image: Pentax Optio A30
The A30 is feature-heavy and attractive

Review: Pentax Optio A30 digital camera

Chic and feature-packed, Pentax’s latest compact squeezes in 10 megapixels and anti-shake technology

Written by David Phelan, Computeractive

Larger Image

Verdict:

Good points

  • Great anti-shake features
  • Face recognition
  • Little shutter lag

Bad points

  • Lots of image noise
  • Sensor too small to do 10 megapixels justice

Overall A well-specified camera and good-looking, too, but doesn’t deliver great images in low light conditions.

Rating:

3

Price:

£200

Now that compact cameras are so light, it's actually made shaky images slightly more likely in even bright light.

Pentax has faced up to this in its latest snazzy snapper, the A30, by including three anti-shake systems.

First, there’s the sensitivity option – it's nothing to do with being in touch with your feminine side; this is the way the sensor automatically responds to available light. By increasing sensitivity (the ISO setting) it’s possible to make the shutter speed faster, thus reducing the possibility of camera shake.

Advertisement

Pentax calls this feature Digital SR. It adjusts the ISO up to a maximum of 3200, which is remarkably high, although it can only reach these heights when the images are set to five megapixels, not the full 10-megapixel resolution the camera can manage at lower ISO settings.

Secondly, the sensor itself is able to move. So if you shake the camera, the sensor compensates for this by quickly shifting in the opposite direction in order to stabilise the image. And third, there’s a shake-reduction feature for when you’re shooting movies instead of still images, which compensates electronically rather than mechanically, using the included software.

All of this comes at a price: with higher ISO settings image noise is often an issue and certainly here there’s plenty of that in all but the brightest of light. The reason for much of this disappointing performance is the 10-megapixel sensor. While that many dots may sound alluring, the sensor is not physically large enough to have to draw in enough light to prevent the resulting image noise.

That aside, there’s a face-priority function which can recognise when there’s a pair of eyes, a nose and a mouth in shot and focus on that. It’s a neat idea that works well in the A30. This camera is also particularly compact and will slip into the smallest pocket, as well as leaping into life satisfyingly fast when switched on. There’s also very little trace of shutter lag, which often bedevils less pricey cameras.

Pentax’s reputation for making solid, feature-heavy, attractive cameras while keeping the cost down remains in place with this device – it's a snip at the price, but it's not as accomplished as some seemingly less well-equipped models.

Vista compatible: Yes

Manufacturer: Pentax 0870 736 8299

See more Digital Cameras

Reader comments

More from Computeractive

News

The latest home computing news

Downloads

The best PC tools, applications and more

Reviews

Independent opinions on new hardware and software

Step-by-step guides

Easy-to-follow projects with pictures

PC Help

Solve PC problems with our Q&A

Videos

PC projects demonstrated and product reviews

Articles

An in-depth look at how to get the best from your PC

Magazine

What's coming up in Computeractive

Forums

Get help with your PC problems from our readers

Competitions

Your chance to win computing prizes

Shopping

Great deals on products, services and more

Computeractive Back Issue CD-Rom 11
All 26 issues of Computeractive from 2008 on one CD-Rom.

Ultimate Guide to Free Computing
Find out how you can get free software, services and more!

Create your own calendars softwareCreate your own Calendars
The fun and easy way to create your own calendars!

Computeractive - Issue 280Computeractive Back Issues
Missed an issue? Click here to find a back issue

Save money on software and PC utilities!

Visit the Computeractive Software Store

Advertisement

Free email newsletters

Techno babble demystified...

[Display all definitions]

Or type in any computer-related word and click "Go"

Blogs

Windows Watch

Windows Watch

Keeping an eye on the latest XP and Vista news

Office 2010 preview

I had a meeting with Microsoft to have a look at Office 2010 and some of the changes that are being made....

Download Junkie

Download Junkie

Your daily dose of download discussion

Create and manage your own site with TOWeb

Most businesses now have their own websites, even if it's only a few pages describing what it is they do....

The test bed

The test bed

The hottest products, news and gossip from PCW's Labs

Traditional computing versus the app store

What will computers be like in ten years time? The answer is harder to predict now than if the same question was...

Primary Navigation

© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093

Search computeractive.co.uk
opfine.com - markets sentiment analysis