Pentax Optio 330rs Review



Features & Controls
![]() The Optio 330RS employs an ultra-compact F2.6-F4.8 Pentax 7.6-22.8mm power zoom with a 37.5 - 112.5mm equivalent in 35mm format. It's an all-glass lens constructed with 7 elements in 6 groups, including 2 dual-sided aspherical elements. When powered down the lens will automatically retract into the camera and is protected by a built-in lens cap.
Featuring a 7-point, TTL contrast detection autofocus system with 49 selectable focus points
or a Spot focus option. The AF range is from 1.3ft to infinity in normal mode and from 0.46ft
to 1.64ft in macro mode. Manual focusing is available from 0.46ft 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.
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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.
![]() There are dedicated buttons for the Flash mode (functions as the Delete button in play mode), Drive mode (Selftimer, Remote, Continuous), it's the DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) button in play mode and Focus mode (Macro, Infinity, Manual Focus, Focus Area set), this is the Protect / Unprotect 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, you press the OK button in the center to accept
selections. The DISPLAY button controls the 1.6-inch color LCD and the information
displayed on it.
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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 Record, Night
Scene, Manual Record, Movie, 3D(stereo) Image and Digital filter mode.
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Images and movie clips are stored in 11MB of internal storage in the camera. The user can
expand this via the CompactFlash Type I card slot that accepts any capacity CF card. The
ejector button pushes the card out just far enough to catch the edge of it with your
fingernail.
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There is a miniature USB connector on the side that is used to download your pictures
to your computer. Below that is the DC IN port for an optional AC power supply or
external battery pack. There is no video out feature on this camera.
![]() A tiny camera requires a tiny battery. The Optio 330RS is powered by a proprietary D-L12 (3.7v @ 1035mAh) rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It also comes with the D-BC2 external charger that fully charges the battery in 120 minutes or less. Pentax claims 250 shots with the LCD on (50% with flash.) As with all cameras that use proprietary batteries, I highly recommend that you buy at least one more of these batteries and keep it charged and ready. |
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