Mostly classified in the "luxury" compact category,  the Hexar is a large machine the luxury of which does not come from the technological complexity, but from simplicity and quality.

One of its features is its incredible seven elements lens, with a 35mm focal length and a 2 aperture, which is extremely rare on a compact camera. From a stunning sharpness, it is the ideal tool for a  very demanding photographer. (Ironically, the name Hexar was previously reserved to rather low-end Konica lenses).

The mode is autofocus. It is highly accurate with three measurement areas and 290 steps.
This mode can be disabled, but the manual focus is done through two buttons (+/-), which despite their high precision make the operation unpleasant.
The view finder is not reflex, but the framing is exactly what is pictured, whatever the distance of focus.

The device has several exposure modes: program mode, automatic aperture priority or manual. There is an exposure memory. Unfortunately no aperture setting or speed is displayed in the viewfinder. In manual mode, a + and a - help with settings (semi-auto would be more accurate than manual). The transition from Program mode to Automatic or Manual mode is carried out by turning the main switch located near the shutter trigger button.
The measurement of the exposure is very accurate.
Set in the program mode or automatic mode using aperture priority, the measurement is central, with a coupling from IL0 to IL16. In manual mode, spot metering has an angle of 4 ° with a coupling from IL3 to IL18. In program mode, there is an opportunity to correct the exposure by plus or minus 2EV.

Selecting the aperture is made by turning the serrated wheel that encircles the shutter button. To the left thereof is a liquid crystal screen which displays the camera settings. As little is displayed simultaneously, we must act on a select button to change the display to scan all of the parameters. Ergonomics is not its quality, and if there are few buttons, some hide several use possibilities.

Reporting camera because of its focus and its aperture, the Hexar is silent, very silent when set to mode "silence". The reporter who wishes discretion will take advantage of it. As the film advance and rewinding are motorized, silence is obtained at the cost of slowing the advance of the film.

The sensitivity adjustment is automatic, but the detection of the DX code can be overridden.

The Hexar has no flash, but was sold with a flash.

Technically perfect, this unit had one defect: its price .... about 5000 francs in 1992, and also a second: no battery, no camera!

History

1873 Establishment of the Konishi-ya company. Initial implementation of photographic and lithographic materials.
1876 Relocation to Tokyo. The company is renamed Konishi Honten.
1882 Three factories are established in Tokyo, producing photographic equipment, coated paper, and lithography equipment.
1897 Introduction of the first cinematographic cameras in Japan, enabling the production of Japanese films.
1902 Establishment of a new factory in Tokyo dedicated to the production of photographic plates and papers. This factory is considered the birthplace of the Japanese photographic industry.
1903 The first photosensitive paper produced in Japan, Sakura Hakkin type paper, and the Cherry camera are introduced to the market.
1909 Opening of the Osaka Agency. Introduction of the LiIy camera.
1919 Consolidation of factories in Tokyo, forming Japan's first modern photographic organization.
1921 This organization becomes the Konishiroku Honten Company (Honten = headquarters).
1925 Introduction of Pearlette cameras.
1929 Launch of Sakura films (Sakura = Japanese cherry blossom).
1933 Expansion of the headquarters.
1936 The company becomes Konishiroku Co., Ltd. Opening of an agency in Hino, and relocation of the Sensitive Materials Production Division.
1938 Introduction of the Semipearl camera.
1940 Announcement of the production of the first Japanese color film, Sakura Natural Color Film.
1943 The company adopts its current name, Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd., and the factories are renamed.
1944 Merger with Showa Photo Industries Co., Ltd., adding the Odawara and Koyama factories to the company.
1945 End of the war, leading to a chaotic economic situation. A major reorganization is undertaken to enable the company to survive this tumultuous period.
1948 Sale of the first KONICA-branded cameras and resumption of exports.
1963 Inauguration of the large factory for the production of photographic equipment.
1967 Introduction of the world's great innovation, the SAKURACOLOR N-100, along with the world's first automatic reflex, the KONICA AUTO-REFLEX.
1968 The first automatic reflex camera (EE) incorporates through-the-lens (TTL) metering: it becomes the KONICA AUTOREFLEX T. Production of the first Japanese 24 x 36 compact rangefinder camera, the KONICA C35, in the same year.
1969 Development by Konishiroku of the world's first compact holographic camera.
1970 Start of the sale of U-Bix electrostatic dry photocopying machines. Introduction of SAKURA High Resolution Plate, ultra-fine grain, high-resolution sensitive material essential for Integrated Circuit manufacturing.
1971 Introduction of the new SAKURACOLOR. Commencement of U-Bix MARK I export.
1973 Celebration of the 100th anniversary of the company. Adoption of the new logo. Departure for a new century with renewed enthusiasm.