Pentax Optio 750Z

Review summary: The Optio 750Z ($499) is Pentax's entry into the growing field of 7 Megapixel cameras. Building on the Optio 555 from last year, it offers a 5X optical zoom lens, full manual controls, dual focusing system, VGA movie mode, and rotating LCD display.

Pros: Very good photo quality, though see issues below ; Fairly-compact, stylish, mostly-metal body with a 5X zoom lens ; Full manual controls (and then some) ; Flip-out, rotating LCD display ; Excellent macro, movie modes ; Can save favorite settings to ...

Cons: Sluggish performance: slow startup, average focusing and shot-to-shot times, unimpressive continuous shooting mode, slow image playback ; Images slightly noisy ; vignetting may be an issue for flash shots ; some blurry corners ; LCD difficult to see ...

Verdict: No review would be complete without a complaint about proprietary batteries like the one used by the 750Z. For one, they're expensive, costing $40 a pop (and I do recommend buying a spare). Secondly, you can't drop in some disposable batteries to get ...

Review summary: The 7MP 750Z produces A4 prints and even A3 enlargements, from a camera small enough to fit in your pocket

Pros: First-rate A4 prints and A3 enlargements. Full of meaty 7MP goodness. Digital SLR quality. Super-sharp 5x zoom

Cons: If you like SLR-alike cams to look like SLRs, steer clear - this one's tiny

Review summary: Pentax has today announced the 7 megapixel Pentax Optio 750Z compact digital camera with a 5x optical zoom. The Pentax Optio 750Z has a swivelling 1.8-inch LCD and is directed towards photographic enthusiasts who seek "higher quality photographs

Review summary: The Pentax Optio 750Z is a serious camera for the serious photographer. Not only does it have all the desirable features of good optical viewfinder and complete manual over-ride of all settings, it actually looks like a camera.

Pros: The optical viewfinder has dioptre adjustment for spectacle wearers. Metering and focussing modes are user-selectable. The camera has a bulk and heft that make it feel just right in the hand. It also has a swivelling LCD screen.

Cons: It is quibbling, but a camera of this quality should come with RAW capture mode. Still, the TIFF format gives outstanding image quality.

Verdict: The Optio 750Z takes 3D photos -- sort of. The subject has to be static. It's a bit of fun but not terribly useful. However, this is a highly recommended camera. It is comparable with the excellent Canon G6 which costs $200 more. And the Pentax wins ...