The Pentax Optio A30 is a 10.0 megapixel (1/1.8-inch CCD) compact camera which features a 3x optical zoom, ISO of up to 1600, 2.5 inch LCD display and digital shake reduction technology.

The Optio A30 replaces the A20. It also features face recognition (both auto focus and auto exposure), 0.02 second shutter lag, 'intelligent zoom', video shooting at up to 30 fps, 22 megabytes of internal memory and a 'green button' for programing custom functions that you frequently use.

The Pentax Optio A30 measures 89.5 x 57.5 x 23.5 mm and weighs 130 g. A compact digital camera in PENTAX’s top class, with 10.0 effective megapixels and enhanced anti-shake functions, making high-quality images possible

PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new PENTAX Optio A30, a compact digital camera featuring 10.0 effective megepixels, enabling for photography of fine, high-quality images. The Optio A30, which is a camera in PENTAX’s top class, also has enhanced anti-shake functions.

Major Features

1. High-quality images The Optio A30 achieves one of the highest image qualities as a compact digital camera, thanks to features such as 10.0 effective megapixels that enable for high-resolution images, a 1/1.8-inch CCD with a wide light-sensitive area for superior tone reproduction, an smc PENTAX zoom lens, renowned for its high resolving power, an image processing engine that makes a rich color reproduction possible, and three different types of anti-shake functions.

2. Enhancement of anti-shake functions

* SR (Shake Reduction) The shake detection accuracy of the Optio A30 has been further enhanced, by incorporating a new, high-accuracy gyro sensor and a control algorithm used for shake correction technology in our digital SLR cameras into the shake reduction mechanism, which consists of a shifting CCD system developed exclusively by PENTAX. When photographing still images, highly corrective effects, equivalent to shutter speeds of approximately 2.5 to 3.5 steps can be achieved.
* Digital SR (Shake Reduction)*1 The Digital SR mode automatically changes sensitivity according to the brightness of the subject, and effectively reduces camera shakes and subject blurring. For the Optio A30, the maximum sensitivity has been improved to ISO 3200. With faster shutter speeds, photography with reduced blurring is now possible.
*1: The image recording size is fixed to 5 M (2592 x 1944 pixels) when the Digital SR mode is selected.
* Movie SR (Shake Reduction)*2 An electronic shake reduction function exclusively for capturing movies, which effectively corrects distortions in images due to camera shakes through software.
*2 When using “Movie SR,” the field of view is narrower than that during normal video recording.

3. New LCD monitor that is bright and easily viewable The Optio A30 is newly equipped with a high-intensity LCD monitor with an LCD booster function that makes it possible to improve the brightness of the screen as necessary. The monitor is now even easier to view outdoors, where there is strong sunlight. With a 2.5-inch screen size and a high resolution of 232,000 pixels, it is easy to confirm picture compositions and the focus. Due to its wide viewing angle, the screen can also be easily viewed, since there is little change in brightness and colors even when looking at the monitor diagonally.

4. “Face Recognition AF & AE” function that is convenient when photographing people The Optio A30 is equipped with a “Face Recognition AF & AE” function*3 that automatically detects and focuses on faces, regardless of where the people appear in the photo frame. In addition, optimal exposure settings are automatically conducted so that the areas with faces are not darkened even if there is backlighting. *3 Available when the photography mode is “Portrait” or “Kid” and the camera is directed at people from the front.
*3 This camera’s Face Recognition AF & AE function uses the Face Tracker face-recognition technology from FotoNation.

5. Swift operation speeds Various operation speeds for photography and playback have been increased, making it possible to use the camera more swiftly. In addition to a 0.02-second release time lag, the time it takes for the camera to focus and to start up has been speeded up.

6. “Intelligent zoom” function The Optio A30 is newly equipped with an “intelligent zoom” function, which is an evolved form of digital zoom, enabling for images to be magnified even larger and stored, all while maintaining the image quality of optical zoom.

7. Video recording function enabling high-quality recording for long periods of time The Optio A30 smoothly captures movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640 x 480 pixels with image quality rivaling camcorders. Since it employs the DivX® (MPEG-4 compliant) movie format,*4 the Optio A30 can record longer, high-quality movies.
*4 The Optio A30 is DivX® certified. Movie playback is not supported on Macintosh operating systems.

8. A wide range of exposure setting modes In Programmed Exposure mode, the camera automatically determines the shutter speed and aperture. The camera also includes “Shutter-Priority AE” mode and “Manual Exposure” mode, which the user can set freely depending on the effect they are aiming to achieve.

9. Compact and lightweight body Despite incorporating a large CCD, the 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, we managed to create a slimmer and lighter body by using our unique Sliding Lens System*5 together with high-density mounting technology.
*5 PENTAX’s proprietary lens system: The central lens group slides upward from the optical axis and the front and back lens groups slip under them. Housing the lens in two steps in the lens cylinder reduces overall lens thickness, thereby minimizing body depth.

