Pentax Optio S55 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

by Pentax

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1.1 x 3.5 x 2.3 inches ; 7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0009MFUZ4
• Item model number: Optio S55
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,108 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 12, 2005

Product Description

The Pentax Optio S55 is easy to use, easy to understand, and hard to put down. Incorporating a giant 2.5 inch LCD monitor, 3X optical zppm and the power of 5.0 effective megapixels

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bravo, Pentax., August 14, 2005

By 

Melinda (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax Optio S55 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I bought the Pentax S55 after my previous digital camera (a 4mp Sony Cybershot) was stolen. It took me several months to find what I wanted. I had never owned Pentax, so needless to say, I put in my research. While it was slightly more than I wanted to spend, it was what I wanted and I purchased it.

The camera, at first, was not liked. I didn't like the picture quality, flash, or shutter speed. After reading the booklet, I discovered how to change these and now love my camera more than my previous Sony. It was definately worth the money.

A note of caution - the 2.5 LCD is WONDERFUL. However, rechargable batteries are a must. THERE IS NO OPTICAL VIEWFINDER (which some people, myself included, do not need). The battery life is decent, but I feel there is not enough warning before the capacity has reached 'low'.

Also- a memory card of 156 or above is necessary for this camera. The bigger, the better - at least in my mind.

Overall- I was extremely happy with this camera, it is compact, has an excellent zoom, an incredible flash (I took a picture during a blackout and it was not apparent that there was a blackout), a large screen and marvelous picture quality. The only reason this camera did not recieve 5 stars was due to a shutter speed slightly slower than I wanted, but still is very workable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The good, the bad and the ugly..., June 30, 2006

By 

dude - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax Optio S55 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This was my first digital camera. I chose the Pentax S55 for the following reasons:

The GOOD:
+Price
+Standard SD memory
+Standard batteries (no charger included)
+ under ideal conditions, the camera seems to take very nice pictures
+Camera's LCD is much larger than many of the others.
+Quick recharge response time for the flash.
+ Camera survived a fall from a bedside table to the floor (2ft) and continued to operate for 6 months.

The BAD:
- no view finder - makes it near impossible to be sure if your subject is in the frame while in the sunlight.
- Using the flash discharges standard and lower rated rechargeable batteries immediately.
+after purchasing the highest rated rechargeable batteries it performed much better.
- when lighting is not at it's optimum and subject is in slight motion, it's near impossible to get a shot in focus.
I tried to use the manual focus but not much better. You must be very close to your subject, if it's in motion, or have the very best lighting.
- While handling both a soft and semi hard Pentax case or when the case was stored in a backpack or purse, the power button was easy to engage through the case and caused the lens to extract and then automatically retract after sensing the pressure against the assembly.
-Until....I opened the case one day and found the lens half extracted and the camera would no longer operate. Apparently the power button had been triggered once again, but this time it failed to automatically retract the lens. The only way I could to avoid this is to remove the batteries while it's in the case (not exactly ideal for taking quick pictures) or buy a HARD case (Pentax doesn't offer one...)


THE UGLY:
I sent the camera in for warranty repair, with a note explaining what happened. I received a letter from Pentax explaining the camera was not covered under warranty due to "excessive impact or pressure" and that $108.00 was required to fix it ($38.00 parts $60.00 labor.)

When I called Pentax they explained that the camera had fine scratches on the case, which indicated it had been neglected. I agreed that it most likely did have a few scratches but was unable to comprehend how that would cause the camera to quit functioning. After closer inspection, they said the camera also had a nick in the plastic case which I presume occurred when it fell two feet to the floor(not carpeted) from the bedside table (six months prior.) I explained to Pentax the camera had been used frequently in the past six months, and again the camera most likely quit working since the power button had been engaged while it was in the Pentax case. They held firm that while that may be so, the camera had fine scratches and a small nick and was not covered.

Hear is the deal, if the camera fell to the floor and it quit working: MY BAD, call it a day and buy a new camera.

If the camera's power button is too easy to engage, even while in the Pentax case and damages the lens assembly: THEIR BAD, call it a day and buy a new camera (but not without letting you guys know first : )

5.0 out of 5 stars best CAMERA i ever have, compare with "Sony P100", April 18, 2006

By 

Kochun Wang "KC" (USA Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pentax Optio S55 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

i have using this carmera, for couple month and i also selling in my shop, i feel great vision with 2.5 inch LCD also provide great quility of picture, i have detial compare with Sony P100, in many way are the same, but why we have to pay more for a good quility of Camera. even the size of LCD is much better than Sony, and easy to use for starter to take pro-pictures.