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CNET editors' review
- CNET editors' rating: stars Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 04/02/2009
- Released on: 02/01/2009
Those looking to step up from taking photos with their cell phone or other mobile device will want to consider the Pentax Optio P70. Fronted by a 27.5mm-equivalent wide-angle lens with a 4x zoom, the 12-megapixel ultracompact camera is point-and-shoot simple with all the automatic comforts we expect as well as some extras found above its price point. It looks great, too, and is thin and light enough that you may forget it's in your pocket. Yep, the P70 has a lot to offer for such a small camera--just not speedy performance.
| Key specs | Pentax Optio P70 |
| Price (MSRP) | $199.95 |
| Dimensions | 3.8 inches wide by 2.1 inches high by 0.8 inch deep |
| Weight (with battery and media) | 4.5 ounces |
| Megapixels, image sensor size, type | 12 megapixels, 1/2.3-inch CCD |
| LCD size, resolution | 2.7-inch LCD, 230K dots |
| Lens (zoom, aperture, focal length) | 4x, f2.6-5.8, 27.5-110mm (35mm equivalent) |
| File format (still/video) | JPEG/Motion JPEG |
| Highest resolution size (still/video) | 4,000x3,000 pixels (4:3)/ 1,280x720 at 15fps (16:9) |
| Image stabilization type | Electronic |
| Battery type, rated life | Lithium ion rechargeable, 200 shots |
Much like the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77, the P70 is a sliver of a camera, roughly the size of a closed flip phone. The aluminum body is attractive, if a little bit slippery, and available in three colors: silver, white, and red. The biggest gripe with the design is there's no dedicated area for your thumb. There is some room to the right of the Face Detection activation and Playback buttons but, because of the rounded edge to the body, you won't get a firm grip for one-handed shooting. Aside from this detail, the P70 is an exemplary ultracompact design. And Pentax even managed to get a wide-angle lens with a 4x zoom in the petite body, too.
For the generation of snapshot photographers who've adjusted to shooting photos with their cell phones, Pentax added a Vertical Snap mode. Hold down the OK button while the camera's off and when the camera eventually turns on, the OK becomes a shutter release, and the directional pad controls the zoom and exposure compensation. The only other control you get is the ability to turn the flash on and off. (Basically, it's the P70's auto-everything Green mode.) It's a fun add-in, but holding the camera like that can be a little tricky, particularly if you need to use the flash.
| General shooting options | Pentax Optio P70 |
| ISO sensitivity (full resolution) | Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600 |
| White balance | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual |
| Recording modes | Auto Picture, Program, Digital SR, Scene (20 options), Movie, Green, Vertical Snap |
| Focus | Autofocus, Macro, Pan Focus, Infinity, Manual |
| Metering | Multisegment, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Color effects | B&W, Sepia, Red, Pink, Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Soft, Color extraction (red, green, blue), Brightness (effects available in editing only) |
| Burst mode shot limit (full resolution) | Unlimited continuous |
The Optio P70 isn't short on the point-and-shoot features we've come to expect. You get your Smile Capture, your Blink Detection, and some manner of shake reduction (in this case, it's the company's new Pixel Track SR shake reduction explained in the next paragraph). There's also face detection, and while that's not new, the P70 is capable of hunting down up to 32 faces in as little as 0.03 second. (Sadly, I could not get a group larger than five people during testing as I was not invited to any weddings, parties, or proms. However, it is very fast to detect faces as well as face-shaped objects.) Also, if you've never been good about switching to an appropriate scene mode, the P70 will pick out one of eight automatically.
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Where to buy
Pentax Optio P70 (silver): $109.95 - $199.95 | store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
 | $199.95 | Yes |  |
| Amazon.com Marketplace | $109.95 | Yes | |
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