The Minolta Hi-Matic SD is a camera for the 35mm format. It was presented by Minolta in the 70s and built in a production facility in Japan. The model is part of the Hi-Matic series and is very similar in functionality to the Hi-Matic S. However, this camera lacks the self-timer and the ability to expose the shooting date into the images.
The Rokkor lens of the 35mm photo camera is fixed. It is made up of four glass elements. These are arranged in three groups. The focal length is 38 mm and the maximum aperture is f/2.7. The smallest possible aperture is f/17. A filter can be screwed onto the 46 mm thread. You have to focus the lens manually on the desired subject without an aid. The closest focusing distance for this lens is 80 cm. Four symbols for different distances help with focusing.
The 35mm camera is equipped with a built-in light meter. It is designed for films from ISO 25 to ISO 400. The exposure settings are automatically controlled and adjusted by the camera electronics. Aperture and shutter speed cannot be set manually. There is also no exposure compensation. The shutter offers speeds from 1/450 sec to 1/4 sec. If the value is below 1/45 second, a warning light jumps on and informs about a possible blurring of the photos.
The Minolta Hi-Matic SD comes with a built-in flash. According to the manual, the power of the flash reaches up to 0.8 meters to 5 meters at ISO 100. The 35mm camera comes with a self-timer with a lead time of ten seconds. There is also a connection for a cable release and threads for a tripod.
The dimensions of the Japanese camera’s body are 13 x 8.4 x 5.5 cm, according to the user manual. It weighs 330 grams without batteries and film. The camera requires two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*). Depending on the battery type, one set of batteries will last for up to 250 pictures with flash.
The camera can imprint the shooting date and letters into the pictures. The values are then located in the lower corner of the photo. The function can also be switched off. The function makes little sense today, since the selectable years only go from 1980 to 1992.
Films for the Minolta Hi-Matic SD
35mm films are exposed in the Minolta Hi-Matic SD. The films must be manually advanced with a lever. The return transport into the cartridge also proceeds manually. For this purpose, there is a crank that can be used to transport the material back into the lightproof cartridge.
A possible film for color images is the Kodak Ultramax 400*. One option for B&W images is the Ilford Delta 100*. According to test reports, the films provide good results in most everyday situations.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Viewfinder camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens name | Rokkor |
| Focal length | 38 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/2.7 |
| Minimum focus distance | 80 cm / 2.624 ft |
| Focus | Manual |
| Type of focus | Zone focus |
| Focus zones | 0,8 m, 1 m, 1,5 m, 3 m, Infinite |
| Filter thread | 46 mm |
| Lens design | 4 elements in 3 groups |
| Exposure times | 1/450 second to 1/4 second |
| Light meter | CdS light meter |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 400 |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Date imprinting | Yes |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash range | 0,8 to 5 Meter / 2.62 to 16.4 Feet |
| Flash sync speed | 1/30 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes, Self-timer function with 10 seconds lead time |
| Power supply | 2x AA batteries |
| Size | 13 x 8,4 x 5,5 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.12 x 3.31 x 2.17 inches |
| Weight | 330 Grams |
| Country of production | Japan |
| Estimated value / Used price | 78,90 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 8 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 118,80 Euro (127.72 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 78,17 Euro (84.43 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 83,35 Euro (89.84 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Minolta Hi-Matic SD
Is the lens on the Minolta Hi-Matic SD fixed, or can I change it?
The lens is fixed; it's a 38mm Rokkor lens. You cannot change it. This is a characteristic of many point-and-shoot cameras from that era.
How does the light meter work on this camera?
It has a built-in light meter that automatically sets the exposure. You don't manually adjust the aperture or shutter speed. It works with ISO 25 to ISO 400 film.
Does the Minolta Hi-Matic SD have a built-in flash?
Yes, it has a built-in flash. The flash range is approximately 0.8 to 5 meters at ISO 100, according to the instructions. It's helpful in low-light conditions.
What kind of film does the 35mm camera use, and how do I advance it?
It uses standard 35mm film. You manually advance the film using a lever, and rewind it using a crank after shooting a roll.
Can I use a tripod with this film camera?
Yes, there's a tripod mount so you can connect a tripod for more stable shots, especially in low light or for longer exposures.