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Digital Camera Reviews and Ratings By manufacturer:
Canon | Casio | Fuji | HP | Kodak | Minolta | Nikon | Olympus | Panasonic | Pentax | Samsung | Sony | Misc. | Accessories | Lenses
The Pentax Optio SV is a 5.36 megapixel digital camera with a 5x Optical Zoom lens that has plenty of features to keep even the more serious digital photographer happy. It has 12 picture modes, a 1.8inch LCD and a aluminum alloy body.
The Pentax Optio SV incorporates a sliding lens system with a sleek design that measures in at only 3.0 x 1.8 x 0.9 inches.
The Pentax Optio SV will be unveiled officially at PEPCOM in New York on 20 September and will ship to retailers in October.
Steve's Digicams reviews the Pentax Optio SV and writes - 'the Optio SV was a mixed bag. It does capture good quality 5- megapixel images, but its performance was not what I expected and really drags it down. However if you don't need to capture fast moving subjects (like kids or animals), this camera will please you. Its 2560x1920/Best images have plenty of resolution to create great looking 13x19-inch prints. With an MSRP of around $499, its a bit expensive. '
DCRP reviews the Pentax Optio SV and writes - 'While on paper the Pentax Optio SV sounds like a real winner, in reality it left me feeling somewhat disappointed. Sure, it's small, stylish, and offers way more zoom than the competition. However, image quality, battery life, and overall performance are below average. First, here's what I liked about the Optio SV. It's a compact metal camera that packs a "big" 5X zoom lens -- way more zoom power than the typical ultra-compact camera. Construction is good for the most part, save for the plastic door over the memory card / battery compartment. The SV offers a full suite of a manual controls, though the longest shutter speed is 4 seconds (which is long enough for most people). Other bells and whistles include a super macro mode that lets you get 3 cm from your subject, a digital filter function (in playback mode), and a 30 frame/second movie mode (albeit at 320 x 240 and with awful sound recording). The included charging stand is a nice bonus, as it can recharge a spare battery along with the one in the camera.'
Trusted Reviews has a good review of the Pentax Optio SV and writes - 'Pentax has created an excellent camera in the form of the Optio SV and although it’s not completely perfect, it’s pretty close. The maximum four second shutter priority could be better and the detail resolution isn’t quite on a par with the Ixus 500, but the long zoom, live histogram and excellent user interface make the Optio SV a winner.'
Get more information on the Pentax Optio SV from the following press release from Pentax or from:
- Imaging Resource - Pentax Optio SV
- DP Review - Pentax Optio SV
PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the Optio SV digital camera. With 5.0 megapixels, a powerful 5X optical zoom, and tiny dimensions, the Optio SV combines powerful digital with portability.
The unique PENTAX Sliding Lens system in the Optio SV allows the powerful 5X zoom lens to retract and fully recede into the camera housing, flush with the body frame. As result, the Optio SV boasts the ultra-compact body dimensions of 3.0 x 1.8 x 0.9 inches. The novel lens system significantly reduces both the depth and length of the entire camera while it delivers a powerfully high zoom ratio for outstanding image quality. First incorporated in the Optio S digital camera launched last year, this innovative system is featured on select PENTAX digital cameras.
Additional features on the Optio SV enhance image quality, operation and design. A high performance smc PENTAX lens with a newly developed ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) helps ensure quality images. A special dial allows mode selection with a simple turn. The Optio SV features a Picture mode that allows users to select an icon on the LCD monitor that matches the scene at hand. Finally, the sleek design of the Optio SV is housed in a tough aluminum alloy case.
PENTAX will unveil the Optio SV and other new and exciting digital products on September 20 at the PEPCOM Holiday Spectacular in New York City.
The camera will ship to major camera retailers in October 2004.
PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital and film cameras, binoculars, spotting scopes, eyepieces, lenses, mobile printers, scanners and internet cameras. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of PENTAX Corporation of Japan.
