Pentax Optio A20 !!!!!

[Hot Opal]

I usually shoot with my Canon 5D.
However I am looking for a good point & shoot to carry around in my pocket when it is not appropriate to carry a SLR.
Does anyone have an oppinion on the Pentax Optio A20?

10 Megapixel.
3x Optical Zoom (equivalent to 37-112).
Shake Reduction (image stabilisation).
But no viewfinder.

I would prefer the viewfinder because I feel the screen may be difficult to see in extremely bright conditions!
But there is always a compromise.

Is there another P&S that I should consider?
Thanks,
Neville.

[Max@Home]

Hi Hot Opal,

...I start to say that I have never hand-held the Optio A20, nor seen any images from it...

...but I did handle the Canon PowerShot SD800IS, and was pleasantly surprised . IMHO it has *some* advantages that you *might* appreciate, but it's a bit more expensive, so it's also depending on your budget...

Optio A20 ($349 @ Dell), - Canon SD800IS ($399 @ Dell)

10 Megapixel - 7 MP : on a tiny sensor, 'less MP' usually means 'less noise' , and IMHO 7 is still plenty for a pocket

3x Optical Zoom (equivalent to 37-112) - 3.8x optical zoom (28!!!mm - 105mm) a 'true-er' wide angle (and one of the few )

Shake Reduction (image stabilisation) by SENSOR shift - Image Stabilization by LENS shift - IMHO the better technique, less sensitive to failure, but in such a tiny system... I wouldn't know if it matters thàt much...

No viewfinder - optical viewfinder

...for a more extensive comparison, click here

...just depends on what *you* value important, but *my* money would be on the PowerShot

..and as always, all the above is just *my* opinion, *my* €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[Hot Opal]

Thanks for the response Max,
I was beginning to think there was going to be no help!
Price is not an issue.
My lovely wife will be buying it for me for Christmas.
I was particularly interested on the Optio A20 because of it's size.
However 37mm on the wide end is not too desirable.
What are your thoughts on the Panasonic LX2?
It has a Leica lens 28-112 and can shoot at 3200 ISO & 10mega pixel.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoniclx2/
I think the fact that it is a bit larger is the only negative.
I am after something that is not bulky in my pocket.
Regards,
Neville.

[Padre]

Neville, there are a couple of issues that are pretty much common to all p & s cameras. In low light you are going to have noise. Even with new technology. That ISO 3200 you reference will create a bunch of noise, count on it. A noise reduction plug-in can help some with that but not eliminate it. Second, the smaller ones are all going to have less than desireable viewfinders. The other issue you mentioned is size. I chose the Canon SD800IS and it is about the size of a deck of playing cards. It goes everywhere I go and the camera produces very nice images in normal shooting conditions. Good luck with Santa.

[Hot Opal]

Thanks for the response Padre,
Max also suggested the Canon 800IS.
However I think we have moved on from 6megapixel's.
The 850IS @ 7mp is getting better & a 28-106 lens sounds great.
I am a Canon lover but the Pentax is 14% smaller than the Canon.
But with the reduced size comes a 37-112 lens!
I would go with the Panasonic LX2 (28-112 lens) but it is 18% bigger than the Canon & 37% larger than the Pentax.
Decisions-Decisions-Decisions
What is the best sacrifice?
Picture quality (pixels)?
Wide lens?
Physical size?

[Max@Home]

Hi again, Hot Opal,

Originally Posted by Hot Opal

I was particularly interested on the Optio A20 because of it's size.
However 37mm on the wide end is not too desirable.
What are your thoughts on the Panasonic LX2?
It has a Leica lens 28-112 and can shoot at 3200 ISO & 10mega pixel.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoniclx2/
I think the fact that it is a bit larger is the only negative.
I am after something that is not bulky in my pocket.

...re-read the Panasonic review at DPReview: conclusion: 'above average' mainly because of a processing engine that 'smears the details' due to it's (too) heavy noise-reduction, which isn't 'adjustable' like in some Canons.

...furthermore, the Panasonic is only 28mm in WIDE SCREEN mode (16:9 aspect ratio) in 'compact mode' (4x3 aspect ratio), it is a 34mm-136mm lens...

Regarding flat and pocketable and not bulky: the Pentax and the Canon all 'fold flat', the Panasonic still has a 'lensring' protruding.

And please note that the US market gets the PowerShot SD800 IS Digital Elph, the European market receives the Digital Ixus 850 IS, and the domestic (Japanese) market receives the Ixy Digital 900 IS...

...but it is the same camera

...and again, only *my* €0.02 worth of opinion...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[Hot Opal]

Thanks Max,
You have almost convinced me to stay with Canon (I've been a Canon lover for 20 years).
I do note that some of the market models you quoted vary (7.1mp - 10mp & 28-105 lens or 37-111 lens).
It's a pity the 28-105 does not come in a 10mp model.
That would solve all my issues!!!
Regards,
N.

[Padre]

N, go to http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html and scroll down to pocket cameras and start reading and comparing. Then leap

[Hot Opal]

Thanks Padre,
I couldn't find the Canon 850IS on that list.
I'm pretty sure that it's the way I will go.
Unless something comes out of left field that I hadn't considered.
It looks like my next job is on e-bay.
Regards,
Neville.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Hot Opal

I do note that some of the market models you quoted vary (7.1mp - 10mp & 28-105 lens or 37-111 lens).
It's a pity the 28-105 does not come in a 10mp model.

...if they do, that is a failure of the seller/vendor, but it *is* confusing, as there is no 'PowerShot SD850 IS'

quote/source DPReview:

Canon's third new compact today is another image stabilized Ixus/ELPH, 28-105mm wideangle zoom, 7.1MP sensor.

* US name: Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Digital ELPH
* European name: Canon Digital IXUS 850 IS
* Asian name: IXY Digital 900 IS

:-\---and--- :-\

Next up from Canon today is the PowerShot SD 900 Digital ELPH (Ixus 900 Ti in Europe), 37-112mm, 10MP sensor

* US name: Canon PowerShot SD900 Digital ELPH
* European name: Canon Digital IXUS 900 Ti
* Asian name: IXY Digital 1000

...on ebay, you will probably find all three variations offered, the non-regional models being 'grey import' ...

...you would almost think Canon did the name thing deliberately to confuse the E-baybuyers... :P

...hope this explains some, *my* €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards,

Max@Home

[Hot Opal]

Thanks Max,
That is a great help.
Regards,
N.

[Hot Opal]

One further question.
Does the 850IS take a 4gb card?
eg this e-bay item:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/170X-4GB-Ultr...QQcmdZViewItem

The specifications say it takes SD/MMC card.
This card on e-bay is a "SDMI" & I don't know what the "MI" means!
I know the "SD" means secure digital but I don't know what the "MMC" means either!!!!!
Regards,
Neville.