Pentax Optio X70 Review

The Optio X70 features a Pentax 4.6-110.4mm, 24x optical zoom lens with an 35mm equivalent focal length of 26-624mm. The maximum aperture range is from F2.8 - 5.0. The lens is all glass and consists of 14 elements, 11 groups with 4 aspherical elements. When the camera is powered down the lens is retracted inside of the body, and Pentax includes a lens cap and string.

Autofocus is handled by a 9-point TTL contrast detection AF system that is assisted in low-light conditions by a focus-assist illuminator. You can choose from Multi (9-point) AF, Tracking, Face Recognition, Spot AF, Infinity Landscape, AF Point Selection and Manual focus modes. The focusing range in Normal mode is 1.21 ft. to infinity (wide), 5.6 ft. to infinity (tele); Macro - 0.33-1.64 ft. (wide, mide zoom); Super Macro - 0.03-0.98 in. (mid zoom).

The built-in manual pop-up flash unit features Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash Off, Slow Sync, and Slow Sync w/Red-eye modes.

The working range is:

Wide: 29.9 feet (wide, Auto ISO)
Tele: 16.7 feet (tele, Auto ISO)

The X70 offers an electronic viewfinder (aka EVF), which is simply a tiny LCD mounted in a magnified eyepiece. This display offers 200K pixels, and can show all of the same exposure information and menus that the LCD on the back can. There is no dioptric adjustment. On the left you can see the EVF/LCD button, which switches the live image between the two screens.

Controls located on the grip include the Mode Dial with positions for Auto Picture, SCN, Program, Shutter priority (Tv), Aperture priority (Av), Manual, User/Custom, Movie, Digital SR, and Sports. You can also see the On/Off button, Exposure comp. button, and the Shutter release with the zoom controls mounted around it.

On the back is a large 2.7 inch LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 pixels.

Controls on the back: At the top left you can see the DISPlay button, which controls the amount of information displayed on the LCD and EVF. Next you can see the control dial, which is used to change exposure values, depending on what capture mode you are using. In playback mode, it controls the Index and Magnify options. Above the 4-way controller is the Face Recognition and Playback buttons. The 4-way controller lets you navigate menus and select images during playback. In record you press 'Up' to enable self-timer mode, press 'Left' to change flash mode, press 'Right' to change focus mode and press 'Down' to change recording Mode. The OK button in the center accepts user selections. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menus, and lastly the GREEN button quickly puts the camera into the 'Green' or simple (point-n-shoot) mode, and during in playback it functions as the Delete button.

On the left side are the I/O ports. At the top is the PC/AV port, which handles both the USB 2.0 (High-speed) connection for downloading images and movies to your PC, and the Audio/Video output for TV display. Next is the DC IN port for connecting an optional power supply.

The X70 offers 33.6 MB of internal memory, and also accepts SD/SDHC cards via the expansion slot on the right side. Seen here with Lexar Professional 133x 2GB SD card.

Approx. Storage Capacities:

Pentax claims the Optio X70's D-LI92 3.7v 925mAh Li-Ion battery pack provides power for approximately 170 images or 200 minutes of continuous playback time (using CIPA standards for testing.) This battery pack is charged in the D-BC92 AC quick charger, which requires the use of the included AC cord.

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