Pentax's budget autofocus compact from c.1989 — 35mm f/4.5, infrared AF, fixed 1/125s shutter, AA power.
The Pentax PC-303 is a light plastic 35mm point-and-shoot made in Japan by Asahi Optical around 1989, part of the low-end PC range that sat beneath the Espio/IQZoom compacts. Unlike the cheapest focus-free PC models, the PC-303 has genuine autofocus, making it one of the more capable cameras in the budget line.
It uses a Pentax 35mm f/4.5 lens of 3 elements in 3 groups with active infrared autofocus from 1.2m to infinity, including a focus-lock function. The behind-the-lens shutter fires at a fixed 1/125 second, the built-in flash has a guide number of 10 at ISO 100, and film speed for ISO 100/200 or 400 stock is set by a switch underneath. A sliding lens cover doubles as the power switch, film transport is motorised, and two AA batteries drive it all in a 185g body.
It fits beginners and casual film shooters who want autofocus certainty over focus-free guesswork at pocket-money prices. The fixed shutter speed and modest f/4.5 lens keep it a daylight-and-flash camera, and the wide 35mm view is well suited to street and holiday snaps.
Check the sliding lens cover still switches the camera on cleanly, as the mechanism sees heavy wear, and that the flash charges promptly on fresh AAs. The motor wind must run for the camera to be usable, so listen for it. Inspect the underside ISO switch, battery contacts and film-door seals, all typical trouble spots on cheap late-1980s compacts.