Pentax Optio E60 review

The E60 can record VGA-quality (640x480) motion JPEG video. The quality isn't good for the most part, however, and the optical zoom doesn't function while recording. It's sufficient for small Web videos, but little else.

Shooting speed (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Time to first shot

Typical shot-to-shot time (flash)

Typical shot-to-shot time

Shutter lag (dim)

Shutter lag (typical)

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS

1 

3.5 

2.1 

0.7 

0.4 

Kodak EasyShare M1033

1.7 

2.4 

1.7 

0.9 

0.4 

Pentax Optio E60

1.9 

2.8 

1.8 

1 

0.5 

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S750

2.2 

2.6 

2 

1 

0.7 

Nikon Coolpix S210

2 

3.4 

3.1 

1.5 

0.9 

Conclusion
Pulling off a decent low-cost ultra-compact camera is difficult because there have to be compromises. The Pentax Optio E60 succeeds because it is very easy to use, with big, simple controls, few menu options, and a reasonably accurate auto-scene-detection mode. Photo quality at low ISOs was also good overall, despite some noise and softness.

Additional editing by Charles Kloet