S$1338
Product Summary
9
out of 10View score
The bad: Cannot use commercially available batteries; lack of grip support; front of camera feels hot after prolonged use.
The bottom line: Stylish and ultracompact camera that packs a feature set and decent performance into a truly pocket-sized frame.
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Average User Rating
CNET Asia Review
Once again, Pentax has introduced what it claims is the smallest and lightest digital camera in its class (4 megapixels, 3x optical zoom). Measuring only 92 x 59 x 31mm and weighing 240g (including battery), the ultracompact Optio 430 shares the same form factor and stainless steel design as its Optio 330 predecessor.
What's New
The most significant enhancement on the Optio 430 is the image capture resolution. The 4-megapixel CCD sensor can snap images at up to 2,240 x 1,680 pixels, which is great for those looking for sharp larger-than-A4 prints.
As both cameras look exactly alike, the only way to differentiate them--besides the model name--is the transparent plastic strip below the lens cover. The Optio 430 sports a light blue strip while the Optio 330 has a greenish-blue one.
Noteworthy Features
The 430 retains the optical viewfinder (with focusing adjustment) as well as a bright 1.6-inch LCD viewfinder display. There is a brightness control on the LCD screen, so it can be adjusted for effective use in a bright outdoor setting as well as dim indoor surroundings.
Because of its Lilliputian dimensions, the 430 is not the most ergonomic of cameras to grip, lacking rear thumb and front finger support. That said, the product is relatively easy to handle. Pentax has kept the user interface relatively simple and intuitive. The buttons are responsive and strategically placed within reach of thumb and index finger, allowing for convenient one-hand operation. We found the four-way navigation controller, with its separate OK button in the center, easy and accurate in scrolling through the various camera settings.
First-timers may, however, find the built-in icon settings a tad confusing at times, making the manual a necessity now and again.
Full-Featured Ultracompact
Don't be fooled by the size of the camera. The 430 packs in all the features one would expect in a bigger camera, including white balance, exposure, metering and autofocus. There are also five shooting modes to choose from: standard; night scene; metered manual; movie (without sound); and multiple exposure.
For those seeking more creative control with their shots, the unique multiple exposure shooting mode offers an interesting option to overlay one image over another. For newbies simply looking for point-and-shoot convenience, the 430 also has a fully automatic setting.
Sharp Image Captures
In our tests, we found the captured images reasonably sharp. Though some pictures turned out slightly underexposed at times, most of them carried a good balance of color and contrast. Taking good pictures in low light conditions, however, required some adjustment of the manual controls.
Performance wise, the Optio 430 turned in fast startup and image processing times. From pressing the On/Off button to the shutter release, it took roughly 4 to 5 seconds. The only snag was the noisy lens refocusing mechanism.
Decent Battery Life
Using the supplied Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, we got almost 2 hours of usage after a 2-hour charge. This is good considering that it's an ultra-slim battery. However, because the camera doesn’t accept any other types of battery, it may be advisable to get an extra battery from Pentax, especially if you are planning a road trip.
Captured images and video are stored on a CompactFlash memory card (32MB provided) and transferred to the PC via an included USB cable. Also in the box are a wrist strap, AC battery charger (out-of-camera type), video cable, software CD-ROM and printed operating manual.
It Doesn't Get Any Smaller (For Now At Least)
At S$1,338 (US$734), the Pentax Optio 430 is actually quite an attractive buy for an ultracompact 4-megapixel. A decent performance, snazzy metallic design and sharp image captures make this pocket-sized dynamo an Editors' Choice in our reckoning.
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