Pentax Optio E10 First Impressions Review

Front
The front of the Optio E10 is dominated by the telescoping lens that protrudes just over an inch from the front of the body when in use. Northwest of the lens is the small, rectangular flash and an autofocus assist light. There are three mic holes beneath the flash. Further to the left is the Pentax logo. At the left edge of the front is a lump that provides extra grip for the hand, the wrist strap eyelet blending into a raised bit that cuts into the camera’s face and reads, “Optio E10.” The lens assembly and “Optio E10” logo are set into a shallow basin that curves into most of the camera’s face, for both visual interest and to improve grip.

Back
The back of the camera is dominated by the 2.4-inch LCD screen. Above the LCD is a light that indicates power and when the SD card is being accessed. On the right-hand side of the screen, we have (from top to bottom): the zoom control, playback, menu access button and delete button. Below that is the 4-way directional control pad encompassing the OK button used to select options within the menu. North on the directional control pad controls the shooting mode (single, continuous, and delay). East controls the focus mode whose submenus include: macro, multi-point AF and landscape infinity lock. The South button on the directional compass controls exposure compensation, and the flash mode, which includes auto, on, off, and red-eye reduction, is controlled by West side button.

Left Side
The left side of this Pentax camera is sparsely populated: the power input and combined A/V and USB port are the only two highlights. Neither is under a port cover of any kind, which is not entirely surprising on a point-and-shoot at this price point. This does, however, bring up the question of dirt and dust sneaking its way into the body.

Right Side
On the plain right side, there is only one feature: the wrist strap eyelet.

Top
The top of the Pentax Optio E10 is the home of the mode dial and the on/off button, located in the center of that dial. The surrounding mode dial provides some protection against the camera being powered on accidentally. The shutter button is also here, to the mode dial’s right.

Bottom
The tripod socket on the Optio E10 is located on the bottom of the camera body, right below the lens. This is also the home of the battery and SD card slots, both of which are located under a single panel. This panel is rather awkward: it requires a lot of pressure to close, and does not always close properly. If you don’t push down on the panel hard enough, it leaves a gap that could allow dirt or water into the camera. This is a shortfall that may be attributed to the manufacturer striving to make a particular price point.