Pentax Announces OptioS30

March 12, 2004 | Mark Goldstein | Digital Compact Cameras | Comment |

Pentax OptioS30The OptioS30 - The ultra-compact digital with performance that?s a class above.

A compact digital camera that places the key emphasis on cost performance, PENTAX announces the OptioS30. Easy to handle for stress-free shooting, it makes it easy to enjoy quality digital photography anywhere, at any time. With a truly user-friendly design, it makes shooting in diverse situations a breeze. And with an attractive, hairline-textured aluminium exterior, it’s also strikingly stylish.

The OptioS30 is surprisingly capable too. It features an array of easy-to-operate functions that assist in making sure the end results live up to expectations, is empowered with 3.2 effective megapixels, and also features a lens offering 3X optical zooming versatility that can be combined with 2.6X digital zoom for total 8X (approx.) zooming freedom.

Major features
Ultra-compact, sophisticated design
The unique PENTAX Sliding Lens system contributes to the exceptionally dimensions.
89 (W) x 58.5 (H) x 25.5 (D)mm (excluding protruding controls) with weight of only 125g (excluding batteries and SD memory card).
For convenience, the OptioS30 is also compatible with two AA batteries. It has attractive aluminium exterior with vertical and horizontal hairline engravings.
Super compact, super convenient, it slips easily into a pocket or bag, to go wherever you do.

3.2 effective megapixel clarity
For images ranging from shots of colourful flowers to distant scenery, the imaging power of 3.2 effective megapixels helps ensure excellent clarity. The OptioS30 also has the built-in advantages of a primary colour filter and advanced imaging technologies for further enhanced images with brighter, more natural tones.

Ultra-compact, 3X optical zoom lens
The OptioS30 incorporates an smc PENTAX lens ? one of a series renowned for their sheer superior quality.
Comprised of 5 groups of 6 elements crafted entirely from glass and featuring two lenses to be crafted aspherical on each side, it offers 3X optical zoom capability (a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 38-114mm lens in 35mm format).
3X optical zoom can also be combined with 2.6X (approx.) digital zoom to offer total zooming capability of approximately 8X.

User-friendly operation
All buttons and controls have been located within easy reach from a ready-to-shoot position.
The shutter release button has been enlarged for swift access
Buttons on the back of the camera have also been made bigger for easier control.
A handy mode dial is employed to allow virtually effortless selection from the impressive array of shooting modes.

Function customization
4 frequently used functions can be selected from a choice of ten (recording size, image quality, exposure compensation, metering, white balance, sharpness, saturation, contrast, sensitivity and AF area).
These can then be assigned to the left and right elements of the four-way controller for access when the dial position is set in modes other than Auto Select, Movie, and Voice recording.

9-position mode dial
A handy mode dial positioned in the middle of the top surface
Simply set the dial to one of the nine modes described below and the OptioS30 takes care of all relevant settings automatically.
1. Auto select
Automatically activates Program mode for effortless, yet pleasing results. From there, the OptioS30 also has the ability to evaluate the subject too, automatically activating Portrait, Landscape or Night Scene mode accordingly. Auto select mode also features settings for frequently used shooting functions (recording image size and quality settings), which can be easily altered to suit user tastes.
2. Portrait
Designed to capture skin tones in a more natural way.
3. Landscape
Makes it easy to capture wide-open natural scenes.
4. Night scene
Captures a significant amount of detail while retaining the mood of shots taken in low light.
5. Movie
The OptioS30 even has the power to record video accompanied by the advantage of sound!
*Recorded movies can be viewed using ACDSee for PENTAX (on systems with QuickTimeTM installed).
6. Voice recording
Extremely useful in a wide range of situations, the OptioS30 is also capable of recording audio.
7. Digital effects
Offers a range of special digital effects for exciting creative results. (8 digital filters, a 2 in 1 effect, and Panorama Assist)
8. Program
Leaves all settings to the camera for spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities.
9. Picture
Allows the user to choose one of 10 different settings to swiftly make the most of the situation at hand.

Help function in Auto Select mode
A useful Help function can be easily accessed when in both shooting and playback modes.
With the press of a button, the OptioS30 activates a display of easy-to-understand explanations for dial positions and buttons for both shooting and playback.
As a result, even the total beginner to get the hang of OptioS30 operation in a snap.

Simple shooting with 10 Picture modes
In addition to the Portrait, Landscape, and Night scene modes placed directly on the mode dial, the OptioS30 also offers 10 picture modes.
All you have to do is just select the icon most appropriate for the scene, compose, then shoot.

1. Flower
Designed to bring out the vivid colours and intricate details of flowers.
2. Self-portrait
Delivers sharp results and flattering tones whenever you need to turn the camera around to take a shot of yourself.
3. Surf
Solves the common problems with reflections of light off water for pleasing, appropriate exposure throughout the frame.
4. Snow
Helps to maintain true colours and avoid the detrimental effects of excessive reflection off snow.
5. Sunset mode
Capture the warmth and romance of sunrise and sunset scenes.
6. Museum
Allows optimal exposure to be achieved while ensuring the flash doesn?t fire.
7. Text
Captures written material in a manner that maximizes legibility.
8. Food
Conveys convincing texture, and communicate the real freshness of food.
9. Landscape Portrait
Clearly captures portraits along with the expansive scenery of the background.
10. Marine
Makes it easy to capture natural colours when shooting underwater. Soundless movies can also be shot underwater too.
* When the OptioS30 is housed within an optionally available waterproof case.

Digital effect modes
Without the need for a PC, the OptioS30 opens up a range of creative possibilities with a choice of 8 digital filters as well as, Panorama Assist, and 2 in 1 digital functions.

8 digital filters
B&W, sepia, red, green, blue, B&W with red, B&W with green, and B&W with blue digital filters let the user emphasize key colours of the original scene or add an entirely different mood.

2 in 1
Allows two different images to be recorded side by side in a single frame.

Panorama Assist
Following the camera?s simple guidance, take a series of horizontal or vertical shots.
These can then easily be aligned and combined on a PC using the software provided to create one large image that captures expansive scenes in their entirety.

12 digital filters for shot images
The user can apply different moods to images that have been already shot using 12 filters (B&W, sepia, red, green, blue, B&W with red, B&W with green, B&W with blue, Soft, and 3 types of illustration effects).

Menu text information enlargement
The menu display can be easily enlarged with a press of the zoom button.

PictBridge compatibility
The OptioS30 supports PictBridge, a new direct-print standard released by the CIPA (Camera and Imaging Products Association). With this advantage, the OptioS30 can be connected directly to a printer that supports PictBridge via USB cable to offer control over printing, resizing, digital filters, and other functions ? all without the need for a PC.

Other helpful features
USB mass storage class compatibility
Useful software included (a CD-ROM that features the ACDSee for PENTAX application)
Built-in auto flash
Convenient LCD monitor
Optical viewfinder
Nine-image and Zoom display
Convenient self-timer
Two optional remote control units
Continuous shooting
Macro mode and Infinity-landscape mode
Manual focus
Options for autofocus (spot & 5-point AF)
White balance settings
Histogram display
3 choices for metering
Sensitivity settings
Exposure compensation
Settings for sharpness, saturation, and contrast
Image protection
Mode memory function
World time function
DPOF compatibility
Approximately 11MB of built-in memory
SD memory card compatibility
Resize function
Voice memo function
Customization
AV (video/audio) output terminal
Various power sources batteriesincluding common AA
Operation in 9 languages

Optional accessories
AC adapter
Waterproof case (O-WP3) for shots underwater at depths of up to 40m (equivalent to JIS Class 8)
Remote control E & remote control F