Latest – Review at GoodGearGuide (added 24 January ’09)
Pentax Optio Z10 is a 6 megapixel point-and-shoot compact digital camera that features a 7x optical zoom lens, ISO range up to 3200, Shake reduction, Sliding lens cover, Refraction lens system, and Face recognition.
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Read More Reviews – (updated 24 January ’09)
GoodGearGuide
“The other main issue we have with this camera is the lack of an optical image stabiliser. Pentax offers “Digital Shake Reduction”, which simply adjusts the shutter speed. While this does compensates for handshake blur, it comes at the expense of image quality (which wasn’t perfect to begin with).”
Rating: 
ImagingResource has reviewed the Pentax Optio Z10 and they write -
“Though it has no manual control and is a little thicker than some, the Pentax PZ10 is quite simple to use and does a good job at all but the highest ISO setting. Its interface is straightforward, and its zoom is smooth and accurate, without a lot of fiddling to get the right framing.”
PopPhoto has reviewed the Pentax Optio Z10 and they write -
“While the lack of a true wide-angle lens and optical image stabilization will surely be a turn-off to some, the Pentax Optio Z10 offers a respectable feature set at a reasonable price. Redeeming its imperfections with a long-reaching 7x optical zoom lens, good image quality through ISO 1600, a compact, durable design, and features that are sure to appeal to both beginners and intermediate photographers alike, the Z10 is good choice for families on a budget and photographers looking to upgrade without breaking the bank.”
CameraLabs – 22 January’08 – reviews the Pentax Optio Z10 and points out that this cameras strong aspect is its 7x zoom. Here’s a summary of their review -
“In the current flock of compacts the Z10 does not stand out. With such a strong competitive landscape things like no image stabilization really drag this cameras appeal down. Now if you factor in the huge 7x zoom you realize it’s not stabilized so what’s the use? About the only thing that would make this camera a buyers choice is a low price.”
Steves Digicams – 04 January’08 – reviews the Pentax Optio Z10 and notes the camera stubbornly raises the ISO to 800 even when using the flash indoors if you have set it to “auto ISO”. Here’s a summary of their review -
“If you’re comparing easy to use camera this one definitely rates high on the list. One cool feature Pentax added was the ability to recover deleted files right from the camera. And as long as you keep the ISO down you will provided with good photos. Like a lot of cameras with “shake reduction” this one does its best in outdoor bright light but move indoors or shoot after the sun goes down and the cmaera wants to jack up the ISO and the resulting pictures are noisy looking.”
DigitalCameraInfo – 02 January’08 – reviews the Pentax Optio Z10 and at least on paper has a lot going for it. Here’s a summation of their review conclusion -
“This does not seem to be the camera if you’re interested in taking candid photos since the auto focus is WAY too slow. Low light shooting is also challenged with a blur reduction system that does not equal other competitive cameras image stabilization systems. And finally the face detection was a nice idea but if you factor in shutter lag it all but defeats the idea.”
LapTop – 15 December’07 – reviews the Pentax Optio Z10 and decided the digital shake reduction system does not work. Here’s an excerpt from their review verdict -
“The Optio Z10 is cheaper than similar cameras on the market, but in exchange for a low price and compact design, you get blurrier shots. If action photography is a priority, look elsewhere. But if you want a long zoom lens and you’re looking to save money, you’ll be satisfied with the Optio Z10.”
CNET – 13 December’07 – reviews the Pentax Optio Z10 and notes the camera is very slow between shots. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“It’s not easy for a camera company to make a small, good-looking camera that takes nice pictures. There always has to be a tradeoff when you try to cut costs. In this case, Pentax seems to have traded some time between shots in favor of a long zoom lens and nice, if not stellar, image quality. As long as you don’t mind the wait, you might be surprised with the images you get from the Optio Z10.”
DigitalCameraReview – 26 November’07 – reviews the Pentax Optio Z10 and found that because of slow camera performance fast moving action shots were difficult to get. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“The Pentax Optio Z10 provides an intuitive interface with a handful of extra features that should serve beginners well, while offering a few more advanced capabilities like the digital wide feature and effects for them to grow into. The compact size makes it a great travel camera.
