Rating: 
Summary: As good as it gets....
Review: This camera is simply the smallest 3 megapixel camera you can get at this moment. To give you an idea of my perceptions with this new camera, I upgraded from a Canon S100 which I've had for over 2 years. The Canon S100 was a great little camera but was never small enough to fit in my pockets comfortably. The Optio S, on the other hand, is so small, it can fit inside my fifth pocket on most 5-pocket jeans. It truly is a camera I carry with me at all times. Also, it is about half as light as the Canon PowerShot Digital Elph series.I've been using this camera for about 2 weeks now. It performed very well (as well as my Digital Elph, but in many respects, much better). I did have trouble with taking steady shots in low light conditions without flash, I don't think there is any digital camera that is an exception to that problem, including my Canon. But other than that, everything worked wonderfully. I took very close-up pictures of flowers out doors, and they turned out super sharp (I could even see the little dust on each petal!). The camera's macro and super macro modes are superb. The 3 megapixel CCD's quality is about the same as the Canon's (very good). There is no simulated film graininess that you sometimes see in other digicams, such as Fujifilm's FinePix cameras. Particulary useful and fun features that I find myself using constantly are the 3D mode and the camera mode. The 3D mode lets you create a stereogram image of a subject, as long as you can take two pictures of them back to back without them moving. You must move the camera over a to the right very slightly on the second image taken, to get the correct 3D effect. You can view it like any other stereogram, or use a little plastic stand/viewer that comes with the camera. The action camera mode is similar to other cameras. It records video image and sound for up to 30 seconds each shot.. Each 30-second video takes up 3 megabytes of memory, which uses around twice as much space as a regular high-quality still. The camera doesn't come with much memory (11 megabytes), so getting 256MB card is highly recommended. That should provide enough space for about 160 high-quality stills. Just to let you know, the microphone on the front is very sensitive and will pick up the sound just fine, but the speaker on the back is very weak. The battery performed excellently. I took about 100 pictures using the screen, 50/50 with and without flash. There was plenty of juice still (about half). The camera ran out of juice after the 2nd day carrying it with me everywhere. If you plan to get this camera and carry it mostly in your pocket, versus using a case, make sure you get a PDA screen-protector pack and cut out some squares to protect the screen, glass viewfinder, and other areas where your oily fingers and dust interact with the camera alot.. I didn't do this with my Canon, and I regret it, because after about 2 years, it looks very very used (most of the text is worn off, dust inside viewfinder, and there are little scratches all over, including the screen). My only complaint is that the camera doesn't come with a short leash like the Canon. It comes with big lanyard looking one, where you can wear it around your neck.. I hate anything on my neck! So I used my Canon's instead ;) Anyway I highly recommend this camera. It truly is an all-purpose camera! It has lots of great features and performs excellently. Picture quality is great. The auto/manual focus and exposure control works brilliantly. The macro, camera and 3d modes are way cool. And lastly, the screen is beautiful (far clearer than the Digital Elph Powershots are). I found the little controls were not hard to use at all. The up-down-left-right-centerOK control pad was actually very responsive, easy to use. Much easier than on the Canon S45's, which alot of users complained that they accidently hit the wrong direction. Also the battery cover appears as if it might open too easily, but it hasn't come off once, so don't worry. Some people have complained about it being flimsy, but I honestly think the door design is MUCH better than on the canon's, which can snap off if pushed beyond the hinge. This door is cleverly connected with a rubber hinge that prevents that altogether. You will love this camera for its portability and ease-of-use. There is so much more to this camera than what I've talked about, so please look into it in further detail before buying.
You'll see why I think this will be a top seller for 2003.
Rating:
Summary: Is it REAL???
