Pentax Optio 750z Review

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By: Steve's Digicams

Review posted 11/9/2004

Click on the Optio750Z to take a 360° QuickTime VR tour

The Optio750Z is the 2004 flagship of Pentax's Optio line of digital cameras. It features a high resolution 7.0-megapixel imager coupled with a high-performance smc PENTAX 5X optical zoom lens. The Optio750Z resembles a classic 35mm rangefinder type camera with its durable and stylish aluminum alloy exterior accented by leather-grained rubber panels.

The camera's 10 shooting modes (Program, Aperture-priority AE, Shutter-priority AE, Metered Manual, USER, Picture, Panorama assist, 3D image, Digital filter and Movie) allow users from novice to advanced level to capture the best possible images in any shooting situation. The 1.8-inch, low-reflection LCD monitor swivels 180° horizontally and 270° vertically to allow you to shoot at any angle and has 100% coverage of the captured frame. The Pentax 5X optical zoom lens offers a focal range equivalent to that of a 37.5-187.5mm lens on a 35mm camera. In Macro mode, the user can shoot from as close as 15cm from the subject at all zoom ranges and when the zoom is set at the wide mode end, the user can move in closer still to about 2cm from the subject.

Autofocusing precision and speed have both been enhanced by the incorporation of hybrid AF. Combining TTL contrast detection with an external passive sensor, it allows the photographer to choose from Wide AF, Spot AF and 11-point area selectable AF, and also features an auxiliary AF-assist lamp to achieve the best possible results when shooting in low light.

Still images can be saved in standard JPEG compressed format with one of three quality levels or in TIFF uncompressed format for post-capture editing with no compression artifacts. In addition to high resolution still images the Optio750Z also captures VGA video with sound at a rate of 30fps (frames per second) with 640 x 480 recorded pixels up to the full available capacity of the memory card. The Optio750Z is also equipped with a Voice recording mode that records audio only.

Advanced features include: Five auto bracketing functions that allow shooting with different levels of exposure, white balance, sharpness, saturation or contrast. Digital filter function that's effective not only at the time of shooting but also on recorded images during playback. Timed Interval shooting mode and Multiple exposure mode. Real-time histogram and warning display for overexposed (washed out) areas and under exposed (blacked out) areas. Digital exposure metering mode with display of EV values at up to two separate points on the monitor for high-precision metering. And much, much more...

Optio750Z Features:

Compact, stylish and durable aluminum alloy body
5x Pentax zoom lens (37.5-187.5mm in 35mm equivalent)
7.0-megapixel CCD imager for images up to 3056 x 2296 pixels
JPEG or uncompressed TIFF file formats
Selectable 4:3 or 3:2 aspect ratio
640x480 or 320x240 motion JPEG with audio at 30/15fps, length limited to media capacity
30 second voice memos can be attached to images
Shooting modes: Program, Aperture, Shutter, Manual, User, Picture (12 settigs), Panorama assist, 3D image, Digital filter, Movie
Five Auto Bracketing Functions
Interval shooting and Multiple exposure
Hybrid AF (TTL contrast detect + external passive sensor) with AF-assist lamp
11-point selectable AF - Wide AF, Spot AF
Super macro mode coverage down to 0.79 inches
Three metering choices: multi-segment, center weighted and spot
28-zone, 62-city, world time with alarm clock.
Audio-Video output for TV display
1.8" swiveling/rotating color LCD monitor with 100% coverage
Powered by rehcargeable Li-ion battery
Uses any capcity SD memory card
PictBridge, Epson PRINT Image Matching III and Exif Print compatible
USB Mass Storage compliant

The Optio750Z includes the latest version of ACDSee™ 5.1 software which makes it easy to retrieve, view, manage, print, enhance and share your digital photos. The Optio750Z is available now with a suggested retail price of $599.95.

Physical Views

The Optio750Z compared in size to a standard CD.

Compare the size of the Optio S5i and the Optio750Z.

