Pentax Optio 30 3.2MP with a detailed digital imaging system, the Optio 30 is an appealing choice for those who want good-looking pictures from a camera that’s easy to use.
The Optio 30 has a 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor, which can capture images with enough detail to print photo-quality at sizes up to 10 by 14 inches. It comes with a Pentax high-efficiency 3x optical zoom, which coupled with the camera’s 4x digital zoom, allows you to a combined zoom of 12x.
Like many other digital cameras in its class, the Optio 30 can capture short, silent video clips in movie mode. The maximum length of the movies this camera can capture is governed by resolution settings (either 320×240 or 160×120 pixels) and memory card size, but generally these movies are just a few minutes in length. While not camcorder quality, these types of video clips are fun and convenient, and they’re perfect as e-mail attachments. The camera does not come with a video output terminal, which is often used to connect the camera to a TV, but you can move them to your PC via the camera’s USB port.
Helpful consumer’s review
I spent a week researching the internet and photo magazines before deciding on the Optio 30. A major selling point, besides price, was that it uses the much smaller and popular SD card for external storage. I bought a new 256 Mb card for $40 (after rebate). I’ve had the camera for only three days and have taken over 100 hundred pictures in varying resolution. I haven’t printed any photos, but uploaded into a computer they all turned out really well. The camera is easy to hold and the control buttons are simple to configure. The Optio 30 is ready to shoot about 2 secs after powering it up. The case has a metallic finish which will repel minor scratches, and the lens retracts nicely into the body after powering down. I’m pleased with this purchase.
I had to return it because the LCD display worked for a few minutes, then went very dark. I have ordered another one, thinking that this might be a rare manufacturing defect.
I will be using it a lot this summer, so we’ll see if the display holds up this time.
All else worked correctly. I liked the over-all size & placement of the controls.
7/01/2004….The camera has been working great. No problems with the digital display. I’ll up my review from the original one star to now 5 stars. It turned out to be exactly what I wanted. Simple, yet very capable.
