Minolta Maxxum 5 35mm SLR Kit w/ 28-80mm Lens

If you want the total creative control an SLR offers, but don't like lugging around a cumbersome kit, Minolta's Maxxum 5 is worth a look. It's one of the world's smallest and lightest autofocus SLRs, and its extensive array of high-performance features adjusts to offer something for everyone from beginners to advanced amateur photographers.

Design
Measuring just 5 by 3.4 by 2.4 inches and weighing in at around 12 ounces, the body of the Maxxum 5 is about the same size as many point-and-shoot cameras--of course, the lens adds to this size and weight, but it's still an extremely compact design. To save weight, much of the body is made of high-impact plastic, with a metal lens mount and tripod mount for durability. The camera uses Minolta A-mount lenses, and a 28-80mm Minolta AF zoom lens with a maximum aperture of f3.5 to f5.6 is included.

Key Features
Primary features include spot-metering and spot-focusing, depth-of-field preview, a built-in multimode flash, 7-point autofocus system, a maximum shutter speed of 1/4,000th of a second, 3 FPS rapid-fire shooting, and 14-segment metering. A powerful processor and speedy motor combine to provide one of the fastest autofocus systems available.

Additional Features
In addition, the Maxxum 5 features "eye-start automation," a performance enhancer that senses when you put your eye to the viewfinder and starts preparing to take a shot immediately. If you're planning to use the camera in the studio, the wireless flash setting communicates with Minolta off-camera flash units.

Contents
The kit comes with the Maxxum 5 body, 28-80mm AF zoom lens, shoulder strap, lens cap, and a pair of CR2 batteries.