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

Pentax Optio S 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
Manufacturer: Pentax
Product Type: Photography

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com Product Description
Early Adopters Pick: March 2003. The world's smallest 3.2-megapixel, 3x optical zoom camera.

The Pentax OptioS is so small it can fit into an empty mints tin. Smaller than the size of an average credit or business card and just over .75 inches thick, the OptioS boasts a high-quality 3.2-megapixel resolution and a 3x optical zoom lens in a sleekly designed, tough aluminum-alloy body. A new "sliding lens" system allows this lens to move up, away, and lie fully flush with the camera frame to protect the lens and allow for the camera's tiny dimensions.

Optics and Resolution
Featuring a 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor, the OptioS delivers images up to 2,048 x 1,536 pixels and prints up to 11 by 14 inches. The zooming capacity of the lenses is augmented with 2x digital zooming, which offers smooth operation and realizes a combined zooming power of 6x zoom. It features a focal range of 5.8-17.4mm (35-105mm equivalent in 35mm photography) and maximum aperture of f2.6-f4.8.

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored in the internal 11 MB memory or on optional Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMediaCards (MMC). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB storage-class connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the OptioS can also record movie clips of up to 30 seconds with audio at 12 frames per second. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

More Features
The OptioS has been specially designed with audio recording capability rivaling the abilities of standalone audio recording devices. This can be exceptionally handy for recording important information in meetings. An index can be added during recording for easy playback.

Shooting modes: program, picture mode, night scene, movie, panorama assist, 3-D image, digital filter, user
Picture modes: landscape, flower, portrait, self-portrait, surf and snow, autumn color, sunset
White balance control: TTL auto, preset, custom white balance
Autofocus: 7-point AF, spot AF, and infinity landscape mode
1.6-inch color TFT LCD screen with histogram display

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included). It measures 3.3 by 2.0 by 0.8 inches and weighs 4.1 ounces. This package includes the OptioS digital camera, battery and battery charger, USB and AV cables, hand strap, and CD-ROM with image software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

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

Average customer rating:

bad quality, only last 2 years
Pentax? Never Again!
Pentax Optio S4 - worked fine...for awhile!
Over a year now and I still love it
In response to "Beware warranty service"

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

Manufacturer: Pentax
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Accessories:

Targus DPBP03 ProBlack Video Camera Case Max
Targus DPBP01 ProBlack Video Camera Case Mini
Targus DCRC01 Classic II Camera Case - Black
Targus DPBC03 ProBlack Digital Camera Case Max
Targus DPMV02 Pro Series Video/Photo Backpack (Gray)

Product Features:

Tiny digital camera, small enough to fit into mints tin
3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
3x optical plus 2x digital (6x total) zoom lens with autofocus
Store images on 11 MB internal memory; compatible with Secure Digital/MMC cards
Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port; rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery included

ASIN: B000087HWM

Amazon.com Product Description

Early Adopters Pick: March 2003. The world's smallest 3.2-megapixel, 3x optical zoom camera.

Shooting modes: program, picture mode, night scene, movie, panorama assist, 3-D image, digital filter, user
Picture modes: landscape, flower, portrait, self-portrait, surf and snow, autumn color, sunset
White balance control: TTL auto, preset, custom white balance
Autofocus: 7-point AF, spot AF, and infinity landscape mode
1.6-inch color TFT LCD screen with histogram display

Customer Reviews:

bad quality, only last 2 years.......2006-12-02

We bought it in 2004, now 2006, it is broken. I'm very disappointed at the quality of this camera, wish it is me that look for digital camera at that time, I would check out some reviews people have here. I have used other digiatl camera, have much better experice. Don't waste your money if you want to keep a camera longer than 2 years.

Pentax? Never Again!.......2005-06-23

I've bought Optios S from amazon 1,5 year ago. It came with a malfunctioning LCD. Thankfully amazon sent me another one because as I saw the service (!!??) of Pentax I don't think that they would accept such a thing.

The new camera was good for a while. Very light. Even with its original bag. Easy to use, easy to transfer. Fine picture quality for a 3mp camera. But...

Then one day it said memory card error. I've lost all my pictures in it and I was left with a broken memory card. I thought it was a problem of the memory card. But this happened with 3 other memory cards too. My one year was over. I don't think anything would change if it wasn't over.

Now it started to have focusing problems. I'm using my camera very rarely and keeping it in a good condition. I don't suggest Pentax to anybody anymore.

Pentax Optio S4 - worked fine...for awhile!.......2005-04-08

I've had my optio for almost a year and a half now, and it worked well for the first year. As soon as the warranty expired, the flash randomly stopped working. I had to bring it to a Pentax repair shop and luckily I lived in a city which had an official Pentax repair store (Vancouver). However, since my warranty had expired, it cost about $170 (including tax) to get it fixed. The guys who fixed it were super fast and it took only 1 week to repair - but still, $170 for a broken flash? Come on. This camera is very small and slim and it is easy to carry around in a purse. I found that the only problem that I had with it was that there is quite a delay between pressing a button to take the picture, and the flash going off and the picture being taken. After using a regular camera (non digital) for many years, I expected the picture to take immdediately while pressing the button. This can get quite annoying when taking action shots.
All in all, I am still really enjoying the camera after getting it fixed. Hopefully nothing else breaks. Perhaps getting an extended warranty would be a wise idea for those purchasing a new camera.
This camera is quite popular, as I know about 5 other people with it. However, they also share the same complaint about the delay problems.

Over a year now and I still love it.......2005-03-02

I've had my little Optio S for over a year now, and I still love it. So far I haven't had any problems with it- I was worried by some of the reviews that mention problems with the plastic hinges, the lens jamming up or the customer service problems. So far I haven't dropped it, the plastic is holding up well and I haven't had a need for customer service.

I wouldn't say I take pictures every day, but my Optio S has been used a fair amount. On average I take about 30 pictures a week up to 200+ pictures a day while on vacation.

It does fit in an altoids tin, but not when you put the wrist strap on it. I've found the "wrist strap" is actually long enough so you can wear the camera as a pendant.

Picture quality is great for the average photo taker. Battery life I'd rate as average. So I spent the money for an extra battery. With two batteries fully charged, I've never had a problem running out of juice.

I do wish it had a better optical zoom, but for such a small package I guess there had to be some trade off.

It does have a high "Wow!" factor.

All in all, I've been very happy with this little camera.

In response to "Beware warranty service".......2004-12-07

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.

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