Product Description

A compact digital camera with a powerful 10X optical zoom and 4.0 effective megapixels, the OptioMX4 design captures both high quality still images and movies with telephoto capability.The OptioMX4 meets consumer demand to capture distant subjects with 10X optical zoom through a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 37mm-370mm lens in 35mm format. Comprised of 8 groups of 12 elements, the lens of the OptioMX4 features aspherical lenses and extra-low dispersion glass elements to minimize aberration. With 4.0 effective megapixels, the OptioMX4 has the power to achieve high-precision, vivid images at all zoom ranges.Perfect for capturing family activity, the OptioMX4 captures movies in MPEG-4 format and employs a streaming recording system to record up to two hours of continuous movies directly onto the recording media. OptioMX4 users further enjoy movie recording with 640x480 recording pixels at the rate of 30fps (frames per second) to achieve quality comparable to that of a television. The camera also offers a choice of movie recording sizes, quality and frame rates for maximum shooting flexibility. A stylish, functional palm-grip helps minimize handshake and reduces fatigue during long-duration shooting.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #65852 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Pentax
• Model: MX4
• Released on: 2004-11-05
• Dimensions: 1.20 pounds
• Display size: 1.8

Features

• 4.0-megapixel sensor creates photo-quality 2304 by 1728 pixel images
• 10x optical, 10x digital zoom
• 1.8-inch LCD screen, MPEG4 movie mode
• Store images on SD memory card (not included)
• Powered by CR-V3 lithium battery, estimated for 180 shots

From the Manufacturer
Features include

• Detailed imaging with a 4.0 Megapixel CCD
• Powerful smc Pentax 10X Optical Zoom Lens (38mm-380mm) 100X Combined
• Enhanced Movie Functions: Record in MPEG-4, capturing the quality of 30fps in VGA (640X480 pixels)
• 1.8 Inch LCD Monitor uses a new low-glare control mechanism which improves visibility in direct sunlight
• Incredible super macro from no distance up to 5.9 inches
• Combines user friendly operation and compact, innovative style
• Use the mode dial to select from an array of shooting modes (Picture, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual and Voice record)
• TTL contrast detection autofocus system with 5-point wide-focus, spot focus and infinity landscape mode
• Make your photography simple by choosing from 10 different picture modes (Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Self-Portrait, Surf & Snow, Sunset, Night Scene, Soft, Illustration and Panorama Assist)
• Rapid image download with USB 2.0
• Software pack includes award winning ACDSee for Windows and Mac. Featuring ACD ShowTime for movie editing
• Advanced features include: Manual focus, auto bracketing, flash exposure compensation and digital filters
• Voice recording mode audio capability that rivals stand alone audio recording devices
• JPEG (Exif.) 2.2, DPOF, PictBridge and Epson Print Image Matching II technology. Assures the highest quality prints
• Three metering options: Multi-segment, center-weighted, spot
• Three capture settings with three JPEG quality settings each

What's in the box:
OptioMX4 Camera, Software (CD ROM), CR-V3 Lithium Battery, Operating manual, Lens Cap O-LC37, Serial number card, AV Cable (I-AVC7), Service network directory, USB Cable (I-USB17), Strap (O-ST17).

Customer Reviews

best buy in 4mp digital camera with 640x480 30fps video
The Pentax MX4 is a great all around digital/video camera because of all it's features. I don't know of another digital camera with all the features it has such as 4mp,10x optical (100x digital),640x480 MPEG-4 Movie at 30 fps with sound that plays directly on TV from the camera ,1.8" swiveling LCD,ergonomic rotating grip,PictBridge etc. It take just a few minutes to load the MP4 video on the computer and view it with Quicktime then burn it on CD's or DVD's to share it with family and friends. It has 10 picture modes along with program,shutter-priority,aperture-priority,metered manual,voice recording and eight digital filters. I use a tripod with fluid head when using the zoom lens at 10x for rock steady images or videos. When on vacation you can combine the still images with videos on the same SD memory card. I just ordered the Epson P-2000 multimedia storage and viewing device that has a 40GB HD and 3.8" LCD to download the SD cards so you can shoot all the photo and video you want on vacation without having to worry about running out of storage. And the best thing about the Pentax MX4 is the price that is less than half what I paid for my 3mp Epson 3100Z in 2001.

AWSOME CAMERA FOR THE PRICE!
I HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT CAMERAS INCLUDING THE SANYO-FISHER CAMERACORDER FVD-C1 WHICH COSTS $750 BUT THIS MX4 TAKES VIDEO JUST AS GOOD @ 640X480 WITH 30 FPS AND EVEN BETTER PICS @ 4MP COMPARED TO 3.2 ON THE FISHER! AND I PAID LESS THAN HALF THE PRICE! THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST VALUE DIGITAL STILL/VIDEO CAMERA ON THE MARKET, THE VIDEO LOOKS ALMOST AS GOOD AS MINI DV AND THE STILLS ARE ALMOST AS GOOD AS MY MINOLTA DIMAGE 7i, ALL I CAN SAY IS YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH THIS CAMERA FOR UNDER $300 !

Cam Corder & Digital Cam, what else do you need?
I bought this recently because of the good reviews on here so far and I must say I'm not disappointed. It looked quite big when I viewed the picture but trust me this baby is so tiny and looks really cute. It's very easy to use and much better if you buy a lets say 1GB SD card since you can record longer, obviously and take more pics but like the previous reviewer said, you can by a multimedia storage and store them in it if you're on holiday.

The quality of the images are very good and the video cam isn't too bad either. You can play around with the quality and obviously the lesser quality the more you can store in the SD.

Only thing I have to say is that if you are looking for a cam corder more than a digital than this isn't your best option and vice versa for Digital cam as there are so many now and some better in quality but this baby is great and has both in one package so it's like best of both worlds.