Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this episode, Greg and I take a closer look at two Pentax Espio compact cameras with zoom lenses - the Pentax Espio 928 released in 1994 featuring a 28-90mm and the Pentax Espio 120SW that even comes with a 28-120mm and was released in 2001, so when digital photography already took off.
Compact cameras are all the rage among those starting out with film or more seasoned film shooters looking for a casual, easy-to-pocket everyday carry camera. While especially those compacts with 28mm wide angle lenses like the Minolta TC-1, Ricoh GR1 or Nikon 28Ti are particularly sought after and hence pricey, zoom compacts featuring the same widest focal lengths are often overlooked. These two cameras here are a good example for that and can be had for 30-100 Euro and one of which still offers a maximum aperture of f/3.5 at 28mm.
Pentax has a special role in the history of such compact cameras as the company literally defined the category when introducing the world’s very first zoom compact camera with the Pentax AF Zoom 70 in 1986.
Reasons enough to take these two out for a casual photo walk around Würzburg shooting Kodak Gold 200 rated at box speed. As always, the photos were developed and scanned by my trusted OnFilmLab in Frankfurt.
Gear used:
Pentax Espio 928
Pentax Espio 120SW
Films used:
Kodak Gold 200
If you enjoy our videos and like to follow us on Instagram, find us here: instagram.com/analog_insights
In this episode, Greg and I take a closer look at two Pentax Espio compact cameras with zoom lenses - the Pentax Espio 928 released in 1994 featuring a 28-90mm and the Pentax Espio 120SW that even comes with a 28-120mm and was released in 2001, so when digital photography already took off.
Compact cameras are all the rage among those starting out with film or more seasoned film shooters looking for a casual, easy-to-pocket everyday carry camera. While especially those compacts with 28mm wide angle lenses like the Minolta TC-1, Ricoh GR1 or Nikon 28Ti are particularly sought after and hence pricey, zoom compacts featuring the same widest focal lengths are often overlooked. These two cameras here are a good example for that and can be had for 30-100 Euro and one of which still offers a maximum aperture of f/3.5 at 28mm.
Pentax has a special role in the history of such compact cameras as the company literally defined the category when introducing the world’s very first zoom compact camera with the Pentax AF Zoom 70 in 1986.
Reasons enough to take these two out for a casual photo walk around Würzburg shooting Kodak Gold 200 rated at box speed. As always, the photos were developed and scanned by my trusted OnFilmLab in Frankfurt.
Gear used:
Pentax Espio 928
Pentax Espio 120SW
Films used:
Kodak Gold 200
If you enjoy our videos and like to follow us on Instagram, find us here: instagram.com/analog_insights
