Pentax Optio SV

alaTest has collected and analyzed 145 reviews from magazines and websites. Views about the color and lens are overall positive. The design and usability also get good feedback, whereas there are some negative opinions about the value for money and performance. There are mixed comments on the memory and flash.

zoom, usability, design, lens, color

shutter, image quality, responsiveness, performance, value for money

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Pentax Optio SV is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 81/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 145 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (14% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (44% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (21% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (10% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (10% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Shutter
  Show positive (8%)Show negative (69%)(Show all)
Zoom
  Show positive (36%)Show negative (3%)(Show all)
Image quality
  Show positive (14%)Show negative (34%)(Show all)
Responsiveness
  Show positive (9%)Show negative (49%)(Show all)
Usability
  Show positive (83%)None yet(Show all)
Performance
  Show positive (14%)Show negative (86%)(Show all)
Battery
  Show positive (17%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
Value for money
  Show positive (16%)Show negative (24%)(Show all)
Design
  Show positive (83%)None yet(Show all)
Lens
  Show positive (24%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 113 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 113 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (47)

Expert review by:

Pentax Optio SV

 

There are sufficient options, including manual exposure and focus, to let budding photographers spread their wings, along with a clutch of fun features to explore, such as a limited time-lapse movie mode, 3D stereo photography, and panorama assist....

Compact and easy to use; indefatigable burst mode; excellent macro capabilities.

Average image quality; mediocre performance.

Though this snapshot camera has some admirable qualities, its poor performance and photo quality keep it from making the grade.

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Expert review by:

pentax optio sv

 

The Optio SV is a compact point-n-shoot that captures high-quality images with 5.0 effective megapixels. It also employs a high-contrast smc PENTAX 5x optical zoom lens that boast a high-level of clarity for sharp detailed images. Made of 10 elements in 8

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Expert review by:

Pentax Optio SV

 

What's in the Box

Ultra-compact, stylish metal body with a 5X zoom lens ; Full manual controls ; Very good macro mode ; Can save favorite settings to mode dial ; Nice features: numerous bracketing options, interval shooting, digital filters ; Camera charging cradle can...

Soft, fuzzy images; above average noise levels for a 5MP camera ; Sluggish performance: average (or maybe worse) focusing and shot-to-shot times, unimpressive continuous shooting mode ; Redeye ; LCD difficult to see in low light ; Poor low light...

Bottom line: unless you absolutely need that 5X zoom in a compact body, I'd pass on the Optio SV -- there are better choices out there.

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Expert review by:

Pentax Optio SV Digital Camera Review

 

Launched in 2004, it has been a camera with a revolutionary reduction in size with excellent portability and ease of use (aluminium alloy body, but the camera tripod mount is plastic). Red-eye reduction function does not always work for this digital...

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Expert review by:

Pentax Optio SV

 

Pentax Corporation introduces the new OptioSV, a compact digital camera with 5X optical zoom and the image quality of 5.0 effective megapixels. It also has particularly compact dimensions, bringing such zooming power together with portability. Such...

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Expert review by:

Pentax Optio SV

 

As I wrote in my review of the Epson L-500V elsewhere in this issue of Handheld Computing Magazine, the 4 to 5-megapixel subcompact has come to be the definitive all-purpose, take-everywhere digicam for virtually everyone whose needs do not extend into...

No matter how much we obsess over details and compare one camera's features to those of competing models, it all boils down to people wanting a subcompact digital camera to do two things: get the shot with minimal hassle, and produce attractive output...

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Expert review by:

Digital Camera

 

As I wrote in my review of the Epson L-500V elsewhere in this issue of Digital Camera magazine, the 4 to 5-megapixel subcompact has come to be the definitive all-purpose, take-everywhere digicam for virtually everyone. The price/performance/size...

If you can get past the speed issue, you have much in the Optio SV that will make you happy. It has the longest zoom in its class, the aforementioned superb optical performance, a super-macro mode that gets you in insanely close (3cm), an...

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Consumer review by:

"Slower than a turtle"

 

Right up there in the "top 10 worst purchases i've ever made".

Hard to think of any to be honest. Save the heart-ache, & buy a throw-away.

Slow. Very poor battery life. My shutter gets jammed 1/2 way opened- resulting in ruined pics.

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Consumer review by:

Pentax Optio SV

 

Right up there in the "top 10 worst purchases i've ever made".

Hard to think of any to be honest. Save the heart-ache, & buy a throw-away

Slow. Very poor battery life. My shutter gets jammed 1/2 way opened- resulting in ruined pics

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Consumer review by:

Pentax Optio SV

 

Right up there in the "top 10 worst purchases i've ever made".

Hard to think of any to be honest. Save the heart-ache, & buy a throw-away

Slow. Very poor battery life. My shutter gets jammed 1/2 way opened- resulting in ruined pics

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Product Specifications

Some things just don't get better - or smaller - than this! Super-compact and extraordinarily lightweight, the Optio SV comes loaded with robust features despite its diminutive size. The power of 5.0 megapixels for astounding clarity. An impressive 5X optical zoom with Sliding Lens system for remarkable precision. Manual focus, exposure, and aperture settings for picture-perfect control. And 21 steps of color to expand creative horizons. All packed into a striking, 5.3 ounce aluminum alloy body. A digital powerhouse that's as advanced as it is easy to use, the Optio SV has everything you've ever wanted in a compact camera and then some. The perfect pocket companion for photography enthusiasts, intermediate photographers, and advanced beginners.

Audio Input

Type:Microphone

Camera Flash

Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Type:Built-in flash

Digital Camera

Supported Flash Memory:SD Memory Card

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:1.1in
Height:2.2in
Weight:0.4lbs
Width:3.6in

Display (Projector)

Diagonal Size:1.8in
Diagonal Size (metric):4.6cm
Display Form Factor:Built-in
Technology:TFT active matrix
Type:LCD display

Exposure Parameters

Shooting Programs:3D image / Flower / Food / Landscape / Museum / Night scene / Panorama assist / Portrait mode / Self-portrait / Sports mode / Surf & snow/Landscape / Portrait mode / Museum / Surf & snow / Self-portrait / Food / 3D image / Panorama assist / Flower / Night scene / Sports mode

Header

Manufacturer:Pentax
Model:SV
Packaged Quantity:1
Product Line:Pentax Optio

Lens System

Lens Aperture:F/2.6-4.7
Max Focal Length:29mm
Min Focal Length:5.8mm
Optical Zoom:5
Type:Zoom lens

Optical Sensor

Optical Sensor Size:1/2.5 / 1/2.5"/1/2.5"
Optical Sensor Size (metric):10.2 mm ( 1/2.5 ) / 10.2 mm ( 1/2.5" )
Optical Sensor Type:CCD
Sensor Resolution:5Megapixel

Optical Viewfinder

Type:Real-image zoom

Storage Floppy Drive

Type: None

Video Input

Digital Video Format:AVI
Digital Zoom:4
ISO (Max):400
Light Sensitivity:ISO 100 / ISO 400 / ISO 200 / ISO 50 / ISO auto/ISO 100 / ISO 200 / ISO 400 / ISO 50 / ISO auto
Shooting Modes:Frame movie mode
Special Effects:Black & White / Blue / Color / Green / Illustration / Red / Sepia / Slim / Soft/Soft / Black & White / Sepia / Slim / Color / Blue / Green / Red / Illustration
Still Image Format:JPEG
Type:Digital camera

Viewfinder

Viewfinder Type:Optical
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