1. 8.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
2. 5x optical zoom; Digital Shake Reduction
3. 3.0-inch LCD monitor; 170-degree viewing angle
4. Face Recognition AF and AE , Smile Capture, and Blink Detection for portraits
5. Compatible with SD/SDHC memory cards (not included); 52 MB built-in memory

Editorial Review :

With a 5X zoom lens, 8.0 megapixels, and a generous 3.0-inch LCD monitor, the ultra-slim and stylish Pentax Optio V20 makes it easy to capture and to view images. Three innovative features on the Optio V20 help users optimize portrait photographs. Face Recognition automatically detects and focuses on faces, then sets the optimum exposure. Smile Capture detects smiles and releases the shutter automatically, while Blink Detection reports whether any subjects closed their eyes in an image, so that the shot may be recaptured if necessary. Additional features include auto-tracking AF, built-in memory, and an Auto-Macro mode that allows close-up photography.

Customer Review :

happy with purchase

Haven't used it that long, but very happy with camera. It is small and easy to use with good optical zoom.

Rating :

Pentax Optio V20 is a winner!

I have owned this camera for just a brief period of time, but since all I look for is a camera that's easy to use, takes great pictures, and has a quick refresh time between pictures, this is definitely the right camera.

Just remember to buy a memory card and screen protector too!

Rating :

Little Body, BIG On Features

I bought both this camera and a 9MP Sony H50. I find myself using this camera 10x as often as the Sony. Its 8MP takes every bit as good of pictures, the lag time using a flash is faster, the screen is large and clear, and the menu is much more user friendly. Besides all that, it is lightweight and the placement of the zoom control makes more sense. Not a real big deal, but the sounds are more pleasant than the Sony's which got on my nerves pretty quickly. The only thing lacking in this camera that the Sony has is the extended zoom(15X), but the 5x zoom is GREAT for a camera this sleek. I was always impressed with my Pentax 35mm cameras and this little guy does not disappoint.

Rating :

1. 7.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
2. 3x optical zoom (with high-ISO shake reduction); 2.5-inch LCD display
3. Photograph from as close as two inches away in Super Macro mode and and four inches in Auto Macro mode
4. Movies at 30 frames per second at 640 x 480 resolution
5. Stores images on SD or SDHC memory cards (21.9MB internal memory included); powered by li-ion battery (battery and charger included)

Editorial Review :

Sporting an ultra-slim body with a fresh, textured design, the affordable Optio M30 features Digital Shake Reduction, Face Recognition AF and AE, and an Auto-Macro function that enables close-up photography up to two inches in Super Macro mode and less than four inches in Auto Macro mode. Loaded with outstanding image quality thanks to a 7.1 megapixel CCD and a 3X optical smc PENTAX lens (focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 38-114mm lens in 35mm format), this camera is ideal for photographing a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes, through sightseeing photographs, to portraits. The Optio M30 captures smooth, high-quality movies at 30 fps at a resolution of 640x480 pixels, which is comparable to movies taken with a camcorder. Easy to use, easy on the wallet - the Optio M30 is hard to beat!

Customer Review :

It will loose all of your pictures!!!

I really loved this camera when I bought it earlier this year until it totally lost all my pictures by doing something to the SD card. Be carefull with this one because it did ths to me repeatedly with different SD card sizes and brands. Its too bad but I lost some spectactular shts on a once in a lifetime trip because of this.


Rating :

Just awesome!

Funny story... My daughter had this camera summer 2007, I got used to using it (stills, video, audio tags, etc) I just had to get one for myself! After taking the time to learn all the functions I use it all the time. Compact enough to put in my pocket, durable enough to handle sitting on it if it was my back pocket! Took it to Rio Brazil and it did awesome!! Negative comments on using it in low light or dark... they were just not doing it right or not patient with the operation. I took night shots of Rio from The Sugarloaf that were beautiful.
Transferring pictures is easy, use the supplied cable or remove the SD card and use your card reader (if you have one!)
Get this camera, get an SD card (2GB or more) and enjoy! You will not be disapointed in your purchase and now the price is even lower!!

