Pentax Optio RZ10 review

The Pentax Optio RZ10: An affordably priced and colourful compact

The latest compact camera release from Pentax, the Optio RZ10, offers 14 megapixels and an impressive wide-angle 10x optical zoom. Designed for ease of use, the RZ10 is an inexpensive compact that will appeal to those looking for a good-value camera that

can still produce good-quality images.

At first glance you could easily mistake the Pentax as a toy or waterproof camera. With its rather garish colour palette and unusual mix of materials, its design aesthetics won’t appeal to everyone, but will definitely warrant a double take. We got our hands on the aptly named lime green sample, however the RZ10 is also available in orange, purple, white and a more attractive matte black. Its rubberised back plate, hand grip and lens surround could mistakenly lead you to believe this camera is a lot more rugged and durable than it actually is. Though it proves hardwearing to a degree, don’t be fooled into thinking that this camera is any less breakable than your regular compact.

The camera features a good-sized 2.7-inch LCD screen for quality image playback and an easy-to-use menu interface. The button layout is functional, with a designated Trash button that can be altered for other purposes and a clever Face Detection button that is also located on the body. Unfortunately the camera doesn’t feature an elected Movie Record button, although the On/Off switch does resemble one. The lens surround is also fairly misleading – it looks as though it could be detachable for optional filter use, when actually it doesn’t affect the lens in any way. The impressive 10x optical zoom does, however, respond well in use, with effortless zooming in and out of the camera body and minimal chromatic aberration present in shots.

The camera starts up and turns off quickly, making it practical for any quick captures. With 23 available shooting modes on offer, you are well equipped for every photo possibility. The popular Auto picture mode is present and automatically selects the correct shooting mode for the scene. The added in-camera digital filters are also of a great quality and even offer you more control over their strength, use and effect. The Toy Camera filter is particularly fun to use and will be popular for creating quirky retro images that resemble film captures, a current photographic trend. Unfortunately the digital filters can only be applied once you have shot the image, so you do miss out on taking a more creative approach to shooting in camera on this occasion.

The RZ10 works well in low light, featuring an added shake reduction mechanism that helps to prevent blur from camera shake. With a vast ISO range from 80-6400 the camera is capable of taking good shots under demanding lighting conditions, though noise is notably present at around ISO 800/1600 and you will detect a drop in resolution and image quality.

The available HD Movie mode captures video at a high- quality 1,280 x 720p, and also incorporates the camera’s shake reduction technology. The stills max. Burst shooting mode is also capable of capturing up to 40 images at a maximum speed of 9.1 frames per second, which is great for capturing fast-moving sports shots.

Affordably priced, the Pentax RZ10 will impress its users with its surprising image quality and good colour rendition. Although its design is unlikely to attract all buyers on the lookout for a new compact, this camera is most likely to appeal to a younger generation who will enjoy the use of the added filters and bold, attention-grabbing colour design.