Pentax Optio A10
Manufacturer: Pentax Part number: Optio A10
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Its LCD has issues outdoors and in burst mode, but this ultracompact 8-megapixel Pentax Optio A10 for the snapshooting set is easy to operate and versatile.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/02/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Pentax Optio A10 price range: $198.89
- Reviewed by: David D. Busch
- Edited by: Philip Ryan
- Reviewed on: 05/23/2006
- Released on: 02/25/2006
The good: Ultracompact, excellent macro capabilities, easy-access controls.
The bad: LCD washes out in bright light, noisy images when shooting at more than ISO 200.
The bottom line: Its LCD has issues outdoors and in burst mode, but this ultracompact 8-megapixel Pentax Optio A10 for the snapshooting set is easy to operate and versatile.
The 5.5-ounce, 3.5-by-2.1-by-0.9-inch camera operates most smoothly when gripped with two hands, and there's even an indentation for your finger on the left side of the camera top. Thankfully, this Optio has plenty of hard-button controls, which reduces trips to the menus to make adjustments. On top, there's an illuminated power switch, a shutter release, and a shake-reduction effect preview button. On the back, controls include a standard zoom rocker, a playback button, a menu key, and a four-way cursor pad with embedded OK button.
The OK button also controls the type of information displayed on the screen, including a rule-of-thirds grid and a live histogram. The left-side key sets flash options, while the right-hand key chooses autofocus, macro, super macro, infinity, manual focus (with 15 fixed settings from 2.4 inches to infinity), and pan focus. The latter basically focuses lens to infinity no matter how far you zoom in or out--helpful for situations that normally fool the autofocus system or for shooting a moving subject, such as a soccer player. Either five-point autofocus or spot focus can be set in the menu system. The up key selects 2- or 10-second self-timers, burst mode, and either 3-second delay or immediate release with the optional IR remote control.
The down key produces a menu with 15 scene modes: 10 typical ones, such as Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Sport, Surf and Snow, Candlelight, Food, Pet, Text, and Night, as well as 5 other, including movie, voice recording, frame composite, full automatic, and programmed exposure. Some of the scene modes have clever options. For example, in Text mode, you can choose to preserve the original colors in the text or convert it to black-and-white or a negative (black-and-white or color) image. Pet mode has options to specify the fur tones of your animal for a better rendition.
A green button in the lower-right corner of the back panel that trashes the current picture in playback mode doubles as a function key in capture mode, converting the four cursor keys to adjustments for shake reduction, EV setting, image compression, and resolution. You can redefine any of the four cursor buttons for other functions, such as ISO or white balance.
Although your only exposure control is the EV adjustment, you can select matrix, center-weighted, or spot metering in the menus, and the camera sets an exposure for you. Shutter speeds range from 1/2,000 second to 4 seconds and the lens's maximum aperture spans f/2.8 at 38mm to f/5.4 at 114mm. The flash is good for even exposures out to 16 feet (8 feet at the telephoto position) with ISO set to Auto. There's 24MB of internal memory for emergencies, so an SD card should be on your shopping list.
In-camera processing effects abound. Frame mode can be applied as you shoot, with your selected frame appearing in the viewfinder as you compose your image, or you can add a frame afterward. Only three different frames are supplied, but you can download more from the Pentax Web site. Frame mode reduces resolution to 3 megapixels. Other postprocessing options include resizing, trimming, rotation, brightness, eight color filters, five digital filters (including soft focus and Slim, which compresses the image either horizontally or vertically), and post-shot red-eye removal.
Unfortunately, the Pentax Optio A10 proved to be a lethargic performer. The time to first shot was 3.8 seconds, and the Optio could manage no better than one shot every 4.2 seconds thereafter (4.7 seconds with flash). Shutter lag in high-contrast lighting proved more respectable at 0.8 second, rising to 1.4 seconds in low-contrast light with its red focus-assist lamp.
Burst mode was average but open ended. We were able to shoot full-resolution photos at 1.1fps for as long as the memory card held out. At 640x480 pixels, the A10 accelerated to 1.8fps. The novelty of burst mode was diminished, however, because the LCD blanked out during shooting; with no optical viewfinder as backup, you're shooting blind.
Pictures were generally good for a point-and-shoot camera at ISO 50 and 100. We saw very slight JPEG artifacting at the lowest compression setting. Noise was barely evident at ISO 50, rose a bit at ISO 100, became noticeable at ISO 200, and was abundant by ISO 400. The ISO 800 setting is available in only Candlelight mode at a reduced resolution of 4 megapixels and generates enough multicolored speckles to render the images barely acceptable.
