The Minolta HI-MATIC 7, introduced in 1963, succeeded the original Minolta Hi-Matic 35mm rangefinder camera. This upgraded model featured new elements, including a CdS meter positioned above the lens optics within the filter ring, a manual shutter speed selection mode, and the display of the exposure meter's actual EV-value in the viewfinder. Continuing the tradition of the original Hi-Matic, it retained a rangefinder viewfinder with mechanical parallax correction and a self-timer. Marking a significant shift, Minolta established the "Hi-Matic" camera series as their primary range- and viewfinder cameras, each equipped with auto-exposure functionality and increasing support for flash use.