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Pentax Optio S 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Pentax Optio S 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

List Price: $369.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Bad picture quality
Review: There's really only ONE reason to get this camera: It's tiny. It's so miniature that it can fit completely inside a closed Altoids mint tin. And that's really cool. However, the picture quality is awful, even on the highest settings. Despite the fact that this is a 3.2 MP camera, the pictures come out very soft (blurry), with all the fine details & colors lost in the photographs. I bought this camera after using a Nikon Coolpix 995 for years, and taking the exact same pictures side-by-side, you would not believe the difference. The Coolpix 995 gave me sharp, color-rich, crystal-clear photographs... whereas the Pentax Optio S made those same images blurry and washed out. However, the Coolpix 995 is a monster to carry around (it's about 8 times the size of the Optio S), so use your best judgement when determining what your needs are.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Pentax Optio S Service
Review: I purchased a Pentax Optio S in May, It worked good for only 1 and 1/2 months. Then it Just stoppped recording pictures either to the internal memory of to the SD card I had puchased. I shipped to Pentax service and in about 4 weeks got a letter stating that it had been water damaged and they would not fix under warrentry. Wanted [$$] to fix or replace. I called and talked to them, stating that I had not gotten any water in the camera at anytime. They refused to believe me and would not fix the camera. So I am out neary [$$] cost of camera. I would not recommend this or any other Pentex product to any one.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: No memory card
Review: I was really upset to find that no memory card was included with this camera. I was misled. Nice camera however...buttons hard to manuver if you arent agile.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Service from Pentax
Review: I purchased a Pentx Opio S on May 5,2003. Was pleased with size and quality of pictures, although pictures when using the zoom were not nearly as good. On Jul 5,2003 it just stopped working. Menu's would all operate and could be changed, top lcd recorded the focus and shutter speed when shutter button was depressed. Lens opened and closed, but it would not record a picture either on the internal memory or the memory card I had purchased. I callled Pentax and was told to send it without battery and memory card. Send on July 9. August 8,2003 received letter stating it had water damage and they wanted $$$$$$ to fix. I called and told them I had not gotten any water in it at any time. They would not budge from their claim and I refuse to pay another $$$$$, since I know I had not got the camera wet. So I am out the purchase price of the camera and don't have one. I will never buy another Pentax and advise others not to also. If that is the way they treat customers, I want nothing to do with them. What has happened to the customer is allways right

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Well worth the price!
Review: Upon seeing it in person for the first time, I'm immediately pleased with the body styling. It has a contemporary classic look to it, and I can see this camera in a museum one hundred years from now, inside a glass case. Its small size would make it ideal for candid photographs, but its bright finish easily catches light and attracts attention to itself. Because of this, I thought it would be a good idea for Pentax to produce it in black or gunmetal grey for added stealth.

The ergonomics of this camera is quite good for its size. The face is aluminum with arching ridges cut into it. The back of the camera where you would place your right thumb has a one inch long rectangular-oval depression; which is about 1/16th of an inch deep for an excellent hold. At the top right is the shutter button and the power switch. The shutter button is to the left of the power switch, which to some should be the other way around. It's a minor inconvenience, because the shutter button is twice the size of the power switch, and the power switch is recessed into the body of the camera. Just by feel, you can easily distinguish the two.

The battery door is made of rigid plastic. It is hinged with a 1/8th inch wide piece of flexible plastic. Pentax' use of such a flimsy-looking hinge must be due to the material's special durable properties. Only time will tell.

As I quickly pored over the operating manual, I was pleasantly surprised that the only language inside it was English. This makes the manual less visually confusing and thus easier to read.

I happen to find the picture quality to be a grade B+ at the highest quality setting. Its competition has an edge over it, but not by much. 8x10" prints made from this camera is excellent (use the highest quality setting). A photographer with artistic and professional-caliber abilities would certainly make the B+ into an A grade. For some examples, go to Photosig.com, and go to Photos, then Categories, then Cameras. Scroll to the Pentax brand, and model: Pentax Optio S.

