In the world of digital cameras, size most definitely matters.

If a camera is too big or heavy to carry comfortably, it will be left at home; if it is too light images may suffer from any slight shake in the user's hands.

With the Optio range Pentax has always managed to deliver a solid yet supremely portable product. Its latest model, the 330GS, continues the trend.

A reworking of the popular Optio 330, the GS version offers many of the same features and also borrows a few from the more recent 230 model.

It has a 3.2 megapixel resolution and the ability to shoot small, silent movie clips.

This model then adds the option of shooting at 1600 x 1200 and the supplied 16MB Compact Flash card stores eight images at this resolution.

The GS has inherited the 230's smart, swing-out, 1.6in LCD screen for easy self-portraits and the ability to take 3D images.

In this mode you take two shots of the scene in question, print the combined picture out in colour and then use a supplied plastic viewer to see the results.

Five main shooting modes and intuitive controls make taking snaps easy and while Pentax's menu and setup system isn't the most responsive, it performs its function well enough.

Film speed, resolution and compression options can be selected quickly to suit the moment, as can preferred spot metering.

Setting the camera to the 'PICT' mode gives quick optimisations for landscape, macro, portrait, self-portrait and other photography styles. In tests, images were excellent with sharp detail.

Snaps can be transferred easily to PC via the supplied USB lead and you also get a carrying strap. The camera takes AA batteries or the bundled, sadly non-rechargeable, Lithium cell.

At £299 there are cheaper cameras on the market, but it's hard to find fault with the 330GS.

DETAILS
Contact: Pentax 01753 792792

www.pentax.co.uk