Minolta's popular manual-focus SLR — affordable 35mm film camera with MD mount and simple controls.
The Minolta X-300 was released in 1984 as a mid-range manual-focus 35mm film SLR for the Minolta MD/MC mount. Aperture-priority AE with manual override. TTL centre-weighted metering. Shutter speeds from 4s to 1/1000s in manual mode; stepless in AE mode. Pentaprism viewfinder (95% coverage, 0.9x). At approximately 470g body without battery.
35mm film (24×36mm). Shutter: 4s–1/1000s (manual, stepwise); stepless in aperture-priority AE; B. Flash sync at 1/60s. TTL centre-weighted average metering; match-LED display. Pentaprism viewfinder, 95% coverage, 0.9x magnification, Acute Matte focusing screen (split/microprism). Approximately 470g without battery. Minolta MD/MC (SR) mount.
The X-300 was Minolta's entry point for the MD-mount SLR system: a simplified body providing the core aperture-priority and manual exposure modes from the X-700 at a lower price. The Minolta SR mount (also called MD or MC depending on the lens generation) is mechanically compatible with both MD and MC lenses, though full metering coupling requires MD lenses.
On the used market the Minolta X-300 is very affordable as a vintage manual-focus 35mm film SLR. Condition checks: shutter curtain for light leaks (inspect with back open), metering circuit with a known battery (SR44/LR44), focusing screen clarity. Compatible with Minolta MD and MC SR-mount lenses.