The picture quality of point-and-shoot cameras pales in comparison to those produced with an SLR camera, which gives you better optics, a through-the-lens view that lets you accurately frame your photos, and manual options for full control of your exposure and focus. If you are used to point-and-shoots, this camera makes the transition to SLRs easy; however, you'll have to refer to the manual to get the hang of using the extensive menu of advanced settings. In our tests, the HTsi Plus offered the full range of advanced controls--it let us set the aperture, exposure, and focus manually. The HTsi Plus also made it easy to switch into full automatic mode, in which we just pressed the shutter button, and the camera performed the focusing and exposure for us.

The Minolta Maxxum HTsi Plus is quite lightweight for an SLR and includes both a pop-up flash and an external flash shoe. It includes five preset exposure modes including portrait, landscape, and macro; burst mode; aperture and shutter priority modes; and a self-timer. For serious amateurs or professionals, the HTsi Plus offers all the standard SLR functions, although we found its aperture setting method (you have to push the aperture preview button and turn the camera's selection wheel) a bit disorienting at first. The HTsi Plus's 28-80 zoom lens gave us a good range for everything from portraits to landscapes. We especially liked the automatic exposure bracketing and multiple exposure functions; these features are useful in getting the right shot and exercising your creativity.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Built-in flash
• Easy to use
• High-quality optics

Cons:

• Menu selection somewhat hard to figure out
• Unconventional aperture-selection method

For adaptability, the HTsi has three essential levels of complexity. Use P mode for fully automatic snapshots -- great for when you need someone else to take your picture. Use the Creative Exposure Mode for a bit more customization and to adjust it to one of five situations (portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, and night). Finally, use either the Aperture-Priority, Shutter-Priority, or fully manual modes to bring out the real photographer in you. After all, playing with f-stops and shutter speeds is where the fun of photography is anyway. I admittedly spend most of my time in this last mode, but the flexibility is highly appreciated (sometimes, one just does not have the time to fuss with dials).

The results from the HTsi have been fabulous. The flash seems to respond well to the darkest of conditions, and the 28-80 zoom lens offers the flexibility needed for a budding photographer. My only criticism is that the autofocus can be slow to respond in some lighting conditions. So far, I have taken rolls of photos for my organization, and everyone seems impressed with the results. I also bought a set of Tiffen close-up filters for doing macro photography, and the results have been quite stunning.

A final word. Amazon offers one of the best deals on the Net with service and peace-of-mind that you simply cannot beat. Believe me, I checked. I tried one of those mail order camera stores that advertise ultra low prices. By the time they "upgraded" me to what they viewed was an acceptable camera and charged me their exorbitant shipping fee, the price was higher than here. And guess what? Amazon's package already had all of those so-called "upgrades" -- without the hassle. Thanks Amazon!


FIVE STAR CAMERA!   April 23, 2000
 27 out of 33 found this review helpful

This is my first SLR camera... so I won't be able to compare this camera with other SLR camera. But I am able to say that if you were to buy a camera this would be a great choice. The quality of the Picture is much greater than point and shoot. You have more control on how your pictures turn out. The Minolta HTsi plus is easy to use for the basic features, but if you want to use the advance feature.... reading the manuel is recommended, but don't worry. ( )

Pros: Design, and easy to use.

Cons: Can't print date on pictures.


A very nice camera   March 12, 2000
 23 out of 25 found this review helpful

This camera has all of the feature one could want. Auto everything to manual everything. Very good for an entry level SLR. Price isn't bad either. Now only if Amazon would carry lenses....


A Great Basic SLR for the amateur, or hobbyist   October 6, 2000
 23 out of 24 found this review helpful

This camera takes wonderful pictures, and is extremely flexible and upgradable. The camera is extremely easy to use which will help those of you just getting started. You can hit the "P" button and it's ready to be used just like a point-and-shoot. However, the camera has the power for full manual focus, aperature, and shutter speed. The camera also has some neat semi-automatic modes to help you trasition into manual exposure settings as a beginer. This camera has everything you could want in this price range and can be upgrade with shutter releases, High Speed Sync Flashes, and many types of manual and automatic lenses. The only problem I have had with this camera is I feel it tends to over-expose things; however, I have experienced this on a number of modern SLR cameras, and it may just take some getting used to on my part as photography is a relatively small hobby of mine. I highly recomend this camera.


Helpful but not   March 19, 2000
 19 out of 34 found this review helpful

I have had this camera for a few weeks or so and it is great, but has down sides. This is my first "good" camera meaning an SLR, but have used them before. It is great when you use the AF (automatic) features because it shows you after the pictures are developed about lighting correctness, visual, etc. The down side is, unless you know about how lighting affects the exposure of the picture the manual features do not help much. But it is a decent camera for someome who wants to learn because it shows you the settings in the view finder in the AF mode.