A Wee Camera: Pentax Optio S

[ubergeek]

The Optio S is a truly wee camera, weighing a mere 4.1 oz (115 g) and fitting entirely within an Altoids tin. However, don't be fooled by its diminutive size: Unlike a wimpy camera phone, this is a real camera, with real capabilities, including a 3-megapixel sensor, 3x zoom lens, manual focus, and other features you wouldn't expect from a camera that could be mistaken for a child's plaything.

Now, a mere three megapixels may not sound like much, but it's enough to print snappy 8x10's. The megapixel junkies may be pleased to learn that the 3-megapixel Optio S is no longer available, having been supplanted by its 4-megapixel Optio S4i and 5-megapixel Optio S5i brethren. However, it's my opinion--and experience--that with such a small sensor size, resolutions greater than 3-4 megapixels produce a great deal more noise. So it's "three" for me!

Of course the greatest advantage to a wee camera such as the Optio S is that it's so easily portable--so that you have no excuse to always have a camera with you. After all, you never know when a great shot is going to present itself. But a highly portable camera that takes mediocre pictures is not terribly compelling. Fortunately, the image quality produced by the Optio S is far from "mediocre." In fact I'd call it "superb"--but I'll let the images speak for themselves. (Obviously these have been scaled down somewhat!)

http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/photos/1632341-M.jpg

http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/photos/1632346-M.jpg

http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/photos/1632351-M.jpg

http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/photos/1632352-M.jpg

http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/photos/1001562-M.jpg

http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/photos/1001634-M.jpg

http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/photos/1001621-M.jpg

http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/photos/1001627-M.jpg

http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/photos/1001639-M.jpg

(Note that I can't take credit for all these photos; some of them were taken by my wife Camilla. The good ones are hers. :D )

So if you're looking for an ultra-portable, but still capable, camera to complement your DSLR and backpack-o'-lenses, take a look at the Optio series. I wouldn't trade mine for anything (OK, maybe for a Canon 1D Mark II :wink ).

Cheers,
Jeremy

[ubergeek]

Nobody cares about cute little cameras? :D

[wxwax]

Thanks for bumping this. Those are excellent images for such a tidy little package.

http://www.itreviews.co.uk/graphics/normal/hardware/h442.jpg

[ian408]

Yeah, missed this thread first time around. Thanks for the bump!

Am I looking at Miller's Rock?

Ian

[ubergeek]

The landscape shot was taken from (I believe) Blue Mountain, looking approximately north, perhaps a little northeast. I also had my Digital Rebel along with me on that hike, but for the brief stops, I used the Pentax. Outdoors is where it really shines, as it likes to have a lot of light--and it produces accurate, though vibrant, colors in sunlight. Thanks for reading!

Cheers,
Jeremy

[lvspark]

Hi All, My name is Mike, and I am addicted to little cameras:D

I have been thinking about getting the S5i. Do you think it is not a wise purchase as commented above, to many MP in the small package?
I plan to use it for outdoor shooting..

The size, weight, and IR control are big plus factors for me, I use my cams on r/c planes...

[komet]

Really nice images!:thumb

[ubergeek]

I guess I'm a little late in responding...

The S5i was just reviewed over at DPReview, and it looks mostly favorable. The Achilles' Heel of the S was the relatively slow shot-to-shot time--an issue that appears to have gone unaddressed even in the latest iteration of this model. If you can live with that limitation, and especially if you value maximum portability, the S5i would be worth looking at.

Cheers,
Jeremy

Hi All, My name is Mike, and I am addicted to little cameras:D

I have been thinking about getting the S5i. Do you think it is not a wise purchase as commented above, to many MP in the small package?
I plan to use it for outdoor shooting..

The size, weight, and IR control are big plus factors for me, I use my cams on r/c planes...

[lvspark]

I tried the Optio S40 and S5i head to head with my old Olympus D-560. The Optio seemed to have problems with auto focus and color. I need it to work well on auto due to the fact I am far away from the camera.

you can see the head to head here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312176

I ended up modding the old Olympus for remote control.
you can see a pic here http://www.rsnw.com/AP6.htm
and a video here with pics from the OLY http://www.rsnw.com/jsun.wmv

[pseudonym]

Being a brand new Optio s5i owner I can say it is a sweet little camera, not that I am any sort of accomplished photographer but it suits me needs brilliantly (super portable, quality point and shoot pics).

As for the image to image shoot rate I have to say that is not a huge issue on the s5i I have. I am writing straight to the onboard memory (no SD card yet, should be here tomorrow :D) so I dunno if that will make a difference. I find I can take as many shots as I want as fast as I want, I just have to wait a second or two while it records the images so I can look at them.

All in all, in my ocmplettely uninformed opinion the optio s5i works well for me.

Colin

[compugirl]

I've had my pentax optio S4i since the end of 2003, it cost me about 600 bux, i should have waited however to get a digtal SLR. I regret it. But at the time I didn't have enough money. But I'm waiting now to save up some to get a good top of the line SLR.

All of the pictures on my website were taken with the camera of topic, you can check them out at http://www.websmack.info/gallery.html even the ones I took of myself on halloween. You could say photography is in my genes, my father is a pretty good amateur photographer but he never pursued it as a career.

I want to pursue it as a career complimentary to my graphic/web design.

I find the biggest problem with the camera is maybe I don't know all of it's functions. Maybe to simple to understand, LOL. I dunno, the camera buttons are flaky, even not to long after I bought it but I didn't get a warranty. But I really don't like the lack of function for f stop and iso levels. Since there isn't any. Getting great shots is sketchy, so you'll end up taking a bunch of pictures and only end up with a few good ones. Definatly not good for night shots.

L