Hi Michael, >Well I have been playing with my new toy for a couple weeks now and >overall I am pleased with my purchase. I particularly like the >intuitive controls that seem to be a Pentax trademark,
That's the big advantage of this camera. I bought a 330GS (the successor to the 230) as my first digicam. I was able to use it without a view into the manual. >and I like the solid feel and overall quality of this digital P&S. >Image quality is good and I really like the skin tones it produces. Yes, the colours of the Pentax digicams are better than that of other manufacturers. On the other hand, the sharpness of the Optios is not as good as it could be. But if you order professional prints (e.g. from an Agfa d.lab), then you won't be able to difference between the digital pictures of you Optio and a conventional compact camera (at least at 10x15 or 13x18cm). I was very convinced by the 330GS and so I have invested some more money to get a 330RS as I want to buy a underwater case for my next vacation. The RS is very compact and a real fun to take it everywhere you go. The picture quality is comparable, but the 330GS was a little bit better, I think. All in all the 330GS is the better offer for its price, but the RS modells are more compact, have a metal case and more optional addons (remote control, uw-case). Here are some more differences: 330GS - includes a 16MB CF-card - has TV-out - uses normal rechargeble batteries - has some nice auto bracketing features - has some motive programs - LCD brightness is adjustable - ISO 100,200,400 (the latter with much noise) 430/330RS - has digital filters instead of motive programs - offers manual control of aperture (there are 2 (!) apertures :-]) and time - offers intervall photos - offers timelapse videos - ISO 125,250 There are no considerable differences in picure quality in this class of tiny cameras. So the big advantage of the Pentax is their ease of use. I like them. Regards, Heiko
