Review of the Minolta Xd (xd7/xd11) - why this camera is a Film Photographer’s Best-Kept Secret
The Minolta XD in black.
I have always had a soft spot for small SLR film cameras. There’s something magical about carrying one around all day, so light and effortless that you hardly notice it - until it’s time to capture the perfect shot. As an owner and user of the Nikon FE2 and FM2n and the Olympus OM2-n, I enjoy their smaller size yet full-sized capability of being a professional film camera.
This review will not focus on the technical specifications, as those are easily found online. Instead, I’ll share my experience with the camera as an avid hobbyist film photographer. By offering my personal insights, photos, and reflections on how this camera performed (or fell short), I hope to provide practical value to anyone considering adding it to their collection.
While casually browsing eBay, I stumbled upon the Minolta XD during my quest to score the ultimate deal of the season - much like the envy-inducing Leica and Hasselblad steals proudly shared by fellow Redditors. Before I knew it, I ended up with not just one, but soon three of these cameras - and I’ll explain shortly why I couldn’t stop at just one (there is a valid reason for this, I promise).
The smaller size and weight makes it an easy one for those with smaller hands and is a breeze to lug around for the entire day.
The Specifics:
The Minolta XD holds a unique place in photography history as the first camera to feature all three shooting modes: aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual control. Talk about being packed with capability! When you hold and use the Minolta XD, it just feels right—it’s like cupping a warm mug of hot chocolate that fits perfectly in your hands, bringing a sense of cosy satisfaction. That’s the best way I can describe it. The camera isn’t overly large, making it a great fit for smaller hands. It carries just the right amount of weight to feel solid and well-built. It’s a camera that ‘s built for durability and it has clearly proven its ability to stand the test of time. Personally, I prefer cameras with a bit of heft - they feel tougher and less prone to careless handling. Lighter cameras, on the other hand, make me feel like I might be too carefree with them, though I know opinions on this vary.
The Minolta XD had different names depending on the region. In Japan, it was simply called the ‘XD.’ Europe knew it as the ‘XD7,’ while North America referred to it as the ‘XD11.’ I’m lucky to own both the black and silver XD variants. There was also a later Japanese release called the ‘XD-S,’ which introduced an eye diopter control in place of the shutter switch next to the viewfinder on the back. Aside from this, there were no significant differences in performance or specifications between the models.
Underneath the shutter release lever is a window with a red bar that will move forward as your advance your film. A nice visual queue to managing how far along you are in your film roll.
An interesting feature of the Minolta XD is a small window on the top-right back of the camera. This window shows a red bar indicating the progression of shots taken. While most photographers rely on the shutter counter on the top-right panel, the visual cue on the back is a nice (albeit optional) addition. Another noteworthy feature is the exposure compensation switch on the left side of the top panel. I found it interesting that this was incorporated as a switch rather than a dial but I guess this allowed for a less crowded appeal. While I find it slightly finicky, it’s not something I use often anyway, so it doesn’t detract from the camera’s overall usability. It’s a minor quirk in an otherwise exceptional piece of design.
User Experience:
To explain why I currently have two of the Minolta XDs - one in black and one in silver and soon-to-be-three - is for the following:
I have always had a preference (and slight obsession) for black cameras. The sleek mono colour that a black camera is so striking and looks so good in my hands when in use and when on my shelf.
I have a rather unhealthy habit of collecting different variants of the same model. Although this is significantly limited to how much film cameras now cost so I am not able to do this most of the time.
An inconvenience with my initial version led me to buying a new one, which unfortunately also had its own minor inconvenience. While both cameras still perform great as long as you’re compensating for the limitations, I still wanted a fully-working black version.
My second XD was a silver chrome model, and fortunately, its viewfinder was fully functional, displaying both the aperture and the selected shutter speed clearly. Using this camera, I came to truly appreciate the large, bright viewfinder that the Minolta XD offers—a feature that enhances the overall shooting experience.
