The Pentax Optio T10 is a 6-megapixel point-and-shoot camera with a 3-inch LCD touch screen. The T10 is the third point-and-shoot digital camera to use a touch-sensitive LCD for changing settings, organizing files, and editing photos. The touch screen is the T10′s biggest feature, but the camera also has a 3X optical zoom lens and a 30fps VGA movie mode. The two other touch-screen-equipped cameras currently available, the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-N1 and the Kodak EasyShare One, have received less than stellar reviews, so we’re going to have to see for ourselves whether the T10 is a capable snapshot camera or just another gimmicky gadget. The T10 ships in March and has a suggested retail price of $350.

The satin-finish metal front section of the camera wraps back over the top and bottom and is accentuated by both the chromed ring that surrounds the lens and a thin horizontal strip. The back of the camera provides black plastic areas to hold the camera on either side of the 3-inch, 230,000 pixel monitor.

The Pentax Optio T10 was introduced in the month of the PMA 2006, and proved an instant eye-catcher. The impressively large 3 inch screen takes up a sizeable part of the camera’s back side, which distinguishes itself by the absence of the, for instance, well-known multi controller. The type of monitor that we find on the Pentax Optio T10 is in fact rather surprising; a touch-screen with a resolution of 230,000 pixels. This immediately explains the absence of several “standard” buttons. The large format screen makes an optical viewfinder virtually redundant. The touch-screen monitor enables an altogether different operation, which requires a clear and well-arranged menu structure.

Pentax have been working with the Optio name since 2001, and have managed to achieve a very decent level of brand awareness. Over the past few years, we have seen Pentax invest serious effort, which has resulted in an extensive range of models. Time and time again Pentax succeed in integrating innovative functions in their new models, something that is once again emphasised by the Pentax Optio T10. Although the use of a touch-screen isn’t completely new, it remains surprising. Furthermore, the large screen enables the use of clearly larger pictograms, whilst illustrating it is even more important to have a menu that is both clear and easily accessible.