When I first purchased and received this camera I was delighted. It's small and light weight so I can carry it in my purse all the time. The big bright screen is wonderful to show off photos of my new grandson without having to carry photographs and the camera took great photos. The 10MP photos allows me to crop a lot and still have a beautiful 8x10 printed photo. The stabilizer works wonderfully. I can take photos of this little 6 month old and never get a bad shot. I gave my A10 to my daughter, because I was so pleased with this new little camera, that now uses the new high capacity SDHC memory cards.Then, after about a week the camera starting getting these bright purple streaks through the pictures, from the glare of light. Even with a flash the photos were so bad you couldn't even make out what you were shooting. This is my 4th Pentax digital camera and the first bad one. What's worse is that, I sent it to Pentax for repair and a month later got back the same bad camera, but without my battery. They were real nice about offering to send me my battery, but that doesn't help me since the camera isn't worth using.
Where ever there is the slightest natural light coming through a window, the camera picks up a purple glare, that is in the photograph. It's also in the movies. When I sent it in for repair I sent print outs of the pictures so they could see how bad it was. I had to call and beg to get my camera back, they promised it would only take 15 days. But they received it a week before they even logged the camera in for repair, then put it in a line (ups tracking information shows when it was signed for on the dock). When I called two weeks later they pulled it from a place in line, and finally started to work on it.
They sent it to me 2nd day, but without the battery. I used the battery from my A10, only to find that the purple glare is still there. It's not as bad as it was, but still awful. Not just a little... a lot. Previously I owned the z550, the z750 and the A10, All those were wonderful, hence my willingness to purchase the new A30 and comfort in giving away the A10 right away.
Now they want me to return the camera to repair so that they can try to repair it again. It's already been nearly 3 months since I purchased this camera, 3 months less warranty on a lemon of a camera. I asked to have a new camera sent to me and I'd return this one, but they wouldn't do that; so I called corporate offices.
What a difference in attitude! They said they'd send me out a new camera 2nd day and issue a call tag so I can return this entire camera kit. They were so nice. So, if you have a problem and repair can't or won't take care of it for you, so right to the top... it's worth the trouble.
The new camera is great, what I hoped for when I first purchased it. Since having this awful problem, I have noticed a slight purple cast on some of my other photos with other cameras, that I never noticed before... it's so slight. Not anything like I had with this A30, where the whole photo was purple and you couldn't even see what you were trying to shoot. The replacement camera is fine and takes beautiful photos. I'm concerned as to why it did get so awful and afraid it will come back, but so far it's been wonderful. I carry it with me all the time. The movies it takes are the best I've ever taken with a still camera. They are actually very good. I hardly use my Mini DV movie camera anymore. All in all, I really like this camera and there is no other camera with the same features for close to this price. If it stays as good as it is now, I'll be extremely happy.
BTW, Amazon was great. When I couldn't get ahold of Pentax and it had been slightly over the 30 day return date, Amazon still was willing to take the camera back and give me a refund. But I couldn't find another camera that was this small and light that uses the new SDHC cards. So thanks Amazon, for the wonderful service!
Buy Pentax Optio A30 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom with Shake Reduction System Now
I was impressed by the Optio A30's color accuracy, ease of use, extensive manual options, and small size. The pictures are free of the aggressive noise reduction I've seen in many compact 10MP cameras. However, the Optio A30 has some downsides, some of which I have not yet seen mentioned in reviews, but are evident in the sample pictures I have taken myself and in pictures in posted reviews.The battery life leaves much to be desired. Reducing the LCD brightness to its lowest level seems have given me a couple dozen more shots, but I have yet to get more than 200 per charge. The quality of the optics also left me a little disappointed. While the Optio A30 has a wonderful shake reduction feature, this camera suffers from problems with the compact optics which plague many other compact cameras. At the wide end there is significant vignetting (dark areas in the corners). Also at the wide end, pictures are very blurry near the outer 15% of the photo (much more severe than I can remember seeing in other compact cameras). This is particularly noticable in landscape photos. The blurriness does not occur at full telephoto. I've seen these defects in both my own photos as well as those in reviews, so be aware that your camera will likely have these problems. How much it will bother you is anyone's guess.
The Optio A30 is a decent choice for anyone looking for a compact 10MP camera. The camera has some great features, but some unfortunate setbacks keep me from recommending this camera to anyone who is serious about photography.Going on a day trip, sunday drive, vacation just around the block HEY got your camera? YOU CAN ALWAYS be ready with this little Pentax! I don't leave home without it! Loads of features BUT sometimes depending on lighting conditions has a hard time focusing.... Im sure many small compact camera do. BUT 10MP max res and all the other goodies make up for it ANOTHER DISAPPOINTING NOTEDIVIX format for video is not supported on MAC I get video playback with NO SOUND. Terrible when video is kids or vacation! If camera was waterproof it would be even better! Build quality is very good! Not too small to hold. Black shell feels solid and professional.
Want Pentax Optio A30 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom with Shake Reduction System Discount?
Bought this camera with the movie in mind. I knew it would take very good pictures and 10 megapixel come in handy when you have to crop, zoom etc.Best part for me was the fact that it records movie in the DivX format. I can record a 90 minute movie on the 2GB SD card (about 15 bucks!!) then, quickly and easily trasferred the movie to my laptop. Burned a DVD on my lap top, and I was blown away by the quality of the movie that this camera takes.
DivX format play in lot of DVD players. However, if you have an older DVD player, it might not work.
Obviously it does not have all the bells and whistles of the video camera, but boy it takes great movies, with sound and all.
Bottom line, I am retiring my video camera.
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