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Pentax Optio T30

Reviewed October 2007

Test Photos

Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion
PLEASE NOTE:

Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities of any given camera model. The images are altered only in terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that any marbling or artifacts visible in the images are due to the compression required to display them here. We feel however, that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.

STILL LIFE

This subject is photographed in a room that has a mix of fluorescent and incandescent light, but which is not brightly lit. The camera's flash is used to add fill light. The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.

The image the Pentax Optio T30 yields with the sensitivity set to 64 ISO is well exposed, and well lit. The light from the flash complements the ambient artificial lighting perfectly and opens up shadow areas very effectively, while the auto white balance produces an image of this subject that has natural colours.

Photo Information
Format: JPEG Aperture: f2.7
Exp: Program Shutter Spd: 1/50 sec.
Res: 3072 x 2304 Flash: On
Quality: Best ISO: 64
File Size: 2.23 MB Focal Lgth: 37.5 mm (35 mm Eq.)
When the image is inspected at full scale on a monitor, however, some graininess can be seen, possibly a result of noise and compression, and the sharpness is noticeably lower.

ZOOM PHOTO

Now we zoom in on the on the centre of the image above to gauge the sharpness of the image at the zoom's maximum setting. The camera remains at the same distance as in the preceding photo.

At the telephoto end of the zoom, the brightest aperture available is f5.2 and it is necessary to set the camera to Auto ISO and allow it to increase sensitivity to make the image brighter.

The camera increases sensitivity to 400 ISO to improve the effectiveness of the flash, and as a result noise starts to become noticeable in shadow areas, slightly changing the colour of the background cloth.

Photo Information
Format: JPEG Aperture: f5.2
Exp: Program Shutter Spd: 1/100 sec.
Res: 3072 x 2304 Flash: On
Quality: Best ISO: 400
File Size: 2.45 MB Focal Lgth: 112.5 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Yet, the image sharpness is greater when the zoom is at the telephoto end, making it possible to see the texture of the background cloth. Here again, however, the combination of noise and compression lower the overall image sharpness.
Aperture: f2.7, shutter speed: 1/8 sec. 64 ISO.

MACRO PHOTO

The Macro mode of the Optio T30 locks the zoom at the wide angle end to allow for a minimum focus distance of 15 cm (6 in.). At this distance the camera captures a field of view of approximately 14.5 cm (5.8 in.). Images captured at this distance reveal some barrel distortion, most noticeably when the subject contains straight elements along the long sides of the frame.

As the camera selects the aperture and shutter speed automatically, the depth of field of macro images cannot be maximized.

BUILDING PHOTO

This image is our "outdoor" test. The architecture of the building, in particular the angled girders, immediately show the presence of jaggies. The shadowed entrance can also often reveal the quality of the exposure.

The exposures the camera yields outdoors under good light are very good. In this case, the colours are slightly warm, and that saturation produces an excellent print.

Seen at 100%, the image appears a touch soft focus, but is free of any noticeable barrel distortion. Likewise, there is no visible chromatic aberration along the edges of high contrasts.

Photo Information
Format: JPEG Aperture: f4.3
Exp: Program Shutter Spd: 1/320 sec.
Res: 3072 x 2304 Flash: Off
Quality: Best ISO: 64
File Size: 2.15 MB Focal Lgth: 37.5 mm (35 mm Eq.)

ZOOM PHOTO

Zooming in on the entrance of the building, the shadowed entrance takes on a greater importance for the metering and can cause an overexposure of sections that are directly lit.

The telephoto exposure has colours that are consistent with those obtained at the wide angle end of the zoom. There is no discernable pincushion distortion, nor any chromatic aberration.

Sharpness, on the other hand, is slightly soft and the small sign on the door appears a bit blurry, very possibly the result of the fairly strong compression applied to the images.

Photo Information
Format: JPEG Aperture: f5.2
Exp: Program Shutter Spd: 1/125 sec.
Res: 3072 x 2304 Flash: Off
Quality: Best ISO: 64
File Size: 2.15 MB Focal Lgth: 112.5 mm (35 mm Eq.)

 

NIGHT PHOTO

As this camera is capable of a long exposure, a photo taken at night is included.

Aperture: f2.7; shutter speed: 4 sec., 160 ISO.

The Optio T30 is capable of capturing exposures as long as 4 seconds when used in the Night Scene mode. This comparatively short exposure time translates as dark exposures at the lowest and least noise-prone sensitivity unless the subject is very brightly lit.

With darker subjects, the only alternative is to increase sensitivity, but as of 200 ISO the noise in the image causes a loss of detail and overall image quality.

To obtain the best results, a well-lit subject is preferable, allowing the use of the lowest sensitivity. At 64 ISO, noise is minimal and the image retains a very reasonable level of detail. And as the camera allows control over the white balance in all capture modes, setting it — with this subject — to Incandescent yields quite realistic colours.
Compare Prices for
Pentax Optio T30 7.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
StoreSeller RatingsDescriptionPrice
RefurbDepotin stock$187.95
Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion



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