Minolta was a Japanese worldwide manufacturer of cameras, camera accessories, photo-copiers, fax machines and laser printers. Minolta was founded in Osaka, Japan in 1928 as Nichi-Doku Shashinki Shōten (日独写真機商店; meaning Japan-Germany camera shop). It is perhaps best known for making the first integrated autofocus 35 mm SLR camera system. It was not until 1934 that the brand name appeared on a camera, with the Minolta Vest.

In 2003, Konica Corporation merged with Minolta to form Konica Minolta.

On January 19, 2006, Konica Minolta announced that they are leaving the camera and photo business and that they would sell a portion of its SLR camera business to Sony as part of its move to pull completely out of the business of selling cameras and photographic film.