Rating: 
Summary: pretty good, but I might not keep it
Review: I bought this to replace a Canon 2 megapixel that I had worn out - after 2 years one hinge broke and the zoom got stuck on. I though I'd try another brand.
There are lots of positive reviews about the Pentax, so I'll just point out 2 or 3 problems.
1. This is the most serious - you cannot use it with one hand. The shutter button is so stiff that, unless you are steadying with the other hand, pressing it down moves the camera, and there is blurring. The time delay between pressing and when the picture is actually taken adds to the problem.
2. The battery runs down fast. I have a second one, and oftern have had to use both in one afternoon.Although it is "cool," I plan to call Pentax. If they cannot do anything about the force needed to depress the shutter, I'll either return the camera to Amazon, or sell it locally. My Canon may have been flimsy, but you could whip it out and quickly take a picture with one hand.
Rating:
Summary: Terribly unhappy with the picture quality
Review: Pentax Optio S 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom, the pictures quality is not up to par compared to my older Olympus Camedia 2.1MP C-2020 Z, but if small is what your after this might be the smallest camera, I would suggest taking it hiking, biking or skiing were light weight is important and fix the photo's in Photoshop if you can.
Rating: 
Summary: Pentax tries to get out of warrant!
Review: Just like the reviewer below, Pentax is trying to charge me for an LCD that broke during light useage!!! I kept this camera in its case and it worked fine. However, the first time I kept it in a coat pocket the camera died. When the store I bought it from sent it to Pentax for a warranty repair, they sent me an invoice claiming that it was damaged due to my handling!!! I highly recommend looking at Minolta X series or Nikon's small cameras given Pentax's behavior!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Pentax Optio S Was Just Not for Me.
Review: I bought this camera for the Wow Factor - yes it does fit snugly into a can of Altoids. The camera is def in it's own class and nothing out their compares to it (in my opinion). The camera has all of the full size camera features packed in a little box. Although this camera is technically fab - it just wasn't for me. Here are some of the drawbacks to this little guy:
-The camera is easily losable because it's so small.
-It's so small it's difficult to see the picture on the little LCD screen; to me that is the purpose of getting a digital camera, so that you can see the picture you took; and if it's not good enough-take the picture again! With the LCD screen it's hard to tell the quality of what you really captured.
-The camera doesn't feel right in the hands; it fumbles around my hands several times because it's so small.
-Battery life is not that impressive.
-The camera is slow to 'reload' for the next shot. Unless you really need a "small" camera, which by the way is still too bulky to put in your jeans pocket -- I'd go for the regular size camera. This camera had nothing on my Kodak digital camera (sorry). Mine was returned back to the store before 30 days for a full refund - it just wasn't for me. Good Luck.
Rating:
Summary: Great camera for the amateur!
Review: I just received this camera as a birthday gift from my husband. I am a complete amateur photographer. Basically I only take pictures of our 3 year old, so I wanted a simple point and shoot. Since this was my first digital camera, I was a little intimidated, but by the end of the day, I had mastered the basic functions...taking pictures, movies, deleting, etc. No big deal at all. The manual is straightforward and easy to understand. So I would definitely recommend this even if you're like me, an "amateur". I only give it a 4 because like some others have said, some of the components seem a bit flimsy, but otherwise it's been a great purchase.
Rating: 
Summary: Way too Fragile!!!!
Review: just bought the Pentax S few weeks ago. Put it in the pocket....display broken! $120 repair. No comparison with the powershot from canon that was living in my pocket!
Other than that it's really small and light...maybe too much!
Rating: 
Summary: Had the Optio S almost a year and still love it!
Review: This tiny camera is the best investment I ever made. I have four small children, we travel alot, kids are involved in sports, dance etc...so I was always bummed if I forgot my camera. With it in it's tiny "Altoids" case I always have it with me. It easily tucks into a pocket so I have taken it snow skiing, rollerblading, ice skating, boating, para-sailing, rock climbing, on roller coasters, and the sound can be shut off so I have even taken it into church and no one knows that I have taken a picture or video clips of my kids when they give their little talks. It is easy to use and the pictures download fast and easily. Picture quality for the size of the camera is great, even up to 8X10. I did have trouble with the original battery and have yet to mail it in before the warranty is up. New ones are only $30 though. I have taken thousands and thousands of pictures with this camera and I still love it given the chance, I would buy it again tomorrow!
Rating:
Summary: If it's size that inhibits you, this is the camera for you
Review: I used to own a nice Canon SLR. But I found that I'd rather do things than be concerned about documenting them, so I always left it behind when I traveled or went into the outdoors. This camera is smaller than my wallet, so there is no reason not to carry it, hence I use it! The picture quality is quite good, although I'm sure better can be found if you sacrifice the size advantage. I've taken the camera on long rock climbing adventures, hikes, and ski trips where size and weight of equipment really count. I leave it out in plain view in the car in an Altoids box (which I have modified to be its case). This is simply a great camera for someone who hates to lug a camera. Battery life is very good (I need only one battery for most of my trips up to 3 days). The LCD screen is large for the camera's size. Just don't lose it, it's that small!
Rating:
Summary: Great for the average photographer
Review: This is a great little camera. I prefer digital cameras because I like having my pictures on my computer - makes it easier to share it with my friends who are in other states at other colleges. The pictures come out clear, even when taken at night when it is pitch black (i.e. in a car late at night on the highway). The pictures come out great for such a tiny camera.
The big selling point for me was the size. People say the quality isn't so great and that the pictures are a little blurred at the edges, but I honestly don't notice it. This camera probably isn't the best choice for the professional, or even above amateur, photographer because they'll notice such little things as slightly blurred edges or differences in lighting balance. For the average user, however, who just points and shoots (like me), you won't notice any difference at all.
This camera is exactly what I needed and even my technically-inclined friends are jealous. Saving pictures to the memory card takes a second at most (this was another big selling point for me. My previous digital camera took at least four seconds, causing me to lose a lot of great shots). You'll definitely want a separate memory card (size is personal preference. I sprung for the 256MB card so that I'll never have to buy a card ever again). Battery life is pretty good. I've been playing with it (taking pictures, reviewing pictures, deleting pictures, and showing it off to friends and family) since I got it 3 days ago and my battery reading is still full. I haven't tested it under serious conditions (i.e. taking pictures during a several hour long party) but I feel like it'll hold up pretty well. People will large fingers may want to head to their nearest camera store to test it out before buying, since the left-right-up-down-OK button is kind of small (but not impossible).
And no need for a separate carrying case unless you buy more than one memory card or want to carry a spare battery. I really do keep it in an Altoids tin and it works perfectly fine. Though you may want to wrap it in a piece of tissue paper or Kleenex-type tissue if you're crazy about keeping it perfect and unmarred (like me).
Rating:
Summary: The main reason to get a camera - to take pictures
Review: I will forgo all the techy stuff. I have owned two Nikon Digital cameras as well as other 35MM cameras. I hate lugging those things around, on vacation or to events. It makes them so less enjoyable when your worried all the time about an extra bag. Enter the Optio S. It fits in my pocket and when I am not using it, I don't even know it's there. I use my digital camera so much more now, becuase it is convienient. I take it everywhere. I have gotten two 256MB SD cards so I can take all the pictures I want and beleive me I do now. It's configurable to most any picture situation, outdoors, indoors, lighting, macro - you name it. It's fairly easy to use once you memorize what the little icons mean (they are fairly self evident)...I only print out 4x6 pictures and the occasional 5x7 and this is perfect..if you can carry around a tin of altoids (yes it fits in a tin of altoids) you can carry around this camera - and enjoy one less bag to worry about.
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