Minolta Freedom Zoom 150 Date 35mm Camera

by Konica-Minolta

Product Details

Product Manual [551kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 1.7 x 2.3 inches ; 11.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004S5H8
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,918 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 12, 2000

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Minolta Freedom Zoom 150 panorama/date camera is one of the world's smallest 35mm cameras with a full 4x zoom lens. It weighs only 6.7 ounces, yet it offers an array of automatic features for trouble-free snapshooting. Film transport is fully automatic. After loading the film, the Minolta Freedom Zoom 150's back cover remains securely locked until the film is rewound into the cartridge, thereby preventing the film from being ruined by accidentally opening the back cover.

The Freedom Zoom 150 features a passive-type autofocus system, which uses approximately 900 focusing steps to ensure razor-sharp results. This autofocus system is similar to the kind used in single-lens reflex cameras and can focus accurately even on distant subjects, mirror images, or subjects beyond a windowpane. Other features include an automatic six-mode flash, automatic exposure, and a self-timer.

The quartz data feature imprints the date or time onto each photo. Data imprinting can be switched on or off whenever you desire and is useful for cataloging photographs or keeping photo records of birthdays, weddings, graduations, and other important events. A panorama mode selector switch allows you to take both standard and panoramic pictures on the same roll of film.

From the Manufacturer

Never before has a full 4X zoom been able to fit in such a compact body as Minolta's Freedom Zoom 150. Measuring only 4.4 x 2.36 x 1.7 inches and weighing just 6.7 ounces, the Freedom Zoom 150 can slip easily into a shirt pocket and go wherever you go.

This pocketsize powerhouse gives you amazing photographic potential. With its high-performance autofocus and autoexposure systems and aspheric lens optics, the Freedom Zoom 150 provides beautifully crisp, high-contrast images from wide-angle to telephoto and covers everything from scenic landscapes to full-frame portraits to detailed close-ups.

Full 4X Zoom Lens in the World's Smallest and Lightest Body
Never before has a full 4X zoom been able to fit in such a compact body as Minolta's Freedom Zoom 150. With dimensions of 4.4 x 2.36 x 1.7 in., and a weight of just 6.7 ounces, the Freedom Zoom 150 is as small and light as existing 35mm-format 3X zoom compact cameras and can slip easily into a shirt pocket. This small size and maximum portability is the result of years of Minolta’s research and development with state-of-the-art compact optical designs.

Minolta's Compact Technology
The Freedom Zoom 150 has been downsized to the absolute minimum via the use of a new compact optical system for a low-profile three-cylinder lens barrel, plus super-efficient unit design and component placement, a geared film drive motor, and a thin protective aluminum front shell.
The key to the Freedom Zoom 150's outstanding compactness lies in the compact lens system. In addition to a new zoom design, two double-sided aspheric elements are used to reduce the overall number of lens elements. As a result, the Freedom Zoom 150 has approximately 30% less lens system volume than Minolta's previous compact zoom camera with 3.7x zoom ratio.
Precision alignment of the lens elements creates a superior compact lens offering superb image quality with excellent contrast. Additionally, the thin viewfinder optical system features a compact Dach prism inversion system for optimum clarity. The use of a thin, protective aluminum front shell plus a geared motor in the film transport mechanism also contribute to the camera's small size.

High Power, Full 4x Zoom Lens
The Freedom Zoom 150's top-quality zoom lens was crafted through a complex manufacturing process where the aspheric elements and zoom components were aligned with micron order precision. Featuring a full 4X zoom range, the Freedom Zoom 150 can handle virtually any photographic opportunity. The 37.5mm focal length is ideal for wide landscape shots and travel photos of friends and families with backgrounds of famous landmarks. A longer focal length captures candid snapshots and portraits with ease, while the powerful 150mm telephoto setting grabs vivid close-ups of distant subjects. Users can even get as close as 23.6 inches (60cm) to small objects such as flowers and collectibles and take beautifully detailed close-ups with a maximum magnification of 1/4.6X.

High Image Quality
With its sophisticated autofocus and autoexposure systems and superior lens optics, the Freedom Zoom 150 provides beautifully crisp, high-contrast images from wide-angle to telephoto, covering everything from landscapes to portraits to close-ups.

SLR-type Autofocusing
The Freedom Zoom 150 features a passive-type AF system, which utilizes approximately 900 focusing steps to ensure razor sharp results. This AF system is similar to the kind used in sophisticated SLR cameras and can focus accurately even on distant subjects, mirror images, or subjects beyond a windowpane. Multiple focus sensors in a wide focus area ensure precise focus with off-center subjects.

Three-Segment Metering with Backlight Detection
To ensure the optimum subject exposure under a wide variety of lighting conditions, the Freedom Zoom 150 uses a 3-segment metering system consisting of one large and one small AE sensor to determine exposure, and the AF sensor for backlight detection only. The camera uses either the large or the small AE sensor depending on the zoom position. With this system, the brightness value in the center of the viewfinder (main subject area) is measured by the AF sensor and compared with the overall average brightness as measured by the AE sensor in use. If the background brightness greatly exceeds that of the subject area, the flash will fire in Autoflash or Autoflash w/Red-Eye Reduction modes to provide the optimum subject exposure.

