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

Other products by Pentax

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0001FFMBQ
• Item model number: 30
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,062 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers 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

Product Description

Feeling a little daunted by digital? Help is on the way inside Pentax Optio 30 digital camera. This Pentax camera is designed for newcomers with little or no digital photography experience making it a perfect answer for a growing demand for quality, easy-to-use digital.In addition to 3.2 megapixels, 3X optical zoom, and the signature, compact dimensions of the Pentax digital brand, the Optio 30 sports a simple, but revolutionary, menu prompt that provides helpful, tutorial messages about frequently used digital camera functions. With a simple touch, this feature will guide new, and old, hands through the camera's array of digital features. Expertise is the last thing you need to go digital with Pentax - just turn on the Optio 30 and shoot!The Pentax Optio 30 makes digital easy and fun! Equipped with PictBridge, a direct-print standard released by the Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA), the Optio 30 connects directly to your printer so you may print images without a personal computer! You also may record a favorite shot on the start-up screen and select customized wallpaper choices for the menu screen on the ample 1.6 inch LCD monitor. In addition to a variety of conventional picture modes (Landscape, Nightscene, Nightscene Portrait, Portrait, Surf and Snow, Flower), the innovative Optio 30 virtual mode dial features new lifestyle-oriented modes including Pet, Party, and Food.But, help doesn't stop there. The Optio 30 sports a round-edge design that offers an easy-to-hold, steady grip, and the camera permits you to customize a wide range of camera settings so you may select how you use the camera features as your digital confidence grows. With 16MB of built-in memory, the Optio 30 is always ready for a shot even if you leave your larger memory media behind!

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

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.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Defective out of the box, but replacement worked fine, April 30, 2004

By	J. L. Maddock "Tool Coveter" (Wolfeboro, NH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had to return it because the LCD display worked for a few minutes, then went very dark. I have ordered another one, thinking that this might be a rare manufacturing defect.

I will be using it a lot this summer, so we'll see if the display holds up this time.

All else worked correctly. I liked the over-all size & placement of the controls.

7/01/2004....The camera has been working great. No problems with the digital display. I'll up my review from the original one star to now 5 stars. It turned out to be exactly what I wanted. Simple, yet very capable.

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	Ricky Gervais (Nanaimo, BC, Canada) - See all my reviews

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.