Reviews for Pentax Optio Digital Camcorder - 1.8" LCD - CCD10x Optical Zoom - 10x Digital Zoom - 16 MB Secure Digital SD Card Included - MPN: 18037 
By member:
jk_79238
- Jan 14, 2006
Optio MX4 meets my needsStrengths: The image sharpness Size Adjustability Macro focus as close as the lens Weakness: Recording sound I was impressed with this camera since I got it about 8 months ago. The images are very sharp for a camera of 4 megapixels. I use only the highest settings, but viewing the images in photoshop reveals a sharpness rivaling many cameras with many more megapixels. The lens is still a major contributor to sharpness and without the lens quality, the megapixels will only give you bigger but still blurry images. 100% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
ras3549
- Apr 4, 2005
Pentax Optio Digital Camcorder - 1.8" LCD - CCDStrengths: Ease of use, optical zoom. Very compact. Macro feature is great. Weakness: Sound for movies is weak. Must be steady, zoom seems to blur movies. Pictures are crisp and clear. Software with product is very good. Movies are good quality but sound not the best. The macro feature is great. The 10X optical zoom is awesome. Used at the public zoo and zoom took extremely good photos. Battery lasted most of the day. (About 3 hours) If you take the highest resolution pictures and movies you need 512 chip to insure sufficient room. I purchased extra battery and it came in handy. I'm guessing I wasted alot of battery reviewing pictures after taking them. For the money I feel it is a great buy. 95% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
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Pentax Optio Digital Camcorder - 1.8" LCD - CCD
Strengths: Auto focusing, manual focus too. 4MP, 10x optical zoom! View screen at most any angle. Auto-timer shows on screen, emits audible beeps. White balance can be set for tungsten, etc. 640x480 30fps movies
Weakness: Battery doesn't last as long as it might when taking movies. Plug in or get extra battery. No AC adapter included. Wide angle lens is very expensive to add. No movie button disable lock.
I am learning more about this camera every day and have enjoyed it immensely. The photos are sharp and crisp, color vibrant. Use a tripod when taking photos indoors with existing lighting and be sure to set the white balance correctly. Less (or no) adjustment will be required in Photoshop this way. GREAT for taking some movie clips, can take extended ones if you are plugged in or have an extra battery or two. Time limit is the available space on the SD card. You will want to put your right thumb behind the view screen so you don't bump the movie button. A tap on the button turns it on, another tap stops it. Or hold it down constantly, but that is difficult. The sound is digitally processed mono, but not high fidelity. I like very much the ability to record comments and attach them to the photos I am taking too. This and other features must be learned but are VERY handy. This camera is lightweight and very attractive, and allows you to shoot from almost any position, from over your head to in your lap, the latter making your picture-taking less obvious to others. Using the optical zoom together with part of the digital zoom works GREAT in the highest resuloution mode, helping bring things in. Use a tripod for telephoto shots unless you have lots of sunlight. Manual aperture or shutter settings make this camera very versatile for more advanced photographers, and the automated tools are very useful too. A great unit!
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