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Pentax Optio 330 GS:
a compact digital advantage
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Sep.
17th, 2002
Pentax
is proud to present the Optio330GS. Following in the footsteps of the successful Optio230,
this latest model adheres to the same concept as a stylish compact digital camera that
delivers sharp, satisfying images, yet remains simple and fun to use. In addition to
possessing the same advantages as the Optio230, the Optio330GS has been enhanced further
in terms of operational ease. Image quality has also been elevated with the power of 3.2
effective megapixels.
Major Features
3.2
effective megapixels for high-quality results
Thanks to the power of 3.2 effective megapixels, the Optio330GS delivers precision images
with a level of quality that extends way beyond mere snaps. Such precision begins with
accurate recording on a 1/2.7-inch CCD. Data is then converted into digital form through
use of the 12-bit A/D converter. Then, through the incorporation of advanced image
processing technology, images are enhanced with a greater dynamic range, finer gradation,
and high-resolution for overall high-quality.
A refined, stylish
compact design
With compact dimensions of just 103.5mm (4.0") x 63.5mm (2.5") x 42mm
(1.5") (width x height x depth) and a weight of only 180g (6.3 oz.), the Optio330GS
is truly convenient. Such compact dimensions are combined with a design that lends a sense
of style and feels comfortable in the hand. As a design accent, the Optio logo is embossed
on the grip and the golden color of the casing lends the camera a touch of sophistication.
A high performance
optical 3X zoom lens
The high-performance 3X zoom lens of the Optio330GS is equivalent to a 38-114mm lens in
35mm format and combines high quality and high resolution with a low level of image
distortion that is seldom possible within such compact proportions. For even further
convenience, the zoom lens is easily operated with a simple lever that allows swift
composition when shooting subjects of different scales.
Easy to operate
Simple, stress-free operation is achieved through the incorporation of a newly developed
image processing circuit and images can be played back easily with a touch of the central
"OK" button on the handy four-way controller. The Optio330GS also ensures that
you are always ready to capture unexpected action. Indeed, the camera is constantly primed
for shooting, even during the playback of images. For higher level versatility, the
Optio330GS offers a range of shooting modes. Simply turn the well-proportioned dial and
select from modes such as Standard, Picture, Night Scene, and Movie, as well as 3D image
modes. The Optio330GS even boasts individual buttons for frequently used functions in the
composition and playback of images.
Self-portraits made
simple with a handy 180° swing-out screen
There are times when you may wish to take a picture of yourself or join someone else in
the same shot. That's when the 180° swing-out screen of the Optio330GS comes in
especially handy. It has a high-resolution 1.6-inch LCD monitor and assists you greatly
with composition, allowing you to see exactly how you appear in the frame prior to taking
the picture. The same handy screen can also be used to check the results after you've
taken the shot, so you know when you to recompose and shoot again.
Innovative 3D image
for Stereoscopic shooting
With an innovative stereoscopic shooting mode, the Optio330GS produces images that have a
genuine sense of depth and perspective when seen through the special viewer provided.
An array of picture
modes
With a selection of seven picture modes, the Optio330GS prepares you for a plethora of
different situations and circumstances. Simply select from Landscape, Flower, Portrait,
Self-portrait, Soft, Surf & Snow, and Sunset modes on the LCD monitor and allow the
Optio330GS to automatically control exposure, focus, and white balance to achieve the
optimum results for each given situation.
Landscape mode:
Achieves vivid colors, while emphasizing greenery and the contrast of different blue tones
in the sky.
Flower mode: Ideal for
capturing the natural beauty of flowers.
Portrait mode: Throws
the background slightly out of focus in order to place emphasis on the foreground subject.
Self-portrait mode: Achieve
pleasing composition and results when taking shots of yourself or joining a friend in a
shot.
Soft mode: Achieves
soft focus which can be adjusted across seven levels.
Surf & Snow mode:
Ideal for shots of the beach, capturing skiing scenes, bodies of water such as the sea or
lakes, and clear blue skies.
Sunset mode: Captures
the warmth and beauty of the sun rising or setting in a faithful manner.
Other features
Mass
Storage Class compatibility for easy connection to PCs*
Thanks to compatibility with the USB Mass Storage Class, the Optio330GS is able to
transfer photographic data direct to PCs via the USB cable provided. Such convenience
heightens versatility as shots can be simply imported into a wide range of common
applications.
* System requirements:
PC running Windows 98/98SE, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows XP Home Edition/Professional
or Mac OS 8.6 or higher (installation of the included driver software is required, except
in the case of Mac 0S 9.0 or higher). Compliance with the aforementioned system
requirements does not guarantee USB compatibility.
With USB driver and
ACDSee(tm) as standard
The Optio330GS comes with a CD-ROM attached. This contains the handy USB driver as well as
the popular ACDSee image viewing / management software (compatible with both Windows and
Mac operating systems).
