Minolta Capios 140 (c. Mid-1990s – Early 2000s)
The Minolta Capios 140 is a compact 35mm point-and-shoot film camera with a 38-140mm zoom lens. That is a useful range for a snapshot camera. It was sold under a few names depending on market: the Capios 140, the Riva Zoom 140EX, and possibly a "140A" variant that appears in separate manual listings. The record is thin on exact dates. Sources place its introduction anywhere from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, and no original retail price has surfaced.
The lens is the one thing documented consistently. It is a 38-140mm Minolta Aspherical Zoom, described by one source as 8 elements in 7 groups with a maximum aperture of f/3.5 at wide angle. Another listing gives a markedly dimmer f/4.5-12.6, and the conflict is unresolved. The camera has autofocus with close focus down to 0.6m in macro, automatic exposure with shutter speeds up to 1/500 sec, and a built-in flash with red-eye reduction and fill modes. A self-timer and tripod socket round out the features. The body measures roughly 13.2 × 7 × 5.9 cm and weighs about 315 grams.
Several sellers point to the camera's titanium shell, which gives it a more premium feel than the typical plastic-bodied compact of its era. PhotoCo Camera House described it as delivering "crisp and vibrant photos," and the camera has been repeatedly positioned as a solid, affordable entry point into film photography. One Australian dealer calls it "light, sharp & simple."
Current asking prices vary widely. A Thai dealer lists one at 2,200 THB, and a Russian listing asks 7,900 ₽. An eBay listing for a "N MINT w/Box" example is priced at $478 USD, so condition and completeness clearly drive big premiums.
Known Specifications
- Type: 35mm point-and-shoot film camera
- Lens: 38–140mm Minolta Aspherical Zoom (8 elements in 7 groups)
- Max aperture: f/3.5 (wide) — one source conflicts at f/4.5–12.6
- Focus: Autofocus, macro to 0.6m
- Exposure: Automatic, up to 1/500 sec
- Flash: Built-in, auto with red-eye reduction and fill modes
- Dimensions: 13.2 × 7 × 5.9 cm
- Weight: 315 g
- Body: Titanium shell
If you own a Capios 140 and can pin down the production years, the correct maximum aperture, or the difference between the 140 and 140A, the Archive would welcome the record.
eBay Listings
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