Rating :

PENTAX OPTIO M30

I'VE HAD THIS FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND LOVE IT. I GOT MY WIFE A CANON SD1000 AND FOUND THE MENU ON THE PENTAX EASIER TO NAVIGATE. TAKES GREAT PICTURES. ALOT OF PICTURE OPTIONS. BE SURE TO GET THE CORRECT SD CARD FOR RAPID SHOOTING. LOW LIGHT IS ALWAYS A PROMLEM WITH ANY DIGITAL CAMERA OR AT LEAST IN THIS PRICE RANGE MAYBE. NICE LOOKING CAMERA. RECOMMEND FOR EASE OF USE, PICTURE QUALITY, FEATURES AND PRICE.

Rating :

Good Camera

Recently purchased camera for my daughter, simple to use without
reading instructions, picture quality good, large screen, probably
as good as kodak z710 recently purchased for twice as much, and has
more features. Very small also.

Rating :

Slow on the trigger

This camera recently broke due to a fall down some stairs and I felt relieved that I could justify buying something else. It took good pictures, but the lag time between pressing the button and the shutter firing was horrible. Getting any kind of action shot was impossible.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 10.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
2. 2.5-inch LCD display; 3x optical zoom with Shake Reduction technology
3. Face-Recognition Auto Focus and Auto Exposure assure properly exposed portraits
4. Record movies with sound in Divx MPEG-4 movie format
5. Powered by D-LI8 lithium-ion battery; stores images on SD/SDHC memory cards (includes 22 MB internal memory)

Editorial Review :

The 10.0 Megapixel CCD and 3x optical zoom assure high-resolution images while Enhanced Shake Reduction technology includes SR, Digital SR and Movie SR. The 2.5-inch LCD monitor makes sharing images easy with Bright mode and wide field of view. Face Recognition Auto Focus and Auto Exposure assure properly exposed portraits. The 0.02-second shutter lag time let's you have swift operation and the intelligent zoom function enhances the digital zoom. High-quality movie can be captured at MPEG-4 DivX (640 x 480) at 30fps with anti-shake and editing functions. Choose from a wide range of automatic and manual exposure modes including manual exposure and shutter priority modes. ISO Auto - 64-1600, 3200 available in Digital SR Mode at 5MP ISO Manual - 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 White Balance - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual modes Shutter speed - 1/2000 to 4 sec Sensor Type - 1/1.8-inch Interline Transfer CCD with primary color filter Lens Type - SMC Pentax Zoom Lens (7E, 5G, 2 dual aspheric lenses, 1 single aspheric lens) 160 degrees horizontal and vertical wide angle viewable LCD Viewfinder Capture Modes - Auto Picture (Normal, Night Scene, Landscape, Portrait), Program, Night Scene, Movie, Voice Recording, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Kids, Digital SR, Surf & Snow, Sport, Pet, Text, Food, Frame Composite File formats - JPG (EXIF 2.2), DCF, DPOF, Print Image Matching III Sills, AVI (DivX with MPG-4) Movie, WAV (PCM), monaural sound NTSC and PAL Video out Aluminum Alloy Construction Materials System Requirements - Windows ME, 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS 9.2, X (10.1 or later) and USB port Dimensions - Width 3.5 x Height 2.3 x Depth 0.9 inch Weight - 4.6 ounces without battery

Customer Review :

DO NOT BUY PENTAX

BAD CUSTOMER SUPPORT- DOES NOT HONOR WARRANTY.

I had read this in other reviews, and chose to ignore it and purchase another pentax- I had an Optio S5i for 4 years and wanted a similar camera. When I bought the camera I also purchased an extended warranty. I have had this camera for less than a month, I was taking pictures on a field trip- and the next thing I notice the LCD screen is completely blank. I email Pentax, they tell me to send it in for repair- and once it gets there I get a bill for the repairs. Not only should the camera be covered under the standard warranty- the fact that I have extended warranty is ignored. I called the company, spoke to a couple of associates and a supervisor named Dorian, who was very condescending towards me- and insisted the damage was my fault and they were not going to cover the costs.
BOTTOM LINE-DO NOT BUY PENTAX- THE COSTOMER SERVICE IS TERRIBLE.




Rating :

Great Product

Great product. I am very happy about the purchase. It is compact and easily portable. Fits in my bag effortlessly. Output of the pics are wonderful. The shake reduction feature allows my kids to handle it easily, without any disappointment.

Rating :

Superb Little Camera

A small slim pocket size camera. It is apleasure to own and use, produces excellent results. My only citisism is I do find if I am not careful in its use my right thumb will inadvertally ptress on the fourway controller and select operations I do not require.

