My review of the Optio 750Z

[Supisiche]

Great camera. I love the vintage look of it's pictures. My copy is a bit soft in the extreme corners (wide) but pretty decent overall at full telephoto.

This camera has a high level of customization; each direction of the main button pad can take a custom function that can be accessed in combination with the FN button. It is posible to toggle (ON/OFF) each element of the info display. The auto bracket function can be changed to exposure, white balance, sharpness, saturation or contrast.

The 750Z can shoot intervals and also 3D. It has custom user modes, an alarm to wake you up in the morning, a voice recording mode, a light meter mode, over/underexposure blinkies, live histogram etc. And the main button dial has a lever that can be used to change the exposure combinations for P mode.

Now, the bad news. The camera is very slow in general and the lcd is laggy (but it tilts). It can't take SDHC cards and it doesn't shoot raw. The lens lacks optical stabilization. I have to subtract 1 star for all of this. But it's a 5 star camera in my heart, very fun to use.

 

[barondla]

Great camera. I love the vintage look of it's pictures. My copy is a bit soft in the extreme corners (wide) but pretty decent overall at full telephoto.

This camera has a high level of customization; each direction of the main button pad can take a custom function that can be accessed in combination with the FN button. It is posible to toggle (ON/OFF) each element of the info display. The auto bracket function can be changed to exposure, white balance, sharpness, saturation or contrast.

The 750Z can shoot intervals and also 3D. It has custom user modes, an alarm to wake you up in the morning, a voice recording mode, a light meter mode, over/underexposure blinkies, live histogram etc. And the main button dial has a lever that can be used to change the exposure combinations for P mode.

Now, the bad news. The camera is very slow in general and the lcd is laggy (but it tilts). It can't take SDHC cards and it doesn't shoot raw. The lens lacks optical stabilization. I have to subtract 1 star for all of this. But it's a 5 star camera in my heart, very fun to use.

Always wanted this camera. Thought I'd wait for the next model because I was sure it would add Raw capture. There never was a next model. A shame. Might have to look one up to add to the collection. Nice review. Enjoy the camera.

--
barondla

 

[Supisiche]

Unfortunately, I tried to change the internal battery and the flash capacitor went boom. The camera stopped working (because of the flash thing, probably). I feel sad, it's a unique camera, I can't get another one easily.

 

[barondla]

Unfortunately, I tried to change the internal battery and the flash capacitor went boom. The camera stopped working (because of the flash thing, probably). I feel sad, it's a unique camera, I can't get another one easily.

Bummer! Sorry to hear this. Hope you find a other soon.

Thanks

 

[daveyeatyourfries]

Unfortunately, I tried to change the internal battery and the flash capacitor went boom. The camera stopped working (because of the flash thing, probably). I feel sad, it's a unique camera, I can't get another one easily.

I have a Pentax Optio 750z with a dead internal battery as well. Is it possible to replace the internal battery without blowing the flash capacitor? Or, would you recommend against even trying to do it?

 

[Supisiche]

Unfortunately, I tried to change the internal battery and the flash capacitor went boom. The camera stopped working (because of the flash thing, probably). I feel sad, it's a unique camera, I can't get another one easily.

I have a Pentax Optio 750z with a dead internal battery as well. Is it possible to replace the internal battery without blowing the flash capacitor? Or, would you recommend against even trying to do it?

I'd say leave it like that. It's not an easy to get camera, like a PowerShot AXXX. Also, the internal battery is soldered to the main board.

 

[mmmustard]

Revisiting my Optio 750z hiding in my closet since 2005 has been on my list of things to do. (Eventually.) I've been having great fun with my MX-1, (see thread), so it might be a while. Your post sent me to the DPR review, and it was fun to read the specs back then. 400 top ISO, 1,000 top shutter speed, 640 x 480 video, tiny LCD screen. It was also amusing to read the review criteria for a camera's speed of operation (or lack of.) We've come a long way since then, haven't we?

The review also reminded me of how frustrating this camera was to use. Many people in the forums anguished over its sluggish operational abilities. It was clearly behind the competition in this regard, and may have been the start of Pentax's lagging competition in areas like AF.