However, when the camera gets into more difficult area like fast-action or low-light conditions, it begins to struggle. Also, the lack of any optical or mechanical image stabilization is a serious negative in a camera that has a 7x optical zoom.
It should be perfectly adequate for those looking for an ultra-compact, no-hassle point and shoot with decent image quality.”
PhotographyBlog – 19 November’07 – reviews the Pentax Optio Z10 and warns the camera simply does not compare to other 7x zooms. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“The Pentax Optio Z10 is a fairly unremarkable point and shoot camera with the obvious attraction of a 7x zoom lens that covers every focal length from moderate wide-angle to sports-shooter telephoto. It’s a really great addition to such a compact camera, and you’ll never go back to a “standard” 3x zoom model after trying out the versatile Z10. Pentax have concentrated on making the Optio Z10 very easy-to use, with most aspects of the camera designed to be standard and non-intimidating.”
ePhotozine – 14 November’07 – reviews the Pentax Optio Z10 and comments that for being so small this camera has a very respectable 7x optical zoom. Here’s an excerpt from their review verdict -
“Despite the non-descript performance and middle of the road features, I actually like this camera. I think the appearance could be improved with a nicer sliding lens cover and maybe even a different color, but it’s still a nice camera.”
RegHardware – 30 October’07 – reviews the Pentax Optio Z10 and notes that the picture quality was a mixed bag with the image stabilization system a lot of digital noise. Here’s an excerpt from their review verdict -
“On the plus side, the Z10 offers very good low-light performance. In one of our tests, the only light source was from a small torch, but the Z10 had no problems in producing a decent image, given the circumstances. But too many interior shots suffered from poor colour or contrast. We put a lot of this down to the ISO rating being set too high in the auto mode – up to 800. We really wanted to like the Z10, but sadly, its flaws outweigh its good points.”
Pocket-lint – 11 October’07 – reviews the Pentax Optio Z10 and reports that although it is easy to use it suffers from digital noise at most ISOs and lacks appropriate image stabilization. Here’s the review verdict -
“This is nicely made point and shoot digital camera comes with a few extra bells and whistles ringing the changes for Pentax, but it is also one with a few bells and whistles missing, ones that really should have been there to ring out loud and clear.
Image quality is okay but hampered by noise, unless this camera is discounted quickly, it is hard to see how it can compete.”
TrustedReviews – 28 September’07 – reviews the Pentax Optio Z10 and offers the following verdict;
“The Pentax Optio Z10 is a bit of a departure for a company that has specialized in 3x zoom compacts for several years. Build quality and design are good, and general performance is adequate, but image quality issues and the lack of any image stabilisation limit its usefulness, and it looks rather weak compared to several competing models.”
Sample Test Photos
Sample Photos @ ImagingResource
[Sample Test Photos at CameraLabs]
[Sample Test Photos at Steves Digicams]
[Sample Test Photos at DigitalCameraInfo]
[Sample Test Photos at PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Test Photos at RegHardware]
[Sample Test Photos at Pocket-lint]
[Sample Test Photos at TrustedReviews]
Specifications
[Official Pentax Specifications]
Owners Manual
Press Release
GOLDEN, CO. (August 22, 2007) PENTAX Imaging Company has announced two digital compact cameras including the Optio Z10 with a high-magnification 7X optical zoom lens.
The PENTAX Optio Z10 is equipped with a 7X optical zoom lens, the highest magnification among current PENTAX compact digital camera models. Designed with a refraction lens system so the lens never protrudes from the camera while zooming, the 7X optical zoom covers a broad range, from wide-angle to telephoto zoom, and offers an ultra high-magnification of up to approximately 35.7X when combined with digital zoom. With 8.0 megapixels, the Optio Z10 also features high speed detection time Face Recognition for improved portraits and digital Shake Reduction that allows ISO to 3200 to capture sharper images even in low light settings. The sleek, stylish PENTAX Optio Z10 body design also features a sliding lens cover for extra protection that also operates the on/off camera setting.
