Pentax Optio M10

Manual Control Options
The Optio M10 is a point-and-shoot camera with a Program mode only and no adjustments for shutter speed and F-stop. However, ISO can be adjusted.

Focus
Auto Focus
The Optio M10 uses what Pentax describes as a TTL contrast detection autofocus system. This is the conventional solution. Range is 3x optical and 4x digital, from 2.3 feet to infinity. Macro mode focus is up to standards: 4.0 inches to 2.62 feet in wide macro and 1.3 feet to 2.62 feet in tele macro.

However, it was gratifying to see that they have kicked up the notch with three different and useful focus modes. The standard setting is 9-point multi-segment. Option two is a central spot zone, and option three a tracking AF option. In tracking mode, the camera locks onto a subject’s profile, then follows that profile around the image area. In effect, it moves the spot focus in real time to follow the first thing you aim it at. Other cameras have this, but it’s still a neat feature. I tried the tracking focus and it definitely worked.

In trade show exhibit conditions, essentially low light, a casual series of snapshots looked fine, with sharp focus, saturated colors and good skin tone, at least as revealed on the display screen.
Manual Focus
Most cameras in this price category have no manual focus option. The M10 has a manual focus of sorts: you can key in set distances, but I am not sure how useful this would be to a beginner or even anyone, so it’s hardly worth the bother.

Metering
Only one system is used: TTL multi-segment metering.

Exposure
The M10 cannot provide any manual exposure adjustment, such as changes in aperture, but you can set an EV compensation to +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments.

White Balance
The usual settings are offered here: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten and Fluorescent. The settings are in the first Record menu and easy to find. It is too bad there is no manual setting, as this is generally the first manual control to be included as camera cost increases.

ISO
Auto is the default position for ISO; however, as mentioned, ISO can be moved off Auto to settings of 64, 100, 200 and 400. This would have been fine last year, but more manufacturers are releasing compacts and point-and-shoots with maximum ISOs of 800 or more.

Shutter Speed
Shutter speed on the Optio M10 is not manually adjustable. The camera automatically selects a shutter speed between 1/1500 – 2 seconds.

Aperture
The Pentax M10’s aperture is not adjustable either. Pentax lists the camera’s automatic aperture adjustments as ranging from f/2.8 to f/4.9.