Exposures were good, with less of a tendency for blown highlights than we've seen in some other high-megapixel point-and-shoot cameras, but the colors lacked saturation, and we noted a slight cyan cast in skin tones, particularly when using the flash. The built-in red-eye-prevention preflash didn't do a very good job of eliminating crimson pupils. We also noticed a moderate amount of purple fringing around backlit subjects.
Snapshooters who frequently make enlargements larger than 8x10 inches and need a pocketable camera will like the Pentax Optio A10's ultracompact size, 8-megapixel resolution, and relatively low price. More finicky or ambitious photographers might want to consider laying down some extra cash for a camera with more controls. For example, Panasonic's pricier, though slightly wider and thicker, Lumix DMC-LX1 includes a full set of manual controls, as well as a full-resolution 16:9 mode.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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Typical shot-to-shot time | |
Time to first shot | |
Shutter lag (typical) |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
User reviews
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Optio A10 - Warning Fragile Display
by rdones on October 3, 2006
Pros: Great Features
Cons: Warranty doesn't cover cracked display
Summary: Optio A10 - Warning Fragile Display
I bought the Optio A10 for all its wonderful features, especially because of its small size and the fact that I could slip it ...Summary: Optio A10 - Warning Fragile Display
I bought the Optio A10 for all its wonderful features, especially because of its small size and the fact that I could slip it into my front pant pocket - WRONG ! Although Pentax touts customers with its quality and warranty BEWARE. I owned this camera for 3 weeks, enjoyed all the features but one. The display cracked while being in my pocket under normally expected pressure. Did Pentax honor their warranty coverage; NO ! It cost me another $120 to find out how fragile the display is and how worthless the Pentax warranty is3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good idea, but It is necessary to ascertain, that Japanese from Pentax no wants to do the quality
by Yuri20 on August 9, 2006
Pros: compact design, DivX
Cons: Underwhelming battery life, bad quality
Summary: For 2 day of operation the objective has refused to develop. Develops "at a walk", for 5-10 steps (for 5-10 pressing of button).
It happens normally develops, and it happens ...Summary: For 2 day of operation the objective has refused to develop. Develops "at a walk", for 5-10 steps (for 5-10 pressing of button).
It happens normally develops, and it happens - again by steps.
Pictures - middle. Greasing of pictures on edges. Video - squares of digitizing are shown even at insignificant movement. At dim illumination the video is pale, the auto focus chaotically twitches.
In general, advertized dung in a beautiful wrapper at all good ideas.
It is necessary to ascertain, that Japanese from Pentax no wants to do the quality.2 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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camera was a lemon
by craigkathleen on May 4, 2007
Pros: none at all for the camera we had
Cons: defective; terrible customer service from Pentax
Summary: was excited about getting this camera for my teenage son for a digital photography class...the camera was a lemon...it lived at the Pentax repair center in Golden, CO......
Summary: was excited about getting this camera for my teenage son for a digital photography class...the camera was a lemon...it lived at the Pentax repair center in Golden, CO...despite numerous flaws that made the camera inoperable, Pentax refused to replace it...instead it repaired only one problem at a time, meaning that they always had the camera with them for servicing, and my son was never able to use it...Pentax camera customer service ranks at the bottom....we now have an essentially unused, broken camera that we are throwing away out of frustration....will never buy another Pentax
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Abysmal autofocus, glacial shutter lag, etc.
by GBINFL on April 10, 2007
Pros: Small, looks cool
Cons: Poor autofocus, glacial time between shots
Summary: Great for non-moving objects. Even after a replacement camera and the latest software update, slow and innacurate autofocus. The sensors are at the very corner of the camera- hand it ...
Summary: Great for non-moving objects. Even after a replacement camera and the latest software update, slow and innacurate autofocus. The sensors are at the very corner of the camera- hand it to someone else to take a shot of you and they always cover the sensors with a finger. Even on non-moving things, the focus is often soft. Compared to three other brands of compact digitals in the family, this one is in a class all by itself- and not a good one either.
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Great pocket cam for on the go
by superhifi on September 28, 2006
Pros: ultra slim, 8 MP, turns on quick, large lcd
Cons: screen unviewable in direct sun, not good for long dist shots
Summary: Bought this as a travel cam for going out to clubs, bars, etc. Super small, big LCD, turns on quick. Tried to use it at a high school football game ...
