Pentax Optio V20 Digital Camera Review

Pentax Optio V20

Digital Camera Review

Dec 17, 2008 - By Steve Morgenstern
1.9 Our search for inexpensive point-and-shoot cameras offering good performance for not much money leads us to the 8-megapixel Pentax Optio V20, a compact model with a big 3-inch LCD screen and a 5x optical zoom that provides far more flexibility when composing shots than the 3x lens typically found in this camera category. The V20 lists for $249.95, though we've seen it selling at closer to $200 from several discounters, a nice price considering the large screen and extended zoom. Lab testing results overall make the V20 an average performer, a bit behind the pack in some areas, a skinch ahead in others. To determine if this is the camera to fill your photo album without emptying your wallet, read the complete review.
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Pentax Optio V20 Review

Viewfinder (0.00)
As with most modern point-and-shoots, the V20 does not include an optical viewfinder. It's a feature we miss on those bright summer days when peeking through a viewfinder to frame a picture is easier than trying to deal with the glare from an LCD screen. On a camera as compact as this one, though, there's no room to squeeze in a viewfinder.

LCD Screen (6.75)
The V20 provides a 3-inch LCD screen with a run-of-the-mill 230,000-pixel resolution. We found the LCD both attractive and practical indoors and out, with a nice bright display and rich color reproduction. Screen brightness can be adjusted in seven steps through the Setting menu, though the changes aren't terribly noticeable. And while the glossy screen is a fingerprint magnet, the glossy surface contributes to the high-contrast pop of the pictures on screen, so the occasional shirtsleeve wipe seems a small price to pay.


Flash (4.50)
The flash is located above and to the right of the camera’s lens. This off-axis placement helps limit redeye when shooting faces in dark environments, but it causes a problem when holding the camera: it's too easy to block the flash with your right middle finger when holding your index finger over the shutter button. As for flash output, it's reasonably bright but noticeably uneven, with a bright hot spot in the middle and rapid falloff around the edges.

Flash modes are accessed using the left button of the four-way selector: Auto, Off, Forced On (useful for fill-flash outdoors), Auto with Red-Eye Reduction, On with Red-Eye Reduction, and Soft Flash, a useful setting that lowers flash output for shooting at close range.

According to Pentax, the flash reaches 14 feet at the widest lens setting when set to auto ISO, and 9.2 feet at maximum telephoto.


The off-center flash position helps minimize red-eye.


Lens (4.75)
The Optio V20 has a 5x optical zoom Pentax lens with a 6.3mm-31.5mm range (equivalent to 36mm-180mm in 35mm photography).This zoom range compares favorably with most cameras in this size and price range, which ordinarily provide only 3x optical zoom. The lens extends approximately 3/4 inch (19mm) from the camera body in three sections.

Pentax offers an Intelligent Zoom function that boosts zoom range at the price of image resolution. Shooting at 5 megapixels instead of the full 8-megapixel resolution allows 6.3x zoom, with 7.1x available at 4 megapixels, 8.0x at 3 megapixels, and 10.2x at 2 megapixels. This feature works by using only a subsection of the image sensor, providing a higher effective magnification without employing the mathematical chicanery, and inevitable image degradation, of standard digital zoom.

The Optio V20 offers digital image stabilization, which automatically increases the ISO to minimize image blur due to shaking hands. It's better than nothing, but distinctly inferior to true hardware-based image stabilization, which moves either the sensor or a lens element to compensate for camera shake. Some similarly-priced point-and-shoots, including the Canon SD1100 IS, do offer optical image stabilization.


With its snout out the V20 zoom lens protrudes about 3/4 inch.

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