The Optio A30 is a modest-looking camera, and it wasn't until we totted up its pros and cons that we realised how impressive it is.
The 10-megapixel sensor, 2.5in, 230,000-pixel screen and optical image stabilisation are fairly typical here, but they're more impressive considering the price. The straightforward controls are standard fare for an Optio camera, except for an additional button labelled Preview. This triggers the image stabilisation to see its effects
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on the LCD screen, which is an interesting but pointless function. Stabilisation is routinely used while capturing pictures, but it only reduced and rarely eliminated blur at 1/30s shutter speeds. The onscreen menus are well organised and provide access to a wide range of functions, including shutter priority and manual exposure modes, but strangely not aperture priority. We like how it's possible to set the maximum ISO speed to be used in Auto ISO mode.
The camera is quick to focus, even in low light and at telephoto zoom settings. With a fast SD card, it captured a 10-megapixel photo every 1.3 seconds. The continuous mode wasn't much faster, though, coming in at 1.1fps, and the slim battery lasted for only 283 shots in our test.
Our image quality tests revealed consistently excellent results. Colours were warm and vibrant, and portraits shot in direct sunlight were among the best for capturing natural skin tones while avoiding clipped highlights. Detail was superb, especially in low light, and for £133 it all adds up to a real bargain.