Built-in auto flash
Auto flash discharges when light is low or to highlight objects in front of excessively
bright backgrounds. The Optio330GS also gives you the freedom of flash-on, flash-off, and
red eye reduction* modes. There's even Slow shutter sync mode, which can be selected when
using Night Scene mode.
* This feature does not
eliminate "red eyes" in all instances.
Optical viewfinder with
actual image zoom
The viewfinder of the Optio330GS offers actual image zoom. This allows you to conserve
battery power by switching off the LCD monitor, yet still maintain compositional accuracy.
Digital zooming
versatility
The Optio330GS offers the versatility of 2.7X digital zoom. This leads to a total capacity
of 8X zooming when combined with 3X optical zoom and gives you the freedom to crop and
compose exactly as you please.
Nine-image display /
zoom display
Nine recorded images can be displayed simultaneously on the handy LCD screen of the
Optio330GS during playback. This speeds up the search for specific images considerably.
Images can also be played back with 12X magnification, allowing you to check clarity and
exposure with greater accuracy.
Slide show
With Slide show, recorded images can be simply and automatically displayed one after the
other on the LCD monitor. Through simple connection to an LCD projector, the same function
can be used to deliver effective presentations.
A variety of
shooting modes
The Optio330GS offers a comprehensive range of shooting modes to achieve the most
appropriate settings for your subject. Simply select from Standard, Picture, Night Scene,
Movie, and 3D image with a turn of the well-proportioned dial. Additionally, the
Optio330GS features Auto bracketing, giving you a range of results to choose from.
Standard: Achieve
exactly the results you desire by taking control of a combination of functions.
Picture: Choose from
seven convenient picture modes, including Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Self-portrait,
Soft, Surf & Snow, and Sunset.
Night Scene: Capture
evening or night scenes with clarity and add detail to the foreground wherever necessary.
During long exposures, the Optio330GS also has a noise reduction function which activates
automatically.
Movie*: The
Optio330GS has the ability to record up to 30 seconds of video at 15 frames per second,
with 320 X 240 recorded pixels. As an additional benefit, clips are recorded in AVI format
for easy playback on PCs.
* System requirements
for use of the Movie function: PCs running Windows 98/98SE or Windows 2000 operating
systems which came with DirectX 8.0 and Windows Media Player pre-installed, or have
QuickTime 3.0 or higher installed. PCs running Windows Me or Windows XP operating systems
featuring Windows Media Player or QuickTime 3.0 or higher. Macintosh machines running
operating systems, which came with QuickTime 4.0 or higher pre-installed.
3D image
Simply take two shots following simple instructions to create images that have a real
sense of depth and perspective when you look at them through the special viewer provided.
Auto bracketing
A highly convenient function that allows you to take shots that vary exposure, white
balance, sharpness, saturation, and contrast in three steps for optimal results.
Self-timer
The Optio330GS has a convenient self-timer function, allowing you to get in the frame with
friends or take a self-portrait as you would with a regular film camera.
Continuous shooting
capability
Sometimes one shot is not quite enough to capture all the action. Fortunately the
Optio330GS offers continuous shooting, allowing you to take shot after shot by simply
holding down the shutter button.
Macro shooting /
infinity-landscape modes
Macro shooting mode gives you the ability to compose shots at a distance of only 0.1m
(0.33 ft.) from your subject, and to zoom in and out as you please. There's also
Infinity-landscape mode, which lets you capture stunning landscapes and scenery, even when
you are shooting through windows.
Manual focusing
Focus can be matter of personal taste. That's why the Optio330GS offers the versatility of
manual focus. It allows you to view composition on the LCD monitor while choosing the
exact degree of focus you desire. The Optio330GS even allows you to zoom in on one part of
the shot in order to achieve pin-sharp focus.
Autofocus areas
Automatic focusing becomes more accurate with the selection of Spot AF. The Optio330GS
also has the advantage of 5-point autofocus, allowing you to place greater focal emphasis
on your subject while reducing the sharpness of the background.
Useful LED indicator
The Optio330GS is equipped with a small LED which indicates the activation of the shutter
when using the self-timer function. This LED also functions as an AF spotbeam, assisting
autofocus when shooting in low-light conditions.
A range of settings
for white balance
With White Balance Mode offering selections for Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten light,
Fluorescent light, and a Manual setting, the Optio330GS ensures an appropriate balance of
color when shooting across a range of different lighting conditions.
Handy histogram
display
The convenient histogram function allows you to check light levels with a high degree of
accuracy. What's more, this function can be used regardless of whether you are composing
your shot or playing back your results.
Options for metering
Shots of different subjects can often require different kinds of metering in order to
attain the right kind of exposure. Choose from multi-segment metering, center-weighted
metering, and spot metering.
Selectable light
sensitivity
Sensitivity to light can be set to auto, or manually set to ISO100, ISO200 or ISO400,
allowing shots in different intensities of light.
Exposure
compensation
Exposure compensation has a range of +2EV in 1/3EV steps.
A choice of three
color modes
Get creative with a range of color modes. Experiment with a choice of color, black &
white, and sepia and enjoy creating different moods.
