Gizmodo: optio

Pentax W80 Camera Review: Waterproof and Now Slightly Ruggedized

Brian Lam — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EDT

The Pentax W80 is their latest in a long line of waterproof cams that take decent shots, but have always been my favorite because of their compact size. This one is a bit bigger, but gains ruggedization and depth.

The Price: $300

The Photos and Video: In sample shots on our kiteboarding trip and at the local beach, the W80 was not the best but sill surprisingly good. Compared to periscoped lens setups, the traditional internal 5x zoom lens made the 12mp shots look sharper than most other waterproof cameras. The 28mm-140mm equivalent lens was sharp edge to edge with a touch more zoom than others in the roundup. Color was good, too.

But I noticed the lens was a little too slow to capture sharp motion underwater where light is rarer than on the surface. (The first sample shot I took in dim light triggered the flash where other models didn't need one.) Colors and exposure was fine, but the grunge resisting lens and lcd were only marginally helpful in combating substances like suntan lotion, grime and surfboard wax. Video is captured at up to 720p, but it didn't look so great. Face detection locked on pretty quickly, and there are several shake reduction capabilities, including digital and movie modes.

The Design: The casing is still one of the smallest and is by far the most pocketable ruggedized model around, but its only good for drops up to 3.3 feet. Models by Lumix and Olympus are far more rugged, although more Hummer-esque, too. Pentax's various scene modes are amongst the most useful around, and there's an simple button to switch between them, but that button and menu is also the only way to easily switch between video and still mode. Quite a chore.

The camera could use a design refresh, in all honesty, and more metal. But it's also good for winter sports, rated to function down to 14 degrees. I liked Pentax's optional floating wrist strap, too.

The Waterproofness: Good down to 16 feet, up from 13 feet in the last generation. Good enough for light to medium beach duty.

The Recommendation: My favorite rugged-ish waterproof camera when size is a consideration.

Compact considering its quasi-rugged chassis.

Decent shot quality.

There are tougher cams out there that take better photos, but only slightly so in all regards.

Could use a redesign, since the W60, W40 and W20 had similar cases.

[Giz, Pentax]

Summermodo is a chance for Giz to get outside and test our gear where it belongs.

Pentax's Optio W80 Can Take a Serious Beating

Adam Frucci — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EDT

Pentax's Optio W80 is its most rugged and waterproof point-and-shoot yet: it goes 16 feet underwater, survives drops from 3.3 feet and works in 14 degree weather. It also has a smudge resistant screen. $300.

PENTAX ANNOUNCES ITS MOST SHOCK AND WATERPROOF DIGITAL COMPACT CAMERA EVER: THE OPTIO W80

GOLDEN, CO (June 24, 2009)…The manufacturer that builds digital cameras to go boldly where none have gone before has announced the PENTAX Optio W80. More adventure-proof than ever, this latest PENTAX digital camera is waterproof, dustproof, coldproof, and now shockproof enough to withstand impact from a fall of more than three feet (one meter).

PENTAX first introduced dunkable digital cameras in 2003 to the delight of outdoor enthusiasts, travelers and families everywhere. Today, the PENTAX Optio W80's waterproof design withstands depths of up to 16 feet (5 meters) to protect from rain and spills, as well as allowing full underwater photos and video for up to two hours. On dry land, the rugged, shockproof design protects against drops of up to 3.3 feet to protect the camera from hard use and occasional spills. Also featuring 12.1 megapixels, a 5X internal optical zoom (equivalent to 28-140mm), a slim one inch body, and a wide angle 28mm lens, the Optio W80 offers an expanded perspective that is ideal for landscape, group and more confined shots. With a PENTAX-developed imaging engine and a high-performance PENTAX zoom lens, the Optio W80 delivers brilliant, high-quality images with well-defined details. A Super Protect (SP) coating applied to the mineral crystal cover of the internal zoom lens helps repel water, grime and finger marks.

Other important features in the Optio W80 include a:

* Coldproof design that allows the camera to be used in sub-freezing temperatures of 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius), ideal for cold weather activities such as skiing and snowmobiling.
* 2.5 inch LCD monitor that features anti-reflective coating, making it easy to view, even in bright sunlight.
* Widescreen, HD movie capture that records resolutions up to 1280x720 pixels at full-speed 30 frames per second.
* Fast Face Detection technology that sees up to 32 faces in 0.03 seconds, with Smile Capture and Blink Detection, for perfect portrait shots.
* Pixel Track Shake Reduction (SR) that ensures sharp images in any lighting condition, without adding high ISO noise. Digital SR and Movie SR are also available.
* Close focusing, Super Macro mode that brings out the details in even the smallest subjects as close as 1 cm (less than one inch).

Available in Cardinal Red, Azure Blue and Gunmetal Gray, the Optio W80 will be available in July 2009 for $299.95 USD. To help keep the Optio W80 fresh and at hand, PENTAX offers a custom designed clear protective skin ($16.95 USD) and a comfortable floating wrist strap ($19.95 USD). More information about the Optio W80 and these accessories is available at: www.pentaximaging.com *

and preorders may be placed now at www.pentaxwebstore.com .

