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Pentax Optio S7 First Impressions Review

by Richard Baguley
Published on January 01, 2004

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Model Design / Appearance
The Optio S7 has a stylish, clean design that makes for a very usable camera in a small, convenient package.

Size / Portability
At just 3.5 ounces and with dimensions of 3.4 by 2.1 by 0.8 inches, the Optio S7 is a very portable camera. It would fit nicely into a shirt pocket or small handbag, making it very suitable for nights out where you wouldn’t want to carry around a bigger camera.

Handling Ability
Although the S7 is a small camera, it fits comfortably into the hand, with the index finger falling naturally on the shutter button and the thumb onto the zoom control at the back of the camera. You’ll need both hands to use the menu, though. The menu and directional buttons are located too far down on the back of the camera to use comfortably with one hand.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size
Although the buttons are small, they are well-positioned and are separated enough that you won’t miss them. The zoom control is also a good size, with a positive feel so you know when you are pressing the button hard enough to zoom.

Menu
The menu system of the S7 is well-structured and easy to navigate, with most options where you would expect them to be. It’s accessed by pressing the menu button on the back of the camera.

Rec Mode

 

Recorded Pixels

The size of the captured images (7M, 5M, 4M, 3M, 2M 1024, 640)

Quality Level

The quality of the captured images. (Best, Better, Good)

White Balance

White balance setting (AWB, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten)

AF Setting

Focusing Area

Focus Limiter

Aux. AF Light

Sets the Autofocus mode

Sets the Autofocus area (multiple, Spot, Tracking AF)

Limits the range of the autofocus

Enables the auxiliary AF light (on/off)

AE Metering

Sets the metering mode (multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot)

Sensitivity

Sets the ISO rating (Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400)

EV Compensation

Sets the EX compensation (from -2.o to +2.0)

Movie

Recored Pixels

Quality Level

Movie anti-shake

Sets the movie mode

Sets the movie size (640 x 480, 320 x 240)

Sets the movie quality (Better, Good, Best)

Enables the anti-shake feature (on, off)

Digital Zoom

Enables the digital zoom (on, off)

Instant Review

Sets how long pictures remain on screen after they are taken

Memory

Formats the internal memory

Green Button

Sets what the green button does

Sharpness

Sets the sharpness

Saturation

Sets the saturation

Contrast

Sets the contrast



Playback Mode

 

USB Connection

Sets the type of connection to the USB port (PC, PictBridge)

Video Out

NTSC or PAL

Brightness level

Sets screen brightness

Power Saving

Sets the screen to dim after a certain time (1 min, 30 sec, 15 sec, 5 sec, off)

Quick Zoom

Enables the faster zoom on images

Ease of Use
The Optio S7 is an easy to use camera with a pretty standard approach to the on-screen menus. That’s not a bad thing – it presents the features you most commonly use first, and doesn’t take a great deal of time to navigate. But there’s nothing revolutionary about the design and implementation of the camera. It just does the job cleanly and effectively.


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