Pentax Optio H90 review
Review Date : Mon, 19 Apr 2010
Author : Mike Lowe
- Sample Photos: Pentax H90 review sample images gallery
Trendy design and an affordable price, how does the new Pentax H90 shape up? The What Digital Camera Pentax H90 review investigates…
| Pros: | Exterior design, affordable, HD video |
|---|---|
| Cons: | Screen has poor viewing angle, image quality and softness, high ISO settings and wide-angle barrel distortion |
Pentax Optio H90 review - Features
The Pentax H90 is an affordable, strikingly-designed compact ‘inspired by Japanese trends'. With a 12.1 megapixel CCD sensor, 28-140mm 5x optical zoom lens and 2.7in, 230K-dot LCD screen, it's possible to shoot stills or even 720p HD video. A Programme Auto (P) mode features to allow user-defined sensitivity adjustment from ISO 80-1600 (3200-6400 at a 5MP size), as well as exposure compensation and in-camera digital filter effects, such as black and white shooting mode. As such the Pentax H90 is an ideal point-and-shoot snapper that comes with a rechargeable li-ion battery - at around £130 it's a competitively affordable product that should appeal to those on a limited budget.
Pentax H90 review - Design
The Pentax H90 comes in one of three choice finishes - silver & orange, black & white or silver & white. Each design has a ‘top strip' of colour across the upper quarter of the camera which makes for a striking and unique design. The orange may not be for everyone, but with the three different colour choices there should be something for all tastes.
The 2.7in screen on the back is inset a couple of millimeters into the raised plastic body of the rear, with the zoom, d-pad and button controls to the right hand side. Layout is straightforward and the buttons are well labeled on the d-pad and standalone playback, face detection, menu and ‘green' (for user-assignable function) buttons. As the zoom is set to the rear of the camera, it can be a bit more fiddly to use than if it was on the camera's top, though this is down to personal preference.
The H90's in-camera menu options are easy to use, divided into two main sections: a three page ‘Rec. Mode' and three page ‘Setting' page available when in P mode. Scrolling down through the pages can make locating some options a little slow, but as this is predominantly a point and shoot, toggling between options is unlikely to be required for each time a shot is taken.
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Verdict
The Pentax H90 looks the part, is a generally solid compact camera and, despite the image quality being a bit of a let down, is a front-running entry-level compact. For the money it’s one of the better compact cameras out there, is well-equipped with a rechargeable li-ion battery and will do you proud for day to day point-and-shoot antics.
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Latest comments
May 10 20:58
GHJones
I have downloaded AnumberofPhotos which have been superb.Perhaps yourcamera was sub std or something was.
July 01 02:16
NickK
I have just bought one and am pleasantly surprised by the image quality and features available on such a cheap camera. In particular, the standard wide lens (28mm equiv)is stunning and the 'in-camera' photo-stitch is brilliant.