Minolta Freedom Zoom 125 Panorama Date 35mm Camera w/Remote Control
by Konica Minolta

List Price: $249.99
Our Price: $20.20
You Save: $229.79 (92%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Digital Camera
See more product details

Digital Photo Product Details

• Lightweight, compact, and easy-to-carry
• Minimum focus distance of 2 feet
• Wide focus area
• Panorama mode
• Continuous film advance

• Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 [OLD VERSION]
• Corel Photo & Video Pro X3 Bundle [Old Version]
• AmazonBasics Universal Camera Case for Digital Cameras HF (Black)
• AmazonBasics Camcorder/Camera Bag with Shoulder Strap (Black)
• FujiFilm Super HQ 200 Speed 48 exp Film (2 Pack)

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Minolta Freedom Zoom 125 Panorama Date 35mm Camera w/Remote Control

Customer Review: Great choice
Summary: 5 Stars

For example, in a recent photo book I just read (Photography for Dummies), the author mentioned the amazing fact that 15 times as many people are buying compact point-and-shoot models as are purchasing the so-called "system cameras," that is, the typical camera with interchangeable lenses offered by all the main camera makers. What this means is that the vast majority of the major maker's research budget is now going into developing small point-and-shoot cameras. And twice as many people as bought point-and-shoots purchased disposible cameras last year. Who would have thought?

This store didn't have the Fuji Tiara or the Rollei Prego, but they did have this model and also the Minolta Explorer EX, as well as many of the other top point and shoot cameras offered today, such as the Olympus Stylus Epic and Infinity models, which are also great little performers.

This camera caught my eye as it's one of the smallest cameras out there offering all these features. I usually recommend people not go over 3X in a zoom lens in a small point-and-shoot, but with this little camera, I am willing to make an exception. Although I haven't tested it myself personally, the lens is supposed excellent. It consists of 6 elements in 6 groups, including aspherical elements, and has a 900-step focusing system, all of which are supposed to create a very sharp lens.

Another useful feature is the passive rather than active focusing system. Active focusing uses infrared to focus, and this creates problems trying to snap a quick shot through a window, or the windshield of your car, because the infrared beam will bounce off the glass six inches in front of your nose, producing a blurred shot. This means you have to enable "infinity lock" before you shoot, which is an extra step that could even cause you to miss the picture. Passive focus systems are usually sensitive to vertical lines, so this isn't a problem with them. This is the only complaint I have with my Fuji Tiara model.

The new Nikon 125mm point and shoot also uses aspherical optics and is supposed to be very sharp also. If you decide not to go with the Explorer EX, you might want to check out this model.

Description of Minolta Freedom Zoom 125 Panorama Date 35mm Camera w/Remote Control

Minolta used state-of-the-art 3-D CAD design technology to incorporate so many great features into such an ultracompact body. They also developed special optics for this camera that use a low number of double-sided aspheric lenses able to achieve high-quality pictures while not taking up much space. A trigonal roof prism allows for a shorter viewfinder optical system, too. All in all, this is an excellent camera if you want something that fits in most pockets, yet takes high-quality photos to match those of most larger compact cameras. One last feature Minolta is proud of for its uniqueness: the film-chamber lock prevents the back of the camera from being opened when there is an active roll of film inside--the back won't open until the roll of film has been fully rewound.

35mm Compact Cameras

• Camera & Photo > Film Cameras > Point & Shoot Film Cameras