Summary: Bought this as a travel cam for going out to clubs, bars, etc. Super small, big LCD, turns on quick. Tried to use it at a high school football game to shoot from the stands and the zoom was useless though not really designed for that. If you want a slim portable cam, this is your ticket. Definately not for Pro use.
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Perfect digital photo!
by N.Dimitrov on August 19, 2006
Pros: Well build, easy menu and controls, large display, shake reduction works perfect, sharp and colorful pictures, lasting battery.
Cons: There is no fully manual mode.
Summary: I have this camera from severla months. The Pentax A10 is well build and stands very good in the hands. Perfect 2.5" display. All buttons are easy accessible. The ...
Summary: I have this camera from severla months. The Pentax A10 is well build and stands very good in the hands. Perfect 2.5" display. All buttons are easy accessible. The menu is easy and fast, made with colorful and easy understanding icons. There is no need to read the users manual.
A10 makes colorful and well balanced, sharp pictures ? perfect for a small pocket-size camera. The ?Auto? mode also works very well. Also the camera is equipped with shake reduction that allows you to make clear pictures with 12x zoom (3x optical and 4x digital). Lasting battery.
There is no fully manual mode like some competitives. -
Excellent Quality Gem of a Digital Camera!
by sjnwuk on June 21, 2006
Pros: Superb lens Qaulity relates to wonderfully colourful and sharp, vibrant pictures. Well built and beautifully made and craft peice of euipment. Ergonomically well designed.
Cons: No optical view finder, a little slow to record and access images and rather jerky and poorly controlled zoom mechanism.
Summary: After much deliberation and based on the salesman's rather biased opinion, I decided to not purchase a cannon ixus but this rather modest looking but excellent little pentax.
After ...Summary: After much deliberation and based on the salesman's rather biased opinion, I decided to not purchase a cannon ixus but this rather modest looking but excellent little pentax.
After exposing it to rigorous testing- on a day trip out with the family, the results from this little gem- is simply Wonderfully!
I now have no regrets about choosing this camera over the competitors not least the ixus.
This top of the range pentax obviously has a top quality lens which means that it produces wonderfully, sharp, colourful and vibrant images. All my pictures turned out superbly.
There are no softness and very little distortion which are commonly found in those much more expensive and greatly over rated Cannon Ixus's. Also the dreaded 'purple fringing' that plague those canons so much, are virtually non existent on this pentax.
It is also very well made and ergonomically well designed. All controls bar zoom control function, feel solid and well placed.
The TFT monitor is of a very high quality-offering high resolution and accurate representation of what's been taken seconds beforehand.
The A10 physically feels solid and well put together and is also extremely easy to use.
No need to consult the instruction manual which incidently, is well written and you actually get a hard copy and unlike some manufacturers, on a cd disk!
However, there are a few negatives- although not too many or too serious to sway potential buyers away from it, I feel. They are;
Poorly designed and executed zoom lens control mechanism. Feels rough and imprecise but with some careful practice and handling, one is able to get by using it.
Access and write speeds are a little slow but quite acceptable for my own requirements-which are for social occasions.
Overall I am extremely happy with the results from this little gem. Pictures are excellent and miles better then any I have seen so far from similar cameras in this price/market range.
Cannon seem to dominate the 'pocket size digital camera' sector here in the UK hence prices are a bit more expensive than their competitors. I got 20 percent off for choosing the pentax but no discount off the canon, simply because canon's sell by the truck load and pentax do not.
Finally, my advice to anyone who is contemplating buying a new digital camera, go check this one out before they start selling like hot cakes and prices then go up. -
I love this camera
by downifer on June 21, 2006
Pros: small, lightweight, great picture quality, many fun filters and frames, long battery life, big LCD, good zoom
Cons: small buttons for big hands, screen can be hard to see in direct sunlight
Summary: I've had this camera for a few months now and it always takes beautiful pictures. The large optical zoom is great I've taken pictures of people 100m away ...
Summary: I've had this camera for a few months now and it always takes beautiful pictures. The large optical zoom is great I've taken pictures of people 100m away and can clearly see details on the image. I'd recomend this camera to all my friends but some of my guy friends have big fingers and the buttons are hard for then to work.
