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Review posted 12/06/2004

Click to take a QuickTime VR tour of the Optio X
Click on the Optio X to take a QuickTime VR tour


Offering twice the versatility in digital imaging, the PENTAX Optio X opens with just a twist of the hand and positions the lens on one side for shooting freedom and the generous LCD monitor on the other side for viewing ease. With 5.0 effective megapixel clarity, a 3X optical zoom and a unique design that allows both above-the-head and hip-level shots, the Optio X also features a high-performance, 2.0 inch, low-temperature poly silicon TFT color LCD monitor.

Optio X users will not sacrifice size for innovation. The Optio X body is a mere .7 inch thick making it the thinnest model in the entire Optio series. The Sliding Lens system — a unique PENTAX feature that allows the lens to be completely retracted inside the body as soon as the power is turned off — allows the Optio X to be carried in almost any size pocket or purse.



Pentax Optio X

Shown above seated nicely in its charging base. This base allows users to charge the battery in-camera and includes all of the I/O ports for connecting to a PC to download stored images or to direct-print to any PictBridge compatible printer.

It also features a newly developed ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which improves image quality and enhances processing speed. Its "My Menu" function allows users to group together frequently used functions for easy future access. With such a wide range capabilities and customized functions, the Optio X is a comprehensive personal digital imaging tool designed to be carried everywhere.



Optio X Features:

  • Ultra compact 4.4 x 2.1 x 0.7 inches, weighs just 4.4 ounces
  • Stylish "Twist" body
  • 3x Pentax zoom lens (35-105mm in 35mm equivalent)
  • 5.0-megapixel CCD imager for images up to 2560 x 1920
  • 270° swiveling 2.0" color TFT LCD monitor with 100% coverage
  • Interval shooting mode, you choose the time between frames and the amount of images captured
  • Records 320 x 240 motion JPEG with audio at 15fps, length limited to media capacity
  • 30 second voice memos can be attached to images
  • Shooting modes selected from a virtual mode dial
  • Super macro mode coverage down to 2.4 inches
  • Three metering choices: multi-segment, center weighted and spot
  • 28-zone, 62-city, world time with alarm clock.
  • Time-lapse movie mode
  • Audio-Video output for TV display
  • Rechargeable lithium-ion battery included
  • Approx. 14 MB of internal memory plus SD card slot
  • PictBridge, Epson PRINT Image Matching II and Exif Print compatible
  • USB Mass Storage compliant


As with all newer PENTAX Optio digital cameras, the Optio X includes the latest version of ACDSee™ 5.1 software. With a $150 value, ACDSee™ digital camera software makes it easy to retrieve, view, manage, print, enhance and share your digital photos.




Physical Views



Pentax Optio X

Pentax Optio X

Pentax Optio X Pentax Optio X

Pentax Optio X

Pentax Optio X





Optio X

The Optio X compared in size to a standard CD.






