The Minolta 9xi was, when released in 1992, an advanced 35 mm single-lens reflex camera design. It incorporated the world's fastest autofocus system (according to the company and when coupled to a xi series lens), had a maximum shutter speed of 1/12000 of a second and a 14-zone metering system.
The 9xi had been improved in many areas over the previous flagships, the 9000 and 8000i, including: A rugged construction with better moisture and dust sealing. Nearly the same shooting speed as the 9000, but without the additional heavy and bulky motor pack. An improved shutter speed from 1/8000 of a second (8000i) or 1/4000 (9000) to 1/12000 of a second due to carbon-reinforced shutter blades. A pentaprism where information was projected directly in the image using transparent LCD technology. Compatibility with xi zoom lenses having a "power zoom function", allowing for extra functionality. An improved synchronization time for the new set of flashguns launched. A more contemporary, arguably even futuristic, design. Many more improvements.
Design
The Minolta 9xi was a bold design compared to its rivals and predecessors. It had smoothed contours completely unlike the previous 9-class camera the Minolta 9000, and unlike many competing cameras. Buttons were largely hidden, or placed directly by the fingers controlling them. This led to unusually clean aesthetics and an uncluttered appearance.
Technology
The Minolta 9xi is, to this day, still impressive in terms of technological ability. Nearly 5 frames per second without an external motor or battery pack was uncommon for its day, coupled with the four-sensor autofocus system that could continuously track not only horizontally but vertically and diagonally—even when an object came towards the camera. The autofocus system could focus at light levels of −1 ev and up to 19 ev (at ISO 100). It also used a 14-segment light metering system, variations of it being used for many years in most Minolta cameras. It featured a 1/300 of a second x-sync flash synchronization with stepless shutter speeds from 1/12000 of a second to 30sec in Program and Aperture Priority mode. A mechanical shutter this fast is still uncommon more than 25 years later.
The 9xi had many other abilities, many perhaps hidden at first sight. The camera could, without any external backs like the Minolta 9000 or cards like the Minolta 8000i, bracket 3 exposures each one 1/2 a stop different (each way). It could control a wireless flash system, if Minolta's 5400xi flash or the special "wireless flash controller" was used, at speeds of 1/60 of a second (1/30 in ratio); this was remarkable technology at the time. The 9xi was also capable of detecting if the photographer had their eye placed against the viewfinder; it was named "eye-start", and in essence, enabled the camera to start checking exposure and focus when the user either had their hand on the grip and/or when they looked through the viewfinder. This, in theory, allowed users to take a photo more quickly.
Criticism
The 9xi was and is criticized for many design choices. One was that it used the "creative cards" system, cards adding cost and being impractical for the camera's intended market. These cards worked in the same way as the 8000i's had and gave the photographer more "creative techniques" when inserted into the camera. However, some functions (the "custom functions" card being the main offender) were clearly already present in the camera, and only accessible by buying the card—this was seen as an attempt to "milk" the market. Another problem was the cameras' lack of built-in flash. This was an attempt by Minolta to appeal to more professionally inclined photographers, but it also negated the camera's built-in support for the wireless flash system (a main selling point) as an additional accessory was needed—unlike on the "less professional" 7xi.
The camera was also criticized for its heavily "computerized" interface, with few buttons and many vital functions only accessible behind the card door. It featured an interface with a few single buttons toggling between several crucial functions, and then using the front and back wheels to set options. While theoretically very fast to operate if properly learned, it was completely different from interfaces used on cameras before, and it has never been used since. Also, the physical interface included some arguably strange design choices, like having a large "Program reset" button as one of the few actual buttons (the target market hardly interested in that specific feature) as well as one small button deeply sunk into the body, hard to access for many users and of dubious utility.