Stylish, Exquisite Design
Distinguishing the Freedom Zoom 150 from other compact zoom cameras is its simple and sophisticated appearance. The high-quality optics are covered with an aluminum front shell with a sleek, streamlined contour. The buttons and other controls are designed for comfortable use by a wide range of hand sizes. The exterior metallic pearl coating provides a fine, silky touch. The lens barrel surface is highlighted with a combination matte and high-luster finish, while the front plaque is stainless steel. With all these sophisticated details enhancing the camera's stylish appearance, the Freedom Zoom 150 is truly an upscale photographic tool both in performance and design.

Film Chamber Lock
The Freedom Zoom 150's Film Chamber Lock provides everything needed for worry-free film handling from the moment the film is inserted until it is unloaded. After loading the film, the back cover remains securely locked until the film is rewound back into the cartridge, thereby preventing the film from being ruined by accidentally opening the back cover. Adopted from Minolta's Vectis Advanced Photo System cameras, Film Chamber Lock is now available in the Freedom Zoom 150 -- a first in 35mm compact zoom camera history.

Exposure-Compensation Mode
This mode sets the exposure 1.5 stops (+1.5EV) above the camera's meter reading. This is very helpful when photographing strongly backlit subjects, landscapes with a large portion of sky or clouds, predominantly white subjects, snow scenes, and backlit subjects out of flash range. Because it overexposes the image, bright white subjects appear true to color.

Continuous Film Advance
Continuous film advance is ideal when photographing moving subjects. The Freedom Zoom 150 continuously takes pictures and advances the film as long as the shutter-release button is held down. The shutter releases at an approximate rate of 1 frame every 1.8 seconds (5 frames in 9 seconds).

Built-In Flash
The Freedom Zoom 150’s versatile built-in flash features Autoflash, Manual Fill, +1.5EV Exposure Compensation, Night Portrait, Red-Eye Reduction, and Flash Cancel modes.

Red-Eye Reduction
In Red-Eye Reduction mode, the built-in flash fires a pre-exposure burst to close down the subject's pupils before the exposure flash is fired and the picture is taken. The flash is also used as an AF illuminator to assist autofocusing in low light.

Night Portrait Mode
This mode synchronizes the flash with a slow shutter speed to balance the flash illumination on the subject with the background ambient light. Night Portrait Mode is ideal when taking portraits in front of an illuminated night scene or at sunset.

Selectable Panorama Mode (Panorama DATE model only)
A convenient panorama mode selector switch allows the user to take both standard and panorama format pictures on the same roll of film. When panorama mode is selected, the film gate is automatically masked. If data imprinting is being used, the imprint automatically changes for the new format.

Quartz Data Back (Panorama DATE Model Only)
The built-in quartz data back imprints the date or time right onto each photo. Data imprinting can be switched on or off whenever desired, and is very useful for cataloging photographs or keeping photo records of birthdays, weddings, graduations, and other important events.

Optional Wireless Remote Control RC-3
A card-shaped infrared remote control is available as an optional accessory. It has a working range of 16.4 feet, and provides two shutter release modes: standard mode triggers the shutter as soon as the button on the remote control is pressed; delayed mode takes the exposure two seconds after the button is pressed.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, February 7, 2001

By 

WispyLashes (Lewiston, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Minolta Freedom Zoom 150 Date 35mm Camera (Electronics)

I spend numerous hours online reading the specs. of every brand of camera. I decided to purchase the Minolta 150 Zoom. This camera is by far, the best I have owned. And believe me, I've had them all. It is lightweight and takes beautiful pictures on every setting. Inside, outside, low light, far away, and in the dark. I took pictures of my Grandchildren outside at night and the clarity was spectacular. If people would take time and read the instructions, every picture would turn out perfect. I have been a camera buff for 35 years and I am extemely happy with this Minolta.

65 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Can't believe only 5 Zoom Stops, February 27, 2001

By 

"joeyd11" (Chadds Ford, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Minolta Freedom Zoom 150 Date 35mm Camera (Electronics)

I was all set to buy this camera but one thing mentioned in the reviews confused me. Only 5 zoom stops? How can that be with a 150 mm zoom capability? Sure enough, I test drove it and the lens only zooms to 5 distinct zoom stops. You can't just zoom the lens as desired and stop it wherever you want (i.e. when you take your finger off the zoom, the lens stops where you want it to). Instead the lens adjusts backwards to the nearest pre-set stop (one of 5 available). I've never seen a zoom camera with such an incredibly bone-headed feature. Buy some other zoom.

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Was I ever impressed!, August 20, 2000

By 

Tootsie Jacobs (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Minolta Freedom Zoom 150 Date 35mm Camera (Electronics)

I have searched for months on the camera that does it all with compact quality. Well, I found it. I have read remarks on this camera about bad performance, this is not true! This camera is outstanding! I believe they have not read thoroughly the manual to learn how to use it properly. My friends and I have all bought 3 of them. We are going on a cruise in October and the features it has is wonderful. We have all taken pix with our camera's and got great ones. And we all studied the manual together. The seude case, remote control and panoroma persueded me to try it. I also called Minolta to find out the manufacture date of February 2000... well worth [the cost]... I believe you get what you pay for.