Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
2.33 of 5,
3 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Canberra

Summary:
Oh no! My camera has developed the "shutter release won't trip" problem as well!!! Apart from that, it is an excellent camera. I haven't taken it back to the dealer yet.

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Local Photo Store

Summary:
The original Optio 330 takes quite nice digital pictures considering it's compact size. However, Pentax has a problem with the Optio 330 in that the shutter release button fails prematurely leaving the camera unable to take pictures. I know of two cameras personally where this has happened as well as several posts I have read on the Internet. The unit will quit responding and "lock-up" when it comes to taking a picture. (See the first post in this column). Pentax says this isn't a 'known' problem however I believe otherwise. For the price paid for this camera, you should be able to get more than two years of service from it before a major failure.

Strengths:
Good color, ease of use.

Weaknesses:
Poor autofocus in low light, low quality components on mainboard leading to early failure.

Customer Service:
Pentax is willing to diagnose the camera for free but denies that there are any problems.

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $1500.00 from Camera Shop

Summary:
Hi., I bought a Pentax Optio 330 in late 2001 for two purposes. Holiday shots and work related shots, machinery etc. The camera was very good for the first few months, but then became more and more reluctant to shoot a picture on auto focus. At times the entire camera seemed to shut down, with the zoom not working etc. The only means to get it working was to switch on / off until it would work. Even then it was very slow at taking pictures. If you want a picture of toddler or similar you had no hope. I got many pictures with toddlers just walking out of frame. Just 12 mths from purchase I'd had enough and took it back. On that day it worked okay! The assistant had no problems with it. But it is now at such a sstage were I dread having to use it and particularly for work related pictures, which is a real pain. I'm considering buying another camera for work, probably a cheap and cheerful camera that I can more easily afford to bin.

Strengths:
Good picture quality, apart from that the virtues that all digital cameras provide.

Weaknesses:
Appears to be a delicate little thing! And one of the reasons I bought this particular model was the nice strong case!

Customer Service:
Was told that I would be without for up to 6 weeks if I put in for repair!

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This is a great camera. I do as much outdoors as I can and until now I spent a lot of money on fun saver cameras and never knew if I got the shot until I was home from my trip and the film was developed. This camera is smaller then a fun saver with far, far great abilities. It has already paid for itself by saving film and time. It is the best money I have spent on a camera.

Strengths:
Small size, rugged frame, software, ease of use, 30 second videos

Weaknesses:
no sound with video

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Price Paid:  $999.00

Summary:
A good Camera at a good price, If you want a compact camera, (fits in your shirt pocket), you cannot go past the Optio 330RS, the Canon Ixus is around the same price but cannot compete in picture quality. Some camera's may offer a better picture at this price but they are much larger in size.

Strengths:
Size, ergonomics

Weaknesses:
Flash can be harsh. Picture quality can be a little soft

Similar Products Used:
Canon Ixus V2 Kodak DX3600

Customer Service:
N/A