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Features & Controls








Optio X Specifications

Camera Type: Compact-type digital still camera with built-in zoom lens, autofocus, auto exposure and auto flash
Effective Pixels: 5.0 megapixels
Image Capture Device: Type - 1/2.5 inch interline transfer CCD with a primary color filter Total Pixels - 5.36 megapixels Color Depth - 10 bit x 3 colors Recorded Pixels Still 2560x1920 pixels, 2304x1728 pixels, 2048x1536 pixels, 1600x1200 pixels, 1024x768 pixels, 640x480 pixels Movie 320x240
Focus System: Type - TTL contrast detection autofocus system Autofocus - 9 point AF, Spot AF Focusing Range Autofocus Normal: 1.31 ft (0.4m) to Infinity Macro: 7.1 inches (0.18m) to 1.64 ft (0.65m) Super Macro: 2.4 inches (0.06m) to 7.9 inches (0.2m) at 10.2mm Manual Focus: 2.4 inches (0.06m) to Infinity
Lens: Type - smc PENTAX power zoom Focal Length - 5.8mm - 17.4mm 35mm Equivalent - 36mm - 107mm Aperture Range - F2.6 - F4.8 Construction - 6 elements in 5 groups (2 dual-sided aspherical elements) Optical Zoom - 3X Digital Zoom - 4X Combined - 12X
Exposure Control: Light Metering Method: TTL metering with choice of: Multi-segment, Center-weighted & Spot meter Sensitivity: Auto, or User select ISO 80, 160, 320 Exposure Control Method: Program AE Capture Modes: Still, Movie, Sound Exposure Compensation: +/-2 EV (1/3 steps)Shutter: Type - Programmed AE electronic lens shutter with CCD electronic shutter Shutter Speed - approx. 1/2000 - 4 seconds White Balance: White balance control - TTL Auto, Pre-set, Custom white balance Available Settings - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light, Manual Flash: Built-in series-control auto flash, Auto discharge under low light and backlit conditions in auto mode, Pre-discharge red-eye reduction Operation Modes - Auto, Flash-off, Flash-on, Auto + Red-eye reduction, Flash-on + Red-eye reduction Range: Approx. 7.2 inches (0.18m) - 11.8ft (3.6m) (5.8mm at ISO Auto) Approx. 7.2 inches (0.18m) - 6.2 ft (1.9m) (17.4mm at ISO Auto)
Shooting Specs: Picture Modes Program, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Night scene, Night scene portrait, Panorama assist, Surf & snow, Self-portrait, Food, Pet (white), Pet (grey), Pet (black), Museum, Sport, Fireworks Digital Filter Playback: Black & White, Sepia, Red, Pink, Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Brightness Drive Modes Single-shot, Continuous, Multiple continuous, Self-timer (10sec, 2sec), Auto bracketing, Interval shooting, Multiple exposure Movie Mode Shooting Time: from Approx. 1 sec. to memory card capacityRecord in Color, Black & White or Sepia
Time: Modes - dd/mm/yy, mm/dd/yy, yy/mm/dd World Time - Displays the time in 62 cities (28 time zones) Alarm Clock - Displays image with alarm (maximum of three memory settings) with snooze
Image Storage: Storage Media - SD memory card removable, Built-in memory (approx. 14MB) File Formats Still JPEG (Exif 2.2), DCF (Design rule for Camera File system), DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), PRINT Image Matching III Movie MOV (QuickTime motion JPEG) approx. 15fps with sound Sound WAV (ADPCM), MonauralRecordable time depends on the remaining capacity of the memory card Quality Levels - Best, Better, Good with 128MB Card
LCD Monitor: 2 inch, TFT color LCD - with Histogram display
LCD Viewfinder: Optical Viewfinder – Not available
Playback Specs: Playback Modes File - Single, Index - Nine image Magnification – Maximum 8x LCD Function Scroll, Folder display, Image rotation, Sound, Slide show, Movie playback, Copy image and sound, Resize, Trimming, Digital filter, Alarm Erase and Image Protect Modes - Single, All
PictBridge: One image printing, All image printing, DPOF auto print, paper size
Language: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese
Interfaces: Type - AV output terminal, USB terminal, DC input terminal Video Output - Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats (monaural sound)
Power Supply: Rechargeable lithium-ion
Physical Specs: Operating Temperatures - 32o to 104o Fahrenheit (0o to 40o Celsius) Camera Casing - Aluminum alloy Dimensions (W x H x D) – 4.4 x 2.1 x 0.7 Inches (112 x 54 x 18mm) Weight - 4.4 oz. (125g) without battery and SD memory card 5.1 oz. (145g) loaded and ready
Computer System Reqs: Mac Requirements - OS: Mac OS 8.6 or later, standard equipped USB port PC Requirements - OS: Windows 98/98SE, Me, 2000, XP Home edition / Professional, standard equipped USB port (USB Driver install required for Win 98/98 SE, Me, 200, XP, Mac OS 8.6)
(Specifications as represented by the manufacturer)





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