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Optio 750Z Specifications

Image Sensor	Type - 1/1.8 inch interline transfer CCD with a primary color filter Color Depth - 12 bit x 3 colors Aspect ratio - 4:3
	Total Pixels - 7.41 megapixels Effective Pixels - 7.0 megapixels
Recorded Pixels	3056x2296, 3056x2040(3:2) 2592x1944, 2592x1728(3:2) 2048x1536, 2048x1368(3:2) 1600x1200, 1600x1064(3:2) 1024x768, 1024x680(3:2) 640x480, 640x424(3:2)
Focus System	Type - Hybrid AF (TTL contrast detection with exo-passive sensor)
	Autofocus - 11 point selectable AF, Wide, Spot AF & Infinity Landscape Mode
	Manual Focus - 0.79 inches (0.02m) to Infinity
	Focusing Range Normal: 1.97 ft (0.6m) to Infinity Macro: 5.9 inches (0.15 m) to 2.13 ft (0.65m) Super Macro: 0.79 inches (0.02m) to 2.13 feet (0.65m) at 7.8mm
Lens	smc PENTAX power zoom
	Focal Length - 7.8mm- 39mm
	35mm Equivalent - 37.5mm-187.5mm
	Aperture Range - f2.8- f4.6
	Construction - 9 elements in 7 groups (2 dual-sided aspherical elements)
	Digital Zoom - 8X
Exposure Control	Light Metering Method - TTL metering with choice of: Multi-segment, Center-weighted & Spot meter
	Sensitivity - Auto, or user select ISO 80, 100, 200, 400
	Exposure Control Method - Program AE
	Exposure Modes - Mode Dial: Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual, USER, Digital spotmeter, Movie, Voice recording, Digital Filter, 3D image, Panorama assist, Picture
	Exposure Compensation - +/-2 EV (1/3 steps)
Shutter	Type - Programmed AE electronic lens shutter with CCD electronic shutter. Shutter Speed - approx. 1/2000 - 15 second (approx. 1/1000 sec. during Metered Manual, Shutter priority)
White Balance	White Balance Control - TTL Auto, Pre-set, Custom White Balance
	Available Settings - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light (W,N,D), Manual
Flash	Operation Modes: Auto, Flash-Off, Flash-On, Auto + red-eye reduction, Flash-On + red-eye reduction Effective Range: Approx. 1.31ft - 17.1ft (0.4m - 5.2m) (7.8mm at ISO auto) Approx. 0.5ft - 10.5ft (0.15m - 3.2m) (39mm at ISO auto)
Viewfinders	Optical Viewfinder - Actual Image zoom viewfinder with diopter adjustment -3m-1 to +1m-1
	LCD Monitor - 1.8 inch, TFT color LCD - with Histogram Display Swivels 180° horizontally / 270° vertically Resolution: 134,000 pixels Coverage - 100%
Shooting Specifications	Shooting Modes - Mode dial: Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual, USER, Digital spotmeter, Movie, Voice recording, Digital Filter, 3D image, Panorama assist, Picture Picture Modes - Landscape, Portrait, Self portrait, Night scene, Night scene portrait, Sport, Flower, Fireworks, Surf & Snow, Autumn colors, Sunset, Food Digital Filter - Capture: Black & White, Sepia, Red, Pink, Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Soft; Playback: Black & White, Sepia, Red, Pink, Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Soft, Brightness
	Drive Modes - Single-Shot, Continuous, AE Bracket, Remote control, Self-timer-10 sec., Interval, Multiple exposure Auto Bracket Function: Exposure, White balance, Sharpness, Saturation or Contrast
	Movie Mode - 640x480 or 320x240 @ 30 or 15fps w/sound up to capacity of memory card
Time	Modes - dd/mm/yy, mm/dd/yy, yy/mm/dd
	World Time - Display of the time in 68 cities (28 time zones)
	Alarm Clock - Displays image with alarm (maximum of three memory settings)
Image Storage	Storage Media - SD (Secure Digital) card, 16MB included
	File Formats - Design rule for Camera File system (DCF)
	Print Order Format - Digital Print Order Format (DPOF)
	Image Recording Format: Still - JPEG (Exif 2.2); Movie - AVI (Open DML motion JPEG Format) 30/15fps; Sound - WAV (ADPCM), Monaural
	Quality Mode - TIFF (uncompressed), JPEG Best, Better, Good. Approx. # of pictures with 128MB SD card: 3056x2296: 6 - 31 - 62 - 95 2592x1944: 8 - 44 - 89 - 137 2048x1536: n/a - 69 - 137 - 206 1600x1200: n/a - 113 - 223 - 301 1024x768: n/a - 244 - 435 - 602 640x480: n/a - 522 - 712 - 979 Movie: 640x480 30fps 1:50 - 15fps 3:50 320x240 30fps 3:00 - 15fps 5:50
Playback Specifications	Playback Modes File - Single, Index- Nine image
	Magnification - 2x/4x/10x
	Slide Show - in playback mode
	Image rotation, 30 sec. voice memo, resize, digital filter
	PictBridge direct-USB printing
Erasing Specifications	Erase Modes - Single, All
	Image Protect - Single, All
Interfaces	AV output terminal, USB terminal, DC input terminal
	Video output - Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats (monaural sound)
Remote Control	Pentax remote control units E and F (optional)
Power Supply	Rechargeable Lithium-ion D-LI7 battery (approx. 245 shots* with one charge) AC adaptor kit (optional) * According to in-house testing (with LCD monitor on and flash used for 50% of the shots)
Physical Specifications	Operating temperatures - 32 Degrees - 104 Degrees F (0 - 40 Degrees Celsius)
	Camera Casing - Aluminum alloy
	Dimensions (WxHxD) 3.9 x 2.4 x 1.7 inches (100 x 61.5 x 42mm)
	Weight - 7.4 oz (210g) without battery and SD memory card; 8.9 oz (255g) loaded and ready
Computer Requirements	Mac Requirements - OS: Mac OS 9.2 or later (QuickTime 4.0 or later to view movies), CPU: Power PC 266MHz or higher, Memory: 8MB or more, Hard disk space:6MB or more, Standard equipped USB port
	PC Requirements - OS: Windows 2000, Me, XP Home edition / Professional, CPU: Pentium or later recommended, Memory:64MB or more, Hard disk space: 15MB or more, Standard equipped USB port
Kit Inclusions	Optio 750Z Camera, USB Cable I-USB7 (39551), AV Cable I-AVC7 (39552), Lithium-ion Battery DL-I7 (39117), Strap O-ST5 (39526), Battery Charger Kit K-BC7U (39137), 16 MB SD Memory Card, Software (CD-ROM), Operating Manual, Serial Number Card. Service Network Directory.

(Specifications as represented by the manufacturer)

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