Pentax Optio M30 7.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

by Pentax

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 2.5 x 1 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000LY2GP2
• Item model number: 19251
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,624 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 22, 2007

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

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.

High Image Quality
With a high resolution of 7.1 effective megapixels and high-performance Pentax lens, the Optio M30 realizes clear, high-quality images. The Optio M30 also features a 3x optical zoom lens with a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 38-114mm lens in 35mm format, which is ideal for a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes, through sightseeing photographs, to portraits.

Sleek, New, Textured Design
The Optio M series compact digital camera exterior has been redesigned. Powered by an exclusive ultra-thin battery and featuring a miniaturized circuit board, the M30 body is a slim 0.7 inches (18 millimeters). A high-quality aluminum alloy texture gives the camera a sophisticated design.

Digital Shake Reduction
The Optio M30 features a Digital Shake Reduction mode to adjust the camera sensitivity to as high as ISO 3200 to match the brightness of the subject. Even in low-light conditions, this feature increases shutter speed to help reduce blurring and improves image flash image capture for subjects at a distance in dark locations.

Auto-Macro Function
The Optio M30 is equipped with a new Auto-Macro Function that enables close-up photography up to a minimal distance of 4.0 inches (10 cm). The Auto-Macro function allows the camera to determine the distance from the subject, and even while in the normal focus mode, and automatically switche the focus range to macro mode.

Face Recognition AF and AE
The Optio M30 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 conducted so that the areas with faces are not darkened even if there is backlighting. (The Face Recognition AF and AE is available when the photography mode is "Portrait" and the camera is directed at people from the front.)

Auto Picture Mode
The Auto Picture mode lets the camera automatically determine the shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Program modes and choose the optimum settings for each subject. This Pentax original function makes photography a lot easier for users since it eliminates the necessity of making a number of individual settings.

High-Quality Movies with Shake Reduction Function
The Optio M30 captures smooth, high-quality movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, which is comparable to movies taken with a camcorder. This model also is equipped with a Movie Shake Reduction function, which automatically corrects camera shakes, allowing for movies to be taken more easily and without hassles. (Using the "Movie SR" function results in a narrower field of view than that during normal recording.)

Additional Features

• Auto-tracking AF continuously focusing on a moving subject
• Compatible with new SDHC memory cards, in addition to conventional SD memory cards (memory cards not included--must be purchased separately)
• World time function for 75 cities (28 time zones) worldwide
• Calendar Display function allows image retrieval based on the capture date
• Mode Palette provides quick access to 15 shooting modes and 13 playback modes
• Soft flash function avoids overexposure during close-up flash photography
• Super-Macro mode allows close-up photography as near as 2.0 inches
• Digital zooming provides up to 4x magnification
• Approximately 21.9MB of built-in memory
• FotoNation's red-eye correction function for flash shots
• Includes the ACDSee for Pentax image viewer/image management software
• Supports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and Print Image Matching III

What's in the box
Optio M30 digital camera, USB cable I-USB7, AV cable I-AVC7(B), rechargeable battery D-LI63, battery charger D-BC63(A), AC plug cord D-CO2U, strap O-ST51, software S-SW63

Product Description

The 7.1 megapixel CCD and 3x optical zoom in the M30 assures high resolution images. Using a new compact battery and miniaturized circuitry, the M30 is thin and compact. Face Recognition Auto Focus and Auto Exposure automatically detects a persons face and assures properly exposed portraits. Digital Shake Reduction mode automatically selects higher ISO setting to prevent blur due to subject or photographer movement. Mode pallet includes auto picture mode to automatically select the best settings. High-quality extended movie captures QuickTime motion JPEG with a range of built-in editing functions Manual focus - 0.33 feet to infinity at wide, 1.97 feet to infinity other than wide Macro focus - Manual and automatic macro, super macro Focus range - Normal 1.31-feet to infinity, Macro 0.33-3.3 feet at wide, Super Macro 0.16-1.31 feet Flash Type - Built-in, series-control, high power auto flash Flash Modes - Auto, on, off, redeye reduction, soft flash Effective Range - 18.0-feet at wide, 9.2-feet at telephoto, 50.9 feet at wide with digital SR, 26.6 feet at telephoto with digital SR, Auto ISO Self-timer - 10 sec, 2 sec ISO Sensitivity - Auto 64-1600 (3200 in Digital SR Mode at full resolution), Manual White Balance - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent Shutter Type - Programmed AE electronic lens with CCD electronic shutter Shutter speed - 1/2000 to 4 seconds File Format - JPG (EXIF 2.2), DCF, DPOF, Print Image Matching III Still, MOV (QuickTime Motion JPG), 30 FPS with sound, Movie SR, WAV (PCM), WAV monaural Sound System Requirements - Windows ME, 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS 9.2, X (10.1 or later), USB port Dimensions - 3.8 x 2.2 x 0.7 inch Weight - 4.2 ounces without battery

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Takes great pictures, excellent features..., August 6, 2007

By 

Elan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax Optio M30 7.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I just bought this camera as a gift for someone but I got a chance to play with it a bit. I really like recent Pentax products, I find them to be much less generic in their design and features than the competition. I own a K10D which is great and the M30 definitely lived up my expectations from Pentax.

The indoor performance was amazing, all the pictures were prefectly exposed -- indoors is where I have generally found P&S cams to perform poorly. I analyzed the histograms in Picasa and they were perfect, nice peaks in the middle...

Also, there are a ton of features on this camera for those inclined to explore and want to play... Definitely a great beginner camera or a light weight alternative camera.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best camera I ever had. . ., July 6, 2007

By 

Evelyn L. Katerba - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pentax Optio M30 7.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I have loved photography for many years. So when digital cameras came out. . .I just had to have one. I wanted something that could fit in my purse, be handy, easy to operate, and take fantastic pictures. . . of ALL kinds. .. including videos. . . and not cost a lot, oh yeah. I was checking out Amazon one evening and came across the Pentax Optio M30 7.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom. Everything you need to capture memories quickly and beautifully. I have taken my pets' pictures, great shots of my grandsons playing soccer, and gorgeous closeups of my garden in bloom from all angles. I then can go to my computer and photo printer. . and print out and frame what I consider works of art. . . with memories attached. The price was fantastic. . under $200 for all you could ever want in a camera. I've created large poster sized pictures of most of my shots. Pentax has a great reputation and I want to thank Amazon.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pentax Option M30, August 9, 2007

By 

J. Borzotta (NY/NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentax Optio M30 7.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I used to have a Canon, lost it, and got this Optio. Part of the reason I chose a Pentax is because I have a Pentax 35mm from 1982 and it's indestructible! I use my camera for shooting my art to make jpegs, shooting reference, as well as the usual snapshots. I also use it to shoot stuff for Ebay. So far this camera is excellent. Very easy to use which is what I wanted, I didnt need all the bells and whistles. The big viewscreen is great and all the options like flash selection and especially the selections for what type of shot you;re doing are clear and easy. It's also very light. I havent used it in crowd shots yet so I can't attest to the face/focus features they promote. I've had a little bit of shake when shooting some stills for Ebay, but not nearly as much as I did with the Canon. I've had the Optio for a few weeks, and I would defintitely recommend it for the novice as well as the experienced user.