Major features of the Optio SV include:
Compact dimensions with a 5X optical zoom Sliding Lens System
The Optio SV incorporates a 5X optical zoom Sliding Lens system. First introduce in the Optio S in 2003 , the system offsets the central lens groups from the optical axis and houses the groups in two steps in the lens cylinder. The result is a significant reduction in lens length and depth. PENTAX design expertise in mounting assists with space efficiency and minimizes the Optio SV dimensions. As result, the Optio SV boasts the body dimensions of 3.0 x 1.8 x 0.9 inches (91.5 (W) x 56 (H) x 28 (D)mm) and weighs a mere 5.8 ounces.
Excellent image quality
The Optio SV delivers the high-level image quality consumers have learned to expect only from PENTAX. The 1/2.5-inch CCD with 5.36 total megapixels uses a primary color filter. The Optio SV also employs a high-contrast smc PENTAX lens renowned for high-level clarity. Made of 10 elements in 8 groups, it includes two aspherical lenses. The lens is highly effective in compensating for spherical and other forms of aberration, while the unique coating reduces ghost and flare to a bare minimum. Furthermore, the newly developed ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) reinforces image processing performance to deliver more natural gradations and vivid color compensation.
Flexible composition with 5X optical zoom
The Optio SV incorporates a 5.8mm-29mm 5X optical zoom lens offering a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 36mm-180mm lens in 35mm format. With a generous zooming range, the lens offers impressive compositional freedom and offers up to 20X total zoom when combined with 4X digital zoom. The Optio SV features Super macro mode, which allows the user to shoot from as close as 3cm from the subject.
Simple selection of shooting modes
For more intuitive mode selection, the Optio SV employs a mode dial. With a simple turn, users may choose Program, PICT (picture), Night scene, Movie, Voice recording, USER, and M (Manual) modes. Users may select PICT mode to activate the mode palette function, which displays icons for all 12 picture modes at once on the LCD monitor for easier mode selection.
High-quality aluminum alloy body
The attractive exterior of the Optio SV incorporates textured aluminum alloy, and the camera features a rubber grip with a linear design for an appealing yet practical appearance.
User-friendly function settings tailored to individual users
A handy short cut function allows users to gain fast access to settings for recording image size, white balance, sensitivity and other frequently used functions. The M (Manual) position on the mode dial can also be altered to function as Tv (Shutter-priority AE) or Av (Aperture-priority AE). All settings may be accessed through use of the Fn (Function) button and the stick lever.
Large, easy-to-see 1.8-inch LCD monitor
Despite its highly portable and compact dimensions, the Optio SV features a large, 1.8-inch TFT LCD monitor with approximately 118,000 pixels. The monitor easily confirms composition, focusing and viewing of recorded shots anywhere.
USB2.0 (HI-SPEED) compatibility
The Optio SV delivers smooth image data transfer at high speeds too, with transfer rates that are accelerated further when used with PC's featuring a USB2.0 port.
Battery stand charger
The battery stand charges a battery in the camera as a spare once as battery inside the camera is fully charged. Compatible with 100V to 240V (50/60Hz) current, it also ensures smooth charging for travelers when used with the appropriate adapters.
Other features of the Optio SV
- Movie recording with sound, voice recorder function
- Connectivity to a TV via AV cable
- 5 types of auto bracketing (exposure, white balance, sharpness, color saturation, contrast)
- Built-in auto flash with red-eye reduction function*
- SD memory card compatibility
- Actual-image optical viewfinder
- World time function (for 68 cities around the world)
- ACDSee for PENTAX standard image viewer and ACD Showtime! for PENTAX** movie editing software
- PictBridge compatibility
- DPOF, Exif Print and PRINT Image Matching III compatibility
- *This mode does not eliminate “red-eyes” in all instances.
**ACD Showtime! for PENTAX is compatible with Windows only.
- PENTAX, smc PENTAX, Optio are trademarks of PENTAX Corporation.
- All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
- This product supports PRINT Image Matching III. PRINT Image Matching enabled digital still cameras, printers and software help photographers to produce images more faithful to their intentions. Some functions are not available on printers that are not PRINT Image Matching III compliant.
- Copyright 2001 Seiko Epson Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
- Print Image Matching is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
- The PRINT Image Matching logo is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
- Design and Specifications is subject to change without notice.
Posted by Darren in our Pentax category on September 14, 2004