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Digital Camera Reviews and Ratings By manufacturer:
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The Pentax Optio M20 is a brand new 7.0 megapixel point and shoot digital camera from Pentax.
It features 3x Optical Zoom lens, anti shake technology, battery life of up to 700 shots from two AA batteries, 21.9MB internal memory, soft flash function, PictBridge, macro shooting at up to 5cm, face recognition auto exposure and auto focus, SD card, 15 shooting modes and 13 play back modes as well as a 2.5 inch LCD display.
Compare prices on the Pentax Optio M20 and get the latest price on the Pentax Optio M20
The Optio M20 produces clear images with impressive quality thanks to the high resolution afforded by its 7.0 effective megapixels and to its high-performance smc PENTAX lens. This superlative resolution makes it possible to attain prints with crisp details even when the photo is greatly enlarged.
Outstanding battery life
With a comprehensive energy-saving design, the Optio M20 provides exceptional battery life (approximately 220 images with AA alkaline batteries,* or approximately 700 images with AA lithium batteries*) for on-the-go power.
*Measured under testing conditions prescribed by CIPA standards.
New Blur Reduction mode reduces camera shake and subject blurring
The Optio M20 is equipped with a High ISO Blur Reduction mode, a new feature that lets you take photos at faster shutter speeds for sharper images even in dim lighting conditions such as night scenes and indoor sporting events. In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts the sensitivity to as high as ISO 1600 to match the brightness of the subject. The higher sensitivity permits faster shutter speeds that effectively reduce not just camera shake but also blurring caused by moving subjects.
Auto Picture mode automatically determines the best settings for the shooting conditions
The Auto Picture mode lets the camera automatically determine the shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Program modes and choose the optimum settings for each subject. This PENTAX original function simplifies shooting for users since it eliminates the necessity of making a number of individual settings.
High-quality Movies with Anti-Shake Function
The Optio M20 captures movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at resolutions up to 640 x 480 pixels and with an image quality rivaling that of camcorders. Camera shake while filming can be corrected automatically using the movie anti-shake function.*
*Using the movie anti-shake function results in a narrower field of view than that during normal recording.
Face Recognition AF & AE for beautiful one-step portraits
The camera includes Face Recognition AF & AE, which allows you to take bright, beautiful photos with perfectly focused faces free of backlighting shadows. This useful function automatically detects the position of the subject's face anywhere in the photo frame and adjusts the focus and optimizes the exposure for the detected position.
Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject
The Optio M20's auto-tracking AF feature continuously focuses on subjects such as kids and pets that move around unpredictably. Since the focus frame automatically follows the movement of the subject inside the photo frame, you can capture those instantaneous photo opportunities.
Easy-to-view LCD Monitor
The Optio M20 comes with a 2.5 inch LCD monitor, which displays subjects' movement with very little time delay (60 fps). Its easy to view, large monitor and menu display make operation, setting, monitoring, and playback comfortable and easy. An auto LCD dimmer function automatically dims the backlight to preserve battery life and optimize the screen checks indoors and outdoors.
Easy to use 3X optical zoom
The Optio M20 includes a 3X optical zoom lens with a focal length from 38 to 114 mm for 35mm film, which is ideal for a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes, through sightseeing photographs, to portraits.
SDHC memory card support for greater storage of high-quality images and longer movies
The Optio M20 supports two removable storage media: the conventional SD memory cards and the new SDHC memory cards.*
* SD High Capacity; these memory cards have capacities in excess of 2 GB.
Compatibility with the ImageLink printing system
The Optio M20 is compatible with the ImageLink printing system, which allows wireless connection of a digital camera to ImageLink-compatible printers. By simply placing the Optio M20 on the printer's dock, the user can take advantage of simple, push-button printing of recorded images, without requiring a personal computer.
Additional features
• World time function for 71 cities (28 time zones) worldwide
• Calendar display lets you choose photos by date
• Mode Palette provides quick access to 15 shooting modes and 13 playback modes
• Soft flash function avoids overexposure during close-up flash photography
• Macro mode allows close-up photography as near as 5 cm
• Digital zooming provides up to 4X magnification
• Approximately 21.9 MB of built-in memory
• Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX image viewer/image management software
• Supports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III
Get the latest price on the Pentax Optio M20
Digital Camera Info reviews the Pentax Optio M20 and writes - 'While there are a few problems to consider with this camera - questionable flash positioning and a rubber flap that exposes the batteries and memory card - the camera is competitively priced for the market. With significant resolution, average image quality, in-camera editing options, and a general design that promotes ease of use, the M20 is a reasonable candidate for point-and-shooters looking to stay below the $200 mark.'
Cameras.co.uk has a review of the Pentax Optio M20 and writes, "I never like to be overly critical of cheaper, entry level models like the Optio M20. After all you do need to make some allowances for less expensive cameras and it is not fair to compare them directly against more expensive models. Even so, I was disappointed with the results I saw from this camera and I think there are better cameras out there in the same price bracket. ... I'm sorry to say the Pentax Optio M20 is not a camera I feel I can recommend. The important test for any digital camera is does it take a good photo. In too many of my tests I struggled to do this."
Compare prices on the Pentax Optio M20 and get the latest price on the Pentax Optio M20
Posted by Darren in our Pentax category on August 22, 2006