Still, I did have some fun with it. Like the time I bought an underwater casing and took it snorkeling in Cozumel. Here is a link to some of those photos:

Log In to SmugMug

Billions of happy photos, millions of passionate customers. Gorgeous online photo albums. Protect your priceless memories. Buy beautiful prints & gifts.

www.smugmug.com

 

[Supisiche]

Revisiting my Optio 750z hiding in my closet since 2005 has been on my list of things to do. (Eventually.) I've been having great fun with my MX-1, (see thread), so it might be a while. Your post sent me to the DPR review, and it was fun to read the specs back then. 400 top ISO, 1,000 top shutter speed, 640 x 480 video, tiny LCD screen. It was also amusing to read the review criteria for a camera's speed of operation (or lack of.) We've come a long way since then, haven't we?

The review also reminded me of how frustrating this camera was to use. Many people in the forums anguished over its sluggish operational abilities. It was clearly behind the competition in this regard, and may have been the start of Pentax's lagging competition in areas like AF.

Still, I did have some fun with it. Like the time I bought an underwater casing and took it snorkeling in Cozumel. Here is a link to some of those photos:

https://www.smugmug.com/app/organize/The-Attic/Pentax-750Z-Goes-Fishing-in

Thanks. It's a slow camera, but packed with features

 

[daveyeatyourfries]

Thanks for your reply! I'll leave things alone then.

I just picked up a 750z for $40 on OfferUp (practically new in the box no less). I've been having a blast with it. I was surprised by all the features and customization options. Jpegs look great and are pretty flexible too.

Unfortunately, I tried to change the internal battery and the flash capacitor went boom. The camera stopped working (because of the flash thing, probably). I feel sad, it's a unique camera, I can't get another one easily.

I have a Pentax Optio 750z with a dead internal battery as well. Is it possible to replace the internal battery without blowing the flash capacitor? Or, would you recommend against even trying to do it?

I'd say leave it like that. It's not an easy to get camera, like a PowerShot AXXX. Also, the internal battery is soldered to the main board.

 

[Supisiche]

Thanks for your reply! I'll leave things alone then.

I just picked up a 750z for $40 on OfferUp (practically new in the box no less). I've been having a blast with it. I was surprised by all the features and customization options. Jpegs look great and are pretty flexible too.

Unfortunately, I tried to change the internal battery and the flash capacitor went boom. The camera stopped working (because of the flash thing, probably). I feel sad, it's a unique camera, I can't get another one easily.

I have a Pentax Optio 750z with a dead internal battery as well. Is it possible to replace the internal battery without blowing the flash capacitor? Or, would you recommend against even trying to do it?

I'd say leave it like that. It's not an easy to get camera, like a PowerShot AXXX. Also, the internal battery is soldered to the main board.

Nice ლ( ・ヮ・ლ)

 

[fotoword]

Thanks for your reply! I'll leave things alone then.

I just picked up a 750z for $40 on OfferUp (practically new in the box no less). I've been having a blast with it. I was surprised by all the features and customization options. Jpegs look great and are pretty flexible too.

Unfortunately, I tried to change the internal battery and the flash capacitor went boom. The camera stopped working (because of the flash thing, probably). I feel sad, it's a unique camera, I can't get another one easily.

I have a Pentax Optio 750z with a dead internal battery as well. Is it possible to replace the internal battery without blowing the flash capacitor? Or, would you recommend against even trying to do it?

I'd say leave it like that. It's not an easy to get camera, like a PowerShot AXXX. Also, the internal battery is soldered to the main board.

The Optio 750z was one camera I lusted after way back in the day! I never did get it though.

But I did buy an Optio A20 which was a very tidy little camera.

Later got into the dsl's with a Kx and then a K5

Finally ended up with the Pentax Q and Q7 and those satisfied the itch.

...but maybe down the track...

Hope you enjoy the new one

Cheers

Paul

 

[mmmustard]

Well, I was trying to show a couple of three photos of the 750z Gone Snorkeling, but SmugMug has a bug that prevents this currently. So, I'm just going to provide the link. There are only a few photos anyway.

https://www.skyoftexas.com/The-Attic/n-N9sJS/Pentax-750Z-Goes-Fishing-in/

I might add that the photos aren't particularly good, but hey, they are better than nothing.

 

[Supisiche]

Well, I was trying to show a couple of three photos of the 750z Gone Snorkeling, but SmugMug has a bug that prevents this currently. So, I'm just going to provide the link. There are only a few photos anyway.

https://www.skyoftexas.com/The-Attic/n-N9sJS/Pentax-750Z-Goes-Fishing-in/

I might add that the photos aren't particularly good, but hey, they are better than nothing.

Thank you. Interesting colors ლ( ・ヮ・ლ)