Pentax Optio E75 Is Waterproof and Sorta Cheap

Mark Wilson — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:27:58 EDT

You might default to a brand like Canon when it comes to point and shoots, but our own Brian Lam swears by Pentax's reputation for building pocketable, waterproof cameras.

Their new Optio E75, not quite announced for US release, promises 10.2MP stills, 3x optical zoom, 1600 ISO and face detection on top of its smallish waterproof build. It'll be available in Europe this July for the equivalent of $160. [The Digital News Room via Engadget]

Pentax Optio W60 Extreme Weather Cam Good for Dips, Not Dives

Benny Goldman — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:00:00 EDT

The Optio W60 is the most waterproof Pentax cam yet. A step up from the W30, it's a 10MP point-and-shoot that will survive at depths up to 13 feet for two hours, good enough for the pool, beach and most non-competitive snorkeling. It also handles freezing temps (14°F) and is certified dustproof against dirt, sand and dust. The Optio features 5x optical zoom, 28mm wide-angle shooting, and HD video recording. It comes in silver and blue and will be out in July for $330. Maybe this summer I'll test it against the Olympus 1030SW and others in a Bathtub Battlemodo. Additional picture after the jump. [Pentax]

Optio V20 from Pentax has 5x Zoom, Smile Recognition and Blink Detection

AddyDugdale — Mon, 19 May 2008 03:00:00 EDT

Six months after Pentax released the Optio V10, the japanese company has upped the stakes with the V20. The slimline point-and-shoot has upped the zoom from 3x to 5x, as well as increasing Digital SR mode to ISO 3200 and ISO 6400. With a nice, big 3-inch LCD screen on the back, smile recognition and blink detection, (Earl Hickey, this one's for you) the V20 will be available in Japan next month for the equivalent of $288 Bonus shot of the V20 after the jump.

[Impress]

Pentax Optio M50 Comes in Pink, Silver and Blue But Mostly Vanilla

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST

Here's what $230 will buy you in the point-n-shoot world right now, as embodied by the pleasantly mainstream Pentax Optio M50: a sleek little body (under 4" wide and just over 2" high), a 5X optical zoom lens, an 8-megapixel sensor, and a choice of pink, blue or silver. Little perks like "Smile Capture" make this fun at parties, but no one is going to murder you for it in some dark alley. Come to think of it, depending on where you live it might be a really smart buy. Detailed specs after jump. [Pentax]

The PENTAX Optio M50, with a 5X optical zoom housed in an ultra compact body with fun color options, is the ideal combination of style, function and price for both customers looking to update their camera and new digital users. The camera features a unique Smile Capture function, which distinguishes smiles on a subject and automatically releases the shutter. Available in three color choices including silver, light blue and pink, the Optio M50 will ship in March 2008 for US $229.95.
CAMERA HARDWARE

MODEL: Optio M50
TYPE: Ultra-compact digital camera
PRODUCT CODE:
Silver: 17103, UPC: 027075140400
Light Blue: 17156, UPC: 027075139602
Pink: 17116, UPC: 027075139565

SENSOR
Type: 1/2.35" interline transfer CCD w/ primary color filter
Effective pixels: 8.0 MP
Total pixels: 8.50 MP
Recorded resolutions
Still: 3264x2448 (8M), 2592x1944 (5M), 2304x1728 (4M), 2048x1536 (3M), 1600x1200 (2M), 1024x768 (1024), 640x480 (VGA)
Movie: 640x480 (VGA), 320x240 (QVGA)
Quality levels:  Best,  Better,  Good

LENS
Type/construction: Pentax zoom lens, 8 elements, 6 groups (4 aspherical elements)
Optical zoom: 5x
Focal length (equiv.): 6.3-31.5mm (36-180mm)
Digital zoom: 5.1x
Combined zoom: 25.5x
Intelligent zoom: Approx 6.3x at 5M to 25.5x at VGA
Aperture: f/3.5-5.6

LCD/VIEWFINDER
LCD screen: 2.5" TFT color LCD
LCD coverage: TBA
LCD resolution: 230,000 dots
Wide angle viewable: YES
Optical viewfinder: n/a

FOCUS SYSTEM
Type: TTL contrast detection autofocus
Autofocus: 9 point autofocus, multi/spot/auto-tracking autofocus available
Manual focus: YES
Macro focus: YES
Focus lock: YES, by pressing the shutter release button half way
Focus range:
Normal: 1.31' to infinity (wide), 2.95' to infinity (tele)
Macro: 0.33-1.64' (wide), 1.97-3.3' (tele)
Manual: TBA

FLASH
Type: Built-in series-control auto flash
Flash modes: Auto, flash on, flash off, redeye
Effective range: 14' (wide, auto ISO), 9.2' (tele, auto ISO)

STORAGE MEDIA
Internal memory: 51.1 MB
Removable memory: SD, SDHC

INTERFACES
Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed, AV out
Video out: NTSC, PAL
Printer interfaces: PictBridge

