Customer Reviews

Minolta Freedom Zoom 160 Date 35mm Camera Kit w/bag

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The picture quality on this camera is pretty good. For most events, it has replaced my SLR (which is just too big and clunky otherwise). It has a grid which allows you to focus on different items in your viewfinder, which can be very useful.

However, If you are dealing with a scene that has multiple focus points, the "area focus" grid starts jumping around, which I've been told by others is somewhat annoying (doesn't bother me).

Overall, while I ideally like controlling all my settings, I find that this camera is just ideal for any kind of setting where you would want easy pocket portability.

I would change one thing: The little flaps that cover the lense seem pretty easy to move, and make me a little nervous about keeping the camera in my pocket: I would personally prefer a hard cover like some Kodak flip cameras or even the Olympus.

But otherwise, I would highly recommend.

After having attended the 2000 Belmont Stakes with my Canon Elph LT camera and gotten good, but very distant looking photos, I decided I needed a good zoom lens camera for my next trip. After some searching, I had come across the Minolta Freedom Zoom 160. At the time I had purchased it, it had the longest zoom lens available in my budget. I took it with me to the 2002 Belmont Stakes and I was amazed at my final results!

I had taken 75 photos (About 10 had come out blurry, but mainly because my hand was shaking and no fault to the camera), and they came out very crisp, clear and vibrant. I suggest that anyone who uses this camera get their photos made onto a photo CD, because thats where the camera's detail really sticks out.

Photograph Examples Available:
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I used this camera for an Alaskan trip, for the first time. I was very pleased with the results and ease of use. I did find the multiple flash settings a little difficult to master. However, overall the camera produced remarkable, clear photos.
A lens cover would be very helpful, as an accessory.

I bought this camera for my trip to South Africa. I got some amazing shots. Very crisp and clear with brilliant colors. It's very quiet which is good but also pretty bad. It's hard to hear the thing wind so if you press the button and then move the camera, your pictures could easily be messed up because you didn't wait long enough- some of mine did unfortunately. So other than this set back, my photos came out excellent.

I love this camera for ease of use, and crisp, clear pictures. My biggest problem though are red eyes. I use the red eye reduction most of the time and eyes are always red. Maybe someone has a suggestion to fix this problem?

Bearing in mind that I really just wanted a basic point-and-shoot camera, I have to say that I didn't think this camera delivered all that it was supposed to. I ran some test rolls of 400 (manufacturer-recommended speed) and wasn't happy with the results--blurry backgrounds when I wasn't using focus lock on the foreground, and washed-out colors (which might be the film, but might be the camera). Also, I wish I had listened a little more to the reviewer who mentioned how the moving red focus boxes in the viewfinder "freaked" his wife out. I was also bothered by the moving focus boxes, couldn't figure out what they were telling me, and just wanted to take a good picture. The final blow: My mom's 20-year-old Canon Sure Shot takes great pictures, better than this Minolta and she really just picks up the camera and presses the button--not even worrying about the occasional use of fill-in flash.

If you're looking for a slight upgrade from your regular point and shoot, this camera may be for you (shoot some test rolls, and maybe look at one in a store somewhere first before ordering from Amazon), but it wasn't the best fit for me. I'm giving it 2 stars because some of the problems I have might be due to user error.

If you want a basic camera that can zoom and has multiple auto-everything features, this little film camera may be good for you. It was easy for me to carry around when I did not have room for a SLR (single lens reflex) camera. Took decent pictures with 400 ISO film, but lighting needs to be pretty darn good daylight lighting for the pix to look swell.

Since purchasing this little baby, Minolta went out of the camera business in the mid 2000s. The Freedom Zoom 160 came out, I believe, in 2002, one of the last film point & shoot cameras.

Now I have a digital point & shoot with video capability and a Pentax K-x DSLR that I use for serious photography. But for a back-up camera, the Minolta can't be beat.

A fantastic camera at an unbelievable price. I've taken pictures throughtout Europe, Australia and New zealand in all kinds of weather and light conditions with always the same excellent results. A great camera to take take on a hurry up and keep moving tour. It takes wonderful landscapes, animal and people pictures. Even does well from a moving boat or car. The auto focus is incredible. Just point and shoot, the camera will lock on focus. We're now off to South America.

I purchased this camera after extensively reading the online reviews here and elsewhere. Everyone seemed to love this camera. It did take "decent" photos, however, it was poorly constructed, the "automatic scene recognition system" freaked out my wife who could not tell what the camera was doing. She ended up ignoring the flashing red lights in the view finder. They were quite distracting.

The camera does not remember its settings after being turned off and then on again.

The built-in flash turned black after only a few months of use.

Finally, we took it on a hike, my wife had it in her hand, and lost her balance. Barely tapped it (with her hand reciving most of the blow) on the ground. Now it won't turn off and the lens shutter won't close.

It is a basically a pile of trash now, and not worth the $188 that we paid for it.

I'll think twice before believing on-line reviews and/or before buying another Minolta.

I've been researching cameras, this one sounds like a good find. Sadly, there aren't that many reviews for it. I want a camera that has good zoom and is quiet. The "Spy Camera" comment definately pushes me toward this item. Still looking...