Testing the silver model with its first roll was an enjoyable experience. It operated smoothly and proved straightforward to use in a bustling city environment where quick reactions and adaptability are key. However, after developing the roll, I noticed the light meter was underexposing scenes slightly, even after replacing the batteries. The in-camera metering consistently read one to two stops below my external light meter. While film is forgiving enough to handle minor under- or overexposure, this inconsistency made me hesitant to fully trust the aging metering system. For slower, more deliberate shooting, these quirks weren’t deal-breakers, but I couldn’t shake the desire for a camera that worked flawlessly in every aspect.
It took months of searching on eBay, but I eventually found a local Australian seller offering a black XD7 variant paired with a brand-new Rokkor 50mm f/1.4 lens. For $360 AUD, I think it was a good enough deal not to pass up, including the camera, lens, a lens filter, and a camera bag. Given how much shipping costs for cameras from the US or Japan, prices for a combination like this would be an easy $450 AUD and higher.
Photos:
The selected photos below were taken with my first black XD model paired with the impressive Rokkor 45mm f/2 lens. This lens is exceptionally light and compact, further highlighting the portable nature of the camera. For this roll, I used film salvaged from a disposable Kodak Flash 800 ISO camera, giving me around 27 exposures (with the first few affected by light leaks). I had a lot of great shots from this roll alone but here are my favourites:
The photos below were taken with the silver chrome XD model paired with a Rokkor 58mm f/1.4 lens and Kodak ColorPlus 200. While the lens is an excellent performer, the underexposure was something I should have not brushed aside too easily - I was overly confident relying on the in-built metering. That said, some daylight scenes turned out beautifully. As seen in the last photo, using an external light meter is essential for this camera!
Conclusion:
The Minolta XD is a stellar performer and easily one of the best SLRs I’ve ever used. Its compact size, straightforward design, and practical usability make it a joy to shoot with. From the relatively quiet shutter to its gorgeous finish (especially the black variant) and satisfying tactile response, the XD holds its own against heavyweights like the Nikon FM2, FE2, Canon AE-1, Olympus OM series, and Pentax K1000. In fact, I almost prefer that the Minolta XD isn’t as famous — it still feels like a hidden gem that offers exceptional quality at a much more affordable price point. For me, what makes this the better overall performer is not just the camera itself but access to a plethora of fantastic Minolta Rokkor lens selection. Again, they are not as overly priced compared to the other well-known brands and this makes access to some of the legendary Rokkor lens that much more realistic.
There is, however, one factor that does make me reconsider taking this camera out more often and that’s to do with the battery. This camera will require batteries to operate and, if the battery is depleted, the shutter won’t fire. On the plus side, you only need two of the very common LR44 batteries, which can be found almost anywhere. Still, it is a bit of a detractor for me. The only camera where I’ve never had to hesitate or think about is the Nikon FM2n, a fully mechanical camera and only requires the same type of batteries to operate the in-built light meter. If you can get past the batteries and make sure that you care a couple of spare ones, the Minolta XD is a strong candidate nonetheless.
As a film camera collector, my mantra has always been to collect cameras for their utility, not just as decorative pieces. I’ll admit, I have an unending urge to acquire more cameras. The joy of collecting them comes from the beauty in their design but also in their use them as they were meant to be, not leaving them idle on a shelf. I even clean and repair my cameras as much as I can, which makes me feel fortunate to engage with my collection.
The Minolta XD is a camera that doesn’t make me feel like I need to handle it with great care. I dislike cameras that demand excessive caution—they stifle creativity and prevent you from fully enjoying the creative photography process. The XD, on the other hand, is liberating. It’s the kind of camera that you can grab instinctively, even if it’s when you’re just popping to a local café in case something catches your eye. Cameras like this make photography feel natural and spontaneous. For all these reasons, the Minolta XD has earned a special place in my collection—but don’t forget to have an external light meter with you!