CELL PHONES
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
SMARTPHONES
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
CAMERAS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
REVIEWS
» Cell phones
» Cameras
» Camcorders
» Archive » Product Guide
» Compare » Expert guides
» RSS & Alerts » Ask The Editors
Home / Review Center / Digital cameras / Point-and-shoot cameras
Pentax Optio P80 First LookBy Mike Perlman, Wednesday 5 August 2009
GALLERY
Pentax Optio P80
Enlarge
 
 
The Pentax Optio P80 is here to fill the desinger shoes of the Pentax Optio P70. See how it struts in our coverage of the new super slim Optio family member.

Remember the sexy Pentax Optio P70 we previewed at CES? Well, the newest incarnation does not stray far from its initial design, for the Pentax Optio P80 is merely a study in BNG (Bold New Graphics) phenomena. Pentax has kept the same 12-megapixel sensor and 4x optical zoom found on the Optio P70, and even retains its devilishly good looks. We're not saying the new Pentax Optio P80 received only aesthetic upgrades via juicy new paint jobs, for the camera has managed to improve upon a select group of features.

Take the revamped Automatic Face Detection, for instance, which can now recognize faces at an angle or tilted to the side. The Pentax Optio P80 pumps up the jam to this advanced level of face recognition, in addition to the ability to detect up to 32 faces at once in just a fraction of a second. We get the Smile Capture and Blink Detection features we saw on the Pentax Optio P70, but we're also introduced to a new Small Face Filter, which makes the subject's face appear smaller than it actually is in reality, which is perfect for fixing those friends who suffer from Giant Face syndrome.

The Pentax Optio P80 will also pack in Digital Filters like Toy Camera for a retro feel, and Dynamic Range Adjustment for ironing out shadows and highlights. The Pentax Optio P80 will offer a Digital Wide mode to capture panoramic shots and a Frame Composite Function, which tacks on a decorative photo frame to an image. Like the rest of the Pentax Optio fleet, the Optio P80 will have Auto Picture mode, which selects from eight different Scene modes, and Pixel Track SR (Shake Reduction).

The Pentax Optio P80 will be able to reach 6400 ISO, though images will be capped at a smaller resolution. As far as the aluminum chassis and undulant architecture, the pentax Optio P80 is nearly identical to the Optio P70. There truly are no major changes to leap for here, so we feel that the Pentax Optio P70 would be a worthy alternative to the Optio P80 from a price perspective. If you're feeling more adventurous, check out the new waterproof Pentax Optio WS80.

The Pentax Optio P80 will ship in September for $200 and will be available in Black, Pearl and Mint.
Best Point-and-shoot cameras
Name Score Price
C
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS 74% $400
Fujifilm Finepix F200EXR 74% $400
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS 74% $380
Canon PowerShot SD890 IS 72% $300
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS 71% $330
Nikon Coolpix S710 70% $380
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 69% $225
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 69% $400
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS 69% $250
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 68% $400
Canon PowerShot SD780 IS 68% $280
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS 68% $230
Canon PowerShot SD770 IS 67% $215
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 67% $400
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150 66% $300
Click here to see full and advanced chart »
 
 
 
DIGITAL CAMERA RESOURCE CENTER
Upcoming Releases
 
Specs Search
 
Side-by-Side
HOTTEST
DSLR Cameras
 
Performance Cameras
 
Point-and-Shoot Cameras
Canon Cameras
 
Nikon Cameras
 
Panasonic Cameras
Pentax Cameras
 
Fujifilm Cameras
 
Olympus Cameras
TOP STORIES
New Canon Cameras
 
Hottest Upcoming Point-and-Shoot Cameras
 
Hottest Upcoming Performance Cameras
Nikon D300s
 
Sexiest Compact Cameras
 
Nikon D700 Review
Best High Performance Compacts
 
Canon Eos 5D Mark II Review
 
Pentax K-7 Review
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Review
 
Nikon D5000 Review
 
Olympus Tough 8000 vs. Panasonic TS1 vs. Fujifilm Z33WP in Waterproof Shootout
NEW DIGITAL CAMERA RELEASES
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Canon PowerShot SD940 IS
Nikon D3000
Fujifilm Finepix F70 EXR
NEW IN-DEPTH REVIEWS
Digital Cameras
 
Camcorders
 
Cell Phones & Smartphones
NOW IN DIGITAL CAMERAS
Casio EX-G1 Is Ultra-Slim Waterproof Camera
 
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Gets Release Date
 
Frankencamera is open-source digital camera
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 finally takes Micro Four Thirds compact
 
Samsung WB5000 focuses on the high-end with 24x mega-zoom
Canon EOS 7D is new mid-range DSLR with Full HD recording
New Canon Cameras
Hottest Upcoming Point-and-Shoot Cameras
Next 25 stories
MUST READ
CELL PHONES
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
SMARTPHONES
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
LAPTOPS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
CAMERAS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
INTERNET TABLETS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
GPS NAVIGATORS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
HDTVs
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
CAMCORDERS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
About us | Site map | How to advertise | Feedback | RSS Feeds | | Archive
Copyright 1999-2009 © infoSync World