Pentax Optio P70

The ultra-slim PENTAX Optio P70 digital compact camera is a high-performance model featuring fast, advanced functions to make high-quality digital photography simple and effortless. With 12 megapixels for large, detailed images, a 4X optical zoom (equivalent to 27.5-110mm), plus a wide angle 28mm lens that is ideal for landscape, indoor and group photos, the fashionable Optio P70 metal body is available in multiple stylish colors.

High image quality

Featuring 12 effective megapixels producing super-high-resolution images, the Optio P70 features a high-performance imaging engine assuring true-to-life color reproduction, and a renowned smc PENTAX lens. The camera also records movie clips in widescreen HD at the size of 1280 x 720 pixels at 15 FPS.

Optical 4X zoom lens with wide-angle coverage

With a compact, ultra-slim body, the Optio P70 incorporates an optical 4X zoom lens covering a focal length from 4.9mm to 19.6mm (equivalent to approx. 27.5mm to 110mm in 35mm format). This versatile lens is designed to cover a wide range of subjects and scenes - from wide-angle images of landscape scenery, architecture and group shots in confined locations to telephoto images with fine details. For higher-magnification photography, the camera features an Intelligent Zoom function that extends the digital zoom range to approximately 25X without compromising the optical performance of the zoom lens.

Large, easy-to-view 2.7 inch color LCD monitor

Despite compact dimensions, the Optio P70 features a large 2.7 inch high-brightness color LCD monitor. The bright screen makes image viewing easy both during shooting and playback and facilitates menu reading and mode setting.

Compact, ultra-slim body

The Optio P70 features a compact, ultra-slim, metal body measuring as thin as just over one-half inch in some sections (16.5 mm). Available in three colors (silver, red and white), this compact body design features a newly designed “Sliding Lens system” * and downsized components with high-density mounting technology. The Optio P70 is compact enough to pocket and carry just about anywhere.

* The PENTAX-original lens storage mechanism in which central lens groups are offset from the optical axis and the entire lens is stored in two vertical steps into the lens cylinder. As a result, the overall lens length at the fully retracted position is greatly reduced, contributing to the reduction in body depth.

Triple anti-shake protection

Pixel Track SR mode

When recording still images, the Optio P70's new Pixel Track SR (Shake Reduction) mode effectively compensates for camera shake by processing the amount of image blur with a dedicated ASIC. Pixel Track SR tracks motion blur at the pixel level and calculates blur volume in real time. After exposure, the recovery filter centers the motion effect around each pixel to compartmentalize the blur. Then, an adjustment filter sharpens the pixels to help remove the blur effect. Pixel Track SR results in sharp images without adding high ISO noise.

High-Sensitivity SR mode**

When the Optio P70 detects low-lighting conditions in still-image shooting, the camera automatically raises sensitivity to as high as ISO 6400 for a higher shutter speed. This effectively minimizes the adverse effects of camera shake and subject movement under poor lighting conditions.

** When the High-Sensitivity SR mode is selected, the recorded size is fixed to 5M (2592 x 1944 pixels) at ISO 3200 and 6400.

Movie SR mode***

During movie shooting, the Optio P70 prevents blurry video by effectively minimizing camera shake.

*** When the Movie SR mode is selected, the angle of view becomes narrower than normal shooting.

Faster Face Recognition AF & AE function to capture the subject's face in focus in approx. 0.03 seconds

The Optio P70 features the Face Recognition AF & AE function for snapshots of people. This optimizes focusing and exposure status of the subject — up to 32 faces in a single image — in approximately 0.03 seconds. The Optio P70 offers other user-friendly functions: a Smile Capture function automatically releases the shutter the instant it detects the subject's smile and a Blink Detection function warns the photographer when the subject's eyes close at the time of shutter release.

Auto Picture mode for automatic selection of eight different shooting modes

The Optio P70 features an advanced Auto Picture mode, which automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene by detecting the subject's lighting, size, movement and other conditions. This user-friendly mode chooses the optimal mode (Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Flower, Sport, Standard and Candlelight) for the shooting situation, and also features an Auto Macro mode, which automatically switches the camera's focus range to macro in close-up applications.

Vertical Snap mode for easy vertical-position shooting

The Optio P70's unique and handy Vertical Snap mode simplifies vertical-position shooting, as it allows the photographer to zoom the lens and snap the picture with simple pushbutton operation of the OK button and 4-way controller on the back panel. In addition, all icons on the LCD monitor are automatically rotated for vertical-position viewing. This new mode offers the same ease of operation as a cellular phone camera.

Additional features

HD widescreen video capture records beautiful and detailed movies at 720p at 15 FPS
Digital Wide function combines an extra wide-angle image (equivalent to an image taken with an approx. 21mm lens in 35mm format) from two images
Digital Panorama mode combines single panoramic picture from as many as three images
The shooting mode palette offers easy selection of 26 modes including a new Party mode for low light settings
A Favorites function saves reduced-size files of special images stored in the camera's internal memory for quick playback of your favorite images
Image recovery function retrieves accidentally erased images
Frame Composite function offers 90 decorative digital frame selections to embellish captured images
Approximately 33.7MB built-in memory
Red-eye reduction function corrects red eyes in recorded images during playback
ACDSee for PENTAX 3.0 image viewing, editing and filing software included, supporting Windows VistaTM
Compatibility with PictBridge DPOF functions, Exif Print and PRINT Image Matching III

More external Pentax Optio P70 reviews!

