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Pentax Optio I-10 reviewed: 'perfectly average compact camera' in a decidedly stylish case
We had high hopes for the Pentax Optio I-10, a little compact camera that breaks out of the brushed metal box and delivers a style reminiscent of a '70s SLR. Unfortunately, initial hands-on reports weren't encouraging and, now that we've had a chance to read a full review, it seems this one lacks the performance to back-up its looks. Neutralday.com put this 12.1 megapixel, 5x zoom model through its paces and found that it delivers thoroughly average images in most situations, with highlights being its compact size and fast startup, but low-points including inaccurate auto-focus in low light and poor ISO performance. Ultimately it's not a bad camera and we're certainly not opposed to paying a little extra for a gadget that makes you feel warm inside, but if you're strictly looking for the best performance you can save money by choosing a model without faux leatherette styling.
Pentax makes all-weather Optio W90 and superzoom X90 official
Pentax is going for broke with its take on the rugged camera, the W90, which is unlikely to ever be confused for a svelte and stylish point-and-shoot. What it loses in looks, it gains in usability, however, as the 12.1 megapixel shooter can withstand shocks from a height of four feet, go nearly 20 feet under water, and withstand temperatures as slow as -10 degrees Celsius. The dustproofing is just topping on that rugged cake, though it still offers things like 720p / 30fps video recording and 5x optical zoom that are now considered standard camera specs. There are also three forms of shake reduction: one is post-processing of affected images, the second is by automatically increasing the ISO in low light conditions, and the third is the use of "exclusive software" during movie mode. We can't say any one of those will be as good as a well-implemented optical image stabilization, but at least they're there and might offer some assistance. As to the X90, it joins a growing band of 26x and above optical superzoomers, while adding the W90's 720p video mode and anti-shake plus its own sensor-shift stabilizer for good measure. Both shooters are expected in April, priced at $330 for the W90 and $400 for the X90, though we've noticed the former will show up a month earlier in the UK with a £270 ($417) price tag.
Pentax's Optio I-10 point-and-shoot gets the hands-on treatment
Pentax managed to turn a few heads with its new batch of retro-styled point-and-shoots, and the folks at Pocket-lint have now already managed to get a hands-on with the top-end model of the lot: the Optio I-10. As you might expect, they seem to have been suitably impressed by the "cute and miniature" design, although they're quick to point out that this is far from the "hybrid" camera it might appear to be In fact, they say it's "very light," which apparently prompted some folks they handed it to question if it was "even a real camera." Not exactly the most encouraging sign, but Pocket-lint is promising to say more once it's had a chance to really put the camera through its paces.
Pentax Optio E70L plays 'spot the difference' with E70, loses
If the 10 megapixel Optio E70 was just a wee bit off from what you wanted, Pentax has introduced the E70L, a camera whose differences with its predecessor are astoundingly minimal. That added 'L' gives you an extra 0.1 megapixel, a tighter ISO range (80-6400 versus 64-6400), a more square body, a slightly varied button layout, and a less colorful exterior. Both still sport the 3x optical zoom, 2.4-inch LCD, shake reduction, face recognition, smile detection, and a hunger for AA batteries. Look for this one next month for about £100 ($142).[Via Engadget Spanish]
Pentax Optio Z10 gets reviewed
Pentax's Optio Z10 digital camera has been out for a little while now, but it just recently landed into the hand of the folks at Photography Blog, who've now given the cam their usual review treatment. From the looks of it, however, this one appears to be a decidedly mixed bag, with the camera winning some points for its 7x optical zoom (despite its pocketable size), but leaving them rather unimpressed overall. Most significantly, they say the image quality is "severely hampered by noise," a problem that apparently crops up even at ISO 200, and becomes a "pixellated mess" by ISO 3200. The so-called "digital shake reduction" also appears to be about as useful as a digital zoom, and the face recognition feature doesn't seem to have fared much better either. On the upside, the camera's focusing is reportedly "fast and accurate," even in low-light conditions, and there is that 7x zoom. Unless that's your top priority, however, it seems like you can probably do better elsewhere.