POWER SUPPLY
Power source: Rechargeable Li-Ion battery D-LI78
Recordable images: Approx 210
Playback time: Approx 240 min
Movie recording time: Approx 70 min
Audio recording time: Approx 300 min
AC adapter available: YES (optional)

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions (W x H x D): 3.7 x 2.2 x 0.9"
Weight
Without battery or removable memory: 4.1 oz
Loaded and ready: 4.6 oz
Construction material(s): TBA
Operating temperature: 32-104°F

TIMING
Startup: Approx 2.0 sec
Release lag: Approx 0.003 sec

LANGUAGE SUPPORT
English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Russian, Thai, Korean, Traditional/Simplified Chinese, Japanese

IMAGE CAPTURE

IMAGE STABILIZATION
Still: Digital SR Mode (auto up to 6400 ISO)
Movie: Movie SR Mode

METERING SYSTEM
Type: TTL
Multi-segment: YES
Center weighted: YES
Spot: YES
Exposure compensation: +/- 2 EV (1/3 steps)

ISO SENSITIVITY
Auto: 64-6400 (ISO 6400 only available in Digital SR mode)
Manual: 64-6400 (ISO 6400 only available in Digital SR mode)

WHITE BALANCE
Auto preset modes: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent
Manual mode(s): YES

SHUTTER
Type: TBA
Shutter speed: 1/2000 to 4 sec (4 sec available in Night Scene mode)

CAPTURE MODES
Mode selection: Auto Picture (xxxxx, xxxxx, xxxxx, xxxxx), Program, Night Scene, Movie, Voice Recording, Landscape, Flower, Natural Skin Tone, Portrait, Surf & Snow, Sport, Digital SR (5M), Kids, Pet, Food, Panorama, Digital Wide Angle (5M), Green
Green simplified mode available: YES
Face recognition available: YES, up to 15 faces in all modes, smile capture available
P/A/S/M/B: P
Date stamp: YES (not available in Green Mode)
Digital filters (capture): n/a

DRIVE MODES
Mode selection: One shot, self timer, continuous, Frame Composite (3M)
Continuous FPS: Approx 1.45 FPS
Self-timer: YES
Remote control: n/a

PLAYBACK MODES
Mode selection: One shot, index (9 thumbnails), magnification, movie playback, sound playback, histogram, bright/dark indication, folder display, select & delete, calendar
Mode pallet: Digital SR, slideshow, resize, trimming, image & sound copy, image rotation, digital filter, movie edit, frame composite, redeye edit, voice memo, protect, DPOF, image recovery, startup image, face zooming
Magnification: Up to 8x, scrollable
Digital filters (playback): B&W, sepia, color filters (6), color extract (3), soft, brightness
Movie edit: Save as still image, movie divide

FILE FORMATS
Still: JPG (EXIF 2.2), DCF 2.0 (design rule for camera file system), DPOF, Print Image Matching III
Movie: AVI (Motion JPG), 30/15 FPS w/ sound, color/sepia/B&W, Movie SR
Sound: WAV (PCM), monaural

FILE STORAGE MATRIX (BASED ON 1GB MEMORY)
STILL   
3264x2448 (8M) 242 465 701
2592x1944 (5M) 378 714 1014
2304x1728 (4M) 472 924 1297
2048x1536 (3M) 590 1155 1653
1600x1200 (2M) 943 1547 2277
1024x768 (1024) 1801 2873 3657
640x480 (VGA) 3657 5486 7100
MOVIE 30FPS (15FPS)   
VGA (640x480) H:M:S 0:15:10 (0:30:01) 0:20:19 (0:40:14) 0:30:56 (1:00:57)
QVGA (320x240) H:M:S 0:23:56 (0:47:20) 0:32:42 (1:03:51) 0:47:20 (1:31:26)
SOUND H:M:S 12:28:41

COMPUTER SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS*
*For device connectivity. Bundled software requirements may vary.
Windows: TBA
Mac: TBA
KIT INCLUSIONS
Optio M50, USB Cable I-USB7, AV Cable I-AVC7, Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery D-LI78, Battery Charge Cradle D-BC78(A), AC Plug Cord, Strap O-ST51, Software S-SW77
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
AC Adapter Kit K-AC78U, Battery Charger Kit K-BC78U, PTX-211 or PTX-210, PTC-L45 or PTC-L50, Optio Extended Warranty

Pentax Optio S12 Is the Tiniest 12-Megapixel Around

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST

We're not saying pixel count matters anymore, or that anyone can tell the difference between an 8-megapixel shot and a 10-megapixel shot anyway, but if you want something unusual to brag about, the Pentax Optio S12 is certainly unique. The $280 camera has a 12-megapixel sensor not a whole lot else—that tiny little 5-oz. body measures 3.6" x 2.2" with a thickness of just under an inch. As you can expect, it's got just a 3x optical zoom lens and a rather nice 232,00-pixel 2.5" LCD, but sadly, in spite of its massive image sensor it only records VGA movies. I'm still trying to guess what it would be best for, besides cocktail party conversation, besides making massive poster-sized images of close-up subjects on the fly. Detailed specs and another picture after the jump. [Pentax]

