Pentax Optio S50 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

by Pentax

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 3.5 x 2.3 inches ; 3.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002XNT7G
• Item model number: 18041
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,181 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 20, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Camping trips. Surprise parties. Island vacations. Capture the fun and frivolity with the easy-to-use Optio S50. Sporting a help menu with simple-to-understand explanations of controls, well-spaced and oversized buttons for trouble-free handling, and a variety of shooting modes to ensure the perfect shot, the Optio S50 makes picture taking simple and fun--the perfect choice for beginners ready to explore the exciting world of digital photography.

Quality Features

• Capture the details of every image with a 5.0 megapixel CCD.
• Zoom in on the action with an all-glass smc Pentax 3x optical zoom lens. Combined with a 2.6x digital zoom, the Optio S50 offers approximately 8x zoom. The Optio S50 also offers super macro shooting enabling the user to shoot as close as 6 centimeters from the subject.
• Protect your investment with a revolutionary sliding lens system that allows the 3x zoom lens to retract fully when the camera is off. An aluminum chassis contributes to its stylish yet compact body design. Measuring 3.5 by 2.3 by 1 inches and weighing only 4.6 ounces, the Optio S50 is small and light enough to be slipped in the pocket.
• See it all! With a 1.8-inch LCD monitor makes composition a cinch. It also serves as a handy way to view recorded shots prior to printing out.
• Use your Optio S50 right out of the box or when your card gets full with 11MB of internal memory.

Ease-of-Use Features

• Operate your Optio S50 with ease. The Auto select mode enables the Optio S50 to sense the shooting scene at hand and automatically select the most appropriate from Portrait, Landscape, and Night scene modes.
• Get help when you need it. A press of the "?" button provides users with access to the help function, which displays easy explanations of each of the modes on the mode dial and the functions of the buttons used in playback and shooting with the LCD monitor. Furthermore, a press of the Menu button displays only the image quality menu, showing recording size and image quality setting menus for easier operation.

Performance Features

• Choose from an array of shooting modes with a 9-position mode dial and let the Optio S50 take care of all relevant settings automatically:
• Auto select mode automatically sets the camera and features a help function that displays simple-to-understand explanations of different button functions.
• Portrait mode captures skin tones in a more natural, flattering manner.
• Landscape mode makes it easy to capture the expansive beauty of wide-open natural scenes.
• Night scene mode captures a significant amount of detail while retaining the true mood of shots taken in low light.
• Movie mode records video with sound to the capacity of your memory card at 30 frames per second.
• Voice Recording mode records voice messages and rivals stand-alone audio recording devices.
• Digital Effect mode offers a range of digital effects for the creation of interesting images with 8 digital filters, 2 in 1, and Panorama Assist functions.
• Program mode leaves all settings to the camera for spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities.
• Picture mode allows the user to choose from one of 10 different settings to swiftly make the most of the situation at hand.
• Choose from a selection of metering systems to achieve impressive results in a very wide range of situations. Choices include multi-segment metering, center-weighted metering, and spot metering.
• Take control of the date function and the number of copies with DPOF compatibility.
• Produce prints that are more faithful to the original subject when you use your camera with JPEG (exif.) 2.2, PictBridge, and Epson PRINT Image Matching III Technology.
• Import images into your PC quickly and easily. The Optio S50 supports USB cable connectivity and allows multiple recorded shots to be swiftly and simply imported into common PC applications. The Optio S50 even comes with its own CD-ROM of handy software, comprising the exclusive USB driver and the popular ACDSee for Pentax--which is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh computers.
• Improve the quality of portraits taken at night with a built-in flash that can be set to fire automatically when shooting in low light. For greater control when desired, the Optio S50 features Flash-on, Flash-off, and Red-eye reduction modes and a Slow shutter sync mode when shooting in Night scene mode. (This feature does not eliminate "red eyes" in all instances.)
• Capture accelerated action in a highly expressive manner with Continuous shooting. This feature is activated by simply keeping the shutter button held down.
• Display images on the larger dimensions of a TV screen easily through the use of an AV output terminal and the provided AV cable.
• Keep your Optio S50 powered with commonly available CR-V3 or AA batteries.

