Pentax Optio M30 Review

The Optio M30 features an smc (super multi-coated) Pentax 6.3mm - 18.9mm, 3x optical zoom lens with an 35mm equivalent focal length of 38mm - 114mm, the aperture range is F3.1 - F5.9. The lens is all glass and consists of 6 elements in 5 groups (4 aspherical element). When the camera is powered down the lens is retracted inside of the body and a built in cover closes to protect the lens.

It has a 9-point auto focus system with Multi AF, Spot, and Tracking AF modes. The focusing range in Normal mode is 1.31 ft (0.4m) to Infinity; Macro - 4.0 in (0.1m) at wide angle to 3.3 ft (1.0m) at telephoto; Super Macro - 1.9in (0.05m) at wide angle to 1.31 ft (0.4m) at telephoto.

The built in flash offers Auto, Flash-off, Flash-on, Red-eye reduction; Effective Range: Approx. 18 ft (at wide angle), 9.2 ft (at telephoto), 50.9 ft (at wide angle in Digital SR mode), 26.6 ft. (at telephoto in Digital SR mode), using Auto ISO.

On the back is a large 2.5 inch LCD monitor with the clarity of approximately 115K pixels. Controls on the back: On top is the zoom control, functions as the index/magnify control in playback. Below it is the Playback button. The 4-way controller lets you navigate menus and select images during playback. In record you press "Up" to enable selftimer mode, press left to change flash mode, press right to change focus mode and press "Down" to change recording Mode. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menus. The GREEN button quickly puts the camera into Simple Auto (point-n-shoot) mode, in playback it is the Delete button.

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

On the bottom is the PC/AV port handles both the USB 1.1 connection for download and the audio-video output for TV display. On the left side of the camera is the DC IN port (not shown) for using and optional external power supply.

The Optio M30 is equipped with approx. 22MB of internal memory and has a Secure Digital (SD) card slot on the right side for optional memory cards. It's compatible with SD cards up to 2GB and 4GB and larger SDHC memory cards. Data recorded on the internal memory can be copied to SD card.

The Optio M30's D-LI63 3.7v 740mAh Li-Ion battery pack provides exceptional battery life at approximately 230 images or 330 minutes of continuous playback time (using CIPA standards for testing.) This battery pack is charged in the handy D-BC63 AC quick charger.