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I miss my Canon
by fmaia2003 on September 12, 2006
Pros: Good color and sharpness quality
Cons: Very slow shooter, terrible microphone (video) and lens keep stuckin in or out.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Pentax
- Part number: Optio A10
- Description: Destined to be the flagship of the Optio digital camera line, the high-end Optio A10 offers the pinnacle of PENTAX compact digital photography. With 8.0 megapixels, a 3X zoom lens, the Optio A10 is the first PENTAX compact digital with an innovative Shake Reduction system to help ensure sharper images. PENTAX developed Shake Reduction to eliminate situations where camera shake typically causes blurred images such as telephoto or indoor shots without a flash. The Shake Reduction mechanism is made possible by two internal gyro sensors that detect camera shake while a dedicated CPU calculates the required correction to compensate for the level of camera shake while focusing. In turn, a proprietary mechanism adjusts the CCD automatically based on the calculation and compensates for the camera shake to help deliver sharper images.
General
- Product Type Digital camera
- Point-and-shoot highlights A slim profile makes this camera easy to carry. Having video capture capability adds convenience for the user.
- Width 3.5 in
- Depth 0.9 in
- Height 2.2 in
- Weight 0.2 lbs
- Enclosure Color Silver
- Body Material Aluminum alloy
Main Features
- Resolution 8 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Total Pixels 8,320,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 8,000,000 pixels
- Optical Sensor Size 1/1.8 in
- Light Sensitivity ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO auto
- Digital Zoom 4 x
- Shooting Modes Frame movie mode
- Shooting Programs Pet, Food, Text, Candle, Flower, Landscape, Night scene, Sports mode, Surf & snow, Portrait mode, Frame composition
- Special Effects Slim, Soft, Sepia, Illustration, Black & White, Black & White Red filter, Black & White Blue filter, Black & White Green filter
- Image Stabilizer Optical (image sensor shift mechanism)
- Max Shutter Speed 1/2000 sec
- Min Shutter Speed 4 sec
- Exposure Metering Spot, Multi-segment, Center-weighted
- Exposure Modes Program, Automatic
- Exposure Compensation ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Cloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent, Tungsten light
- Digital Video Format AVI
- Still Image Format JPEG
- Continuous Shooting Speed 30 frames per second
- Remote Control Camera remote control
- TV Tuner None
- Video Capture AVI - 320 x 240, AVI - 640 x 480
Memory / Storage
- Flash Memory 24 MB Flash - SD Memory Card
- Supported Flash Memory SD Memory Card
- Integrated Memory 24 MB
- Floppy Drive None
- Image Storage JPEG 3264 x 2448, JPEG 2592 x 1944, JPEG 2304 x 1728, JPEG 2048 x 1536, JPEG 1600 x 1200, JPEG 1024 x 768, JPEG 640 x 480
Camera Flash
- Camera Flash Built-in flash
- Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Backlight mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
- Red Eye Reduction Yes
- Effective Flash Range 2 in - 16.4 ft
- Features AF illuminator
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 7.9 mm - 23.7 mm - F/2.8-5.4
- Focal Length 7.9 mm - 23.7 mm
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 37.5 - 112.5 mm
- Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Auto Focus Points (Zones) 5
- Min Focus Range 13.8 in
- Macro Focus Range 6-35cm
- Lens Aperture F/2.8-5.4
- Optical Zoom 3 x
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
- Lens Construction 5 group(s) / 7 element(s)
- Lens Manufacturer Pentax
- Features Aspherical lens
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Self Timer Delay 2 sec, 10 sec
- Additional Features DPOF support, Direct print, Audio recording, Auto power save, Cropping an image, PictBridge support, PRINT Image Matching, Digital image rotation, Digital noise reduction, RGB primary color filter, In-camera red-eye removal
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type None
- Viewfinder Color Support Color
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.5 in - Color
- Display Form Factor Built-in
- Display Format 232,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x USB, 1 x DC power input
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x SD Memory Card
Software
- Software ACD Systems ACDsee, Drivers & Utilities
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating System Support MS Windows 98, MS Windows ME, MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000, MS Windows 98 SE, Apple Mac OS 9.2 or later
- Peripheral Devices USB port
Miscellaneous
- Carrying Case None
- Included Accessories Carrying strap
- Cables Included USB cable, A/V cable
Power
- Power Device Battery charger - External
Battery
- Supported Battery Pentax D-L18
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year limited warranty
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
CNET Labs' Benchmarks
- Labs information All values are expressed in seconds. Please visit our labs information page for information on how digital cameras are tested.
- CNET Labs Flash shot to shot time 4.7
- CNET Labs Shot to shot time typical 4.2
- CNET Labs Shutter lag bright 0.8
- CNET Labs Shutter lag dim 1.4
- CNET Labs Typical burst speed 1.1
- CNET Labs Wake up time 3.8
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Pentax
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Pentax products on Shopper.com
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- Address:
35 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, CO - Phone: 1-800-877-0155
- Fax: 303-799-9213
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