Minolta was a Japanese camera and optics company founded in 1928, known for its innovative contributions to photography, including the first integrated autofocus SLR—the Maxxum 7000—in 1985. Throughout the 20th century, it gained cult status among enthusiasts with classic models like the SRT series and the X-700, appreciated for their build quality and precision. Minolta also collaborated with Leica in the 1970s, influencing high-end camera design. In 2003, it merged with Konica to form Konica Minolta and exited the camera business in 2006, selling its SLR technology to Sony, which continued its legacy through the Alpha series.
