Contax SLR 35mm Comparison Table
Be sure to check out the Contax Comparison page for more detailed comparisons
| Model |
RTS III |
S2 |
S2b |
ST |
RX |
AX |
Aria |
RTS |
RTS II |
137MD |
137MA |
139Q |
159MM |
167MT |
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| Shutter maximum speed |
8000th |
4000th |
4000th |
6000th |
4000th |
6000th |
4000th |
2000th |
2000th |
1000th |
1000th |
1000th |
4000th |
4000th |
| Shutter material |
metal |
metal |
metal |
metal |
metal |
metal |
metal |
cloth |
titanium |
cloth |
cloth |
metal |
metal |
metal |
| Shutter travel direction |
vertical |
vertical |
vertical |
vertical |
vertical |
vertical |
vertical |
horizontal |
horizontal |
horizontal |
horizontal |
vertical |
vertical |
vertical |
| Shutter release type |
electrom. |
mechan. |
mechan. |
electrom. |
electrom. |
electrom. |
electrom. |
RTS |
RTS |
RTS |
RTS |
RTS |
Electrom. |
electrom. |
| Remote Shutter Cable socket |
electronic |
mech. |
mech. |
electronic |
electronic |
electronic |
exclusive |
electr. # |
electronic |
electronic |
electronic |
electronic |
electronic |
electronic |
| 2 stage shutter for metering |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
no |
yes |
yes |
| Motor driven |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
| Drive rate of motor |
5fps |
x |
x |
3fps |
3fps |
5fps |
3fps |
x |
x |
2fps |
3fps |
x |
x |
3fps |
| Self-Timer |
quartz |
mechan. |
mechan. |
quartz |
quartz |
quartz |
quartz |
mechan. |
quartz |
quartz |
quartz |
quartz |
quartz |
quartz |
| Synch. Contacts |
Dedicated |
Direct |
Direct |
Dedicated |
Dedicated |
Dedicated |
Dedicated |
Direct |
Dedicated |
Dedicated |
Dedicated |
Dedicated |
Dedicated |
Dedicated |
| Exposure modes |
M/Av/Tv |
Manual |
Manual |
M/Av/Tv |
M/Av/Tv |
M/Av/Tv |
M/Av/Tv |
M/Av |
M/Av |
Av |
M/Av |
M/Av |
M/Av/Tv |
M/Av/Tv |
| DX contacts for film |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
yes |
| AE lock |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Viewfinder % of picture |
100 |
95 |
95 |
95 |
95 |
95 |
95 |
92 |
97 |
95 |
95 |
95 |
95 |
95 |
| Metering - center/spot |
both |
spot |
center |
both |
both |
both |
c/s/a |
center |
center |
center |
center |
center |
center |
both |
| Exposure compensation |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Depth of field preview |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Batteries |
AA (6) ** |
SR44 (2) |
SR44 (2) |
AAA (4) |
2CR5 (1) * |
2CR5 (1) |
2CR2(2) |
PX28 (1) |
PX28 (1) |
AA (4) |
AA (4) |
SR44 (2) |
SR44 (2) |
AAA (4) |
| Mirror lock-up |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
| Multiple Exposures |
drive btn |
m.e.lever |
m.e. lever |
no |
C Function |
C Function |
yes |
rewind btn |
rewind btn |
rewind btn |
rewind btn |
m.e. btn. |
m.e. lever |
no |
| Custom Functions |
no |
no |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
| Data Back built-in |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
| viewfinder diopter adjustable |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
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| # not compatible with other models |
* RX uses 2CR5 for body and 2CR2025 for data back |
** RTS III can use a 2CR5 or 6 AA batteries |
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*Note that Kyrocera discontinued the Contax camera system. In the event of camera, or lens failure, you will have to procure used parts.
