Konica FP-1, Is It A Point & shoot Or SLR?

Introduction

I must confess that I really like Konica cameras and lenses, in particular their range of Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras and their Hexanon range of lenses. They were, in the main, robust and built to high standards. The later models, like so many cameras employed a lot of plastic in their construction. Even so, the build quality wasn’t generally bad.

This review is about one of their last models to be produced – The FP-1 Program. In the title, I asked whether this is a SLR or a point & shoot camera? To be honest it is both, with very few ‘bells and whistles’!

I sourced an FP-1 Program that looked to be in good, clean condition and came with the bonus of a Konica winder F which is also compatible with my FC-1! Upon arrival, I found that the camera was fully functional and externally clean. Sadly, the same could not be said for the viewfinder which is normally considered to be very bright. To say that it was not the cleanest viewfinder is an understatement! However, it did prove to be perfectly usable.

Overview

The Konica FP-1 Program was released in 1981 and production ceased in 1983. It was a simple 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It boasted a full-program auto exposure mode and not much else! It was clearly designed for ease of use and aimed squarely at beginners or casual photographers. Where it differs from a conventional ‘point and shoot’ camera is that it uses a Konica AR lens mount, giving it access to Hexanon lenses (and Hexar lenses).

Despite its limitations, the FP-1 was notable for its unique approach to automation and minimalist controls.

Key Specifications

Type: 35mm SLR camera
Lens Mount: Konica AR bayonet mount
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-travel metal shutter
Shutter Speeds: 1/30 to 1/1000 sec (auto-selected), no manual control
Exposure Mode: Fully automatic “Program” mode only
ISO Range: ISO 25 to 400 (manual dial)
Viewfinder: Fixed pentaprism, no exposure information displayed
Metering: Center-weighted TTL metering
Power: 4 x LR44/SR44 batteries
Weight: Approx. 470g (body only)
Flash Sync: 1/100 sec, dedicated Konica – X-18 Auto, X-24 Auto, or X-36 Auto flashes compatible.

Build and Design

The Konica FP-1 has a compact and lightweight plastic body that feels solid enough, though not particularly rugged. I would describe the design as somewhat stark and simple. There’s no mode dial, no shutter speed selector, and very little to distract from the act of pointing and shooting. Its minimalist design philosophy was clearly to eliminate user error by removing most choices altogether!

Pros:

Lightweight and portable
Clean and uncluttered interface
Quality build for a consumer-level camera
Excellent Hexanon lens compatibility (with caveats)
Incredibly simple to use—great for beginners
Accurate metering in most conditions
Compact and lightweight
Unique among SLRs for being truly point-and-shoot

Cons:

Its limited controls will frustrate experienced users
Plastic construction doesn’t inspire the same confidence as metal-bodied SLRs
Program mode is the only exposure option
No manual controls whatsoever
No exposure readout in the viewfinder
Only compatible with a subset of AR lenses for metering
Total dependence on battery power

Lens Compatibility and Optics

The FP-1 uses the Konica AR mount, giving access to a wide range of Hexanon lenses, which are legendary for their optical quality. It can technically mount and meter with any AR lens, but it will only function properly (and meter correctly) with a “Program-compatible” lenses—mainly Konica’s newer lenses with EE or AE locking.

If a non-compatible lens is mounted, the camera won’t fire or meter properly, severely limiting flexibility. However, right lenses, image quality can be excellent.

The following chart gives an indication of some lenses that are compatible with the FP-1 Program.

Lens	Compatible	Notes
Hexanon AR lenses (with AE lock)	✅ Yes	Use AE/P mode on aperture ring
Older Hexanon AR (no AE setting)	❌ No	Won’t meter or may not fire
Zoom-Hexanon AR (with AE lock)	✅ Yes	Program mode supported
Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 (AE version)	✅ Yes	Excellent standard lens
Hexanon AR 40mm f/1.8 (AE version)	✅ Yes	Compact, sharp, ideal for street
Third-party AR-mount lenses	❌ Not reliably	Might mount, but no auto exposure functionality

✅ Tip: AE-capable lenses have a green mark or AE button on the aperture ring. Only those lenses enable proper program metering.

Viewfinder and Metering

The viewfinder is bright and clear but lacks exposure information—you don’t see what shutter speed the camera is choosing, which some might find unnerving. Essentially, you trust the camera to do the right thing! There is, however, a green light that appears on the left of the viewfinder to indicate that correct exposure has been selected for AE exposure.

It is important to note that in the event that the user strays from the AE or EE aperture setting, the shutter speed defaults to 1/100th second.

From my limited testing, the centre-weighted TTL metering is surprisingly accurate in most lighting conditions, although backlighting and high-contrast scenes can trip it up, as is not uncommon with this type of metering.

Shooting Experience

Using the FP-1 can be considered liberating for the novice but possibly frustrating for the more experienced user. You simply set the ISO; focus the lens; and press the shutter. That’s it. The camera chooses a shutter speed and aperture that it considers appropriate.

There is one feature that I feel worthy of note. Film loading is simplified in as much as all the user has to do is insert the 35mm cassette and stretch the leader across as far as the take-up spool. The back is then closed and the transport lever is actuated continuously without firing the shutter until it locks. The camera is then ready for action.

There’s no way to override the camera’s decisions. No aperture priority. No manual exposure or aperture setting. No compensation. Just program mode.

If the user is new to SLRs, they will gain experience at composition and focussing but not much else! It does however, as already stated, have the advantage provided of being able to use interchangeable lenses.

It lacks any control where depth of field is concerned and its use for fast moving subjects is almost impossible.

Battery Dependence

Because the shutter is electronic, the FP-1 is completely totally reliant on batteries. This is a major downside. If the batteries die, the camera is inoperable as there is no manual fallback like with some other cameras. Spare batteries are essential in my opinion. Unlike its predecessors, the FP-1 does not use mercury oxide batteries. It uses the readily obtainable LR44 or 4SR44batteries.

Flash Compatibility

As previously stated, the FP-1 can be used with X-18 Auto, X-24 Auto, or X-36 Auto flashes, which integrate with the camera’s auto-exposure system. With the flash mounted and turned on, the camera switches to a fixed sync speed of 1/100 sec. It’s functional but not particularly versatile compared to modern TTL flash systems.

Conclusion

Much of this article may sound as if my experience with the FP-1 Program was somewhat negative. However, I must confess to being remarkably surprised at the cameras performance under differing lighting conditions and with different lenses. Considering that I took test shots using Kentmere 100 film, considered by many as a budget film and developed it in Rodinal, I was pleasantly surprised.

Winder ‘F’

As an aside, the Winder F functioned flawlessly but at a maximum speed of 1.5 frames a second it is not going to set the world alight. Indeed, because of its weight including the 4 AA batteries, many will consider it an unnecessary addition. It is certainly a noisy addition!

The Konica FP-1 Program is a fascinating relic from a transitional era in photography—a fully automatic SLR with almost no user input. It’s a minimalist’s dream or a control freak’s nightmare.

If you’re a beginner, it’s an interesting way to dip your toe into film photography without the complexity. If you’re an experienced photographer, it could be a fun, no-pressure street shooter or a collector’s oddity.

However, if you crave control, flexibility, or manual settings, you’ll quickly outgrow or avoid the FP-1 altogether.