Rating: 
Summary: Very good sub-compact camera at a great price
Review: I've had this camera for a few months now, and it has been carted around in a modified Altoids tin in my pocket with no ill effects. 1. Pros:
-Size: This camera is tiny considering its 4MP resolution and 3x optical zoom (this is because of a unique lens arrangement).
-Lens: The range of the lens is perfect--too many digicams aren't wide enough, but this one gets to about 35mm (35mm equivalent). The quality is pretty good considering the camera's size. It won't compete with a much larger, more expensive lens on "prosumer" digicams, but they won't fit in your pocket, and what good is a better lens if you don't have the camera?
-Image Quality: Excellent image quality for a camera in this size and price range. Will print out 8 x 10 inch prints without a problem (assuming you don't crop too much). There's a little lens distortion at the edges at the wide end, but nothing abnormal for sub-compact. 2. Cons:
-I think there's a slightly newer version that is either out, or soon will be. Check Pentax's website.
-Shot-2-Shot: The shot-to-shot time is pretty slow (feels like a second or so at high quality).
-Focus: Doesn't focus well in low-light, which makes it hard to take pictures at dusk or later unless you turn off the auto-focus.
Rating:
Summary: Very good sub-compact camera at a great price
Review: I've had this camera for a few months now, and it has been carted around in a modified Altoids tin in my pocket with no ill effects. 1. Pros:
-Size: This camera is tiny considering its 4MP resolution and 3x optical zoom (this is because of a unique lens arrangement).
-Lens: The range of the lens is perfect--too many digicams aren't wide enough, but this one gets to about 35mm (35mm equivalent). The quality is pretty good considering the camera's size. It won't compete with a much larger, more expensive lens on "prosumer" digicams, but they won't fit in your pocket, and what good is a better lens if you don't have the camera?
-Image Quality: Excellent image quality for a camera in this size and price range. Will print out 8 x 10 inch prints without a problem (assuming you don't crop too much). There's a little lens distortion at the edges at the wide end, but nothing abnormal for sub-compact. 2. Cons:
-I think there's a slightly newer version that is either out, or soon will be. Check Pentax's website.
-Shot-2-Shot: The shot-to-shot time is pretty slow (feels like a second or so at high quality).
-Focus: Doesn't focus well in low-light, which makes it hard to take pictures at dusk or later unless you turn off the auto-focus.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Camera
Review: Just got this camera about a week ago. Love it!! Small, sleek, fits almost anywhere (including in an Altoids can). The picture quality is amazing and the colors are vibrant. The battery lasts much longer than I had anticipated. The camera is ready to take a picture a second after being turned on, which sadly was not the case with my bulky Kodak DX3500. The Optio is so easy to use, you almost don't need the manual it comes with. The only complaint is from my fiance -- he has rather large hands, and he sometimes has problems hitting the right button because of the buttons being so small. All in all, I would recommend the Optio S4 to anyone interested in a high quality, compact digital camera.
Rating:
Summary: Great Camera
Review: Just got this camera about a week ago. Love it!! Small, sleek, fits almost anywhere (including in an Altoids can). The picture quality is amazing and the colors are vibrant. The battery lasts much longer than I had anticipated. The camera is ready to take a picture a second after being turned on, which sadly was not the case with my bulky Kodak DX3500. The Optio is so easy to use, you almost don't need the manual it comes with. The only complaint is from my fiance -- he has rather large hands, and he sometimes has problems hitting the right button because of the buttons being so small. All in all, I would recommend the Optio S4 to anyone interested in a high quality, compact digital camera.
Rating: 
Summary: Pentax doesn't honor warranties!
Review: Just like other reviewers, 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!!! Their warranty folks tell me that their product never breaks, so it has to be mey fault! I highly recommend looking at Minolta X series or Nikon's small cameras given Pentax's behavior!!!
Rating:
Summary: Nice camera (and doublecheck readers comments...)
Review: Just one information about something I read, please readers be carefull and always double check the reviews. The Casio EX-Z4 which this pentax is often compared to, use THE SAME optic of the Pentax (digital processing is different though).
Minolta Xt is a 3mp very compact camera with totally different lens concept (telescopic instead of sliding). This camera is quite amazing: increadbly small in size, but with good features and quite good image quality.
Some distortion and less sharp image in the corners, though, so doesnt really compare to an Ixus IV for example.
But beware! The 4mp version doesnt bring much improvement over the cheaper 3mp former model.
