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Pentax Optio A30 Digital Camera

Pentax A30

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Key Features of the Pentax A30 :
  • Compact Digital Camera with 10 Megapixel Resolution
  • Shake Reduction Mechanism
  • 2.5" LCD Screen
  • 3X Optical Zoom
  • Approximately 22MB of built-in memory
  • Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject
 The Pentax Optio A30 features 10.0 effective megapixels, a 1/1.8-inch CCD with a wide dynamic range for superior tones, an smc Pentax zoom lens and an image processing engine that gives a rich color reproduction. The Pentax original Shake Reduction (SR) technology in the A30 has been improved by adding both Digital and Movie SR for improved image capture in low-light settings and telephoto capture. A unique Face Recognition AF and AE function offers better results in photographs by automatically detecting faces, and then adjusting exposure and focus to properly capture portraits.

As a DivX-certified digital camera, the Optio A30 also makes it easy for users to create their own media for both business and social purposes. With the push of a button, users can instantly record high-quality DivX video and discover simple playback on any of the 50 million DivX-certified consumer electronics devices available today.

Optio A30 Highlights

High-quality images With 10.0 effective megapixels, the Optio A30 achieves one of the highest image quality levels in a compact digital camera. The 1/1.8-inch CCD features a wide light-sensitive area for superior tone reproduction. The camera features an smc Pentax zoom lens renowned for high resolving power, an image processing engine that makes a rich color reproduction possible, and three Shake Reduction functions.

Shake Reduction Enhancements

  • Shake Reduction The new shake detection accuracy of the Optio A30 is achieved incorporating a high-accuracy gyro sensor and a control algorithm used for SR technology in Pentax digital SLR cameras, which consists of an exclusive shifting CCD system. This allows highly corrective effects, equivalent to shutter speeds of approximately 2.5 to 3.5 steps to be achieved when shooting still images.
  • Digital Shake Reduction* The Digital SR mode automatically alters sensitivity according to the brightness of the subject, and effectively reduces camera shake and subject blur. For the Optio A30, the maximum sensitivity has been improved to ISO 3200 to allow faster shutter speeds and more blur free photography.
    * Image recording size is fixed to 5 M (2592 x 1944 pixels) when the Digital SR mode is selected.
  • Movie Shake Reduction* An electronic shake reduction function exclusively for capturing movies, which effectively corrects distortions in images due to camera shakes through software.
    * When using Movie SR mode, the field of view is narrower than that during normal video recording.
New, brighter, easier-to-view LCD monitor The Optio A30 features a high-intensity LCD monitor with an LCD booster function that improves screen brightness on demand. The monitor is easier to view outdoors even in bright sunlight, and with a 2.5-inch screen size and a high resolution of 232,000 pixels, confirming picture compositions and focus is easy. The screen also offers wide-angle viewing of 160 degrees, since there is little change in brightness and colors even when looking at the monitor diagonally.

Face Recognition AF and AE The Optio A30 is equipped with a Face Recognition AF and AE function* that automatically detects and focuses on faces, regardless of where the people appear in the photo frame. In addition, optimal exposure settings are automatically adjusted so that the areas with faces are not darkened even if there is backlighting. *Available when the photography mode is "Portrait" or "Kid" and the camera is directed at people from the front. This camera’s Face Recognition AF and AE function uses the Face Tracker face-recognition technology from FotoNation.

Swift operation speeds Photography and playback operation speeds are enhanced on the A30 for all-around improved results especially in action settings. In addition to a 0.02-second release time lag, focus and start-up times have been improved.

Intelligent Zoom function The Optio A30 is equipped with a new Intelligent Zoom function, an evolved form of digital zoom, enabling users to digitally magnify images and maintain the image quality of optical zoom.

Video Recording mode enables high-quality recording for longer time periods The Optio A30 captures movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640 x 480 pixels with image quality rivaling camcorders. Equipped with DivX (MPEG-4 compliant) movie format,* the Optio A30 captures longer, high-quality movies in smaller files.
*The Optio A30 is DivX certified. Movie playback is not supported on Macintosh operating systems.

A wide range of exposure setting modes With Programmed Exposure mode, the Optio A30 automatically determines shutter speed and aperture. The camera also includes Shutter-Priority AE mode and Manual Exposure mode, which users may set for desired effects.

Compact, lightweight body Despite a large CCD, an SR system and a 3x optical zoom lens with a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 38-114mm lens in 35mm format, the Optio A30 features a slim, light body with a unique Sliding Lens System* and high-density mounting technology.
* A Pentax proprietary lens system where the central lens group slides upward and away from the optical axis. Housing the lens in two steps in the lens cylinder reduces overall lens thickness, thereby minimizing body depth.

Other Features

  • Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject
  • Compatible with new SDHC memory cards, in addition to conventional SD memory cards
  • mode Palette provides quick access to 15 shooting modes and 15 playback modes
  • A "Green button" enables users to assign functions that are frequently used and recall them in just one touch
  • Approximately 22MB of built-in memory
  • Calendar Display function allows image retrieval based on the capture date
  • Easy searching and organizing of images on a PC using the Date Folder function
  • FotoNation’s red-eye correction function for correcting red eye after shooting, which occurs easily when photographing with flash
  • Includes the ACDSee for Pentax image viewer/image management software
  • Supports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III



Pentax A30 Photo Samples

Click here to view more samples.
These are actual photos taken with Pentax A30.
Photos courtesy of Flickr and belong to respective users. To view a larger image click on thumbnail.

Compare Pentax A30 with similar cameras
Name: Pentax A30 Kodak V1003 Kodak M1033 Fujifilm Z20fd
Megapixels: 10.0 10.0 10.1 10.0
Optical Zoom: 3 X 3 X 3 X 3 X
Max Res: 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
LCD Screen: 2.5 " 2.5 " 3.0 " 2.5 "
Digital zoom: Yes, 4 x 4X Yes, 5 x Yes, 5.7x
Image stabilizer: Yes, Sensor shift No No No
Media Card: SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC card + Internal SD/SDHC/MMC card, Internal xD Picturecard/SD/SDHC/MMC
Battery: Lithium-Ion rechargeable Kodak Lithium-Ion, dock & charger Kodak KLIC-7004 Lithium-Ion, & charger NP-45 Li Ion battery
Weight (with batteries): 145 g (5.1 oz) 185 g (6.5 oz) 166 g (5.9 oz) 111g
Lowest Price: $139.99 $121.00 $142.95 $124.95
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Pentax A30 User Reviews

Avg. Rating
4.0
Out of 5
 This item is reviewed by 18 people so far.
Click here for complete reviews.

5
Out of 5
Great Product
- Reviewd on: 2008-11-04 By: Kookie
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.
1
Out of 5
Poor quality and very limited guarantee
- Reviewd on: 2008-10-20 By: Pete Jones
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.
4
Out of 5
Compare to my sd600
- Reviewd on: 2008-05-30 By: Liwei Sheng
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.
1
Out of 5
DO NOT BUY PENTAX
- Reviewd on: 2008-04-21 By: Pilar Eble
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.


5
Out of 5
Superb Little Camera
- Reviewd on: 2008-04-15 By: Mrdwheyes
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.