Minox 35 mm System

The Minox 35 mm system represents one of the most compact 35 mm camera families ever produced. Introduced in 1974, the series combined pocket‑sized dimensions with high‑quality optics, electronic shutters and a consistent design language that remained in production for more than two decades. This page provides a structured overview of the system, its technical development and the principal models.

Technical Development

The Minox 35 mm line evolved through several distinct generations. The themes below summarise the major advances in design, metering and shutter technology.

First generation — Minox 35 EL (1974) — the original compact 35 mm Minox with CdS metering and electronic shutter.
Second generation — GL, GT, PL — incremental refinements, improved electronics and revised body materials.
Third generation — GT‑E, GT‑S — updated metering, revised shutter electronics and improved reliability.
Late‑production variants — GT‑E II, ML, MB — final refinements and small‑batch production into the 1990s.

Model Identification (Chronological)

The entries below provide concise identification markers for each principal model in the Minox 35 mm line.

1974 — Minox 35 EL

The first Minox 35 mm camera. CdS metering, electronic shutter, collapsible Color‑Minotar 35 mm f/2.8 lens.

1979 — Minox 35 GL

Refined electronics and improved reliability. Retains the collapsible Minotar lens.

1981 — Minox 35 GT

Updated electronics and revised body materials. One of the most widely recognised Minox 35 models.

1983 — Minox 35 PL

Further refinement of the GT platform with incremental improvements to metering and shutter control.

1988 — Minox 35 GT‑E

New metering cell and updated electronics. Improved low‑light performance and reliability.

1991 — Minox 35 ML

Program‑auto exposure model with revised electronics and updated body design.

1992 — Minox 35 MB

Variant of the ML platform with simplified controls and late‑production electronics.

1996 — Minox 35 GT‑E II

Final production variant of the GT‑E platform. Small‑batch production with updated components.

System Pages

Revision: 26 February 2026 (MSH‑35MM‑01)

Minox 35 mm System