The Minolta Talker is a 35mm camera. It belongs to the group of snapshot cameras. The 35mm photo camera was also sold on the market under the name “Minolta AF-Sv“. In terms of most functions, it is identical to the Minolta AF-S. However, the Talker has an additional function: it can speak. The computer voice can warn in various situations. When there is no film, when the exposure is too dark, or when you should check the distance. The function can also be turned off.
The lens of the camera cannot be changed. 35 mm is the focal length of the lens. The largest aperture of the camera is f/2.8. The lens consists of four elements in three groups. The lens is focused by autofocus. The minimum distance to the subject is 85 cm.
The 35 mm camera has a built-in light meter. It is designed for films with sensitivity from ISO 25 to ISO 1000. The film speed is set manually. Therefore, you can easily choose a different sensitivity for a film. The aperture and exposure time are set automatically by the 35 mm camera. There are no manual setting options here. Exposure correction is only possible by changing the sensitivity.
A flash is built in for taking pictures in low light. The range of the flash is 4.8 meters. This value refers to the use of an ISO 100 film. The camera is equipped with a self-timer. This is turned on with a colored button on the front.
The dimensions of the Minolta Talker are 12.3 x 7.35 x 5.45 cm. It weighs 310 grams. There is a thread for a tripod on the bottom of the case. Two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*) are responsible for the power supply. Here, of course, you can also reach for rechargeable copies.
Films for the Minolta Talker
The Minolta Talker is designed for 35mm film. The film material is automatically transported to the next free area by a motor after each exposure. A window on the rear panel allows viewing of the loaded film. The rear panel must not be opened until the film has been rewound into the cartridge. This process starts automatically, but can also be triggered manually by a switch on the bottom. A frame counter is also present, of course, and provides information about the number of photos taken.
Great films for the Minolta Talker that are still around today are the Kodak Ultramax 400* for color photos and the Ilford XP2 Super* for black and white photos. Test reports attest to their good performance when used in normal applications. Approximately 36 images fit on one roll of film.
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 |
| Widest aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum focus distance | 85 cm / 2.788 ft |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Filter thread | 40.5 mm |
| Lens design | 4 elements in 3 groups |
| Exposure times | 1/625 second to 1/8 second |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 1000 |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash range | 0,85 to 4,8 Meter / 2.79 to 15.75 Feet |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | 2x AA batteries |
| Size | 12,3 x 7,35 x 5,45 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 4.84 x 2.89 x 2.15 inches |
| Weight | 310 Grams |
| Country of production | Japan |
| Estimated value / Used price | 84,15 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 3 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of April 6, 2026 |
FAQ about the Minolta Talker
What type of film does the Minolta Talker use?
The Minolta Talker uses 35mm film, which is also known as 'Kleinbildfilm' in German. This type of film is very common and there are many different options available, both color and black and white. You can see if you loaded the right film type through the window on the back.
Can I change the lens on this camera?
No, the lens on the Minolta Talker is fixed. It has a focal length of 35mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. This means you can't swap it out for a different lens with a wider or longer focal length, so you're stuck with the one it comes with.
Is there a flash built into this Minolta AF-Sv?
Yes, there is a built-in flash for taking pictures in low light conditions. The flash has a range of about 4.8 meters when using ISO 100 film. Don't forget to make sure it's charged or turned on if you need it!
How heavy is the Talker? Is it easy to carry around?
The Minolta Talker weighs 310 grams. It's relatively lightweight and compact, with dimensions of 12.3 x 7.35 x 5.45 cm, making it easy to carry around in a bag or even a large pocket. It also has a tripod thread on the bottom if you want to use a tripod.
What does the 'Talker' part of the name mean?
The 'Talker' part of the name refers to a special feature of this camera. It can actually speak to you, giving warnings about things like low light or no film loaded. It can be a helpful feature, but it's also possible to turn the talking function off if you prefer it to be silent.