Pentax Optio 230 Review

The Optio 230 is equipped with a Pentax power zoom 5.8mm-17.4mm (Equivalent to 38mm-114mm in 35mm format) f/2.6-f/5.0, 6 elements in 5 groups (1 aspherical elements). When powered down the lens will automatically retract into the camera and is protected by a builtin lens cap.

Featuring a 5-point, TTL contrast detection autofocus system with selectable Spot focus option. The AF range is from 1.31ft to infinity in normal mode and from 0.33ft to 1.64ft in macro mode. Manual focusing is available from 0.33ft to infinity and it has a fixed infinity/landscape setting.

The zoom lens control is on the upper right corner of the back. This switch also serves as the zoomed-playback and thumbnail index control in Play mode.

The eyelevel, real-image zoom viewfinder has a frame coverage of about 85% and a diopter adjustment. The two LEDs indicate the flash and focus status.

The built-in flash has modes for auto flash, fill-flash in low lighting and backlight condition, flash-on and flash-off and "Red-eye" reduction function which employs a single discharge. The flash working range in Wide Angle is approx. 0.7 - 5.9m (ISO 200) and Tele approx. 0.5 - 2.7m (ISO 200).

The 1.6-inch color LCD monitor swings out through a 180° arc to face forward to make it easy to capture self-portrait shots.

There are dedicated buttons for the Flash mode (functions as the Delete button in play mode) and Focus mode (Selftimer, Macro, Landscape, Manual Focus), it's the image Protect button in play mode. The MENU button calls up or dismisses the onscreen menu system. The 4-way selector switch is for navigating menu options, press the OK button in the center to accept selections. The DISPLAY button controls the color LCD and the information displayed on it.

On top you'll find the power On/Off button and the Mode Dial with the shutter release in the center. The Mode Dial has positions for Play, Auto Record, Full Record, Night Scene and Movie mode.

Images and movie clips are stored on CompactFlash Type I cards, Pentax provides a 16MB size CF card with the camera. The ejector button pushes the card out just far enough to catch the edge of it with your fingernail.

There is a miniature connector on the side to facilitate both the USB 1.1 data port and the Audio / Video cable for connection to a TV set. Below that is the DC IN port for an optional AC power supply or external battery pack.

The Optio 230 is powered by either two AA-size batteries or one of the CR-V3 type batteries.