Product Description

The 10.0 Megapixel CCD and 3x optical zoom assure high-resolution images while Enhanced Shake Reduction technology includes SR, Digital SR and Movie SR. The 2.5-inch LCD monitor makes sharing images easy with Bright mode and wide field of view. Face Recognition Auto Focus and Auto Exposure assure properly exposed portraits. The 0.02-second shutter lag time let's you have swift operation and the intelligent zoom function enhances the digital zoom. High-quality movie can be captured at MPEG-4 DivX (640 x 480) at 30fps with anti-shake and editing functions. Choose from a wide range of automatic and manual exposure modes including manual exposure and shutter priority modes. ISO Auto - 64-1600, 3200 available in Digital SR Mode at 5MP ISO Manual - 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 White Balance - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual modes Shutter speed - 1/2000 to 4 sec Sensor Type - 1/1.8-inch Interline Transfer CCD with primary color filter Lens Type - SMC Pentax Zoom Lens (7E, 5G, 2 dual aspheric lenses, 1 single aspheric lens) 160 degrees horizontal and vertical wide angle viewable LCD Viewfinder Capture Modes - Auto Picture (Normal, Night Scene, Landscape, Portrait), Program, Night Scene, Movie, Voice Recording, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Kids, Digital SR, Surf & Snow, Sport, Pet, Text, Food, Frame Composite File formats - JPG (EXIF 2.2), DCF, DPOF, Print Image Matching III Sills, AVI (DivX with MPG-4) Movie, WAV (PCM), monaural sound NTSC and PAL Video out Aluminum Alloy Construction Materials System Requirements - Windows ME, 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS 9.2, X (10.1 or later) and USB port Dimensions - Width 3.5 x Height 2.3 x Depth 0.9 inch Weight - 4.6 ounces without battery

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15199 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Pentax
• Model: 19211
• Released on: 2007-03-20
• Dimensions: 1.00" h x 2.50" w x 4.00" l, 1.00 pounds
• Memory: 22MB
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 10.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
• 2.5-inch LCD display; 3x optical zoom with Shake Reduction technology
• Face-Recognition Auto Focus and Auto Exposure assure properly exposed portraits
• Record movies with sound in Divx MPEG-4 movie format
• Powered by D-LI8 lithium-ion battery; stores images on SD/SDHC memory cards (includes 22 MB internal memory)

Manufacturer Description
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

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Customer Reviews

Mixed Feeling, but it was worth the trouble in the end.
When I first purchased and received this camera I was delighted. It's small and light weight so I can carry it in my purse all the time. The big bright screen is wonderful to show off photos of my new grandson without having to carry photographs and the camera took great photos. The 10MP photos allows me to crop a lot and still have a beautiful 8x10 printed photo. The stabilizer works wonderfully. I can take photos of this little 6 month old and never get a bad shot. I gave my A10 to my daughter, because I was so pleased with this new little camera, that now uses the new high capacity SDHC memory cards.

Then, after about a week the camera starting getting these bright purple streaks through the pictures, from the glare of light. Even with a flash the photos were so bad you couldn't even make out what you were shooting. This is my 4th Pentax digital camera and the first bad one. What's worse is that, I sent it to Pentax for repair and a month later got back the same bad camera, but without my battery. They were real nice about offering to send me my battery, but that doesn't help me since the camera isn't worth using.

Where ever there is the slightest natural light coming through a window, the camera picks up a purple glare, that is in the photograph. It's also in the movies. When I sent it in for repair I sent print outs of the pictures so they could see how bad it was. I had to call and beg to get my camera back, they promised it would only take 15 days. But they received it a week before they even logged the camera in for repair, then put it in a line (ups tracking information shows when it was signed for on the dock). When I called two weeks later they pulled it from a place in line, and finally started to work on it.

They sent it to me 2nd day, but without the battery. I used the battery from my A10, only to find that the purple glare is still there. It's not as bad as it was, but still awful. Not just a little... a lot. Previously I owned the z550, the z750 and the A10, All those were wonderful, hence my willingness to purchase the new A30 and comfort in giving away the A10 right away.

Now they want me to return the camera to repair so that they can try to repair it again. It's already been nearly 3 months since I purchased this camera, 3 months less warranty on a lemon of a camera. I asked to have a new camera sent to me and I'd return this one, but they wouldn't do that; so I called corporate offices.

What a difference in attitude! They said they'd send me out a new camera 2nd day and issue a call tag so I can return this entire camera kit. They were so nice. So, if you have a problem and repair can't or won't take care of it for you, so right to the top... it's worth the trouble.

The new camera is great, what I hoped for when I first purchased it. Since having this awful problem, I have noticed a slight purple cast on some of my other photos with other cameras, that I never noticed before... it's so slight. Not anything like I had with this A30, where the whole photo was purple and you couldn't even see what you were trying to shoot. The replacement camera is fine and takes beautiful photos. I'm concerned as to why it did get so awful and afraid it will come back, but so far it's been wonderful. I carry it with me all the time. The movies it takes are the best I've ever taken with a still camera. They are actually very good. I hardly use my Mini DV movie camera anymore. All in all, I really like this camera and there is no other camera with the same features for close to this price. If it stays as good as it is now, I'll be extremely happy.

BTW, Amazon was great. When I couldn't get ahold of Pentax and it had been slightly over the 30 day return date, Amazon still was willing to take the camera back and give me a refund. But I couldn't find another camera that was this small and light that uses the new SDHC cards. So thanks Amazon, for the wonderful service!

I love this camera
After my 1.5 yr old HP M415 bit the dust, I was in the market for a new camera. I finally decided on the Pentax A30 and I love this camera. I've had it for 5 days and we've been playing with it and taken over 300 pictures. The color is great, resolution is really nice. I've taken landscape and "sport" shots. The sport function allowed the camera to focus on a tree taking the picture out the side car window at 55 mph. I've taken macro and supermacro shots of the pets, flowers, sidewalk, brick... I tried out the 'text' feature with a recipe in a magazine in the Dr's office... all in all, I could spend a whole lot of time playing and taking pictures. This is a really great camera for the $$ Oh, and the 'anti-shake' function is really nice for my shakey hands.

Decent compact 10MP camera, but not without faults
I was impressed by the Optio A30's color accuracy, ease of use, extensive manual options, and small size. The pictures are free of the aggressive noise reduction I've seen in many compact 10MP cameras. However, the Optio A30 has some downsides, some of which I have not yet seen mentioned in reviews, but are evident in the sample pictures I have taken myself and in pictures in posted reviews.

The battery life leaves much to be desired. Reducing the LCD brightness to its lowest level seems have given me a couple dozen more shots, but I have yet to get more than 200 per charge. The quality of the optics also left me a little disappointed. While the Optio A30 has a wonderful shake reduction feature, this camera suffers from problems with the compact optics which plague many other compact cameras. At the wide end there is significant vignetting (dark areas in the corners). Also at the wide end, pictures are very blurry near the outer 15% of the photo (much more severe than I can remember seeing in other compact cameras). This is particularly noticable in landscape photos. The blurriness does not occur at full telephoto. I've seen these defects in both my own photos as well as those in reviews, so be aware that your camera will likely have these problems. How much it will bother you is anyone's guess.

The Optio A30 is a decent choice for anyone looking for a compact 10MP camera. The camera has some great features, but some unfortunate setbacks keep me from recommending this camera to anyone who is serious about photography.