CAMERA HARDWARE
MODEL: Optio S12
TYPE: Ultra-compact digital camera
PRODUCT CODE:
Silver: 17021, UPC: 027075139428
Black: 17041, UPC: 027075139473

SENSOR
Type: 1/1.7" interline transfer CCD w/ primary color filter
Effective pixels: 12.0 MP
Total pixels: 12.4 MP
Recorded resolutions
Still: 4000x3000 (12M), 3648x2736 (10M), 3072x2304 (7M), 2592x1944 (5M), 2048x1536 (3M), 1024x768 (1024), 640x480 (VGA)
Movie: 640x480 (VGA), 320x240 (QVGA)
Quality levels:  Best,  Better,  Good

LENS
Type/construction: smc Pentax zoom lens, 7 elements, 5 groups (2 dual sided aspherical elements, 1 single sided aspherical element)
Optical zoom: 3x
Focal length (equiv.): 7.9-23.7mm (37-111mm)
Digital zoom: 6x
Combined zoom: 18x
Intelligent zoom: Approx 3.3x at 10M, 3.9x at 7M, 4.6x at 5M, 5.7x at 3M, 11.4x at 1024, 17.9x at VGA
Aperture: f/2.8-5.4

LCD/VIEWFINDER
LCD screen: 2.5" TFT color LCD with LCD Bright Mode and anti-reflective coating
LCD coverage: TBA
LCD resolution: 232,000 dots
Wide angle viewable: YES
Optical viewfinder: n/a

FOCUS SYSTEM
Type: TTL contrast detection autofocus w/ AF assist lamp
Autofocus: 5 point autofocus, spot/tracking autofocus available
Manual focus: YES
Macro focus: YES, macro and super macro available
Focus lock: YES, by pressing the shutter release button half way
Focus range
Normal: 1.15' to infinity
Macro: 0.39-1.31' (wide)
Super Macro: 0.20-0.49' (wide)
Manual: TBA

FLASH
Type: Built-in series-control auto flash
Flash modes: Auto, flash on, flash off, redeye, soft
Effective range: Approx 22' (wide, auto ISO), 11' (tele, auto ISO)

STORAGE MEDIA
Internal memory: 21 MB
Removable memory: SD, SDHC

INTERFACES
Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed, AV out, DC in
Video out: NTSC, PAL
Printer interfaces: PictBridge

POWER SUPPLY
Power source: Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery D-LI68
Recordable images: Approx 270
Playback time: Approx 270 min
Movie recording time: Approx 80 min
Audio recording time: Approx 220 min
AC adapter available: YES (optional)

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions (W x H x D): 3.6 x 2.2 x 0.9"
Weight
Without battery or removable memory: 4.6 oz
Loaded and ready: 5.3 oz
Construction material(s): TBA
Operating temperature: 32-104°F

TIMING
Startup: Approx 2.1s
Release lag: Approx 0.006s

LANGUAGE SUPPORT
English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Russian, Thai, Korean, Traditional/Simplified Chinese, Japanese

IMAGE CAPTURE

IMAGE STABILIZATION
Still: Digital SR Mode (auto up to 3200 ISO)
Movie: Movie SR Mode

METERING SYSTEM
Type: TTL
Multi-segment: YES
Center weighted: YES
Spot: YES
Exposure compensation: +/- 2 EV (1/3 steps)

ISO SENSITIVITY
Auto: 64-3200 (3200 in Digital SR mode), auto range adjustable
Manual: 64-3200 (3200 in Digital SR mode)

WHITE BALANCE
Auto preset modes: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent
Manual mode(s): YES

SHUTTER
Type: TBA
Shutter speed: 1/2000 to 1/4 sec (4 sec available in Night Scene mode)

CAPTURE MODES
Mode selection: Auto Picture (xxxx, xxxx, xxxx, xxxx), Program, Shutter Priority, Manual, Night Scene, Movie, Voice Recording, Landscape, Flower, Natural Skin Tone, Portrait, Half Length Portrait (3M), Kids, Digital SR (5M), Sport, Surf & Snow, Pet, Text, Food, Frame Composite (3M), Dynamic Range Adjustment (auto and manual adjustments)
Green simplified mode available: YES
Face recognition available: YES, up to 15 faces in all modes, face selector available
P/A/S/M/B: P, S, M
Date stamp: YES (not available in Green Mode)
Digital filters (capture): n/a

DRIVE MODES
Mode selection: One shot, self timer (10s, 2s), continuous, remote control (3s, 0s), multi-exposure (5M)
Continuous FPS: Approx 1.47 FPS
Self-timer: YES (10s, 2s)
Remote control: YES, infrared (3s, 0s), remote optional

