A beautifully designed compact with full manual mode and impressive functionality

Pros

Pros icon
  • Pro Quality build, Full manual mode, Design and feel

Cons

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  • Con Lack of wider zoom range
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The 10-megapixel Pentax Optio A30 is equipped with anti-shake technology and offers full manual control in a chic and compact body

The compact market is forever evolving with growing pixel counts and a multitude of features. The Pentax Optio A30 possesses several of the latter yet offers full manual control in a chic and compact body.

Features
Image capture takes place on a 10MP 1/1.8in CCD. The 3x optical zoom (38-114mm equivalent) is modest, as is the maximum ISO 1600, with the result of all of the above displayed on a striking 2.5in LCD screen.

Design and Performance
It is in use that the A30 really impresses, both in shooting and its general look and feel. The matt black finish and steel highlights of the body give the A30 a real feel of quality. The weight, while not heavy, continues the overall impression of a refined compact. And whereas a lot of compacts impress in design yet frustrate in use, the A30 continues the advanced feel throughout.

Image Quality
Images are consistently, but not overly, sharp while noise is minimal right up to ISO 800.

Score