Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Mar 10, 2007 - By Tom Warhol
Pentax is showcasing the release of their latest waterproof camera, the Optio W30, at PMA in Las Vegas this year. Like its predecessor, the W20, the W30 received the highest ratings for water protection (JIS Class 8) and the second highest level for dust protection (JIS Class 5). Many features—7.1 megapixels; 2.5” LCD with 115,000 pixels; 3x, 6.3-18.9mm zoom lens; 4x digital zoom—are the same as the W20, but the increased durability is this camera’s selling point. The W20 could be submerged in five feet of water for up to thirty minutes, while the W30 is able to withstand submersion in ten feet of water for two hours. The W30 will retail for $299, the same price as the W20 at the time of its introduction.
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Auto Mode
The Auto Mode on the Optio W30 is fully automatic, with no options available to the user, useful when handing the camera over to someone unfamiliar with it. There is also a Program mode that allows some options, including white balance, exposure compensation, and ISO settings.
 
Movie Mode
The following selections are possible in movie mode. Movie Shake Reduction uses the same Digital Shake Reduction feature available in the still settings and increases the ISO to 3200 to compensate for moving subjects in low light conditions. Only 20 seconds of movie time was possible with the internal 22 megabytes of memory at the higher quality setting. Zooming was possible while in movie mode.

Recorded Pixels
640 x 480, 320 x 240
Quality
Good (1 star), better (2 stars), and best (3 stars)
Frame Rate
30, 15 fps
Color Mode
Full Color, BW, Sepia
Movie Shake Reduction
On or Off
Interval Shoot
Settings for interval between shots, total time, and start delay.
Auto Focus w/recording
On or Off
Optical Zoom
On or Off
Underwater Movie
This setting to record movies underwater renders richer blues and is accessed through the Exposure Modes.

Drive/Burst Mode
Settings for this mode include self-timer, burst, and continuous (standard and high speed). The continuous high speed responded well with 5 shots per burst in about 2 to 3 seconds. Extensive testing of this option was not possible as the floor model did not have a memory card inserted.
 
Playback Mode
Even though the W30 only allowed 8x zoom in playback, it was still enough to pick out the noise and detail of the shots taken on the PMA show floor.
Three view settings are possible on the LCD in both shooting and playback modes: no information, minimal information, and full information—featuring mode, flash mode, picture quality, battery life, date and time, focus mode, and frame number. Slideshows transition from image to image with a wipe at intervals of 3 to 30 seconds, and movies are treated as stills.
 
Navigation through captured images was pretty quick, with options for single image, nine image, and calendar viewing. Only single image views are suitable for immediate image review. Options for deleting single or multiple images or the whole card are possible, as well as transfer of images to a PC.
 
Custom Image Presets
The Pentax Optio W30 features a wide range of custom presets, with some not typically seen, including Museum, Report, and Text. The usefulness of these modes is questionable, except for maybe the text option. Many of these features will be explored in more detail in our full review.

Custom Image Presets
A.k.a. Scene Modes
Night Scene
 
Voice Recording
Allows users to record sound via the mike at the top.
Landscape
Brings the camera out to wide range focus for maximum depth of field.
Flower
Reproduces the outline of bright flowers softly.
Portrait
Brightens skin tones for a “healthy” look. Both Portrait and Kids modes automatically initiate Face Recognition, which adjust focus and exposure for one main face in the image.
Underwater
Renders blue colors more richly.
Digital Shake Reduction
Sets the camera at the highest ISO (3200) to reduce subject blur.
Surf and Snow
Compensates for scenes with bright backgrounds.
Sport
Preset settings for fast motion shots.
Pet
Setting for pets in motion; can also adjust exposure settings for pet’s coats
Frame Composite
Fixes recorded pixels to 3 megapixels.
Synchro Sound Record
Records sound for 10 seconds pre- and post-shutter release.
Kids
Exposes for moving subjects and renders healthy and bright skin tones.
Soft
Gives the subject a soft outline.
Self-portrait
Adjusts focus and color tone.
Fireworks
Allows a 4-second shutter.
Food
Adjust settings for highest saturation.
Text
Adjusts setting to produce clear pictures of text—color or black and white, normal or reversed.
Museum
No flash.
Natural Skin Tone
Color and brightness is adjusted for skin tone.
Report
Records at a fixed 1280 x 960 pixels to render maximum detail for reports.

Design/Layout Page 6 of 12 Control Options
Pentax Optio W30 First Impressions Review Navigation
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