The Minolta Riva Zoom 130 is a camera from Minolta. The camera is well suited for beginners and you don’t need a manual to use it. It was introduced in the early 2000s and is equipped with all sorts of automatics. The camera was produced in a factory in China.
The Minolta Riva Zoom 130 was also sold under the names “Minolta Freedom Zoom 130” and “Minolta Capios 130S“.
The 35mm camera comes with a fixed zoom lens. The zoom range goes from 37.5 mm to 130 mm. The value of the largest aperture goes from f/5.4 to f/10.5 depending on the zoom level. The lens is composed of six elements in six groups. The 35mm camera is equipped with an autofocus system. The closest focusing distance of the lens is 60 cm.
For shooting, the Minolta Riva Zoom 130 has a light meter. It can be used with films from ISO 25 to ISO 3200. The 35mm photo camera determines the correct film speed via the DX code on the film cartridge. Exposure settings are determined automatically by the camera. However, there is an exposure compensation of +1.5 EV.
There is a built-in flash for low-light shooting. With ISO 100 filming, it reaches up to 4.3 meters at 37.5 mm. The flash automatically adjusts to the shooting situation. There is also an automatic mode for red-eye prevention. In addition, there is a mode for portrait shots at night and a fill-in flash for backlit shots.
The photo camera has a self-timer. The self-timer has a lead time of ten seconds after the shutter button is pressed. The camera can be positioned on a tripod through the thread on the bottom of the camera.
The dimensions of the Minolta Riva Zoom 130 are 11.2 x 6 x 4.4 cm according to the manual. The camera weighs 210 grams with its plastic housing. On the side, there is an attachment for a wrist strap or other camera strap.
The camera requires a CR123A battery (eBay / Amazon*). This type of battery is still very easy to get today. One battery charge is enough for about 312 pictures. The charge level is shown on the camera’s display.
Films for the Minolta Riva Zoom 130
The Minolta Riva Zoom 130 takes its pictures on 35mm film. These films are still manufactured and can be specified by almost any developing vendor. For black and white images in 35mm format, the Kodak T-Max 100* is a good choice. For color images, you can reach for the Kodak Portra 400*. Both films deliver solid results with the compact camera.
The film is transported by a motor in the camera. Therefore, you don’t have to advance the film manually. The number of recorded pictures is shown on the display. If you see a flashing “0” there, the film was not loaded correctly. Of course, the film is also automatically rewound. Before this process has been completed, the back of the camera must not be opened.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Snapshot camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 37.5 mm - 130 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/5.4 |
| Minimum focus distance | 60 cm / 1.968 ft |
| Zoom function | Yes |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Lens design | 6 elements in 6 groups |
| Exposure times | 1/380 second to 10 seconds |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 3200 |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | Yes |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic |
| Exposure compensation | + 1.5EV |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash range | 0,6 to 4,3 Meter / 1.97 to 14.11 Feet |
| Flash modes | Fill-in flash, Red-eye reduction |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | Yes, Self-timer function with 10 seconds lead time |
| Power supply | 1x CR123A battery |
| Size | 11,2 x 6 x 4,4 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 4.41 x 2.36 x 1.73 inches |
| Weight | 210 Grams |
| Country of production | China |
| Estimated value / Used price | 81,56 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 12 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 62,60 Euro (67.11 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 61,19 Euro (66.03 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 54,96 Euro (58.45 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Minolta Riva Zoom 130
Is this a complicated camera to use, or is it good for beginners?
The Minolta Riva Zoom 130 is a great camera for beginners because it's designed to be very simple to operate. You don't even need to read the instructions to start taking photos. It has lots of automatic features that handle the settings for you.
What kind of film does it use, and is it easy to find?
This camera uses 35mm film, which is still widely available. You can buy it in many stores that sell camera equipment or online. So, finding film for it shouldn't be a problem.
Does the Freedom Zoom 130 have a flash for taking pictures indoors or in the dark?
Yes, this handy camera has a built-in flash that is useful for taking pictures in low light. It even has a red-eye reduction feature, which is nice. There are also special flash modes for portraits at night or to brighten up photos taken against the sun.
Can it focus on things that are really close?
The lens can focus on objects as close as 60 centimeters, which is about 2 feet. This isn't super close, but it's good enough for many everyday shots. This distance is also called minimum focusing distance.
Does it wind the film automatically?
Yes, it does wind the film automatically, both when advancing and rewinding it after you've finished shooting a roll. You don't have to worry about manually winding the film. The number of shots taken is displayed on the camera's screen.