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

Connectivity
Software (4.75)
The Pentax Optio V20 comes with ACDSee Photo Manager software, which sells for $39.99 as a shareware program. allows users to view, organize, and edit their images. The interface isn't the most elegant or self-explanatory we've seen, but the program has more power and useful features than most free software that comes with compact cameras. Images can be sorted based on a wide range of parameters, including the option to create your own categories and ratings. Image adjustment options affect the entire photo, without the option to select individual sections as with Photoshop Elements or similar software, but the controls are precise and flexible, and the results look good. What's more, the software comes in both PC and Mac versions. Overall, we think ACDSee Photo Manager is a program worth owning, which is unusual for in-the-box software.

Jacks, ports, plugs (2.00)
There’s only one port on the V20, which accepts included cable for the provided USB and video output cables. Unfortunately these cables use a proprietary connection, making it expensive to buy a spare or replace a lost cable. 

Direct Print Options (4.00)
The V20 supports both of the popular computer-free printing options. When connected via USB to a PictBridge-compatible printer, you can choose to print selected images or everything on your memory card, including the number of copies per image, but don't get the advanced options (including printing a digital "contact sheet" of thumbnail images) found in more sophisticated PictBridge implementations. DPOF (which stands for Digital Picture Order Form) is also available. Your options are similar to those available in PictBridge mode, but in this case the camera saves a print order file on the memory card, which lets you hand the card to a printing service or insert it in a photo kiosk and have your orders filled without completing a paper order form.

Battery (5.00)
The V20 uses a D-LI78 rechargeable lithium-ion battery that, according to Pentax, can capture 200 images on a charge, which sounds about right based on our testing results. Unfortunately, the curse of the Pentax battery design continues with the V20: the symmetrical battery can be inserted backwards, or even upside down if you're not paying careful attention. No, it won't make the camera explode or cause attractive sparks and sizzles, but it's a pain to carefully inspect the printing on the battery (the Pentax name faces front) before powering up.

Inserting the battery properly requires careful attention..
 
Memory (4.00)
The V20 includes 51.1MB of built-in internal memory, but don’t expect that to get you more than a handful of images. For more memory, you’ll need an SD or SDHC memory card, which are readily available and inexpensive.

Other features (3.00)
Voice Memo and Annotations – You can add voice annotations to an individual photo, or simply record a standalone sound memo (as a WAV file) to capture your incredible important thoughts on the go when pen and paper are out of reach.

Image Recovery – If you accidentally deleted that priceless photo, don’t worry – the V20 has an image recovery option in the Playback menu, as long as you catch yourself before taking another picture.

Image Parameters Page 11 of 15 Overall Impressions
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