Difference between Canon AE-1 and Minolta XG7?

Question

I need a camera for photo class and I'm looking at these two. I found a Minolta on Craigslist for way less than a Canon. but are they comparable cameras or is one really crappy? they're pretty comparable in terms of basic functions right?

Answer 1

From an operational standpoint, the only appreciable difference is that the Canon is shutter priority and the Minolta is aperture priority. Neither is superior, however i prefer the shutter priority of the Canon.

As they say, though, the system makes the camera. Minolta was always sold as more of an amateur-targeted system. Meanwhile, the Canon FD system was a full pro system with lenses that were comparable or in some cases superior to those from Nikon and Leica. Check out the Canon 55mm 1.2 Aspherical, which Erwin Putts, the noted Leica collector and writer, has claimed is better than the Leica Noctilux 1.2 and Nikon Noct-Nikkor 1.2. Canon made lenses in the FD mount from 14mm all the way to 800mm. Canon made all focal lengths from 24mm through 200mm available with a maximum aperture of f2 or faster.

The Minolta manual focus system can't compete with the sheer variety available for the Canon manual focus system. Also, since both are "orphaned" systems, the prices are pretty comparable, until you get into the exotic lenses.

I shoot a lot of 35mm film, including doing some work for pay, and my Canon FD mount cameras, including my AE-1 as well as my F-1s and my T90, have served me perfectly for every bit of it.

Answer 2

I agree they are comparable cameras. I've used Minoltas since 1971 so I'm a bit biased.

To the best of my knowledge, Minolta was the only Japanese camera company that shared technology with Leica. Faced with losing market share due to a lack of an "automatic" camera in the mid-1970's, Leica turned to Minolta. Minolta developed the XE-7 (Aperture Priority) while Leitz/Leica worked with Copal to design the shutter. Minolta then manufactured the XE-7 with a Leica lens mount and metering system and Leica sold it as the Leica R-3. Minolta then developed the XD-11, the world's first multi-mode camera: Aperture priority, Shutter priority or Manual metering. The XD-11 then became the Leica R-4 & R-5.

Leica was also impressed with several Minolta lenses. The Minolta 16mm f2.8 full-frame fisheye was fitted with a Leica mount and badged as a "Made In Japan" Leica lens. Later, Leica did the same with the Minolta MD 35-70mm f3.5 & 70-210mm f4.0 constant aperture zoom lenses, offering them as the Vario-Elmar.

Also, the world's first Auto Focus 35mm camera was the Minolta Maxxum 7000, introduced in 1985.

Last but not least, all you DSLR and high-end digicam users who use and appreciate Off-Sensor Flash Metering (TTL) say a hearty "Thank You!!" to Minolta. Minolta introduced it in 1981 with the X-700 & X-570 cameras and the "PX" line of dedicated flash units.

Answer 3

They are pretty compatible. The only consideration is Canon is still in the photography business and Minolta isn't.

The Canon is probably a superior camera.