Digital Camera Fiend - A Camera Review

Pentax will be releasing the Optio E40, its newest compact digital camera that boasts 8 mega pixel resolution, face recognition, and shake reduction features.

The Optio E40 is perfect for a first-time digital camera user…very straightforward and easy to understand. The Auto Picture Mode automatically determines the best settings for the shooting conditions, whether it’s landscape, portrait, night scene or normal.

The Pentax Optio E40 also has movie recording with picture quality that, according to Pentax, rivals a camcorder. No word on when the camera will be available at stores.

Originally uploaded by rybchen at flickr.com.

This is a simple underwater photo taken just below the surface with a Pentax Optio W20 underwater digital camera. The Pentax is fully waterproof, but is only pressure resistant up to five feet, making it a perfect camera for snorkling.

Unfortunately for snorkler photographers, most of their photos will have a “looking down” vantage point since they are floating near the water’s surface and all of their subjects (fish and plantlife) will be below. This photo is unique in that it offers a “looking up” perspective.

The contrast between the darkness of the water and shimmering surface is striking. The jellyfish is also appropriately framed.

Underwater digital photography opens a new world–and an entirely unique set of challenges for the photographer. About.com offers five underwater camera picks, and the Pentax Optio W20, which retails at around $300, heads their list.

It isn’t a camera for professionals, and it’s not recommended to take this digital camera deeper than five feet. But it gets the job done. It’s one of the few digital cameras that doesn’t require extra underwater housing–just use it as is. It’s completely waterproof, which means it’s also great for above water activities tha could get messy.

This 7-megapixel digital camera also has a large 2.5-inch LCD display screen, blur reduction mode, and underwater video capabilties. All in all, a good buy.