Creative Features
Choose from 10 picture modes:

• Flower mode has been specially designed to bring out the vivid color and intricate detail of flowers.
• Self-portrait mode delivers sharp results and flattering tones whenever you need to take a shot of yourself.
• Surf mode counteracts the problems associated with reflections of light off water enabling pleasing, appropriate exposure throughout the frame.
• Snow mode helps maintain true color and avoid the detrimental effects of excessive reflection.
• Sunset mode has been especially designed to capture the warmth and romance of sunrise and sunset scenes.
• Museum mode designed especially for use in museums and galleries allows optimal exposure to be achieved while ensuring the flash doesn't fire.
• Text mode has been developed to capture written material in a manner that maximizes legibility.
• Food mode captures the brilliant colors and details of food.
• Landscape Portrait mode lets you take pictures where both the person in the foreground and the scenery on the background are in focus.
• Marine mode makes it easy to achieve truly attractive shots involving water, making the most of an array of different tones of blue (when the Optio S50 is housed within an optionally available waterproof case).
• Change moods or emphasize key colors of images with eight digital filters: Black & white, Sepia, Red, Green, Blue, Black & White with Red, Black & White with Green, Black & White with Blue, 2 in 1, and Panorama assist.

Advanced Features

• Capture images with exposure compensation ranging across +2 EV (exposure value) in steps of 1/3 EV.
• Accommodate different types of light with a range of white balance settings, including auto, daylight, shade, tungsten, and fluorescent light. There is also a Manual setting that lets the user take total control.
• Focus quickly and accurately with a TTL Contrast Detection Autofocus system with 5-point wide-focus, spot focus, and infinity landscape mode.

Optional Features
Enjoy the freedom of remote control. Two optional remote control units are optionally available for the Optio S50. Named remote control E and remote control F, they offer immediate remote shutter release, a useful three-second timer function, and the former can even control zooming.

What's in the Box:
Pentax camera, USB cable, AV cable, strap, two AA batteries, software CD-ROM, operating manual, serial number card, service network directory.

Product Description

MD) CL) PENTAX OPTIO S50 DIGITAL CAM

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but could be better, May 2, 2005

By 

Maxtov - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax Optio S50 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Bought this camera about 6mo ago. After ~2GB of pictures:
1. Decent quality - you gotta understand that it is not SLR so for a compact it is OK. Viewing 100% size shows no visible defects.
2. Really small - important since what good is your camera if it stays at home most of the time. That one fits in the pocket, but you'll feel it there.
3. Takes AA batteries - good thing just in case
4. Has multiple modes and settings - not too useful, but it doesn't hurt either.
---------------
Now for what could be better:
1. Slow as you would not believe shooting @5MP and best resolution. When this red light is blinking (writing to card) you can't do anything and it lasts forever.
2. Slow in general - takes too long between you push the button and the picture being actually taken. Pple turn around, move out of frame and so on.
3. Buttons are tiny - well, the camera is tiny too, but still...
If you plan to use gloves or just have large hands - forget about it.
4. Battery usage - I use rechargable 2400mAh ones and they don't last too long. Indoor shots almost always use a flash so battery indicator goes yellow after about 20-30 shots no matter how you recharge your batteries (there are different ways to do it)

Conclusion: It is worth the price if you need really small camera to take anywhere and want to stick with the combination of SD storage and regular AA batteries

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could be better, but ok if you don't have kids, May 25, 2005

By 

technologyfan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax Optio S50 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I bought this camera after looking at several other cameras. I liked the size of the camera, Pentax name and claimed battery life. I think the color reproduction is ok, but not great, and the picture clarity is ok, but not great. Using 2400 mAh recharageble batteries made this camera almost useless. Since almost every shot requires a flash, I only would get 30 or so pictures before needing to switch batteries. And since NiMH batteries loose charge when not in use, I would find the batteried dead if I left the camera a few day. I have since purchased some 1400 mAh, Li-ion CRV3 rechargeble batteries. These are a must for anyone with this camera. I can't tell you how many pictures it gets per charge, because after 2 weeks it is still on the first charge, and has not even dropped from the full charge indicator! This is several hundred pictures, viewing and deleting pictures on the camera and transfering the picutes to a computer. As a bonus, since the CRV3 battery supplies a full 3V, the flash charges about twice as fast. (NiNM AA batteries are only 1.3 V each)

The main problem with the camera is how incredibly slow it is. This camera is mostly used to take pictures of our kids, and kids do not sit still enough for this camera. Every aspect of shooting a picture is very slow. The other draw back is that this camera needs a lot of light, and the flash doesn't help for anything more than a few feet (about 10 or so) away. Outside shots are usually fine if the sun is at least partially out.

I am currenly looking for a faster digital camera, with a bigger lens to help in low light situations.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whoa, December 14, 2004

By 

J. Warren "some kinda Human" (Humboldt, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pentax Optio S50 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I bought this camera as my first digital camera. its simplistic design and 5mp are what turned me on to this product. when i got it home and started to play with is i realized it had an abundance of features that i didn't notice at the store. it can take point and shoot pictures easily, it has a manual focus override, and you are able to take black and white or my personal favorite black, white and red! these are just a few of the features on this relatively inexpensive camera. to top it all off it takes really really good high resolution pictures that you'll think were taken by a professional.