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

by Pentax

Product Details

Product Manual [2.68mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 3.3 x 2 inches ; 4.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000087HWM
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,348 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 8, 2003

Product Description

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

140 of 140 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great LITTLE camera with lots of features, May 26, 2003

By 

Noles Fan (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax Optio S 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I am not an expert by any means but I love this camera. I have put away my old BULKY digital for this LITTLE pentax that I keep in its new case (an Altoids tin! - yes it really is a good case!).

I narrowed my choices down to the Optio S, the Casio Elixm E3 and the Canon ES400. I thought the Canon was a great camera that took great pictures but was a bit bulky and [costs] more. Just couldn't see spending that since I would not be printing out 8x10's that often (the 4 megapixel camera is better for these large pictures apparently, although the 3.2 should do just fine for the average person like me. I'm sure a photographer will notice the difference but I probably will not). The Casio was a good camera also but I didn't go with it because it uses a PENTAX lens and was a tiny bit bigger. So, why buy the Casio with a Pentax lens when I could buy the Pentax with the Pentax lens.

What I don't like:
1. The biggest complaint I have is that you have to take the battery out to charge it. Plugging the adapter into the camera would have been a better choice.
2. The buttons for scroll through the menu are sooooo small...but a sacrafice I am willing to live with for the size of this camera.
3. The LCD screen could have been a bit bigger. The Casio has a great 2" LCD and it is a considerable difference. Again, willing to sacrafice for a good lens.
4. Movie mode is a pain to get to. You have to go through the menu to get there.
5. Software - it's horrible. Don't even install it. There are other products out on the market so go get one of those.

Things I like:
1. Obviously the size.
2. Picture quality has been great.
3. Taking pictures at night or even in "total" darkness is very good. Compared to my old digital this is a great feature.
4. Lots of features that help even people like me take good pictures.
5. SD slot - This was another selling point over the Canon as I have a computer with a built in SD reader and the Canon took a CF card.
6. Battery life has been incredible. I took over 150 pictures before I needed to recharge the battery and had this little guy on for almost 4 hours straight!
7. WOW factor - being a gadgeteer I always love it when peopl say "Wow, what is that!"

I have owned this camera for 3 weeks now and while I have listed some shortcomings they are by no means any reason NOT to buy this camera. I am just pointing out these things because you should have as much info as you can when making your purchasing decision.

152 of 155 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars amazing portability but still has 3MP resolution and 3x zoom, September 25, 2003

By 

jemaerca (River Forest, IL, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax Optio S 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

pros:
- yes, it 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 4.1oz.
- relatively high "wow" factor.
- average three megapixel resolution.
- good reliable metering.
- low image noise at low ISO settings.
- 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.
- bright LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating.
- shooting priority during play mode.
- doubles as a voice recorder.
- decent battery life for a tiny camera.

cons:
- some chromatic aberrations.
- some vignetting visible.
- average photo quality with soft edges.
- images noisier than competition.
- no buffering means a longer wait before you can take your next shot.
- 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.
- high redeye occurrence.
- metal body scratches easily.
- only JPEG format is supported.
- below average auto focus speed.
- the four way controller is hard to get used to.
- longest shutter setting is 1 second.
- only 10MB of built-in memory provided so add $$ to your budget to buy external memory.
- proprietary battery - again, a few more bucks for a spare.
- you need to remove external memory in order to access images saved in internal memory.

the optio S is an amazing camera, providing a wide feature set in an ultra-compact package. it is very similar to the slightly bigger casio ex-z3. two major complaints: soft images at the corners and the lack of buffering. a camera with better photo quality (but bigger and only has 2x zoom) is canon's sd100.

i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wowee, until I found its ACHILLE's heel. Update 29 Apr 03, April 17, 2003

By 

New Reviewer "ejc3k" (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax Optio S 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

So I've owned this little camera for about a week now (updated 29 Apr 03 - see below) and it is as good as everyone else has been spewing out. Currently I use a 3 MP Sony Cybershot P-5 as a reference, but I have owned another Cybershot and Fuji, too.

THE GOOD:
1) What they said.
2) SIZE MATTERS. Although 18 mths ago my camera was tiny, this one takes the cake. I was considering the Sony Cybershot U20 until I saw this camera. Although the Sony is smaller, it actually felt heavier when I compared the two.
3) LOTS OF FEATURES. For its size, it has way too many features that other ones tend not to have. Manual focus override, panorama mode, 3-D mode, super macro (Focal length <2 inches), alarm clock, time-lapse mode, and on and on.
4) BATTERY LIFE. My sony battery always gives me about 50 min of continuous use. From other reports this one lasts about twice as long. Although I haven't tested this myself, it seems to hold up quite well so far. Officially, 100+ shots with 50% flash use and LCD on.

THE BAD:
1) This is the deal breaker for me. First think about how many electronics you own with no battery cover -- all those TV remotes, portable CD players, and camera doors (hint). Before you buy, check out that battery door. The case is beautifully built, except for the second class battery door with two tiny, little prongs that are sure to break off with any little bump. I just don't get why they decided to save a couple bucks with this little stunt. If you can live with it, best of luck to you with your sticky, gooey tape residue holding such a wonderful camera together. Check it out.
2) The auto focus takes a little more time to focus than I'm used to, but seems more accurate with the multipoint focus.
2) Sorry, that's the best I could do. To nit pick, the optics or CCD sensor are not as sharp as my Sony, although very close. Writing to the SD card takes a little more time than the MS system on the Sony. And, the jog dial is sort of small.

Don't get me wrong, I will probably keep this camera over my Sony, but if that little battery door breaks I will curse the day I bought this thing.

UPDATE: It's week three now and I just came back from a trip in which I brought both my Sony and the new Pentax. I have to say the Optio S continues to impress me with its overall value, and I have not yet had any problems with the battery door, although I still cringe everytime I have to take the battery out.

THE GOOD--
SIZE: Definitely as tiny as you could reasonable want a camera. The selector button on the back is too tiny for those with large hands, fortunately I am not one of them.
BATTERY LIFE: As above, I am still holding firm. During my week of vacation, I never had to charge the camera battery -- LCD always on, flashes in most pictures, and plenty of reviewing pictures on my hotel TV for a total of about 50 pix - and only one bar is missing from the battery meter. Definitely feels a little stronger than my Sony in this area.
FLASH: I continue to like the power of this flash in such a small camera, although it does give an electronic feel to some indoor pix as I have noticed in all digicams -- not washed out like my Sony though.
AUTOFOCUS and SENSOR: AF seems a little faster than I felt earlier. And, it seems to do just fine in low light with focusing even though the camera doesn't verify that it is locked on the picture subject. As for the camera sensor, it seems to pick up low light better than my Sony. In low light, my Sony only sees black at times when the Optio has no problems

THE BAD:
OPTICS: Although the optics seem pretty good, because of the small lenses used, it tends to have a curving effect on objects in the periphery -- similar to a fish-eye lens, but less obvious. It is really only noticeable when a straight edge (like a building or pole) is on the side of the picture.
SPEED: Fast to start up and take a photo, but definitely too slow to store to memory compared to my Sony. I think this is attributed to the slower transfer speed using SD cards vs. Mem sticks. This is only an issue when you want someone to take a second photo in a hurry, just in case, and they have to wait for the camera to finish recording.