PLAYBACK MODES
Mode selection: One shot, index (9 thumbnails), magnification, movie playback, sound playback, histogram, select & delete, calendar
Mode pallet: Slideshow, resize, trimming, image & sound copy, image rotation, color filter, digital filter, brightness filter, movie edit, redeye edit, voice memo, protect, DPOF, startup image, frame composite (3M)
Magnification: Up to 8x, scrollable
Digital filters (playback): Color filters (13), digital filters (5), brightness
Movie edit: Save as still image, movie divide, movie extract

FILE FORMATS
Still: JPG (EXIF 2.2), DCF 2.0 (design rule for camera file system), DPOF, Print Image Matching III
Movie: AVI (DivX with MPG-4), 30 FPS w/ sound, Movie SR
Sound: WAV (PCM), monaural

FILE STORAGE MATRIX (BASED ON 1GB MEMORY)
STILL   
4000x3000 (12M) 201 291 404
3648x2736 (10M) 242 350 486
3072x2304 (7M) 342 495 685
2592x1944 (5M) 481 695 963
2048x1536 (3M) 728 1053 1458
1024x768 (1024) 1856 2682 3714
640x480 (VGA) 3405 4918 6811
MOVIE   
VGA (640x480) H:M:S 0:46:00 0:57:38 1:09:11
QVGA (320x240) H:M:S 2:57:56 3:41:03 4:14:52
SOUND H:M:S 17:11:28

COMPUTER SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS*
*For device connectivity. Bundled software requirements may vary.
Windows: TBA
Mac: TBA
KIT INCLUSIONS
Optio S12, USB Cable I-USB7, AV Cable I-AVC7(B), Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery D-LI68, Battery Charge Cradle D-BC68(C), AC Plug Cord, Strap O-ST20, Software TBA
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
AC Adapter Kit K-AC63U, Battery Charger Kit K-BC68U, PTX-210-LHM Leather Case, PTC-L45 Small Nylon Case, Remote Control E (w/ zoom), Remote Control F, Optio Extended Warranty (2 year)

Pentax Optio V10 Slim Camera

Brian Lam — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:35:40 EDT

The other Pentax launched today is this 8MP slim that is about 2cm thick. Not bad, but a quick Google search shows that Sony's had thinner Cybershots, even if at lower MP ratings. (Not sure if that's counting the big lens cover slides that most T series cams have.) The back has a 3-inch LCD.

Ultra-thin design is achieved using a new compact battery and miniaturized circuit boards
Huge 3.0 inch LCD monitor makes it easy to compose and review images

8.0 megapixel CCD and 3x optical zoom assure high resolution images

Face Recognition Auto Focus and Auto Exposure assure properly exposed portraits

Digital Shake Reduction mode automatically selects higher ISO setting

Powerful flash captures images even in dark locations

Auto Picture mode quickly selects camera settings based on the scene

16 additional capture modes offer versatility

Auto Macro mode allows close-up photography

CAMERA HARDWARE

MODEL: Optio V10
TYPE: Ultra Compact Digital Camera
PRODUCT CODE: 19481, UPC: 027075135932

SENSOR
Type: 1/2.35" interline transfer CCD
Effective pixels: 8.0MP
Total pixels: 8.5MP
Recorded resolutions
Still: 8M (3264x2448), 5M (2592x1944), 4M (2304x1728), 3M (2048x1536), 2M (1600x1200), 1024 (1024x768), VGA (640x480)
Movie: VGA (640x480), QVGA (320x240)
Quality levels:  (best),  (better),  (good)

LENS
Type/construction: Pentax zoom lens, 6 elements, 5 groups, 4 aspherical elements
Optical zoom: 3x
Focal length (equiv.): 6.3-18.9mm (36-108mm)
Digital zoom: 4x
Combined zoom: 12x
Aperture: f/3.1-5.9

LCD/VIEWFINDER
LCD screen: 3.0" TFT color LCD
LCD resolution: 230,000 pixels
Wide angle viewable: YES
Optical viewfinder: n/a

FOCUS SYSTEM
Type: TTL Contrast Detection Autofocus
Autofocus: 9 point autofocus, Spot Autofocus, Auto Tracking Autofocus, and Face Priority Autofocus available
Manual focus: YES, Infinity Landscape also available
Macro focus: YES, macro and super-macro available
Focus lock: Available by pressing the shutter release button half way
Focus range: Normal 1.31' to infinity, Macro 0.33-3.30' (at wide), Super Macro 0.16-1.31'

FLASH
Type: Built-in, series-control auto flash
Flash modes: Auto, on, off, redeye reduction
Effective range: Wide 18' (auto ISO), Tele 9.5' (auto ISO)

STORAGE MEDIA
Internal memory: Approx 52.1 MB
Removable memory: SD, SDHC

INTERFACES
Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed, AV, DC Input
Video out: NTSC, PAL
Printer interfaces: PictBridge

POWER SUPPLY
Power source: D-LI63 rechargeable Li-Ion battery
Recordable images: Approx 200
Playback time: Approx 210 min
Movie recording time: Approx 70 min
Audio recording time: Approx 260 min
AC adapter available: YES (optional)