10. Other Features

* Auto-tracking AF continuously focusing 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” that enables you 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

Pentax Optio A30 Reviews

Digital Camera Review has a review of the Pentax Optio A30 and writes, "The A30 produces excellent color images, perhaps a bit too saturated for some shooter’s taste. Personally, I liked the images. My first shots with the A30 were at sunup on the beach, and even with the sunlight making review of the images in the monitor difficult, the color of the water jumped out immediately. I did notice a tendency of the A30 to overexpose some white water portions of wave shots where high contrast between the breaking part of the wave and the darker unbroken section create a challenge for any camera meter. On more evenly lit scenes the auto mode worked well. Probably my favorite shot with the A30 is “Auto 4”, the dawn shot of the power plant and lagoon – the A30 did a nice job of metering the early light and foggy background. ... The Pentax A30 offers vibrant color reproduction, great image quality, some manual controls, image stabilization, good shutter response and a 10 megapixel sensor in an easily portable compact digital camera."

Steve's Digicams has a review of the Optio A30 and writes, "While it did produce images with good exposure, and color saturation, I noticed some edge softness on the left hand side of several of our samples as well as vignetting (darkening at the corners of the frame.) Image noise is almost nonexistent at ISO 100 and below, becoming more noticeable as you increase the sensitivity. While it is much more noticeable, at ISO 800 and below the images are still usable. However 1600 looks pretty bad, and the 3200 (5MP only) setting when using the Digital SD scene mode is even worse. ... Pentax has made a great improvement over the A10 from last year. With 10-megapixels, 3x optical zoom, Shake Reduction technology, a durable all-metal body and plenty of exposure modes, the Optio A30 is an appealing "ultra-compact" model."

PhotographyPress has a review of the Pentax A30 and writes, "...as soon as you start to delve deeper you see that Pentax is merely number chasing in an attempt to make sure it has a 10 megapixel offering. While image quality from afar is fantastic, on closer inspection its noise filled. Furthermore, the introduction of a 3200 ISO setting is so crazy, that like newspapers keen to have a bigger page supplement in order to beat the competition, we get the feeling that Pentax is doing the same here, just making sure its one up on the competition."

Megapixel has a review of the Pentax Optio A30 and writes, "With its classical looks, the Pentax Optio A30, is an elegant and attractive camera. Used outdoors and with bright light, it easily yields images of excellent quality and colour that can be printed out to a large size. Simple to use and equipped with a resolution that is often considerably more than is needed, the Pentax Optio A30 has the advantage of offering a good image stabilization system and a short reaction time to its controls, both crucial features when capturing subjects such as children, or even pets."

IT Reviews has a review of the Pentax Optio A30 and writes, "The speed of operation has also been quickened and the overall detail and colour tones, brightness and contrast of the final images are well above average. Having an extra Super Macro setting means you can now get as close as 2.3 inches from your target and the rechargeable D-LI8 lithium ion battery allows for approximately 150 photos and 110 minutes of playback time. ... Pentax has wasted no time in bringing the Optio range bang up to date with a vastly improved and highly effective Shake Reduction system, plus Face Recognition and an extra Macro setting."

Vnunet has a review of the Pentax Optio A30 and writes, "with higher ISO settings image noise is often an issue and certainly here there’s plenty of that in all but the brightest of light. The reason for much of this disappointing performance is the 10-megapixel sensor. While that many dots may sound alluring, the sensor is not physically large enough to have to draw in enough light to prevent the resulting image noise. ... Pentax’s reputation for making solid, feature-heavy, attractive cameras while keeping the cost down remains in place with this device – it's a snip at the price, but it's not as accomplished as some seemingly less well-equipped models."

Trusted Reviews has a review of the Pentax Optio A30 and writes, "Image quality is one of the A30’s many strong points. At low ISO settings (64-200) the level of fine detail, the edge sharpness and the richness of the colour rendition were among the best I’ve seen from a compact camera. At higher ISO settings noise did become more of a problem, but the A30 uses an unusual noise reduction algorithm which is very good at retaining edge sharpness and contrast detail even when noise levels are quite high, avoiding many of the problems associated with previous 10MP compacts. Even at 800 ISO noise was only prevalent in darker areas, with colour rendition and sharpness still retained, both of which are important for print quality. The lens too performed well, producing some barrel distortion at wide angle but with good corner and edge sharpness at all focal lengths."

Digital Camera Info reviews the Pentax Optio A30 where they recommend - 'The Pentax Optio A30 is a moderately priced point-and-shoot, with an initial MSRP of $349.95. Its clean and concise design, aluminum alloy body, and wealth of features and manual controls make it a worthwhile consideration for a range of users. The Pentax Optio A30 has a 10-megapixel CCD with Sensor Shift Shake Reduction, and carries two additional digital stabilization shooting modes, one for still images and one for videos. The camera has a 2.5-inch LCD with 232,000-pixel resolution, 3x optical zoom lens, and a face recognition system for both autofocus and auto exposure. A full host of manual controls allow for control over metering, exposure compensation, ISO, white balance, aperture, and shutter speed, although with mixed, and sometimes sluggish, results. The camera’s LCD tends to solarize and the substandard software program only allows users to make the most basic of edits. The A30's true shortcomings however, are in its performance. With inaccurate colors, high noise levels, limited dynamic range, and terrible video quality, this camera isn't worth the $350 price tag.'