Rating :

Poor quality and very limited guarantee

I regret having bought this camera. If you want poor quality workmanship that will break in the first week of use and cost you close to $100 to have the LCD repaired because its not covered by the guarantee, buy this camera. Having experienced Pentanx after-sales 'service', I wouldn't buy another one of their products.

Rating :

Compare to my sd600

This is a comparison with my sd700. I am an engineer, I tend to compare things how they are made and their features. These two cameras are both compact, but they have different sensor size. Pentax A30 has a sensor of 1/1.8 inch where sd600 has 1/2.5 inch. I value the sensor size very much, larger senor will give you better image quality if all other factors are the same; and normally larger sensor are more expensive. For example, DSLR normally have a sensor size roughly 1 inch priced from $500 to $2000 or 1.5inch for those top-of-line ones costing from $2000 to 9000.
For images, A30 gives better image quality in daylight for sure because it is a 10M camera and SD700 has 6M sensor; and the lens on A30 may be a little better than SD700.
But there are plus side for sd700 also, in continuous shooting mode, SD700 can shoot more than 2 frames per second, where A30 can only do 1 FPS. SD700 has 4X zoom range where A30 has 3X.
In video shooting, sd700 seems have a better image quality possiblly due to its less compression ratio format, and it also processes lighting changing smoothly. On the other hand, A30 has much longer shooting time, with 8GB memory card, its shooting time can compete with mini-DV camcorder, but you can easily detect the camera changing its exposure because you see the brightness changing in the movie.
Overall they are both good cameras, but I feel that Canon really maximized the potential of their camera where the Pentax used good stuff to make the camera, but left some areas to be improved.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 6.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 14 x 19-inch prints
2. 3x optical zoom; 3.0-inch touch-screen LCD display
3. Capture movies in QuickTime motion JPEG (640 x 480) at 30 frames per second; built-in movie editing functions
4. Features creative Drawing Function, Stamp Modes, Image cut-out, and built-in Picture frames
5. Powered by Lithium-ion battery DL-I8 (battery, charger, and AC cord included); stores images on SD memory cards

Editorial Review :

Featuring an impressive 3.0 inch LCD touch-display, 6.0 megapixels and a 3X zoom, the Optio T10 is slim and stylish, offers finger and stylus touch control, and allows users to decorate images with drawings, stamps, and picture frames. The Optio T10 is sure to impress anyone looking for a whole new digital photography experience in a compact package! 3 LCD Touch Display with Stylus 10 Picture Modes; 11 Digital Playback Filters; Single-shot, Continuous, Self-Timer (2sec, 10sec), Auto-bracket, and Remote control Drive Modes 12MB Built-in Memory; Secure Digital (SD) Memory card slot An SD Card is NOT included, therefore we suggest purchasing an Optional 512MB memory card. It will allow you to store a lot more video and images, as well as take advantage of the camera's high resolution abilities. Direct printing to any PictBridge compatible Printer via included USB cable without a computer Interfaces - USB 2.0, A/V output (NCS/PAL), DC input Approximate Unit Dimensions - (WxHxD) 3.7 x 2.3 x 0.8; Unit Weight - 4.8 oz. without battery and SD memory card, 5.5 oz. fully loaded

Customer Review :

great camera

This is a great camera. My only complaint is that the big LCD screen is hard to see out in bright sunlight.

Rating :

Horrible lens.

I am 14 years old, and this was my 4th digital camera. It was a sleek camera with an interesting touch display for a good price. I bought it and loved it. I loved editing the pictures in-camera. I got so many comments on the easy to use touch screen user interface and everyone always crowded around it. The lens, however, would sometimes stall when powering down, causing it to automatically power-down and forcing me to push the lens casing manually back into the device. Eventually, one day, I powered on, and the lens completely fell off! I was horrified. I sent it in, and Pentax wanted $278.00 to fix the camera. Which was more than I paid for it in the first place! Needless to say, I did not pay for the camera repairs, and I'm now looking for a new digital camera. It also seems I am not the only one to have experienced such problems. Almost every single review for the next generation, the Pentax Optio T20, mentions the faulty lens. Also, the screen washes out COMPLETELY in bright light. The battery also lasts approximately two hours on each charge. All said, I will never buy another Pentax item.