Same for the Casio. I would stick to 3mp versions for a better price/quality ratio - (well if you get a deal, 'cause on amazon they sell almost same price now...)
Rating:
Summary: Technological Marvel
Review: Lets be straight, I didn't know much about camera specifics. All I knew was that I wanted a sleek, compact, great quality digital camera--and I got exactly what I asked for. In fact you will find yourself taking ten times the amount of pictures you have ever taken with a 35mm with this nifty camera nearby; it is just irresistable to ignore during those fun times with your friends when you want to capture a few snapshots or a quick minute, good-quality movie. Sure I researched some 5-megapixel+ digital cameras, but the truth was I needed a camera that could remain at my side at all times--something that would not feel irratating in my pocket. (For all you girls out there, it fits nicely in a jean jacket or pant pocket. Now you can capture all your party moments without lugging around a brick!) Overall, the quality of the images is great. I was very impressed by the many manual options. Don't get me wrong, if you want more advanced manual controls go for the optio 550 or canon s50, but for others like me, the psuedo-photographer, or really the average person who wants innovative size and quality in one package at an affordable price, buy it, dont hesistate!
Rating:
Summary: too fragile!
Review: My 5th and smallest digital camera since 1999 - but much to fragile - suffering a cracked LCD (not covered under the warranty),thus making this cute little camera worthless after just 6 weeks. The pictures were great, it had all the features, but I am going back to a Minolta - my little Dimage X was much more durable.
Rating:
Summary: Great size, average photos
Review: OK, so you can't have it all. Well, I almost have it all with my new Optio S4. The size is the selling point, bar none. I took it with me everywhere today (first day with it) and snapped tons of photos. It's great to be able to take it with you anywhere for anytime photos. I upgraded from my old stalwart, my Sony DSC-S70. Even though my Sony was only 3.3 megapixels, the picture quality was much sharper than my new Optio. Obviously, given the small size of the Optio, there had to be room for sacrifice, but the photos just don't seem like they are 4mp quality. Size was the obvious primary concern for Pentax...and what a slam dunk the design is! Don't get me wrong, I couldn't be happier with my purchase, but products always have room for improvement. I can honestly say this engineering marvel has very little room for improvement. The battery life, myriad of settings, simple manual, and compact charger earn a solid 4 stars in my book. Bottom line: Buy this camera. You will take more photos than you ever imagined (read: get a 256MB card and extra battery for true shooting freedom). One more thing. Shop around. Got mine online (not Amazon) brand new... Also got my 256 San Disk card .... Deals like this are impossible to pass up! Get it. You'll thank me later!
Rating:
Summary: improves on the already amazing optio S!
Review: pentax had heads turning when they introduced the optio s because that camera could fit into an altoids tin. well, pentax has upped the ante. they've managed to a full megapixel of resolution without increasing the size of this amazing camera. the result is the optio s4. pros:
- yes, it still fits in an altoid tin! the main selling point of this camera is its small size: 3.3 x 2.0 x 0.8 in, weighing in at 3.5oz.
- relatively high "wow" factor.
- average four megapixel resolution. - good reliable metering.
- low image noise at low ISO settings.
- fast autofocus in well lit situations.
- very good macro performance for an ultra-compact.
- wide range of focus options including manual focus!
- histogram display in live view and play modes.
- allows decent manual control for what is billed as a point-and-shoot ultra-compact.
- no color cast from flash.
- fast startup time.
- solid build quality - stylish aluminum case.
- bright LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating.
- shooting priority during play mode.
- doubles as a voice recorder. cons:
- some chromatic aberrations.
- some vignetting visible.
- moderate barrel distortion at full wide angle.
- average photo quality with soft edges.
- images noisier than competition.
- the right most button at the top of the camera is the power button. right beside it to the left is the shutter release button. for me, the more logical button placement would be to have the shutter release button on the far right.
- no AF assist light.
- some redeye occurrence.
- poor shot to shot times - very disappointing.
- metal body scratches easily.
- RAW and TIFF formats not supported.
- longest shutter setting is 4 seconds.
- only 11MB of built-in memory provided so add $$ to your budget to buy external memory.
- below average battery life and the battery is proprietary so add more bucks for a spare. like its predecessor, the optio S, the S4 is an amazing camera, providing a wide feature set in an ultra-compact package. it is simply the smallest camera with its feature set available today (10/2003). it is very similar to the slightly bigger casio ex-z4. so why only four stars? opportunites for improvement would be: better shot to shot times, a longer shutter setting (max right now is 4 seconds), and an AF assist lamp. i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
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