Review: Just got the Optio S, got the battery charged up, took a couple shots to see if it works, then I HAD to make sure it fits in a mint box. Turns out it's a bit tight in a Penguins Caffeinated Peppermints box which is almost the same as an Altoids box. Searched the house for an empty Altoids box, wound up going to the corner to get a tin of Altoids. Standing in line, comparing camera to box size, the guy next to me says "Is that thing REAL?" "Yup" sez I, switching the power on and letting him see the zoom lens whir out. "Cool!" sez he. So, got home, cleaned all the dust out of the Altoids box, tried the camera, sure enough it DOES fit nicely in the Altoids box even though it was tight in the Penguins box! It even fits nicely with the strap on (helps to bend the box a tad so the lid doesn't squeeze the string). SO, no need to buy a case for this little jewel, just go down to the candy store! Now I need to finsih reading the manual, this thing has SO many features I'll never use em all but I want to know what they are. Did I mention that there's a little green halo that lights up around the power button when the thing is turned on? I bought this thing sight unseen for myself as a delayed birthday present and am simply overjoyed with the design and workmanship. So small people wonder if it's real! I love it!
Rating:
Summary: Constant Delight
Review: This is my first digital camera and other than shutter gap, I'm delighted. The number of features and the flexibility of the camera are amazing. It can be used for short video clips (30 seconds each, total of 15 minutes), sound recording (at least an hour), regular pictures, almost anything you can think of to author non-text content. It is an all-in-one marvel. With only standard Mac OS X system software and the 128 SD card I have already created short films, slideshows, narrated video clips, pictures to e-mail - and I haven?t even sat down with the manual yet. When plugged into my PowerBook, I can copy any file (that fits) on to it and then copy it back to another computer. Now if only an iPod could be taught to take pictures, although an iPod is a bit larger. It even claims to have 3-D capability (that kind of appears to be a gimmick though.) I'm wondering if I just haven't discovered the x-ray vision yet. Three criticisms:
Shutter gap.
Grooved front of case is a dirt magnet.
Tiny interface joystick on back to small for my thick fingers. I also would caution those with pets. It's light enough and small enough for a kitten to assume it's a toy. Mine got knocked off my desk by our new kitten but seemed to survive intact. This is not a use advocated by the manufacturer. All of these are small problems compared to the fun the camera offers. I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't get better!
Review: I shopped small digital cameras for a while and for price, size, zoom and MP I got it narrowed down to 2. Cannon Powershot S230 Elph and the Pentax Optio S. I was going to go with Cannon because I had 3 friends with it and was comfortable with the name (I have 3 other cameras by Cannon)but I was romanced by the small size and the 3x zoom on the Pentax. I still don't regret a thing. The pentax is fantastic. And it fit's in an Altoids tin!
Rating:
Summary: Fits in an Altoid tin!
Review: Every really small camera has had to give up usability or features. Not so with the Optio S. It has an incredibly bright and large digital viewfinder, a full 3x optical zoom lens and even the controls are well placed and easy to use. Image quality is excellent and battery life is exceptional. This is a camera you never have to be without.
Rating: 
Summary: USED FOR YEARS!
Review: okay, when i bought this camera, all i wanted was a nice macro, easy point and shoot camera with a "cool factor" im a teenager, and so that's obviously important to me. i bought it for 350, and sadly the price has dropped down to 200 now. through the years i've used this, my ONLY complaints are the slow recording speed: it takes a while for the image to be captured from the time u press the shutter; and the grainy image in low light situations. otherwise, the camrea is great, beats the Casio exillim in almost every way other than LCD. the macros are WONDERFUL all my photography classmates ask if i use a 5mp camera or a film camera and scanned it in. I LOVE MY OPTIO S
Rating:
Summary: Altoid?
Review: The Pentax Optio S contains a lot of features for its size. Small enough to fit inside my Altoids container, the Optio S sports a 1.5" screen that is clear and easy to see. The buttons are big enough for human fingers (unlike some others that I have viewed...) and they are clearly labeled. The menu is easily readable and easy to use. There are almost too many different options for this small camera its stunning. PLUS-SIDE:
The Optio sports different color schemes including blue, red, purple, yellow, black & white, and sepia (my fav.) in addition to a few others.
It offers 3x optical zoom, which I was personally impressed by exactly how far it can zoom in. It has an adjustable flash option for any lighting. The Optio takes pictures in four different pixel measurements. Its video card is usually cheaper than any other card (and holds the same). Its movie capability is spectacular for any digital camera. Its computer software is easy to use, including options such as downloading, uploading, and sychronizing.
