Looking for a versatile and user-friendly 35mm film camera that won't break the bank? Look no further than the Pentax ESPIO 115G. Introduced in the late 1990s, this camera is a great option for both casual photographers and enthusiasts alike. After testing this camera in various conditions, we’ve given an honest review so you can decide if this camera is for you.
Design and Build Quality
The Pentax ESPIO 115G has a sleek and modern design, with a lightweight plastic body that feels durable and sturdy. Its compact size makes it easy to carry around and use on the go, and the small grip on the right side provides a comfortable and secure hold. The camera also features a bright and clear viewfinder that makes it easy to preview and frame your shots.
Lens and Image Quality
One of the standout features of the Pentax ESPIO 115G is its zoom lens, which ranges from 38mm to 115mm. Not many point and shoot cameras offer a zoom of this range, and you use it much more than you might think. With a maximum aperture of f/4.5 at the wide end of the zoom range and f/6.7 at the telephoto end, the lens is also reasonably fast for a compact zoom lens.
The lens also produces sharp and contrasty images with good colour reproduction, in a range of lighting conditions. The camera's metering system is reliable, producing well-exposed images in most situations.
The Pentax ESPIO 115G features a variety of shooting modes, including portrait, landscape, sports, and macro modes, which provide some creative flexibility for photographers, and if you’re just looking for casual use, then this essentially means your camera is ready for any situation.
Here are some example shots taken with the Pentax ESPIO 115G:
Shooting Modes and Autofocus
The Pentax ESPIO 115G offers a variety of shooting modes, each tailored to different types of photography. Portrait mode, for example, emphasises a shallow depth of field to create a pleasing blur in the background, while macro mode is ideal for close-up shots of small objects.
Most people stick to autofocus, so we made sure to thoroughly test it out! We found the Pentax’ autofocus system pretty reliable, making it easy to capture sharp images in most situations without many of those disappointing blurry shots when you get your prints!
Ease of Use
One of the biggest advantages of the Pentax ESPIO 115G is how easy it is to use. The camera is designed to be simple and straightforward, with automatic exposure settings and autofocus that make it ideal for beginners or anyone looking for a simple point-and-shoot camera. But it also offers some creative flexibility for more experienced photographers, with a self-timer and multiple exposure settings.
Loading and unloading film is also straightforward, with the camera featuring an automatic film advance and rewind system. And for those who want more control over their film, the camera also has a manual film advance and rewind option, which allows you to take multiple exposures on the same frame.
Drawbacks
While the Pentax ESPIO 115G is an overall great camera, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider. For one, the built-in flash may not be powerful enough for some situations, so you may need to invest in an external flash if you plan on doing a lot of very low-light photography.
The camera also doesn’t offer manual control over aperture or shutter speed, so if that’s something you’re after, you may want to consider a different model. That being said, most people wouldn’t need either of these two features, so for the majority of camera users, this is a great one.
The Film Camera Co overall review of the Pentax ESPIO 115G
Overall, the Pentax ESPIO 115G is a versatile 35mm film camera that offers good image quality and is extremely straightforward to use.
Its compact size, sharp lens, and variety of shooting modes make it a great option for anyone looking for a reliable and flexible point-and-shoot film camera. Whether you're a beginner looking to try out film photography or an experienced photographer in search of a reliable and convenient camera, the Pentax ESPIO 115G is definitely worth considering.