Pentax Optio 30 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

by Pentax

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001FFMBQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,995 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 2, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Combining advanced Pentax lens technology 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.

Optics and Resolution
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.

Movie Mode
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 320x240 or 160x120 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.

More Features

• Compact, stylish body
• Bright LCD monitor that's easy to see even in direct sunlight
• Black & White and Sepia digital filters for nostalgic, artistic effect
• Three image-quality settings
• Focus Free mode allows you to place a focus point anywhere in the image area
• Single-touch playback quickly shows you the photos you've taken
• Easy mode with help button allows easy operation for beginners

Storage and Transfer
Images and video are stored in 16 MB of internal memory, but the camera also has a slot for optional use of Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (memory card not included). Files can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by two AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable lithium ion recommended). The camera measures 3.7 by 2.4 by 1.4 inches and weighs 4.6 ounces without memory card or batteries (approximately 6.3 ounces with).

What's in the Box
Optio 30 digital camera, two AA alkaline batteries, USB and video connection cables, strap, ACDSee image-management software

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great digital camera, May 3, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Pentax Optio 30 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The proof of the pudding is in the eating........, January 30, 2005

By 

Gregory Roscow (Nanaimo, BC, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax Optio 30 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

After trying and returning several small digital cameras-Olympus Camedia 395 (poor contrast and SLOOOW), two Fuji Finepix A120s (ghostly blooming), and a Nikon Coolpix 2200 (purple fringeing and lack of clarity)-I've at last found one that takes satisfying pictures!

PROs:
- Image quality is excellent. There are none of the defects of the other cameras I tried. Colours are natural, focus is sharp, and there is no distortion. For one day I had both the Nikon and the Pentax and took lots of identical photos-the Pentax produced a much better result every time.
- Lots of control for those who want it (AE metering, manual focus in addition to auto and fixed, selectable ISO, white balance, saturation, contrast, etc. etc.).
- Functions are easy to select and use. Important ones are on buttons, not menus (e.g. monitor on/off, exposure compensation-both of these buried in menus on the Nikon).
- Red eye is rare, even without the special flash setting.
- The supplied software, ACDSee and FotoCanvas, is just right-easy to use and powerful. What an eye-opener after Nikon's incompetent PictureProject, which is obsessed with an obscure method of arranging photos in collections and has hardly energy left over for worthwhile features.

Speed is average (startup a bit slow, shutter lag reasonable) and so is battery usage if you use rechargeable NiMH. Alkalines are sucked dry in minutes.

CONs
- Manual rather pedestrian, with little explanation of technical features, no tips on how to use them, and no index.
- No video out, which is cheap. I'd rather have this than the gimmicky live histogram-impressive (like those flashing LEDs on 80s stereos). but what use is it?
- Battery/card cover feels as if it's going to fly open if you hold the camera in the wrong way.
- What you see is not necessarily what you get. Unaccountably, the picture on the LCD screen is a bit darker when it's downloaded-easily cleared up by the software, but that shouldn't be necessary. The Nikon was the same, without any way of dealing with it. I didn't notice this mismatch on the Fuji Finepix.

The strengths of this camera FAR outweigh its few weaknesses. The only thing that really matters is that it takes great pictures, and it's easy and fun to use.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beginner camera, June 26, 2005

By 

lordhoot "lordhoot" (Anchorage, Alaska USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax Optio 30 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I brought this camera because I was looking for super lightweight camera for my hiking and biking needs. I wasn't disappointed in that aspect. This camera is small and light and super easy to used. In fact, if you were looking for one digital camera to introduced one of your older relatives who can't tell the difference between a RAM and ROM, this camera is it.

The camera's 3.2 megapixal is more then enough for most people who don't need poster size photo print out. For 4x6 size, this is a perfect camera. Its uses a SD card, the quality of the photos proves to be quite good and as I discovered, it appears to be a quality camera. The battery life proves to be pretty good and its a camera you can easy jump in and used its options without looking too closely to the instruction book. It only major weakness seem to be that its delay time between the pushing of the shutter and when the picture is taken seem to be little long. It slightly slow. You just have to adjust and adapt to time it right. I also wished this camera came with a remote like many of the Pentax film cameras got.

This camera will served most people quite well as back up camera or if you are just beginning, a perfect introduction to digital photography. I used for hiking and biking. Although its not waterproof or anything, it serves just well as long as you don't take it swimming!