Pentax Optio W30 First Impressions Review

by Tom Warhol
Published on March 10, 2007

Navigation
Intro	Performance Expectations
Physical Tour	Components
Design/Layout	Modes
Control Options	Image Parameters
Connectivity/Extras	Overall Impressions
Conclusion	Specs

 
 

The slender rectangular camera’s face is silver with the lens sitting just above center. The small lens does not protrude at all and is surrounded by a shiny metal silver ring with the lens specs embossed into it. The narrow rectangular flash, echoing the general shape of the camera, is situated to the upper right, with the Optio name unobtrusively embossed in the chassis below. The word Waterproof is printed in ocean blue below this, angled along the half-pill-shaped indentation that runs laterally along the front. A clip-like design element, whose only function is to hold the hole for the wrist strap, extends in from the left, echoing the shape of the indentation. The edge of the port door on the bottom of the W30 shows along the bottom of the front as well.

 

 

The back of the camera is dominated by the large 2.5” LCD screen on the left, which is standard for most point-and-shoots. The edge of the battery/memory card door is visible along the left edge of the camera body. At the top right sits the lens toggle button, and just below, to the left, is the Playback button which serves to shift between Record and Playback modes. The thumb pad, with five raised dots, lies along the right edge of the camera. The 4-way controller is just below these last two elements, with the Self-timer/Burst button at twelve o’clock, the Focus button (flower icon) at three o’clock, the Mode button at six o’clock, the Flash button at nine o’clock, and the OK button at the center of the dial. The Menu button sits below and to the left of the 4-way, and the Trash button, which also functions as the programmable Green button, is to the right of this.

 

 

The left side of the W30 shows only the clip for the wrist strap, anchored to the central, dark gray metal band that runs along the side and over the top.

 

 

The Pentax Optio W30's left side contains only the battery/memory card door, with its release lock and thumb pad in the center. The words battery and SD are embossed above this, and an arrow to indicates the direction to push in order to open the door below.

 

 

The tripod mount sits in the center of the W30’s bottom, with the port connection door housing the computer and DC connections to the right. This door also features an extra latch for a better seal.

 

 

The dark gray band that encircles the narrow sides of the camera runs along the top with the words Optio W30 printed in white along it and the words 7.1 Megapixels printed in dark gray on the brushed silver chassis. An oblong shiny silver metal piece dominates the right side with, from left to right, the microphone holes, the speaker holes, the On/Off button, and the Shutter button.