Minolta's mid-range APS zoom compact of 1998 - 24-70mm lens, stainless steel shell, CR2 power.
The Minolta Vectis 300 was a compact zoom camera for the Advanced Photo System (APS), introduced in 1998 as part of Minolta's Vectis family, the range the company built around the IX240 film cartridge. It sat in the middle of the Vectis compact line-up, pairing a longer zoom than the entry capsule models with a stamped stainless steel shell.
Its 24-70mm zoom (four elements in four groups) sits behind a built-in sliding cover, with apertures from f/5.7 to f/22 and a programmed shutter from 8 seconds to 1/500. Film speed sets automatically across ISO 25-3200, framing is via a zooming real-image viewfinder, and power comes from one CR2 lithium cell. The body measures 97 x 62 x 32mm and weighs 215g.
The Vectis 300 suits collectors of late-1990s compacts and anyone shooting down remaining APS stock who wants a pocketable zoom. The metal shell feels more solid than most plastic APS compacts, though the slow maximum aperture pushes indoor work onto the built-in flash.
APS film was discontinued in 2011, so it can only be shot on expired cartridges and many examples sell as display or parts pieces. On a working example, confirm it powers up on a fresh CR2, the sliding cover wakes the lens and zoom, the film door latches, and the flash charges promptly.