Pentax Optio 33WR Review

Click to take a QuickTime tour of the Optio 33WR

The Optio 33WR is a compact and durable 3.2 megapixel digital camera with a 2.8X zoom lens and a JIS Class 7 water resistance rating. The Optio 33WR remains watertight even when the camera is rinsed, splashed or submersed in water. The Optio 33WR is the perfect companion for outdoor photography in rain, snow or a day at the beach. It should not be operated underwater however.

The compact and water-resistant Optio 33WR measures 3.2 x 3.0 x 1.2 inches and weighs 7.3 ounces. It hosts a variety of impressive features also found on other PENTAX Optio digital products including: movie mode with sound and voice memo, built-in flash, a high-precision 1.6 inch LCD monitor, an optical viewfinder, and a diverse range of shooting modes including program, landscape, night scene, night scene portrait, surf and snow, portrait, sunset, flower, fireworks, snap (automatic pan) and macro modes.

Other advanced features: White Balance settings for Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light and manual preset. Exposure metering can be selected according to your subject. Choose from Multi-segment, Center-weighted, and Spot metering. Sensitivity to light can be automatic, or manually set to 50, 100, 200 or 400 equivalent. Exposure compensation can be adjusted with a range of +/-2EV in 1/3EV steps. A choice of color, black & white, sepia and a host of Digital Filter modes allow further creative freedom. Sharpness, saturation and contrast can be also be set in 3 different levels to produce the desired results.

The Optio 33WR operates with an SD memory card or MultiMediaCard (MMC) and power sources include two AA alkaline batteries or optional CR-V3 lithium batteries and AC adapter. The camera outfit includes the latest version of ACDSee™ 5.0 software to allow users to retrieve, view, manage, print, enhance and share your digital photos.

Optio 33WR Features:

• Compact and water-resistant camera body
• 3.2-megapixel CCD for images up to 2048 x 1536 pixels
• 2.8x optical zoom (37-104mm) with 4x digital zoom
• Macro mode focuses as close as 3.93"
• 1.6-inch color LCD monitor
• Shooting modes: Program AE, Night Scene Portrait, Movie, Panorama Assist, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Surf & Snow and Sunset
• Multi-segment, Center-weighted or Spot-metering
• Exposure, White Balance, Saturation, Sharpness and Contrast Bracketing
• Sharpness, Saturation and Contrast in three different levels
• Movie mode 320x240 w/audio, length limited only by available memory
• Built-in flash with Auto, Fill and Red-eye Reduction modes
• Digital Filters: B&W, sepia, red, pink, purple, blue, green, yellow, soft, and brightness
• White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent and Manual
• Adjustable ISO speeds: 50, 100, 200, 400
• USB Mass Storage compatible for PC and Mac OS
• Exif Print and PRINT Image Matching II compatible
• Secure Digital or MultiMedia memory cards
• World Time function displays the time in 62 cities
• Powered by two AA or one CR-V3 type battery
• Audio-Video Out for connection and replay on TV

The Optio 33WR includes the following: 16MB SD card, USB cable, audio-video cable, ACDSee™ 5.0 software, wrist strap and two AA batteries. The retail price is $450 with an estimated street price of $349.95 USD and will be available around the end of October.

Physical Views

Pentax Optio 33WR and a standard CD for size comparison

Pentax Optio 33WR Specifications