Type: Ultra-compact digital camera

Sensor: Type: 1/2.3” interline transfer CCD w/ primary color filterEffective pixels: 12.0Total pixels: 12.39Recorded resolutionsStill: 12M (4000x3000), 7M (3072x2304), 5M (2592x1944), 3M (2048x1536), 2.1M (16:9, 1920x1080), 1024 (1024x768), VGA (640x480)Movie: HD 720p15 (1280x720), VGA (640x480), QVGA (320x240)Quality levels: *** (best), ** (better), * (good)

LCD/Viewfinder: LCD screen: 2.7” TFT color LCDLCD resolution: 230,000 dotsWide angle viewable: YESOptical viewfinder: n/a

Flash: Type: Built-in series-control auto flashFlash modes: Auto, flash on, flash off, redeye, softEffective range: TBD

Interfaces: Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed, AV outVideo out: NTSC, PALPrinter interfaces: PictBridge

Physical Specifications: Dimensions (W x H x D): 3.8 x 2.1 x 0.8”WeightWithout battery or removable memory: 3.9 ozLoaded and ready: 4.4 ozConstruction material(s): AluminumOperating temperature: 32-104°F

Language Support: English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Thai, Korean, Simplified/Traditional Chinese

Metering System: Type: TTLMulti-segment: YESCenter weighted: YESSpot: YESExposure compensation: +/- 2 EV (1/3 steps)

White Balance*: Auto preset modes: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent
Manual mode(s): YES

Capture Modes: Mode selection: Auto Picture (Standard, Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Sport, Flower, Candlelight), Program, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Half Length Portrait (3M), Movie, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Surf & Snow, Sport, Digital SR (5M), Kids, Pet, Food, Fireworks, Frame Composite (3M), Natural Skin Tone, Candlelight, Text, Blog (VGA), Party, Digital Wide (5M), Digital Panorama (2M per frame), Green, Vertical Snap
Green simplified mode available: YES
Face recognition available: YES, up to 32 faces in 0.03s, Smile Capture, Blink Detection
P/A/S/M/B: P
Date stamp: YES, date, date-time, time (not available in Green mode)
Digital filters (capture): Movie color filters (color, B&W, sepia)
Dynamic Range Adjustment: n/a

Playback Modes: Mode selection: One Shot, Index (4 or 9 thumbnails), Magnification, Movie Playback, Sound Playback, Histogram, Folder, Select & Delete, Calendar
Mode pallet: Slideshow, Resize, Cropping, Image & Sound Copy, Image Rotation, Digital Filter, Movie Edit, Frame Composite (3M), Redeye edit, Voice Memo, Protect, DPOF, My Album, Image Recovery, Startup Image, Face Zooming
Magnification: YES, up to 10X, scrollable
Digital filters (playback): B&W, Sepia, Color Filters (6), Color Extract (3), Soft, Brightness
Movie edit: Save As Still Image, Movie Divide

Computer System Requirements: *For device connectivity. Bundled software requirements may vary.
Windows: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, USB port
Mac: MacOS-X 10.1.2-10.5, USB port

Colors Available: Silver, Red, White

Lens: Type/construction: PENTAX zoom lens, 7 elements, 6 groups, (3 aspherical elements). Optical zoom: 4X. Focal length (equiv.): 4.9-19.6mm (27.5-110mm). Digital zoom: TBD. Combined zoom: TBD. Intelligent zoom: Approx TBD at 7M to TBD at VGA. Aperture: F2.6-5.8

Focus System: Type: TTL contrast detection autofocusFocus modes: 9 point AF, Spot AF, Auto Tracking AF, Macro, Infinity Landscape, Pan, ManualManual focus: YESMacro focus: YESFocus lock: YES, by pressing the shutter release button half wayFocus rangeNormal: TBDMacro: TBDManual: TBD

Storage Media: Internal memory: TBDRemovable memory: SD, SDHC

Power Supply: Power source: Rechargeable Li-Ion battery D-LI88Recordable images: TBDPlayback time: TBDMovie recording time: TBDAudio recording time: TBDAC adapter available: YES (optional)

Timing: Startup: TBDRelease lag: TBD

Image Stabilization: Still: Pixel Track SR, Digital SR (5M)Movie: Movie SR

ISO Sensitivity: Auto: TBD-800 auto range adjustable, Digital SR ISO TBD-6400 (ISO 3200-6400, 5M)Manual: TBD-800 auto range adjustable, Digital SR ISO TBD-6400 (ISO 3200-6400, 5M)

Shutter: Type: Programmed AE electronic lens shutter with CCD electronic shutter
Shutter speed: 1/1000 to 1/4 sec (up to 4 sec in Night Scene mode)

Drive Modes: Mode selection: One Shot, Self Timer, Continuous, High Speed Continuous (5M)
Continuous FPS: TBD
Self-timer: YES (10s, 2s)
Remote control: n/a

File Formats: Still: JPG (EXIF 2.2), DCF 2.0 (design rule for camera file system), DPOF, Print Image Matching III
Movie: AVI (Motion JPG) with sound
Sound: WAV (PCM), monaural