Pentax Optio E30 7.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

I bought a Pentax Optio E30 a few months ago. After taking a few pictures (10-15) I had to replace the batteries. The new batteries lasted only 2-3 days and I only used the camera for less than an hour. I bought a charger and some rechargeable Ni-Mh batteries. They don't fare any better than the alkaline. I very seldom use this camera and the batteries go dead just sitting in the camera for 2 to 4 weeks. I would not recommend this camera to anyone I liked.

This camera is the best digital camera I have ever used. The menus are intuitive and the ease of operation is unmatched. The photo quality is impeccable and the videos are amazing. The sound quality is great and there is no chop in the framing. I have used this camera for high speed sporting events and it looks like every shot was a photo that was posed.

for this price- camera is ok.it's nice, menu is easy to navigate.it doesn't have viewfinder and this is real disadvantage.macro mode really sucks....and the zoom is little noisy...but unless you've got focus, the picture will be good.true point-and-shoot camera.if you want more-have to pay more:))

The camera itself is great for the price. The only thing I miss is the view finder. Tried to take pictures in Badlands Nat.Park The sun was in my face so the LCD screen was very hard to see. The pictures from the camera are great. Overall its a good deal.

I bought this camera for a trip I will be taking based on the reviews & the price. The pictures I have taken so far are good, except at beach. Without a viewfinder the screen is a mirror in the bright sun. Also, the description of the camera said that the batteries would last for 200 pictures. Not true at all. I only got 24 pictures out of the batteries, perhaps because it was so difficult to see in the sun and it took so long to take pictures. Guess I will take a bag of batteries on my upcoming trip to Italy!

Post Script to above review: used the camera on my trip to Italy and it was excellent!!! Took almost 200 pictures & only had to change batteries once. The battery seems to recharge itself..battery indicator sometimes reads yellow then next time you use camera it's green -- so you get lots of pictures. Pictures came out great..still miss viewfinder, but this is a great camera for the money.

Post-post-script: On May 18, 2008, less than one year after purchase of this camera, the lcd monitor inexplicably broke - did not drop it, no undue handling - camera was in my jacket pocket. Pentax claims the damage was my fault & it's not covered under warranty. $97 to fix a $99 camera!!! Absurd!! Was great camera until it broke. Went to Italy & back with no problems & took great pictures. Never thought I had to handle camera like it was a raw egg, if you get my drift - so still don't know how monitor broke. DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!!