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions (W x H x D): 3.8 x 2.3 x 0.7"
Weight
Without battery or removable memory: 4.2 oz
Loaded and ready: 4.9 oz
Construction material(s): Aluminum alloy
Operating temperature: 32-104°F
TIMING
Startup: Approx 2.1 sec
Release lag: Approx 0.04 sec
LANGUAGE SUPPORT
English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Russian, Thai, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese

IMAGE CAPTURE

IMAGE STABILIZATION
Still: Digital SR (up to ISO 3200)
Movie: Movie SR
METERING SYSTEM
Type: TTL
Multi-segment: YES
Center weighted: n/a
Spot: n/a
Exposure compensation: +/-2 EV (in 1/3 EV steps)
ISO SENSITIVITY
Auto: 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (auto up to 3200 in Digital SR mode)
Manual: 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
WHITE BALANCE
Auto preset modes: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent
Manual mode(s): YES
SHUTTER
Type: Programmed AE electronic lens shutter w/ CCD electronic shutter
Shutter speed: 1/2000 to 4 sec
CAPTURE MODES
Mode selection: Auto Picture (Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Normal), Program, Night Scene, Movie, Voice Recording, Landscape, Flower, Natural Skin Tone, Portrait, Surf & Snow, Sport, Digital SR, Kids, Pet, Food, Frame Composite (3M)
Green simplified mode available: YES
Face recognition available: YES, available in Portrait and Natural Skin Tone modes
P/A/S/M/B: P
Date stamp: YES (not available in Green Mode)
Digital filters (capture): n/a
DRIVE MODES
Mode selection: one shot, self timer (2s, 10s), continuous
Continuous FPS: Approx 1.4 FPS
Self-timer: YES (2s, 10s)
Remote control: n/a
PLAYBACK MODES
Mode selection: One Shot, Index (9 thumbnails), Magnification, Movie Playback, Sound Playback, Histogram, Bright/Dark Indication, Folder Display, Select & Delete, Calendar
Mode Pallet: Slideshow, Resize, Trimming, Image & Sound Copy, Image Rotation, Digital Filter, Brightness Filter, Frame Composite, Redeye Reduction, Voice Memo, Protect, DPOF, Startup Image
Magnification: YES, up to 8x, scroll available
Digital filters (playback): Black and White, Sepia, Color Filter (6 filters available), Color Extract (B&W w/ red, green, blue), Soft
Movie edit: n/a
FILE FORMATS
Still: JPG (EXIF 2.2), DCF, DPOF, Print Image Matching III
Movie: AVI (Motion JPG), 30/15 FPS, w/ sound, color, sepia, monochrome
Sound: WAV (PCM), monaural

Pentax Optio A40 Camera Records in DivX

Brian Lam — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:02:17 EDT

The medium-sized A40 has a 3x zoom, a 12MP rating and digital and mechanical shot stabilization. Coolest is its ability to record in DivX, which I guess is neato for distributing your home movies on BitTorrent, but maybe won't result in high quality movies once you run 'em through iMovie or Windows Movie Maker for a second pass of squishing. Ah, like many of the cameras in this tier, it has face recognition with Natural Skin Tone mode (which turns your skin into the tone of a band-aid, regardless of race), and Half-Length Portrait mode which uses the spare pixelage above to autocrop a photo to shoulder length.

The 12.0 megapixel CCD and 3x optical zoom assure high resolution images
The triple Shake Reduction technology includes SR, Digital SR, and Movie SR

Enhanced Face Recognition Auto Focus and Auto Exposure assure properly exposed portraits

With Dynamic Range Adjustment, highlights and shadow areas will be properly exposed to show more detail

The 2.5" LCD monitor, with Bright mode and wide field of view, makes sharing images easy

High-quality movie captures MPEG-4 DivX® (640 x 480) at 30fps with anti-shake and editing functions

Wide range of automatic and manual exposure modes includes manual exposure and shutter priority modes

Intelligent zoom function enhances the digital zoom

Ultra compact and lightweight design

CAMERA HARDWARE

MODEL: Optio A40
TYPE: Ultra-Compact Digital Camera
PRODUCT CODE: 19361, UPC: 027075130135

SENSOR
Type: 1/1.7" Interline Transfer CCD w/ primary color filter
Effective pixels: 12MP
Total pixels: 12.4MP
Recorded resolutions
Still: 12M (4000x3000), 10M (3648x2736), 7M (3072x2304), 5M (2592x1944), 3M (2048x1536), 1024 (1024x768), VGA (640x480)
Movie: VGA (640x480), QVGA (320x240)
Quality levels:  (best),  (better),  (good)

LENS
Type/construction: smc Pentax Zoom Lens (7E, 5G, 2 dual aspheric lenses, 1 single aspheric lens)
Optical zoom: 3x, 7.9-23.7mm
Focal length (equiv.): 37-111mm
Intelligent zoom: approx. 3.3x (10M), 3.9x (7M), 4.6x (5M), 5.7x (3M), 11.4x (1024), 17.9x (VGA)
Digital zoom: approx 6x
Combined zoom: approx 17.9x
Aperture: f/2.8-5.4

