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Average rating:
4.23
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User reviews
(12)
4.23
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| Quick links: | Announcement | Forum |
| Announced: | Sep 3, 2003 |
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Average rating:
4.23
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Opinion: This is my fifth digital camera. I bought it specifically to shoot photos from the kayak on whitewater trips. It does a decent job of this. My main complaints are that the image quality could be better and the lens should have a cover to keep water drops off. The camera seems very durable and definitely water proof. I keep it in the mesh pocket of my life jacket. You can see some full size samples here: http://www.newdawnimaging.com/Pentax33WR/index.htm
Problems: Water drops on the lens
It does not float as shown in the ad. Don't drop it in the water.
Opinion: Small and low-weight camera for outdoor sports users but...
This is my third camera, after 2 nikons. I use it to take pictures during my bike rides, and for it is enough light and small. The buttons are small and impossible tu push with gloves, and the lens are without any cover, so is easy to get fingerprints or other dirtness over it. The image quality is good but not the best for its category. The quality also drop down in internal or low-lighting situations, where the flash not always is accurate. Autofocus is quite slow, there is a 1.5 sec. delay when you shoot. Some camera software options are without any utiliity, but is overall easy to use. Conclusions: Water resistant, small, low weight : if you need therse three things, this camera is for you;
Problems: Not reachable in italy at 28 november 2003; I had to buy in France (Pixmania ~350 Euros). All referring manuals in French;
No problems yet (!)
Opinion: I bought this camera when it first came out. It is a little solid camera with water resistance capability. It is relatively easy to use with reasonably good results. Indoor flash shots with tungsten light produces better colour balance than the more expensive Canon A80. Macro capabililty is excellent with very good image quality. The overall image quality is not bad (but not excellent either) in most cases, but AF suffers when the environment is relatively dim, say indoor with tungsten light only. And this results in quite a number of blurred shots. Minor flare could be a problem outdoor due to the (mono-coated?) "bare" glass which is not shielded by anything. The rubber corners are nice touch and could be useful when you need to put it on any rough solid surfaces. The 1.6" LCD is sharp and clear, but the plastic protector is raised so it could be scratched in no time. This camera is not particular efficent on power consumption so make sure you have spare batteries. 2100 or 2300NiMH rechargables are certainly recommended.
Full size samples could be viewed here. They are all originals without modifications.
http://www.pbase.com/wlachan/pentax_33wr_samples
Problems: The camera I had had AF problem. Except for macro mode, the actual focus was in front of the confirmed focus by the AF. This result in many blurred and unless results, particular worse for any distant shots like scenery. I returned the camera and did not try another one so I do not know if it was considered "normal" for this model.
Opinion: A very nice little camera. I got it for the water-resistance and thus the ability to take it anywhere and not worry about a bit of rain, spray, high humidity, sand, etc. Also for the small size, again as a take-with-always camera.
Image quality is really very good as compared to other ~3 MP cameras I have seen or used. The fine jpeg mode is finer than at least some; for example Nikon Coolpix SQ only saves 4 bits/pixel in finest mode, while the 33WR saves 5. It is good enough that jpeg artifacts are very rare. It has a very flexible intervalometer mode that I expect to use to monitor animal locations in eological experiments. Overall, I would recommend this camera.
Problems: Two real complaints, and a few minor wishes or gripes: it doesn't come with a case, and the case that Pentax sells appears to be useless. I want to take this camera everywhere. It doesn't have any protection for the lens cover and the LCD. The Pentax case, from what I can see in pioctures of it on Web sites, actually deliberately leaves these exposed, so the camera is always ready to use, but the lens cover and LCD will be scraping against whatever gear you have in your bag. I would REALLY like a nice neoprene case with a zipper around 3 sides that fit the thing tightly, and maybe had iinternal thin plastic stiffeners over the lens and the LCD. It should come with the camera, as it is almost unusable for its real purpose as a take-anywhere device without some sort of case. Second problem--in manual focus mode, the LCD shows a nice magnified image that should make it possible to evaluate focus. The problem with this is that it reverts back to non-magnified within 2 seconds after you stop pressing the arrows to change focus. If you are using it for macro, this is NOT LONG ENOUGH, PENTAX! I have to keep pressing the arrow button at intervals less than 2 seconds, which tends to move the camera a bit, which makes it very hard to judge focus. There should be a firmware upgrade that makes the magnification stick until you partially depress the shutter release, or at least gives you this option.
A third thing, though more minor, is that although the fine jpeg mode is very good, I would still like a TIFF or even better, a RAW option. This can't be that difficult or expensive to implement, and would at least give the option of getting maximum quality if you come across that once-in-a-lifetime subject. Finally, it would be really great if there was a camera with all of the features this one has, plus the problems above fixed, and, say, 5 or 6 MP resolution (I can wish, anyway).
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 | 22.3 megapixels 3.2" screen Full frame sensor |
