The Minolta X-370N is a 35mm camera from the 1990s. It belongs to the group of SLR cameras and was built in a factory in Japan. The model was sold under the name “X-370N” in Canada and the USA. Outside of North America, the camera was sold as the Minolta X-300s.
The lens of the 35mm camera is interchangeable. There are a variety of different lenses available for the Minolta SR bayonet. Most commonly, this model is found with a 50mm lens. The 35 mm camera does not have an autofocus. Focusing is done manually by hand.
The Minolta X-370N has a built-in light meter. It is designed for films in a range from ISO 12 to ISO 3200. The film speed can be set freely. Aperture and shutter speed can also be freely selected. For shutter speeds, you can choose between values from 1/1000 second to 1 second. There is also an automatic exposure mode. Here, the aperture is selected by the user and the camera technology selects the appropriate shutter speed. In this mode, the longest exposure time is four seconds.
In addition to the normal exposure times, there is also a Bulb mode. This mode is particularly suitable for long exposures, for example at night. When taking night shots with little light, you should mount the camera on a tripod. A corresponding thread is located on the bottom of the camera.
There is also a thread for a cable release on the camera. So is a self-timer with a lead time of ten seconds. A flash can also be connected with the SLR.
According to the manual, the dimensions of the Minolta X-370N are 14 x 9 x 5.15 cm. It weighs 490 grams without lens and film. The camera requires two LR44 batteries (eBay / Amazon*). These batteries power the light meter, among other things. The batteries are easy to obtain.
Films for the Minolta X-370N
Available photo films for the Minolta X-370N that are easy to get are the Kodak Gold 200* for color shooting and the Kodak T-Max 400* for B&W shooting. Both films are well suited for everyday use with the SLR and can convince is test reports. Adox, Foma, Rollei and Co. of course also offer suitable films for this format, which can be used with the Japanese camera.
The film transport is manual. After each shot, the film has to be transported further with a lever. An electric motor was offered as an accessory.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | Minolta SR mount |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure times | 1/1000 second to 4 seconds, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 12 to 3200 |
| Exposure modes | Aperture priority, Manual mode |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Flash sync speed | 1/60 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes, Self-timer function with 10 seconds lead time |
| Power supply | 2x LR44 batteries |
| Size | 14 x 9 x 5,15 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.51 x 3.54 x 2.03 inches |
| Weight | 490 Grams |
| Names in other markets | Japan: Minolta X-300s, Europe: Minolta X-300s |
| Country of production | Japan |
| Estimated value / Used price | 57,89 Euro 102915447049939562965 Estimate based on used prices of 3 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of May 26, 2025 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 84,14 Euro (90.92 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 81,56 Euro (87.67 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 74,91 Euro (80.10 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Minolta X-370N
What type of camera is the Minolta X-370N, and where was it manufactured?
It's a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, manufactured in Japan. It was sold as the X-370N in North America and the X-300s elsewhere.
How does the camera focus, and what kind of lens does it use?
The Minolta X-370N uses manual focus; it has an interchangeable lens system using the Minolta SR bayonet mount, commonly found with a 50mm lens.
Does this SLR camera have automatic exposure modes, and what is its ISO range?
Yes, it features an automatic exposure mode where you set the aperture and the camera chooses the shutter speed. Its ISO range is 12 to 3200.
What are the camera's dimensions and weight, and what type of batteries does it use?
The dimensions are 14 x 9 x 5.15 cm, and it weighs 490 grams without the lens and film. It uses two LR44 batteries.
Can I use a remote shutter release or self-timer with this 35mm camera?
Yes, the camera has threads for a cable release and includes a built-in self-timer with a 10-second delay.