Pentax Optio P80 12.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Zoom with Shake Reduction and 2.7-inch LCD
February 17th, 2010 | 
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- 12.1-megapixel resolution image sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 19-inch prints
- 4x wide-angle optical zoom; shake reduction
- Automatic Face Detection; Triple anti-shake protection
- Widescreen HD movie recording at 30fps
- Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
Product Description
The ultra-slim PENTAX Optio P80 digital camera features a lightweight design in three fashionable colors including Black, Pearl, and Mint. This stylish camera features a lightweight body with advanced features including 12.1 megapixels, a 4X wide angle optical zoom, HD video capture, Shake Reduction, Face Detection and Smile Recognition. Great shots come easily with an Auto Picture mode that selects from eight shooting modes. The large 2.7 inch LCD ensures accurat… More >>
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After my Panasonic FS7 took a tumble (boy was it fragile…don’t dare drop it while it’s on), I decided to replace it with the P80. I was terribly disappointed in the quality of photos. Granted, I realize that all digital point and shoots will have less than optimal quality in low light, but this was plain HORRIBLE. Everything was orangish and grainy. Also, maybe the autofocus and autoiso features apparently did not work properly, because 80% of the photos were a blur. I had to return this piece of crap. I decided to go back to Panasonic and got the ZR1. Pentax had one chance to impress and failed.
Rating: 2 / 5
Overall, I find this a pretty good little digital point and shoot, and a good replacement for our earlier model of Pentax Optio. For indoor shooting, I am impressed at the depth achieved by the flash — much better than our earlier model. In fact, I really wasn’t expecting such good results. If I were to fault the camera at all, I would say that the colors in the photos are vibrant — perhaps a bit more vibrant than in actuality. Still, that is a minor problem — if a problem at all — for a digital camera in such a portable package.
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought this because I had given my 8mp SE phone to my mom (along with my Sony camera). I realized that my Sony was bulky to carry around and did not prove as effective as when I was a student (took it to games and stuff). So, this is my continuing saga where I research on really good brands that most of my ‘desi’ friends aren’t even aware of. They say “Pentax??!! What the heck is that? Why didn’t you buy a Canon or a Sony?” The picture quality, face recognition and the speed are very nice. This is basically what you’d NEED but may not WANT. There are a lot of built-in profiles that are very easy to set the camera to in an instant. The interface is okay but I think I personally might want some more (I see everything as computers …)
Anyway, awesome buy. And, I did have a 20 bucks manufacturer’s discount.
Rating: 5 / 5
What a camera! Very easy to use, lots of bang for the buck, I have three other Pentax Digital cameras of the SLR type. I bought this Pentax to carry in my shirt pocket so I have a camera available most of the time. Love it!
Rating: 5 / 5