Pentax Optio SV 5MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom

by Pentax

Product Details

Product Manual [2.97mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002B80EA
• Item model number: SV
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,942 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Features include

• Detailed imaging with a 5.0 megapixel CCD
• Precision and clarity through an all glass smc Pentax 5X optical zoom lens equivalent to 36-180 mm in 35mm film format, 20X combined zoom
• Innovative second generation sliding lens system contributes to a stylish compact body design - measures 3.6 x 2.2 x 1.1 inches
• Convenient battery charging cradle recharges a long-life lithium-ion battery in the camera and a second battery at the same time
• Large 1.8 inch LCD monitor bright enough for use in direct sunlight
• Movie mode with sound records to the capacity of your memory card
• Ultra lightweight aluminum alloy body weighs only 5.3 oz
• Quick and easy operation with ergonomic mode dial and control positioning
• Customize camera access with the function button
• Voice recording mode audio capability that rivals stand alone audio recording devices
• JPEG (Exif.) 2.2, DPOF and Pictbridge and Epson Print Image Matching II technology assures the highest quality prints
• Use the Matrix Display to select from 15 picture modes
• Three metering options: Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
• Three capture settings with three JPEG quality settings each
• Rapid Image Download with USB 2.0
• TTL contrast detection autofocus system with 5-point wide-focus, spot focus and infinity landscape mode
• World time function and alarm clock with sound and picture wake-up

What's in the box:
Optio SV Camera, Software (CD ROM), Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery D-LI8, Operating manual, Battery Charger Stand with AC Plug Cord, Serial number card, AV Cable (I-AVC7), Service network directory, USB Cable, Strap.

Product Description

MD) CL) U) PENTAX OPTIO SV DIG CAM

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This camera is amazing, December 30, 2004

By 

Gerald Zaks - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pentax Optio SV 5MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I've had SLRs for years and know enough to want and use the manual aspects of such cameras for the unique pictures you can capture once in a while. I wanted the same capabilities in my first digital camera. But I also wanted convenience, compact size, and a reasonable telephoto lens. Quite simply, this camera has it all. Its fully automated, night-time, and sunset modes take the most stunning pictures with a simple push of the button (get a mini tripod for the night and sunset pics). The panorama and movie mode (with sound) makes my SLR obsolete. I bought an extra battery but with charging each night, I never needed it on vacation. I bought a 1gig memory card and after 9 days on vacation, 181 pictures at full resolution, and 2 minutes of movie, it still had room for over 600 more pictures (i.e., 1 gig was not neccessary). The only disappointment is that there is a delay while taking and after taking a picture. The 5x optical zoom adds more calculation time to the auto focus and there is another small delay while it writes each picture to memory (SLR users will find this delay frustrating but I got used to it quickly). I believe this is still the smallest 5x optical zoom on the market. It's a bit pricey, but if you can afford it, you get it all in one compact camera.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Shutter Lag, February 10, 2005

By 

K. Kinchen (Loveland, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pentax Optio SV 5MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

There is so much shutter lag in this camera that any kind of action shot is just pure luck. Specifications never publish this kind of measurement, but I'm sure the lag time is at least 1.3 seconds. I also have the Optio S and this thing is five times as bad. I'm writing this reveiw while on vacation in Cozumel and I put the Optio SV back in my bag and will finish my vacation using the Optio S.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great zoom, good picture quality, but two big problems, June 15, 2005

By 

Gadgester "No Time, No Money" (Mother Earth) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Pentax Optio SV 5MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

The new Optio SV differentiates itself from other slim-profile digital cameras by offering a whopping 5x optical zoom! This is just amazing achievement on the part of Pentax, being able to outgun all competition in this important area. The SV is comparable in width and height to the popular Canon SD300 and SD400 models, but is about 1/3 thicker. It takes good-quality pictures. Not quite as great as the Canon models or even the Casio EX-Z55/Z57, but still very acceptable both for screen display and for print.

But the SV suffers from two problems that may limit its appeal. Let me first say that these are not "fatal" problems. For *your* needs, you may find the pros of this super-zoom camera more than offset the two problems, so by all means if this fits your needs, go for it. I really, really like the 5x zoom, period.

The two problems are:

1) Shutter lag. All digital cameras have shutter lag (the time between you press the shutter button and when the picture is actually taken), but this one is a bit longer than its competition. It also takes longer time than many competitors (Canon, Casio, Nikon, Sony) to write an exposed image to memory. This results in a shot-to-shot time that was normal two years ago but is considered on the long side this day and age.

2) Battery life. This is where I've got a serious beef, as the rechargeable battery packs enough power for only 80 or so pictures. The Canon SD300, in comparison, can do about 200 pictures per charge and the Casio EX-Z55/57 can do 350 or more. With the Pentax Optio SV, you have to either buy 2 spare batteries or pack the charger with you wherever you go.

If Pentax could improve battery life and shutter lag, this would be the ultracompact digicam of my choice.