Pentax E80 Review

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E80 Overview

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E80 Overview
Specifications

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Pentax Optio E80
Resolution:	10.00 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.33 inch (6.1mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	3.00x zoom (32-95mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	LCD
Extended ISO:	100 - 6400
Shutter:	1/2000 - 4 sec
Max Aperture:	2.9
Dimensions:	4.0 x 2.3 x 1.0 in. (102 x 58 x 25 mm)
Weight:	6.2 oz (176 g) includes batteries
MSRP:	$130
Availability:	09/2009
Manufacturer:	Pentax
Full specs:	Pentax E80 specifications

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10.00 Megapixels	3.00x zoom	1/2.33 inch size sensor

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The compact body of Pentax's Optio E80 features large buttons and labels that aim to make the camera approachable and easy to use for beginners. Inside, the Pentax E80 includes a ten megapixel CCD that yields sensitivities as high as ISO 6,400 equivalent. The E80 places its imager behind a Pentax-branded 3x optical zoom lens with focal lengths ranging from a 31.5mm wide angle to a 94.5mm telephoto. On its rear panel, a 2.7-inch LCD display with 230,000 dot resolution is the sole choice on which images are framed and reviewed, with the Pentax E80 design not providing for a separate optical viewfinder.

The Optio E80 features three-point contrast detection autofocusing, as well as a face detection function that is linked to both the camera's autofocus and autoexposure systems. The face detection capability is also used to offer an automatic Half-Length Portrait mode which crops images as necessary to provide for an attractively framed head and shoulders shot. Pentax has upgraded its approachable Auto Picture mode for the E80, which can now automatically select between eight different common scene types - landscape, portrait, night scene, night scene portrait, standard, flower, sport or candlelight. The Pentax E80 also includes a digital panorama mode which can stitch together three images in-camera, as well as a Frame Composite function which can overlay one of twenty frames on your images in-camera. An Image Recovery function can allow the user to "undelete" images where possible.

The Pentax E80 can capture 16-frame image bursts at a rate of eight frames per second, albeit at a reduced VGA (640 x 480 pixel) resolution. In addition, the E80 includes a 720p (1,280 x 720 pixel) high definition video mode with sound, although the frame rate is limited to 15 fps. No high-definition connectivity is provided on-camera, with the Pentax E80 instead opting solely for NTSC / PAL standard-definition video output.

The Pentax Optio E80 includes a not-very-generous 6MB of built-in memory plus SD/SDHC card storage, and draws power from two AA batteries, with alkaline disposables included in the product bundle. Battery life is said to be in the region of 210 images from a pair of alkalines, to CIPA testing standards. The Pentax E80 comes bundled with ACDSee for Pentax 3.0 software. Two body colors will be available - either silver or black - and the camera ships from September 2009, priced at US$130.