LCD/VIEWFINDER
LCD screen: 2.5" TFT color LCD with LCD Bright Mode, 50 FPS refresh
LCD resolution: 232,000 pixels
Wide angle viewable: YES, 160° horizontal and vertical
Optical viewfinder: n/a

FOCUS SYSTEM
Type: TTL contrast detection autofocus w/ AF assist lamp
Autofocus: 5 point AF, spot, tracking, and face recognition autofocus modes available
Manual focus: YES
Macro focus: YES, macro and super macro
Focus lock: YES, by pressing the shutter release button half way
Focus range: normal 1.15' to infinity, macro 0.39-1.31', super macro 0.20-0.49'
FLASH
Type: built-in series-control auto flash
Flash modes: on, off, auto, redeye, soft flash
Effective range: wide 23' auto ISO, telephoto 11' auto ISO

STORAGE MEDIA
Internal memory: 21MB
Removable memory: SD, SDHC
INTERFACES
Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed, AV out, DC in
Video out: NTSC and PAL
Printer interfaces: PictBridge
POWER SUPPLY
Power source: Rechargeable D-LI68 lithium ion battery
Recordable images: approx 240
Playback time: approx 250 min
Movie recording time: Approx 80 min
Audio recording time: Approx 210 min
AC adapter available: optional
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions (W x H x D): 3.6 x 2.2 x 0.9"
Weight
Without battery or removable memory: 4.6 oz
Loaded and ready: 5.3 oz
Construction material(s): aluminum alloy
Operating temperature: 32-104°F
TIMING
Startup: approx 1.8 sec
Release lag: approx 0.005 sec
Shot to Shot: approx 1.25 FPS

LANGUAGE SUPPORT
English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Russian, Thai, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese

IMAGE CAPTURE

IMAGE STABILIZATION
Still: sensor shift shake reduction, Digital SR Mode (ISO 3200 at 5MP)
Movie: Movie SR
METERING SYSTEM
Type: TTL
Multi-segment: YES
Center weighted: YES
Spot: YES
Exposure compensation: +/- 2 EV in 1/3 steps
ISO SENSITIVITY
Auto: 50-800 (3200 in Digital SR, 5MP), auto range selectable
Manual: 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 (3200 in Digital SR, 5MP)
WHITE BALANCE
Auto preset modes: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent
Manual mode(s): YES
SHUTTER
Type: Programmed AE electronic lens shutter w/ CCD electronic shutter
Shutter speed: 1/2000 to 4 sec
CAPTURE MODES
Mode selection: Auto Picture (Normal, Night Scene, Landscape, Portrait), Program, Shutter Priority, Manual, Natural Skin Tone, Half-length Portrait (3MP), Night Scene, Movie, Voice Recording, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Kids, Digital SR (5MP), Surf & Snow, Sport, Pet, Text, Food, Frame Composite (3MP), Dynamic Range Adjustment
Green simplified mode available: YES
Face recognition available: YES, recognize up to 15 faces in all capture modes
P/A/S/M/B: P, S, M
Date stamp: YES (not available in Green Mode)
Digital filters (capture): n/a
DRIVE MODES
Mode selection: one shot, self timer (10s, 2s), continuous, remote control (3s, 0s), multi-exposure (5MP)
Continuous shooting: approx 1.25 FPS
Self-timer: YES, 10 sec, 2 sec
Remote control: infrared, 3 sec, 0 sec (remote optional)
PLAYBACK MODES
Mode Selection: one shot, index (9 thumbnails), magnification, movie playback, sound playback, histogram, select/delete, calendar
Mode Palate: slideshow, resize, trimming, image/sound copy, image rotation, color filter, digital filter, brightness filter, movie edit, redeye edit, voice memo, protect, DPOF, startup screen, frame composite
Magnification: up to 8x, scrollable
Digital Filter Effects: color filters (13), digital filters (5), brightness filter
Movie edit: save as still image, divide movies, extract movies
FILE FORMATS
Still: JPG (EXIF 2.2), DCF, DPOF, Print Image Matching III
Movie: AVI (DivX with MPG-4), 30 FPS w/ sound, movie anti-shake
Sound: WAV (PCM), monaural

Pentax Optio A30 Boots Up, Shoots and Focuses Quicker

Charlie White — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 23:11:11 EST

Pentax goosed its Optio A series with the A30, a 10-megapixel point-and-shoot camera with a 3x optical lens and a 2.5-inch LCD. Besides a newfangled gyro system to reduce shakiness, the big update on this one is speed, where it's ready to use in 1.8 seconds and has a quick .02-second shutter delay. If you take lots of shots of kids or sports, you know how important it is to have a quick reset, and its faster focus helps, too.

The A30 keeps that manual mode that we liked in the A20, along with 640x480 movies compressed in our fave codec, the DivX format instead of that antiquated motion JPEG of the Canon point-and-shoots.