Settings for
sharpness, saturation and contrast
In order to help you achieve results more finely attuned to your desires, the Optio330GS
allows you to set sharpness, saturation, and contrast in three different grades.
Image protection
With some digital cameras it can be all too easy to accidentally delete a shot. Image
prevention, however, ensures that this does not happen with the Optio330GS.
Mode memory function
The mode memory function can be extremely handy in so many situations. It allows you to
save a combination of settings in accordance with your desires. These can then be returned
to automatically the next time the power is switched on.
World time function
With a world time function, the Optio330GS makes the ideal travel companion. It can
display the time in 62 different countries around the world and records the time each shot
is taken without the need for resetting to simplify sorting when you return home!
DPOF
When used in combination with compatible printers, the DPOF function* of the Optio330GS
allows you to take control over the number of printouts and the date function.
* Some printers may not
support the above functions. Please consult the supplier of your printer for more
information.
Exif Print (Exif 2.2)
and PRINT Image Matching II*
The Optio330GS provides prints of an even higher quality when it is connected to Exif
Print or PRINT Image Matching II compatible printers.
* This product supports
PRINT Image Matching II. When used in combination, PRINT Image Matching II enabled digital
still cameras, printers and software help photographers to produce images more faithful to
their intentions.
CompactFlash
compatibility
The Optio330GS boasts the convenience of CompactFlash compatibility. Just one 16MB
CompactFlash card is capable of storing approximately 16 images 2048 X 1536 recorded
pixels in the "Better" quality setting, and a maximum of 128 images with 640 X
480 recorded pixels in the "Good" quality setting.
Video output
terminal
For simple viewing, or for displaying shots to family and friends, the Optio330GS can be
simply connected to a TV via video cable.
Power sources
The Optio330GS can be powered by two AA batteries (lithium, alkaline, or rechargeable
Ni-MH). It is also compatible with one CR-V3 lithium battery pack which can take
approximately 500 images continuously.* An optional AC adapter is also available to
activate the Optio330GS.
*According to tests
conducted in-house by Pentax.
Multilingual operation
Not only is the Optio330GS ideal for traveling. It is also multilingual! Indeed, whether
your native tongue is English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, or Japanese, you'll find
operation of the Optio330GS straightforward and simple.
| Specifications |
| Sensor |
1/2.7" 3.34 megapixel (primary color filter) |
| Effective
Pixels |
3,2
megapixel |
| Color
Depth |
12
bit x 3 colors |
| Image
sizes |
Photo:
2048 x 1536 pixel, 1600 x 1200 pixel, 1024 x 768 pixel, 640 x 480 pixel
Movie: 320 x 240 pixel |
| Sensitivity |
Auto,
fixed (ISO 100, 200, 400 equivalent) |
| Image
Formats |
Photo:
JPEG (Exif 2.2), DCF, DPOF
Movie: AVI (15fps) |
| Quality
Levels |
"Good",
"Better", "Best" |
| Storage
Media |
Type
I CompactFlash (CF) card |
| Lens |
Pentax
Power Zoom 5.8mm-17.4mm f/2,6-f/5,0 (38mm-114mm equiv. in 35mm format) Lens diagram: 6
elements - 5 groups (1 aspherical element). |
| Digital
Zoom |
1X-2.7X
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| Focusing |
TTL
contrast detect AF, Manual focus, Infinity lock |
| Focus
areas |
5-point
AF, spot AF |
| Focus
range |
Normal:
0.4 m - Infinity (1.3 ft - Infinity)
Macro: 0.1 m - 0.5 m (0.3 - 1.6 ft) |
| Metering |
Multi-segment,
Center-weighted average, Spot |
| Exposure
Modes |
Standard,
Picture mode (Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Self-portrait, Soft, Surf & Snow, Sunset),
Night Scene, Movie, 3D image, Auto bracketing |
| Exposure
compensation |
±2
EV (1/3 EV steps) |
| Movie |
1
sec.-30 sec. (no audio) |
| Shutter |
Programmed, electronic controlled shutter.
Shutter speeds: 4 sec - 1/1500 sec |
| Drive
Modes |
Single,
Continuous, Self-Timer |
| Flash |
Built-in
Auto, Flash On,Flash Off, Red-Eye reduction
Range: 5.0 / 2.7 m (16 / 8.9 ft) at Auto ISO |
| White
balance |
Auto,
Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual preset |
| Color
Modes |
Color,
B&W, Sepia |
| Viewfinder |
Optical,
Real Image Zoom viewfinder |
| LCD
Monitor |
1.6"
LCD, Swing-out screen (180 degrees) |
| Connections |
USB
1.1, Video out, DC-IN |
| Video
output |
PAL
/ NTSC compatible |
| Power |
2
x AA batteries (NiMH recommended) |
| Dimensions |
103,5 x 63,5 x 42,0mm (4.0 x 2.5 x 1.5 in) |
| Weight |
230g
with battery and CF card.
180g w/o battery and CF card. |
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Page updated Sep.
17th, 2002
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