... you certainly get what you pay for in this camera. It is well worth the price.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: optio wonder!!
Review: I purchased the Optio S partly based on reviews from amazon customers and the fact that i wanted a very small versitle camera. I have been far and above impressed with the camera. We took it on a trip to Barcelona and it captured shots indoors/outdoors, normal and zoom shots really well. So easy to use and carry. My boyfriend was so impressed he changed his mind on a digital he wanted and bought another one for himself! It takes a while to learn all the tricks (my first digital, though) but I keep the manual handy. The software is pretty good, but again, took a bit to understand the process. I would and have recommended this camera to anyone who wants quality and quantity of choice in a small package!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I like it
Review: I bought this camera and have been very happy with it. It takes great photos, has many features which enhance my abilities as a photographer, is very easy to learn to use, has good battery life, and, of, course, is tiny. The controls to navigate through menus are tiny, and there is no shutter speed control. (the longest possible time for shutter release on this camera is 1 second anyway so I guess it's not a huge deal). These are my only complaints. Most of my photos have turned out really well; people are surprised that such a small camera is capable taking such high-quality pictures. Plus, I can carry it in my pocket and forget it's even there. I reccommend this camera to anyone.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A little camera with a big amount of features
Review: What can I say about the Optio S that hasn't been said in prior reviews? The pros: of course the size and tremendous amounts of features. The cons: the small joystick and the flimsy battery case. The positive aspects of this camera, however, far exceed the negatives. The small joystick is easy to master within a week or so of use. Also, the battery cover, though poorly engineered, should not be damaged by any normal use. This camera has just as many features if not more than my father's Sony DSC-P71 digital camera. Same resolution, same optical and digital zoom, same size screen (amazing feat considering the size difference), similar amounts of included memory, similar battery life. Basically the P71 in about the size of an altoids case. So if what you are looking for is a well equipped camera that you are able to take anywhere (and overcome the cameras two main shortcomings), then the Optio S is for you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Kudos to Pentax- I still can't believe they pulled this off
Review: Have had this camera for a little over 2 months and couldn't be happier. I originally bought it for a study abroad trip to Greece after extensively researching and comparing it too the Canon ELPH line and Minolta Dimage line. This little Pentax beat out the Canon line in size and had pretty much all of the same features. The Minolta Dimage series, while good cameras, were somewhat awkwardly shaped compared to this sleek spy camera and skimped on the features.

This camera will serve your needs whether you are a complete novice and want a point and shoot camera to fulfill your picture needs or whether you are a camera expert who wants a small camera to take around when you can't bring your big expensive digital SLR and tripod, etc.

While in Greece I bought a small collapsable tripod that fits in my pocket and ended up taking some stunning long exposure night shots with this bad boy. It has pretty much all the manual controls any amateur photographer needs, including white balance, manual focus, macro/supermacro mode for closeups (which works great for capturing vibrant colors and detail (i.e. closeups of flowers, etc.), color filters, movie mode, just to name a few. It pretty much does everything any other 3.2mp camera on the market does and it fits it all into an altoids tin, which no other manufacturer can say.

Aside from all of the technical razzle dazzle, another huge selling point is as simple as this: this camera is DAMN COOL. Hands down, it is the coolest and most technologically innovative camera out there in its price class. Just turning the thing on is fun, as you see the lens extend out over 3 inches from its extremely thin(<1.5 inch thick) body. If James Bond had a camera, it'd be this one without a doubt.

Honestly, when comparing it to everything else available in the market right now, I can't really see any glaring downsides. Alot of people complain about the small size of the central control directional pad, but the whole point of this camera is to be as small as possible. And anyways, anyone with reasonable dexterity will get used to the control pad in a matter of days.

All in all, two enthusiastic thumbs up and definitely 5/5 stars. Pentax hit one out of the park with this awesome camera and have made me into a loyal customer...I just can't wait to see what they put out next.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding !!SMALLEST & BEST Digital camera out there
Review: This camera is phenominal.The greatest feature is the small size without sacrificing the quality and features. It really fits into an altoids tin. If you are looking for the smallest camera with all the features of the MONSTER SIZED digital cameras out there, then this is the one for you.

I compared this to the "Casio Exilim EX-Z3" before buying and did a comparison study and finally settled for this one.


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