Another factor to consider is that our buddy David Pogue of The New York Times gave high marks to the A30's predecessor, the Pentax Optio A20, calling it one of the best cameras for under $300. Pentax wasn't talking price or release date yet, but this one hits the numbers. – Charlie White

Pentax Optio A30 [LetsGoDigital]

Pentax Optio W30 Waterproof Shooter Dives Deeper Than Ever

Charlie White — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:15:00 EST

Pentax has been dabbling in waterproof point-and-shoot digital cameras for a while, and now its Optio W30 is even more waterproof than its W20 predecessor. This one can be submerged to 9 feet for two hours (besting the 5 feet and 30 minutes for the W20) and still keep on clicking away.

In the specs department, its megapixelidge stays at 7.1, as does its 2.5-inch viewfinder and 3x optical zoom lens. But it adds SDHC memory card compatibility, and now even its 640x480 movies have a basic shake reduction function.

But it's that waterproof function that's the hook here, and the ability to go 9 feet deep makes a huge difference, letting you take it into most swimming pools without worrying about ruining it if it slips out of your hands. No pricing was announced yet, but it'll be less than $300. – Charlie White

Pentax Optio W30 [LetsGoDigital]

Point-and-Shoot Image Stabilization Test (Winners: Pentax Optio A10 and Sony DSC-T30)

Jason Chen — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 19:46:03 EDT

Putting five point-and-shoot cameras through various tests, Digital Camera Info tried to determine which one presented the best image stabilization for your money. The result was surprising.

Although the Nikon Coolpix P3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50 have good image stabilization and performed notably better with the feature on, the Sony DSC-T30 and the Pentax Opti A10 produced better images. Why? Because they're better cameras, and image stabilization is just one part to getting good picture.

One thing of note is that the Pentax Optio A10 moves the CCD around instead of the lens to provide image stabilization—uncommon thanks to the lens' lighter weight. But the results say the A10 performs just as well as the others. – Jason Chen

DCI Comparison Feature: Point-and-Shoot Image Stabilization Tested [Digital Camera Info]

Pentax Optio W20: Underwater, But Not Too Deep

Charlie White — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 09:58:54 EDT

Scuba divers look elsewhere, but this Pentax Optio 20 can get you some great-looking underwater bathing suit shots if the water is clear enough. You can take it to a depth of five feet for up to 30 minutes; no word on what happens at 31 minutes. Just don't drop it in deep water, because it doesn't float.

The W20's spec list looks fairly conventional, although its pixel count has been raised to 7 megapixels from its Optio W10 predecessor's 6 megapixels, but it still has that 2.5-inch viewfinder and face recognition autofocus. Look for it to ship in September for around $300. – Charlie White

Pentax Optio W20 [ Digital Photography Blog]

Pentax Optio S7 Debuts

Charlie White — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 08:49:49 EDT

Pentax updates its S series with the Optio S7, raising the megapixel count to 7.0 and bringing along a 3x optical zoom and 2.5-inch LCD viewscreen. Pentax follows suit with a number of other camera makers, trying to help users sharpen up their images by giving them faster response, raising the ISO to 1600. This gives users the equivalent of loading up a roll of fast film back in the old analog film days.

There are some other notable features inside, such as DivX movie shooting with an anti-shake feature that slightly zooms in the picture so it can be stabilized, and also auto tracking autofocus, which should come in handy when practicing that time-honored art form: fidgety kid photography. Look for the Pentax Optio S7 in September for $299. – Charlie White

Pentax Optio S7 [Digital Photography Blog]

New Pentax Cameras

tgrumet — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 10:33:34 EST

Here's another couple of cameras shown off at CES. Pentax had its compact Optio A10 with 8 megapixels and a 1.8-inch CCD with its own "shake reduction" technology. Whether any of these motion-stopping technologies work is still a mystery, but I guess it's good to have it in there just in case. Though if your hands are shaking that much, we suggest checking out the closest rehab. Other features include 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, MPEG-4 video recording, PictBridge Direct Printing Support, 24MB of internal memory and expansion via an SD card slot. Retails for $350.

The Optio E10 was also announced, though at only 6 megapixels but with a nice $200 pricetag. This is pretty much an entry-level camera and comes with six different still-image shooting modes, movie mode and setup mode. Also includes a 2.4-inch LCD monitor, 10MB built-in memory plus an SD expansion card slot, PictBridge compatibility, and AVI movie capture.

PENTAX UNVEILS OPTIO A10 AND OPTIO E10 AT CES 2006 [Pentax]

Pricing for Pentax Optio line [Shopping.com]

Pentax Optio S60

gizmogo — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 08:30:56 EDT

It's been awhile, but Pentax finally released a new camera last week dubbed the Optio S60. It's a 6 megapixel camera with a 2.5-inch LCD screen, 3x optical zoom, and a "simple mode" feature that lets the camera pick out optimal settings for a particular shot. Powered by two AA batteries, it has 11 Mb internal memory, and an SD card slot. Available in October 2005 for under $300.

Pentax Optio S60 Digital Camera [MobileWhack]