Minolta Maxxum 7000AF
[1984]

Nominated by many as one of the most important cameras of the century, the Maxxum 7000 was the first fully integrated autofocus 35 mm single lens reflex camera system. The sensors and motors were built into the body of a fully featured camera that included a multimode meter and internal motor drive for film advance. Others such as the Nikon F3AF, Pentax ME-F and Olympus OM-F had autofocus earlier but they were based on add on modifications to existing body designs.

The original Minolta Maxxum can be identified by the crossed XX in the name. The logo has since been changed due to a trademark infringement.

Pentax PZ-10
[circa 1991]

The "naked" PZ-10 shows the level of electronic sophistication used in today's modern SLR cameras. The flexible copper foil circuit board literally wraps around the camera. The electronic components are miniaturized and use surface mounted technology (components are soldered directly to the circuit board as opposed to using sockets or long leads). The PZ-10 is an autofocus model. Two small electric motors are mounted in the body - one for film advance and rewind and the other for focusing an autofocus lens.

In addition to the advanced hardware and electronic components, the camera employs software which is integrated into the large microprocessors (the 2 black squares to the right of the lens mount). The software controls all of the functions of the camera and a digital readout mounted on top acts as a small computer screen.