The Minolta XD5 is a camera made by Minolta. It was manufactured in Japan starting in 1979. The model is a slimmed down version of the Minolta XD. Except for a few minor details, the range of functions is identical. For example, it lacks an aperture display in the viewfinder.
The lenses of the 35mm camera can be exchanged. This is made possible by the Minolta SR bayonet. There is a wide range of lenses with different focal lengths. Mostly you get the camera together with a 50 mmm lens. The Japanese photo camera does not have an autofocus function. It is focused manually.
For taking pictures, the Minolta XD5 has a light meter that measures the exposure. It is designed for an ISO range of 12 to 3200. The aperture and exposure time can be freely selected. However, there are also two automatic modes. This allows the camera to set either exposure time or aperture automatically.
For the shutter speed, you can choose between values from 1/1000 second to 1 second. For the aperture, it depends on the lens which values are available. For long exposures, there is a Bulb mode. In this mode, the camera should be mounted on a tripod to get sharp pictures. For this, you will find a thread for a tripod on the bottom.
A flash can be used via the hot shoe or the PC flash port. A cable release can also be connected to the camera. There is also a self-timer with a lead time of up to ten seconds.
With a size of 13.6 x 8.7 x 5.1 cm, the Minolta XD5 weighs 525 grams according to the manual. Power is supplied by two 1.5V S76 batteries (eBay / Amazon*). These batteries can still be found easily today.
Films for the Minolta XD5
According to the manual, 35mm films are exposed in the Minolta XD5. You can still get these films very easily today. One possible film for color images is the Kodak Portra 160*. A possibility for B&W pictures is the Kodak T-Max 400*. There are, of course, films from several other manufacturers.
The exposure area of the 35mm camera has a size of 24mm x 36mm. At this size, 36 frames fit on a normal roll of film. The film transport on this model is mechanical. For the return transport into the cartridge there is a crank. A mechanical indicator gives information about the number of photos taken.
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 1 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 12 to 3200 |
| Exposure modes | Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual mode |
| Exposure compensation | ± 2EV |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe, PC-Flash |
| Flash sync speed | 1/100 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes, Self-timer function with 10 seconds lead time |
| Power supply | 2x S76 batteries |
| Size | 13,6 x 8,7 x 5,1 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.35 x 3.43 x 2.01 inches |
| Weight | 525 Grams |
| Country of production | Japan |
| Estimated value / Used price | 142,20 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 60 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of May 18, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 145,92 Euro (156.95 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 160,88 Euro (173.18 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 151,46 Euro (163.44 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Minolta XD5
What type of focusing system does the Minolta XD5 utilize?
The Minolta XD5 uses a manual focus system. There's no autofocus functionality; you adjust the focus manually using the lens.
Does this 35mm camera offer automatic exposure modes?
Yes, it offers aperture-priority and shutter-priority automatic exposure modes. It also allows for full manual control over both aperture and shutter speed.
What kind of flash and other accessories can be connected to the Minolta XD5?
The camera has a hot shoe and a PC flash connection for external flashes. A cable release can also be connected for remote shutter actuation.
What is the film size and capacity of the Minolta XD5?
It uses standard 35mm film, holding 36 exposures per roll. The film advance is mechanical, and a counter shows how many shots are remaining.
What is the light meter range for this Minolta model?
The built-in light meter supports an ISO range from 12 to 3200. This allows for use with a wide variety of films.