced. The original Maxxum logo was a crossed X that was very similar to Exxon's logo. Exxon sued and Minolta paid out millions of dollars, from which they never recovered.
While none of the Maxxum series of cameras and lenses demand a high dollar these days, the Crossed X logo is getting rarer and can fetch a few more dollars.
There's a lot of fascinating information available about Minolta and the camera industry in general out on the internet for those who are into it.
Minolta originated the A-mount, which Sony carried through on many models until just a few years ago. The stylized Alpha 'a' and lens designation 'G' are both carryovers from Minolta. The Maxxum/Dynax series is your Sony's Grandfather.
Here are the timelines of the Maxxum/Dynax, Sony A, and Sony E. Credit for all charts goes to Wikipedia:
The film cameras:
The Konica-Minolta/Sony A-Mounts. Note the Konica-Minolta 7D and 5D
The -Emounts:
Minolta was the first company to introduce a commercially successful Autofocus System, and the first to introduce an in-camera motorized film advance. These both debuted in the Maxxum/Dynax 7000, released in February of 1985. Minolta also built a very early 'stabilization system' into their programming. The camera would recognize the lens and limit the shutter speed so it didn't fall below what was necessary for a sharp photo. Minolta's history is rich with these types of innovations, yet they continued to lag behind Canon and Nikon for a solid market share. One reason was the Exxon Lawsuit that was brought shortly after the Maxxum/Dynax was introduced. The original Maxxum logo was a crossed X that was very similar to Exxon's logo. Exxon sued and Minolta paid out millions of dollars, from which they never recovered.
While none of the Maxxum series of cameras and lenses demand a high dollar these days, the Crossed X logo is getting rarer and can fetch a few more dollars.
There's a lot of fascinating information available about Minolta and the camera industry in general out on the internet for those who are into it.
Minolta originated the A-mount, which Sony carried through on many models until just a few years ago. The stylized Alpha 'a' and lens designation 'G' are both carryovers from Minolta. The Maxxum/Dynax series is your Sony's Grandfather.
Here are the timelines of the Maxxum/Dynax, Sony A, and Sony E. Credit for all charts goes to Wikipedia:
The film cameras:
The Konica-Minolta/Sony A-Mounts. Note the Konica-Minolta 7D and 5D
The -Emounts:
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