Pentax Optio A20 Review

The Pentax Optio A20 is of the latest models in Pentax’s Optio A series. It is a 10 megapixel digital compact camera. The Pentax Optio A20 is the replacement of its predecessor, the Pentax Optio A10. Unlike the Pentax Optio A10, the Pentax Optio A20 offers more features; one of which is the 10-megapixel CCD sensor. Aside from that, the A20 offers 3 modes of shake reduction, soft flash mode, facial recognition, and the new Application Specific Integrated Circuit processor.

One of the major features of the Pentax Optio A20 is its image quality. Even with its compact size, this digital camera produces images of clear and high quality. This is due to its 10 effective mega pixels. When trying to print a photo and it is enlarged, it is still possible to produce crisp, clear and high quality printouts.

Another factor that contributes to its image quality is the built-in smc zoom lens from Pentax, which is known for high contrast image performance and clarity. If there is a presence of spherical aberration, the lens can effectively correct it. The lens is also coated that greatly decreases that chance of flare and ghosting.

The new Application Specific Integrate Circuit processor also affects image quality from the Pentax Optio A20. This feature gives the A20 more imaging process power. Because of this feature, it has a higher level of color correction and tone reproduction.

Another feature of the Pentax Optio A20 that sets it aside from other digital compact cameras is its 3 modes of camera shake reduction. Two gyro sensors and an image sensor create the mechanism that balances the camera when shake is detected thus reducing camera shake. The same shake reduction system is also used the moment the user takes a photo and clicks the shutter.

A part of the anti-shake function, the A20 is equipped with blur reduction. In the blur reduction mode, the sensitivity of the camera is adjusted automatically to ISO 1600 depending on the subject’s brightness. Higher sensitivity enables more shutter speeds, which decreases camera shake as well as blurring created by objects in motion.

The third mode of the anti-shake function is movie anti-shake. In this function, camera shake can be corrected and reduced automatically when recording movies. Movies recorded with the A20 uses 30 frames per second and saves in the DIVX format, which means high quality videos and longer record time.

A face recognition feature is also included with the Pentax Optio A20. This feature allows the camera to take pictures of faces of people with proper focus, color and brightness. With this feature, the camera also has the ability to adjust its focus and exposure wherever the subject may be.
Taking moving subjects can sometimes cause problems. But with Pentax Optio A20’s auto tracking AF, the camera can focus on a moving subject continuously. And with the blur reduction feature, you will be sure of capturing that motion filled moment.

The Pentax Optio A20 also sports an auto picture mode that could determine the best settings on a given condition. This makes it easier for users as it takes away the tasking job of changing individual settings every time conditions changes. But there will be instances and conditions though that you may need to manually change the settings of the A20 get better results.

This digital compact camera also comes with a feature that can remove red eye effects after shooting. After a photo is taken, the user can easily correct photos with red eye problems.

It utilizes the SDCH memory card for its storage and has a built-in 22 MB memory. The A20 also has USB connector so you can easily upload your images into the computer.

Pros: The A20, with its compact and lightweight body, packs a lot of features. It also provides high-resolution images, which is one of the very important aspects of a camera. The Pentax Optio A20 also has excellent color reproduction.

Cons: Though there are slight problems with noise reduction, there is nothing you can really banter about the Pentax Optio A20. Although, you might encounter some difficulties with its USB port since it does not use the standard USB cable.

Overall: For the price of $340, the Pentax Optio A20 is quite a catch. Even somebody who is not very savvy with cameras won’t have problems using it and pros will have a good time exploring and taking advantage of all its features.

Attached Images

Pentax_Optio_A20.jpg (14.5 KB, 2 views)