Pentax Optio 330GS Digital Camera

WHAT'S HOT: The Optio 330GS offers a nice balance of useful features and a comparatively low $300 price. And it can do a couple of parlor tricks that most point-and-shoots can't. First, the LCD rotates out 180 degrees, so you can frame your shots with the camera pointed directly at you (great for those "Here we are flying across the Pacific" self-portraits). Second, with the camera set in 3D mode, you can take a shot (or two, actually), print it out on your ink jet printer, and view a 3D image with the included plastic viewer.

Overall, the Optio 330GS is easy to work with. Two buttons let you change the most frequently used controls, including flash setting, self-timer, and macro focus. The remaining controls are organized into easy-to-navigate, clearly labeled menus. You also get a user memory mode for locking in your favorite settings as the default, and white balance calibration. In addition, the camera offers seven scene modes that you pick from menu-based icons.

Battery life was outstanding in our lab tests. The camera takes either two AAs or one 3-volt disposable lithium battery. Using the latter (which came in the box), we took over 600 shots before the battery ran out of power.

WHAT'S NOT: The Optio 330GS had no significant faults. A minor drawback is the camera's lack of sound recording to accompany with its movie mode. The manual focus seems marginally useful: A scale pops up in the LCD panel, but the only footage markings are those at each end of the scale.

WHAT ELSE: The Optio is small enough to fit in a coat pocket or small bag. Its overall design is uninspired but functional. The various buttons and mode dial are clearly labeled and work fairly smoothly. The camera has a four-way rocker navigation pad and center select button. The former felt a bit stiff, forcing us to press hard to move through the menus; the center button was a bit small for big fingers. Occasionally, pressing it did not set our chosen menu selection but instead triggered one of the navigation buttons, changing our selection.

The test photos we made with this camera were serviceable, though not exceptional. Most shots were slightly underexposed, and fine details didn't look especially sharp. The Optio did a nice job with flash, giving our model lifelike skin tone and her clothes bright colors. Shooting outdoors, the 330GS produced an accurate shade of blue sky and bright whites, and it did a moderately good job of bringing out details in shadows.

Pentax gave the Optio 330GS a handy (albeit limited) collection of advanced controls for intermediate photographers, including a spot focus option and spot, center-weighted, and averaging metering. For managing your photos once you've moved them to your PC, Pentax bundles ACDSee, a comprehensive, businesslike application.

UPSHOT: The Optio 330GS is a traditional point-and-shoot in form and function-suitable for the casual photographer who's looking for a moderately priced camera.

SUMMARY

Pentax Optio 330GS $