The User’s Review: The Last Generation of 35mm Film SLR Cameras, Canon EOS Rebel T2, Minolta Maxxum 70, Nikon N75 and Pentax *ist (released in 2003 - 2004)

During 2003 – 2004, the four major camera manufactures, Canon, Minolta, Nikon and Pentax, released their last models of consumer-level SLR cameras. Although at the low end, mainly regarding their prices, they should be the most advanced in term of technology. Many features in these cameras are passed on to the digital SLR bodies. Several of these last-generation film SLR, such as Canon T2 and Pentax *ist, do look like DSLR bodies with big screens on their backs. However, the screens on film SLR cameras do not show any images, and display only camera settings and parameters.

On the internet, there are articles talking about these film SLR cameras. Here, with the four cameras side by side, I emphasize the differences and unique features of them using images and table (highlighted in blue).

	Canon EOS Rebel T2	Minolta Maxxum 70	Nikon N75	Pentax *ist
Body type	TTL AF, AE SLR	TTL AF, AE SLR	TTL AF, AE SLR	TTL AF, AE SLR
Body color	Silver/black	All black	Silver/black or all black	Silver/black
Body material	Plastic	Plastic with metal top cover	Plastic	Plastic
Lens & tripot mounts	Metal and metal	Metal and metal	Metal and metal	Metal and plastic
LCD screen	On film door; biggest	On top	On top	On film door
Date/time imprinting	Optional	Standard	Optional	Standard
Viewfinder	Pentamirror, ~ 90%	Pentamirror, ~ 90%	Pentamirror, ~ 89%	Pentamirror, ~ 90%
Dioptric adjustment	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder display	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
DOF preview	On lens mount	On lens mount	On lens mount	On main switch
AF points	7	9	5	11
AF point selection	Auto or manual, dial on back	Auto or manual, front dial	Auto or manual, dial on back	Auto or manual, dial on back
AF assistant beam	flash	flash	Separate beam	flash
Meter zones	35	14	25 (3D)	16
Exposure modes	13	11	10	10
AE lock	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multiple exposure	≤ 9	Unlimited	≤ 9?	Unlimited
Breaketing	3 frames; ±0.5 EV	3 frames; ±0.3, 0.5, 1 EV	3 frames; ±0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 EV	3 frames; ±0.3, 0.5, 1 EV
Film ISO and manual setting	25-500, manual 6-6400	25-500, manual 6-6400	25-500, no manual	25-500, manual 6-6400
Infrared film	No	No	No	No
Focus modes	4 auto and manual	4 auto and manual	3 auto and manual	2 auto and manual
Shutter	30 – 1/2000 s, bulb, 1/125 snyc	30 – 1/2000 s, bulb, 1/90 snyc	30 – 1/2000 s, bulb, 1/90 snyc	30 – 1/4000 s, bulb, 1/125 snyc
Self timer	10 s delay	With audio signal	10 s delay	?
Remote	With delay option	With delay option	Delay mode set on camera	With 3 s delay
Cable control	Optional	NA	NA	NA
Flash Guide No (100 ISO meter)	13	16; wireless flash	12	11; wireless AF360FGZ flash only
Film transport	Prewind; 2.5-3 fps; mid-roll rewind	Auto load; 3 fps; mid-roll rewind; film leader left-out option	Prewind; ~ 1.5 fps; mid-roll rewind	Auto load; ~ 2.5 fps; mid-roll rewind
Custom functions	6	14	12	17
Power	2 CR2	2 CR2	2 CR2	2 CR2
AA Battery grip	BP-220	NA	MB-18	BG-20
Size, mm, mm3	130x90x64 = 748800	135x92x66.5 = 825930	131x92.5x65 or 67.5 (date) ≤ 817931	122x84x63.5 = 650748
Weight, g	365	375	380 or 385 (date)	335
Price of used in 2011, USD	30-50	25 - 40	30 - 40	70 - 120

In term of body design, I pick Canon T2 because, with my right hand alone, I can reach 11 buttons and dials (except flash and DOF buttons), which may be used during shooting, on the body (see the following image). Probably that's why there is no button/dial on the left-side top. Regarding the build quality, Canon T2 and Nikon N75 should be better among the four.

Before picking/buying a SLR camera body, there are many factors to be considered: your personal preference, available lenses, body functions, price, and… There is no the best one for everybody, but the one most suitable for you. 

I also have four articles focusing on each of them, Canon T2, Minolta Maxxum 70, Nikon N75 and Pentax *ist.

Write to me if you have any comments and suggestions. Thanks.