Rating :

THIS THING ROX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got this like a month ago and it is the greatest f-in thing eva!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is sooooooooooo kool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rating :

thiscamerastinksbad....BAD! ZERO STARS

This is the stinkiest and worst camera ever. We bought it to take graduation pics when I got my BA and it didn't work from the beginning. We thought it was us but is was not. The sensor didn't work from the factory. The store we bought it at (KITS in Seattle) gave us hell when we brought it back and didn't want to replace it. They sent it to the shop to fix and it came back the same way. Finally they gave us a new one but it had the same sensor problem too. We kept it for a while and it malfunctioned and took BAD pictures as well as horrible video. The camera just stopped working the other day. We have not gotten the $350 out of it that we spent and will get immense pleasure slamming it on the ground into a million pieces.
We went and got a Samsung for about $90 and it is better than the pentax ever was. Plus we will feel better having to throw away $90 rather than $350.
BUY THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK...the features are cool, if you can get them to work.
PLUS the store that sold it to us DOESN"T advertise this camera at all anymore...says a lot to us.
BEWARE!

Rating :

an ok camera, only one con so far

only one con i am not satisfied, it is that 3 inch touch screen, although it is big and touchable, brings a lot of fun and convenience to users, but this screen is very glary, on a shinny outdoor environment, it is very hard to see things on the screen, you almost won't be able to see anything, so actually when I took photos outdoor, I was just holding the camera and aimed to the direction where i wanted to take photos and pressed the button, no way to know if the camera aimed to the right thing. they should make this screen free of glare. other than that, all is fine.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 12-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-sized prints
2. 3x optical zoom; Digital Shake Reduction
3. 2.5-inch LCD screen; Face Recognition function
4. New Dynamic Range Adjustment function
5. Capture images to SD cards (not included); 21.1MB of built-in memory

Editorial Review :

The tiny, pocket-sized, 12 megapixel Optio S12 features face recognition and dynamic range adjustment that's ideal for portraits. For easy composition and review of images, the S12 offers a generous 2.5 inch LCD monitor with an anti-reflective coating and bright mode. Digital shake reduction automatically selects a higher ISO, up to 3200, for blur-free images.

Customer Review :

Pentax Optio S12 12MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Camera is easy to operate and fun to use. When my wife saw it she started using it and likes if better than her large big name camera and I have to fight her to get to use it.

For its small size it has a lot of features that normally are only found on larger more expensive cameras. I have owned Pentax cameras since Viet Nam and they usually match up nicely with most of the more well known brands.

Would purchase this camera again today!

Rating :

excellent product

I would like to say that this is the best camera that I have ever had. Excellent quality of the pictures, simple menu, too many options, small size and so on. I had a Sony Cybershot and I was extremly disappointed from them. So bad camera, bad quality of the pictures,problem with the batteries and so on... Highly recommend Pentax brand and especially this camera!!!

Rating :

Fantastic

I bought this camera for my wife's birthday present (Dec. 15). She is "electronicly challenged", but it is so easy for her to use. The pictures are so clear. I am sure there are better cameras out there, but I don't think you'll beat this one for the price. I am more than pleased, I am ecstatic. You would have to know my wife to appreciate this review!

Rating :

Little beauty

First off: I am hardly a professional photographer,but I have been taking pictures for 45 years. So my review will not be full of technical stuff.
I gave up film cameras quite a while ago.My first digicam was a whopping 1.3mps,which I thought was astounding.I gradually progressed up to the point where I have this little gem,all 12MP's of it. I am using it as a replacement for a small,but hard-working Nikon P&S.Not a replacement,more of an addition...but I didn't want to carry a really expensive camera on my motorcycle,or when I take the menagerie to the dog park,so I use the Nikon for those things,and this Pentax for everything else.
It takes wonderful photos.It's very intuitive,and if you have ever used a typical P&S camera,you will catch up to this one in a few shoots.It takes good shots in any kind of outdoor lighting,and indoors as well.The clarity of each shot is great.Close-ups of my animals are especially good.I can see every whisker and the evil glistening in their eyes as they plot yet another way to create havoc in my house.I took one of my parrot,who hates cameras,and the "pinning" of his eyes was caught in all its maniacal glory.
I am going to use this tiny thing for a long time.It is extremely tiny,but that makes it more useable.Pocket-size is great for a P&S.I haven't noticed any unusual color problems.
All in all,it's a great camera,and I am quite happy with my purchase.

Rating :