Outstanding Image Quality
The Maxxum 50 DATE has everything you need to take beautiful photographs. Precise autofocusing, top-quality Maxxum lenses, and a wide range of exposure control modes ensure that you'll be able to capture the kind of images you'll be proud to display.

3-Point Continuous Autofocusing
The Maxxum 50 DATE uses a wide autofocus area, three AF sensors, and continuous multidimensional autofocusing to keep the subject sharp. The AF system continuously tracks subject movement in any direction as long as the shutter-release button is held partway down. For maximum performance, the center AF sensor is a crosshair type that can deliver crisp results regardless of vertical or horizontal subject pattern or contrast.

Predictive Focus Control
All AF SLR cameras experience a minute delay when taking pictures because the mirror must be lifted out of the optical path. Especially with telephoto lenses, this slight delay can be significant with fast moving subjects moving toward the camera. To ensure the most precise subject focus, the Maxxum 50 DATE uses Predictive Focus Control which calculates subject movement and continues to adjust the focus after shutter-release until the exposure is made.

Spot AF
For creative image compositions, you can switch between the wide AF area and spot AF area to single out a subject, such as a specific person in a group. The center focus sensor is selected using the spot AF button. This feature can be particularly valuable when photographing children at play.

Extra Bright Viewfinder
The Maxxum 50 DATE viewfinder is equipped with the same top-quality spherical acute matte focusing screen as the top-of-the-line Maxxum 9. It provides a bright, crisp, and clear image which is particularly important when working in low-light conditions or with "slow" lenses. The 0.75X viewfinder magnification enhances viewing comfort.

Dual-Area Metering
The Maxxum 50 DATE's exposure metering system uses two separate metering segments to read the subject and background areas. By reading both areas and biasing the exposure on the subject area, pleasing images are rendered under a wide range of shooting situations.

Built-In Flash
The Maxxum 50 DATE's built-in flash provides coverage for lenses as wide as 28mm. Auto, flash cancel, fill-flash, and red-eye reduction modes give you worry-free flash control at your fingertips. For greater flash output and versatility, high-powered Maxxum flash units are available as optional accessories.

Advanced Distance Integration (ADI) Flash Metering
When used with Minolta D lenses, the Maxxum 50 DATE's ADI flash metering achieves better, more accurate flash control than conventional flash metering. ADI combines subject distance data with the light intensity measurement from the pre-flash to control the exposure flash output. ADI uses the AF sensor (with the built-in flash), or dual-segment metering of the reflected pre-flash (with external flash units). With non-D lenses, pre-flash TTL metering is used.

Fully Automatic Program Mode
In the fully automatic Program (P) mode, the Maxxum 50 DATE operates just like a point & shoot camera. The camera does all the work, leaving you completely free to concentrate on the subject and scene.

Subject Program Selection
Subject Program Selection gives beginner photographers the ability to control the camera based on the subject, without a working knowledge of apertures and shutter speeds. Five modes are available:

• Portrait - controls the aperture to produce a shallow depth-of-field to isolate the subject from the background.
• Landscape - controls the aperture to produce a deep depth-of-field so that the foreground and background are sharp. Ideal for travel photos.
• Close-Up - optimizes the depth-of-field to the image magnification to produce a sharp subject with a defocused background.
• Sports Action - the AF system continually adjusts focus to follow the subject, and the AE system optimizes the shutter speed to freeze action.
• Night Portrait - balances the flash exposure on the subject with the ambient background light so that both the subject and scene are accurately reproduced in the image. With the flash turned off, beautiful pictures of night scenes can be taken.

Unlimited Creative Control
The Maxxum 50 DATE can either take over control or hand over control with a full selection of exposure modes. In Programmed AE the camera does all the work -- it analyzes subject movement and distance, lens focal length, plus subject and background brightness, then sets the optimum combination of aperture and shutter speed automatically. In Aperture-priority you select the lens aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed. In Shutter-priority you select the shutter speed and the camera sets the aperture. In Manual mode you select both the aperture and shutter speed in any combination.

Exposure Compensation and Bracketing
When shooting in tricky lighting situations such as high-contrast scenes, snowy landscapes, or dark shadows, experienced photographers often use exposure compensation or bracketing to ensure they get the exposure that best renders the scene. With the Maxxum 50 DATE, exposure can be compensated up to +/-3 Ev in 0.5 increments. Plus, a three bracket series can be taken in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1.0 Ev increments.

Continuous Film Advance
For capturing action as it unfolds, select continuous film advance. The film advances at 1.7 frames per second as long as you hold the shutter-release button down. Autofocus adjusts smoothly and precisely with each shot.

Fully Automatic Film Operation
Loading film is simple and quick. All you do is insert the film cartridge, position the film leader, and close the camera back. The camera sets the film speed, threads the film, advances to each frame, then rewinds the film when the roll is finished. Additionally, you can activate the power rewind function anytime.

Date/Time Imprinting
The Maxxum 50 DATE imprints the date and time onto the photo, when desired. Data imprinting is very useful for cataloging photographs or keeping records of important events.

Optional Wireless Remote Control
Available as an accessory, the IR remote control RC-3 can be used with the Maxxum 50 DATE to release the shutter from up to 16 feet away. Ideal for self-portraits, group shots, or when taking pictures of dimly-lit scenes with the camera mounted on a tripod.