Skip to product overview

Pentax Optio 33L Point & Shoot Camera

The Pentax Optio 33L is a 3MP 1/2.5 inch compact camera — with null video. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Pentax Optio 33L Point & Shoot Camera

Pentax Optio 33L Point & Shoot Camera

Get notified when one lists.

We'll text or email you the moment a Pentax Optio 33L is listed on GearFocus.

Have a Pentax Optio 33L sitting in your bag?

You'd be the first listing for this model.
Serious buyers are already watching — list yours in minutes.

Sell your Pentax Optio 33L on GearFocus

Camera Overview — Pentax Optio 33L

The Pentax Optio 33L is a compact point-and-shoot digital camera built around a 3MP, 1/2.5-inch sensor and powered by a proprietary Pentax image processor. One of its most distinctive physical features is its 1.5-inch TFT LCD display with a swivel design, giving shooters greater compositional flexibility without needing an optical viewfinder. The screen resolves 134,000 dots, which was a functional standard for the era.

Exposure and focus are handled through a contrast-detection autofocus system with a single center focus point, supporting both Spot and Wide modes, alongside a Manual Focus Only option for those who prefer direct control. ISO sensitivity runs from 100 to 400, covering everyday lighting conditions. The camera supports burst shooting at up to 2 frames per second.

Images can be captured in a range of color profiles including Normal, Fine, Superfine, Black & White, Sepia, and Digital Filter, offering some creative variety at the shooting stage. Storage is via CompactFlash media, and the camera connects to a computer via USB. Power comes from two AA batteries — NiMH recommended — or a single CR-V3, with an approximate battery life of 200 shots per the CIPA standard.

The body is constructed from plastic with metal accents and measures 105 x 63 x 42 mm at 225g. A built-in flash with Auto, On, Off, and Red-eye reduction modes handles low-light situations. No image stabilization of any kind is present.

Key Features — Pentax Optio 33L

3MP 1/2.5-Inch Sensor: Captures images at up to 2048x1536 resolution, suitable for standard prints and on-screen sharing.

Swivel 1.5-Inch LCD: The rotating TFT display lets you compose shots from high, low, or angled positions without an optical viewfinder.

CompactFlash Storage: Uses CF cards for image storage, a common and widely available media format of the era.

Flexible Battery Options: Accepts two AA NiMH batteries or a single CR-V3, making power sourcing straightforward on the go.

Built-In Flash: Covers Auto, On, Off, and Red-eye reduction modes to handle a range of indoor and low-light situations.

In-Camera Color Modes: Shoot in multiple quality and creative modes including Black & White, Sepia, and Digital Filter for in-camera creative options at capture.

Camera Specifications — Pentax Optio 33L

Pentax Optio 33L full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesTravel
TypePoint and Shoot
Sensor1/2.5 inch
Resolution3MP
ProcessorProprietary Pentax processor
ISO Range100 – 400
AF SystemContrast Detection, Manual Focus Only
AF Points1 point (center, Spot and Wide modes)
Max Photo Resolution2048x1536
Burst Rate2 fps
Max Video Resolutionnull
Max Frame RateOther

Description — Pentax Optio 33L

The Pentax Optio 33L is a compact point-and-shoot camera built around a 3MP sensor housed in a 1/2.5-inch format and driven by a proprietary Pentax image processor. Its headline hardware feature is the 1.5-inch swivel TFT LCD with 134,000-dot resolution, allowing shooters to frame images at unconventional angles without contorting around the camera. Autofocus operates via contrast detection with 1 center focus point in Spot and Wide modes, and a Manual Focus Only option is also available.

The ISO range spans 100 to 400. For storage, the camera uses CompactFlash media and connects to a computer via USB. Power is supplied by 2x AA (NiMH recommended) or 1x CR-V3 batteries, good for approximately 200 shots by CIPA standards.

The built-in flash covers Auto, On, Off, and Red-eye reduction modes. Six color profiles — Normal, Fine, Superfine, Black & White, Sepia, and Digital Filter — give photographers in-camera creative flexibility. The body is constructed from plastic with metal accents, weighs 225g, and measures 105 x 63 x 42 mm.

No image stabilization is present.

Pros — Pentax Optio 33L

  • ✓Swivel 1.5-inch TFT LCD display enables flexible framing from multiple angles
  • ✓Built-in flash with four modes including Red-eye reduction (Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction)
  • ✓Dual battery options — 2x AA NiMH or 1x CR-V3 — for easy sourcing in the field

Cons — Pentax Optio 33L

  • ✗No image stabilization of any kind — neither in-body nor digital (imageStabilization.type: None)
  • ✗ISO tops out at 400, limiting performance in lower-light environments
  • ✗No viewfinder present (viewfinder.type: null), making the swivel LCD the sole compositing tool

Videos — Pentax Optio 33L

2003 Pentax Optio 550 Full Test of Camera — WoW Price

Resources & Downloads — Pentax Optio 33L

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Pentax Optio 33L

What memory cards does the Pentax Optio 33L use?+
The Optio 33L uses CompactFlash (CF) cards for storage. This is an older media format, so you'll want to ensure you have a compatible card and a CF-capable card reader for transferring images to a computer.
What batteries does the Pentax Optio 33L take, and how long do they last?+
The camera accepts either two AA batteries — with NiMH recommended — or a single CR-V3 lithium battery. According to CIPA standard testing, you can expect approximately 200 shots per charge when using AA NiMH batteries.
Does the Pentax Optio 33L have image stabilization?+
No. The Optio 33L has no image stabilization of any type — neither optical in-body stabilization nor digital stabilization is present. Steady hands or a stable surface are recommended in lower-light shooting situations.
What is the maximum photo resolution this camera can shoot?+
The Optio 33L captures images at a maximum resolution of 2048x1536 pixels using its 3MP, 1/2.5-inch sensor. Images can be saved in several quality modes including Normal, Fine, and Superfine.
Can the Pentax Optio 33L record video?+
The camera does offer a video mode, though its maximum resolution is not specified in the available data. Video is captured at 15fps in 8-bit depth with a Standard color profile.
Does this camera have a hot shoe for external flash?+
No, the Optio 33L does not have a hot shoe. It relies entirely on its built-in flash, which offers Auto, On, Off, and Red-eye reduction modes.

Similar to Pentax Optio 33L

Loading similar products...