The Freedom Zoom Explorer EX is a pocketsize, take-anywhere zoom camera with an ultra-wide-angle 28-75mm lens, multi-mode flash, and protective capsul
The Freedom Zoom Explorer EX is a pocketsize, take-anywhere zoom camera with an ultra-wide-angle 28-75mm lens, multi-mode flash, and protective capsule design -- all wrapped up in an eye-popping silver metallic finish. When the camera is turned off, the lens and flash retract completely into the sleek, smooth camera body. Weighs only 8.6 ounces without batteries.
Easy and fast to use generally, very contrasty and sharp lens, fairly compact and light, fast lens for this type of camera.
Strengths:
Lens quality, speed of use generally, variety and usefulness of shooting modes, which are simple but effective. Close focus, wide and reasonably fast lens. Auto Power Down.
Weaknesses:
No exposure compensation other than possible AE/AF lock; the focus lock is mentioned in the manual, AE lock is not, but it does seem to have it. SMALL viewfinder as mentioned by other reviewers, takes some getting used to. Focal range is not great, but that does help to keep it compact and light. Defaults to flash ON every time it powers down, I'd like to see a Personal mode like the Canon Sure Shots have. No Spot mode either. A bit distorted on the wide end, take care around buildings.
Similar Products Used:
Canon Sure Shot Z90W, Sure Shot 120
Customer Service:
Haven't needed any, got it used at Amazon for $40, it's probably at least 5 years out of warranty.
Rating Reviewed by: Ken (Unregistered User)
(Professional)
Review Date April 17, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 3.67 of 5,
3 votes
Review 2 of 27
Price Paid:
$110.00
from On the net
Summary:
This review is based soley on the fact that I was looking for a travel camera. The main selling point for me was price, and the 28-70 zoom. It has never seen the inside of a protective case and has dwelled mostly next to my butt, (hip pocket,) and under my truck seat. I didn’t want to spend a lot in case it got stolen or damaged during my trips. It looks like it’s been to hell and back but as to date nothing has ever broke inside or out. I can’t tell you how many rolls of film I have pumped through this thing. I bought this camera when it first came out. It just won’t die!
It does what its meant to do and does it well. No more no less. While it doesn’t take as good photos as my lovely little (retired) XA, it still rivals some of the more expensive P&S my friends have.
Strengths:
28-70.
Price.
Takes a beating.
Battery life. I shoot 95% fill flash.
Rating Reviewed by: Max Tomashevsky(Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date June 5, 2002
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Review 3 of 27
Price Paid:
$150.00
from ABEs of Maine
Summary:
I bought this camera several years ago and took it for many trips within the U.S. and to Europe. Overall this is excellent reliable camera. The performance is surprisingly good for a P/S. Lens is very sharp. Autofocus never failed me: virtually all my shots were in focus. All program modes are useful and working fine. Flash is well balanced, no nasty overexposures, like it often happened when I used Olympus Epic.
What are the drawbacks? It is a little big to fit in the pocket. It easily catches dust. I had to disassemble it to remove the dust from viewfinder and LCD (assembling it was a bit tricky). At wide angle distortion can be rather noticeable when you shoot architecture.
Rating Reviewed by: Michael Peck(Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date August 8, 2001
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Visitors rate this review 2.50 of 5,
2 votes
Review 4 of 27
Price Paid:
$159.00
from independent camera shop
Summary:
This camera was bought to replace our Pentax pc35 which finally died from it's third drop and 10 years of faithful service. It was selected mostly for the 28mm setting of the zoom lens and it's small size & weight. We have put 50-60 rolls of film thru the camera in 4 years of use without any problems. Daylight exposures are accurate, and pictures made with fill flash have been very good. Autofocus is accurate, and the focus lock is a useful feature. The lens is excellent by point & shoot standards. It produces very snappy 4x6 prints and 8x10's which look good when viewed from normal distances. We always use 400 speed films, with Fuji 400 Press giving outstanding results in daylight and with flash. No real complaints about this little gem!
Strengths:
small & light, good lens with 28mm wide angle coverage, accurate exposures
Additional comments on my review of 4-01: I continued to use this camera after my review and have had mixed results. All my pictures with this camera have been taken using Fuji or Kodak 400 film. My outdoor pictures on Easter were really sharp, beautiful color. I find indoor people pictures taken close-up (waist up) are clear, sharp, and the flash evenly distributed, red eye reduction works well (everyone groans about the three pre-flashes though!). If I take the picture from 4 ft or more away, even in a living room with 8-10ft. ceiling, daylight coming through the window, I get the dark edges and grainy appearance. After two additional rolls I have submitted the camera to Minolta to be, hopefully, fixed. I don't hold much hope, based on reviews I have read here and elsewhere about their service. I think if you are looking for a camera for outdoor use and don't need it for indoor pictures it'd be a great camera. It feels nice in the hand, easy buttons to push for the options, and a nice amt of options for the price.
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