Rather than use the more complex and expensive method of stabilizing elements within a lens, the A1 moved the camera sensor instead. This stems from Minolta’s Dimage A1, a 5mp bridge camera released in 2003. Another feature commonly found on modern cameras is sensor based stabilization. Perhaps more than any other camera, it signaled, Minolta’s intent to innovate.Įven in the early days of digital, Minolta’s innovation could not be held back. The camera was the Minolta XD-7 (or XD-11 in the U.S.) and it was one of the best regarded and technologically advanced cameras of the time.

Despite its ubiquitousness on modern cameras, it has only been around for 40 years or so and it was Minolta that introduced it to the world. It stands for Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual. Today we are going to look at how a failing film company lives on in one of the world’s most successful photographic brands. Minolta was never a giant like Nikon and Canon, they would probably be regarded as a level down from the two behemoths yet, significant amounts of the technology, not only in your Sonys but also pretty much any other modern DSLR or mirrorless camera comes from the innovation of Minolta through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. The thing is, that at the beating heart of your amazing Sony Alpha is the DNA of a great camera company, long since past, Minolta. Now keep those hands up if you remember Minolta cameras. Put your virtual hands up if you own a Sony camera.

Minolta camera digital