The Minolta Apex 105 is a compact camera. It was introduced by Minolta in the 1990s and sold in the Japanese company’s home market. The 35mm camera was also available on the market under the names “Minolta Riva Zoom 105i” and “Minolta Freedom Zoom 105i“. The camera is easy to use and is a good choice for quick snapshots.
The camera has a fixed lens with zoom function. The zoom range is from 35 mm to 105 mm. The maximum aperture is f/4 at wide angle and f/6.7 at 105 mm. The zoom is set manually with a switch. There is also an automatic mode that selects the zoom depending on the distance to the subject.
Manual focusing is not required with the Minolta Apex 105. The camera has an autofocus system. However, this is not an infrared system, but a passive TTL phase detection autofocus system. The close focus distance of the lens is 70 cm.
The photo camera has a built-in light meter. It is designed for an ISO range of 25 to 3200. The correct sensitivity is determined by the DX code on the film cartridge. If a corresponding code is not available, ISO 25 is set by default. You can recognize the code by the thick stripes on the cartridge.
There are no settings for aperture and shutter speed. The camera selects the exposure settings automatically. You have a bit more influence with the built-in flash. The flash can be fully automatic. There is also a red-eye reduction function. However, it can also be used in fill-in mode, where the flash fires with every shot, such as backlit shots. It can also be turned off completely. The range is up to 5.5 meters at ISO 100 film.
The 35 mm camera has a built-in flash. The range of the flash is 0.7 meters – 5.5 meters.
The dimensions of the Minolta Apex 105 are 15.3 x 6.4 x 8.4 cm. At the same time, the body of the camera weighs 560 grams without films. Unusual for this type of camera is the form factor. Thus, it reaches more into the depth and is flatter for it. There is a thread for a tripod on the bottom.
A 2CR5 battery (eBay / Amazon*) is responsible for the power supply. The batteries are easy to get online. The camera can take about 600 pictures. The charge level is shown on the display.
Films for the Minolta Apex 105
What kind of films can be used with the Minolta Apex 105? The camera exposes 35mm film. The film material is automatically spooled from one motor to the next free frame after each press of the shutter button. Of course, this also applies when using the self-timer. Under no circumstances should the camera be opened if the film has not yet been rewound. If light falls on the film material, most of the images will probably be lost. Rewind is also fully automatic, but can also be triggered manually by pressing a button.
There is a wide range of different films available for the camera. For black and white images in 35mm format, the Ilford Delta 100* is a good choice. For color images, you can reach for the Kodak Gold 200*. Both films deliver solid results with the compact camera and are good for everyday use or vacation.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Snapshot camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 35 mm - 105 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/4 |
| Minimum focus distance | 70 cm / 2.296 ft |
| Zoom function | Yes |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Exposure times | 1/500 second to 1/2 second |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 3200 |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | Yes |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash range | 0,7 to 5,5 Meter / 2.3 to 18.04 Feet |
| Flash modes | Fill-in flash, Red-eye reduction |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | 1x 2CR5 battery |
| Size | 15,3 x 6,4 x 8,4 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 6.02 x 2.52 x 3.31 inches |
| Weight | 560 Grams |
| Country of production | Japan |
| Estimated value / Used price | 140,31 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 3 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of April 27, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 85,00 Euro (92.00 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 132,80 Euro (142.88 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Minolta Apex 105
What kind of pictures is the Minolta Apex 105 good for?
The Minolta Apex 105 is a compact camera well-suited for quick snapshots. It's easy to use, making it a good choice for capturing spontaneous moments without needing to adjust many settings. It's especially handy for everyday photography and travel.
How close can I get to something I want to take a photo of with it?
The closest focusing distance of the lens is 70 cm. So, you can't get too close to your subject. If you try to take a photo of something that is closer than that, the picture will be blurry.
Can I change the aperture or shutter speed on this camera?
No, the camera selects the exposure settings automatically. You don't have the ability to manually adjust the aperture or shutter speed. The camera's built-in light meter handles the exposure, meaning it chooses the settings it thinks are best.
How do I use the flash on this Minolta?
The camera has a built-in flash with several modes. It can be set to fully automatic, used to reduce red-eye, forced to fire with every shot for fill-flash in backlit situations, or turned off completely. The flash range is up to 5.5 meters with ISO 100 film.
What kind of battery does that thing need?
The Minolta Apex 105 uses a 2CR5 battery. These batteries are readily available online. A single battery allows for approximately 600 shots. The battery level is displayed on the camera's screen.