Pentax Optio W30

Connectivity
Software (6.0)
Users will find that the software is consistent with the menu-heavy Pentax W30 camera. The W30 includes ACDSee for Pentax 2.0 CD ROM software. Using the software, users can view, organize, and edit images. Unfortunately, the software buries commonly used functions in menus, accessed through the top toolbar. For instance, to rotate an image, a user must highlight a photo to be dropped into an Image Basket, then select Modify on the toolbar, then select the degrees of rotation, and then wait for the image to load the change. Other software included with point-and-shoots oftentimes has a one-click rotate button.

The ACDSee software allows users to change settings through a View menu to Filmstrip, Thumbnails, Tiles, Icons, and Details. Users can also change how the images are sorted by filename, file size, or date, among other options. To make editing changes, a user has to select the image that opens up a different screen, separate from the browser. From there, users can apply a variety of styles to their images, including pencil drawing and oil painting.

Overall, the Pentax software is sufficient if one has the time to comb through the menus and features. There are plenty of options but they are difficult to find. There are better all-in-one browser and editor options.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs (9.0)
The port system is one of the better updates made to the Pentax W30. The PC/AV and DC In ports, located on the bottom of the camera, are safely hidden under a rubber sealed locking compartment so that water or dust doesn’t leak in. The Pentax Optio port compartment is much sturdier than that of most point-and-shoots that usually have just a flimsy rubber cover.

Direct Print Options (6.5)
Like most point-and-shoots, the Pentax Optio W30 offers a DPOF (Direct Print Order Format) that stores printing preferences. The W30 is PictBridge compatible so that users can directly link their PictBridge-printer to the camera via USB connection, without having to go through a computer editing program.

Battery (5.25)
The Pentax camera comes with a lightweight Li-ion D-LI63 battery. The battery is sealed under an effective locking compartment, which keeps it dry. The Li-ion battery takes a reported 120 minutes to recharge.

Memory (3.5)
The Pentax W30 accepts SDHC, a high capacity storage media so that users do not have to change their memory cards frequently. SDHC cards are currently available in up to 8GB of storage, plenty of space for large files. The SDHC card is located in the dual battery/memory compartment on the side of the camera.

Other Features (4.5)
Waterproof / Dustproof – The camera carries Class 8 Waterproof classification and Class 5 Dustproof grade, meeting standards to protect against debris and withstand up to 10 feet of underwater submergence for 2 hours duration.

Alarm/Clock/Calendar – The alarm can be set to ring once or every day at a specific time. Users can set their hometown time and a travel time.

Voice Memo – Users can record a digital grocery list or their baby’s laugh with the W30. The camera records WAVE audio.

Image Recovery – The absent-minded will appreciate the Image Recovery function on the camera that caters to kids (and parents) who accidentally erase their photos. Users can access the function through the playback menu immediately after images have been erased.