Pentax Optio 43WR Review

With an internal Pentax 2.8X power zoom lens (equivalent to a 37-104mm lens in 35mm format) the Optio 43WR is designed for maximum protection against water. The lens operates within a full range without protruding from the body of the camera. The glass lens is constructed of 10 elements in 7 groups with three aspherical elements. The aperture range is F2.8 - F3.9. Combined with a 4X digital zoom it has a total zoom of 11.2X.

Featuring a 5-point, TTL contrast detection autofocus system with selectable Spot focus, infinity landscape and manual focus options. The AF range is from 0.98 ft to infinity in normal mode and from 3.93 in. to 1.64 ft in macro mode. Manual focusing is available from 0.33 ft to infinity.

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 at ISO 100 is approx. 0.33ft - 9.5ft (0.1m - 2.9m) at 5.7mm, and approx. 1.64ft - 6.9ft (0.5m - 2.1m) at 16mm

The optical viewfinder is coupled to the zoom focal length but lacks any kind of dioptric adjustment. The optical viewfinder shows about 85% of the captured image area. There are LED indicators for flash, focus, and image processing status.

Controls on the back: Top right is the zoom rocker switch, in playback it controls the index and enlarge functions. There are dedicated buttons for the Voice Memo, Flash mode (functions as the Protect button in play mode) and Focus mode (Macro, Landscape, Manual Focus), it's also the image Delete button in play mode. The button above and to the left of the 4-way is the Play mode button, press it to review images. The 4-way selector switch is for navigating menu options, press the OK button in the center to accept selections. Press "Up" to change Drive modes in record or to set DPOF printing info in play mode. Press "Down" to change the recording mode (see the next page for the various modes available.) The MENU button calls up or dismisses the onscreen menu system.

On top is the power On/Off button and the shutter release.

Images and movie clips are stored on Secure Digital or MultiMedia cards, Pentax provides a 16MB SD card with the camera. The camera is compatible with all SD cards up to 1GB in capacity.

Shown here with a spacious and speedy Sandisk Ultra II 256MB SD card.

I/O Ports:  On top is the DC IN port for an optional AC power supply or external battery pack.

The miniature connector on the bottom is for both the USB 1.1 data cable and the Audio / Video cable for connection to a TV set.

The Optio 43WR is powered by either two AA-size batteries or one CR-V3 type battery. Note the O-ring weather seal around the battery door. As always, we recommend the use of NiMH rechargeable or the new RCR-V3 rechargeable batteries, they're reusable, provide much more power than alkalines and save you money in the long run.

Pentax claims a battery life of up to 500 shots using the CR-V3 type battery, 300 shots using NiMH batteries, and 100 shots using Alkaline batteries.