Pentax Optio 750Z

Posted by T3 Online on Tue 22 Feb 2005

Pentax serves up a classic-looking pocket camera that's as powerful as a bulky SLR.

The 750Z combines chic retro looks with a seven-megapixel sensor, a sharp 5x optical zoom and a handy flip-out-and-swivel LCD. It's small enough to put in your pocket, but powerful enough to make you wonder who needs a digital SLR.

It looks nice, and it's nice to see a 5x optical zoom in a pocket-sized camera. The swivelling LCD on the back is handy for close-ups, low-level and tripod shots. You can customise the controls so that the Function button on the back offers quick access to all the major features such as white balance, sensitivity and so on. Image definition is particularly good.

There's no RAW mode, which serious photographers might demand for careful image processing, and while the Pentax costs £80 more than the Olympus, it doesn't have quite the same build or finish. The start-up time's a pretty leisurely three seconds, and the auto white balance may 'neutralise' the colours a bit too vigorously when you're trying to capture atmospheric lighting conditions.

The nice looks and smart control layout will definitely appeal to serious photographers, but equally, the lack of RAW mode may put them off. And the Olympus beats it for build and value.