Some features it contains are Self-Portrait, Night-time Photos, Movie Filmer, Stretching (distorting the pictures, sometimes this can give an unusual effect to those who desire it), a 3D option with included 3D glasses, the aforementioned colors and many, many other variations. Lighting can also be specified. DOWN-SIDE
Shutter-speed. It's shutter lag is very annoying, and can drive anyone nuts. For me, shutter speed is a small consequence for such a stunning machine, but the lag can immediately turn anyone away, so buy carefully.
Internal memory. Without the card, the Optio has a pathetic 11mb storage--or about 10 pictures at high quality.
Battery length. This is what almost crossed the camera off my list. At full length, this battery can last anywhere from 1-4 hours. It's been a heartbreak on some instances when I could not take anymore pictures. One has to recharge it for about 3-6 hours just to get 1-2 hours of decent camera usage. Unpleasant. OVERALL:
Like any camera, it has its setbacks. But for this $300- miniature super-camera, I think it is worth it above others. Its inexpensiveness and its eclectic of features makes it a must-buy for camera-lovers or family members. Its perfect for that summer getaway to Rome or that Winter break in Colorado with the extended family.
Rating:
Summary: In response to "Beware warranty service"
Review: I had a great experience with Pentax's warranty service. I dropped my Optio S (NOT covered under warranty) while the lens was extended and it totally jammed up and would not function, and the memory card fell out at the same time, all while a picture had just been taken and it was being recorded.
I sent it in for service with the description of the problem being "Lens is jammed and will not close". They ended up replacing the whole thing and I had it back in about two weeks! You just have to make sure you don't volunteer any information they don't need to know, and you're most likely going to be just fine.
As for the camera and a review, I was going to buy one of the Cannon ELPHs, and then I saw an announcement for the Optio S and the fact that it fit in an altoids tin sold me. I absolutely love it; it's so small it's easy to carry on you without taking up much pocket space. I tend to put it in my jeans fifth pocket and almost always have it on me. You never know when you might need a camera!
The pictures are very nice and clear. The close up feature is nice for taking pictures of items I put up on eBay and other sites, good pictures really help sell. I also like the fact that along with choosing the resolution, you can change the quality setting from 1(low) to 3(best). The only other digital camera I've really had a chance to use and compare with is a Sony Cybershot 3MP, and this Pentax wipes the floor with it.
The only cons I can see are the movie mode and speed. The movie mode is limited to 30 seconds, whether you have an SD card or not. I think if you've got the free space, it should let you record as long as you can. The speed of the camera when you take a picture and be a little annoying sometimes, especially if you are trying to capture a moving or changing object. I seem to notice it when the flash is on auto, I don't claim to know much about photography, but maybe it's because it's reading the light levels and determining whether the flash is required.
Anyway, other than those two things, I absolutely love this camera, and I'm glad I didn't go with the (bigger) Cannon ELPH.
Rating:
Summary: Takes great pix and really tiny!
Review: I love this camera HOWEVER... be prepared to wait 8 seconds between shots!! I know that doesn't sound like much, but when you are trying to capture a babies smile or something, it is truly an eternity and it difficult to get the "right" shot. Other than that, this camera takes amazing pictures, the size is awesome, I never go anywhere without it and the battery lasts and lasts. I only need to charge it every few weeks and I use it every day (I have 5 kids so you can imagine... then again, maybe you can't, LOL).
Rating: 
Summary: Flimsy Camera, Useless Warranty
Review: I also bought my Optio because of the out-dated reputation of Pentax. And, like numerous others, was met with lies and cover-ups for a flimsy camera. I had my camera for four months. I was taking a picture of my sleeping husband and baby and when I went to turn it off, the lens did not retract. The camera was very lightly used, always in its case when not being used, and never out of my sight. Having the extended warranty (although it was still under the original warranty), I sent it back to Pentax. They told me it would cost $180 because "Excessive force" was used on it. Totally untrue, as I'm sure all the other reviewers with problems had. Pentax customer service is horrible. They told me they'd call back and didn't, would not let me talk to a technician, and tried to tell me that maybe I didn't know I dropped it. "You know, like when you see a bruise on your knee and you don't know where you got it from." They need some serious help. I also emailed and snail mailed a letter to Pentax stating my disappointment. Never heard back from them. Not even a courtesy email. I, like many others, will never buy a Pentax again. And if you decide to buy, don't bother with the warranty because they are great at lies and excuses.
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