The Minolta Alpha Sweet is a 35mm autofocus SLR camera manufactured by Minolta and produced in Malaysia and sold mainly in Japan. This model offers unique features such as the ability to imprint the shooting date on the photos and a panorama mode, which are not available on the standard version.
The camera is equipped with a Minolta A-bayonet mount, which allows the use of interchangeable lenses. The viewfinder is a penta-mirror that provides a 90% view of the image. The built-in exposure meter has a range of ISO 25 to 5000 with automatic DX code detection and ISO 6 to 6400 manual.
The photographer can select the shutter speed and aperture, with a range from 1/4000 second to 30 seconds, as well as a Bulb mode for long exposures. The camera offers a variety of shooting modes, which include programmed modes for sports, landscape, portrait, macro and night photography, as well as full auto, preferred shutter speed and preferred aperture.
The Minolta Alpha Sweet also has a built-in flash with a guide number of 12 that can act as an autofocus assist light, and external Minolta flashes can be connected. Other features include a self-timer, tripod socket and multiple exposure mode.
The camera is powered by two CR2 batteries (eBay / Amazon*), which are sufficient for about 400 shots. A separate CR2025 battery (eBay / Amazon*) is needed for the date function.
Weighing only 385 g without lens, film and batteries and measuring 135 x 90 x 60 mm, the Minolta Alpha Sweet is relatively light and compact compared to other SLR cameras.
Films for the Minolta Alpha Sweet
The Minolta Alpha Sweet exposes 35 mm film. Fortunately, these films are still being made and can still be developed.
Two great films for the 35mm camera are the Fujifilm Superia 400* and the Ilford Delta 400*.
Both can be used to take beautiful colour and black and white pictures respectively. Test reports attest them good performance when used in normal applications.
The camera transports the film automatically and can take 2 pictures per second in continuous shooting mode.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Pictures per second | 2 |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | Minolta A mount |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Exposure times | 1/4000 second to 30 seconds, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 5000 |
| Auto DX | Yes |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual mode |
| Date imprinting | Yes |
| Panorama function | Yes |
| Double and/or multiple exposure function | Yes |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash range | 0 Meter - 12 Meter |
| Flash Connection | Connection for Minolta flash units |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | 2x CR2 batteries |
| Battery capacity | circa 408 pictures |
| Size | 13,5 x 9 x 6,1 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.31 x 3.54 x 2.40 inches |
| Weight | 385 Grams |
| Names in other markets | USA: Minolta Maxxum XTsi, Europe: Minolta Dynax 505si Super QD |
| Country of production | Malaysia |
| Estimated value / Used price | 55,59 Euro 90,7781,5354,26431,6447,589130,93647,8159,66 Estimate based on used prices of 14 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of 6.5.2024 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 58,53 Euro (62.78 US-Dollar) |