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A Wee Camera: Pentax Optio S
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!)
(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.
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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
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!)
(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.
)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
Jeremy Rosenberger
Zeiss Ikon, Nokton 40mm f/1.4, Canon 50mm f/1.2, Nokton 50mm f/1.5, Canon Serenar 85mm f/2
Canon Digital Rebel XT, Tokina 12-24mm f/4, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4, Canon 50mm f/1.4
http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/
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Nobody cares about cute little cameras?
Jeremy Rosenberger
Zeiss Ikon, Nokton 40mm f/1.4, Canon 50mm f/1.2, Nokton 50mm f/1.5, Canon Serenar 85mm f/2
Canon Digital Rebel XT, Tokina 12-24mm f/4, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4, Canon 50mm f/1.4
http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Am I looking at Miller's Rock?
Ian
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
Jeremy Rosenberger
Zeiss Ikon, Nokton 40mm f/1.4, Canon 50mm f/1.2, Nokton 50mm f/1.5, Canon Serenar 85mm f/2
Canon Digital Rebel XT, Tokina 12-24mm f/4, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4, Canon 50mm f/1.4
http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/
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...
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
Jeremy Rosenberger
Zeiss Ikon, Nokton 40mm f/1.4, Canon 50mm f/1.2, Nokton 50mm f/1.5, Canon Serenar 85mm f/2
Canon Digital Rebel XT, Tokina 12-24mm f/4, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4, Canon 50mm f/1.4
http://ubergeek.smugmug.com/
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
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
All in all, in my ocmplettely uninformed opinion the optio s5i works well for me.
Colin
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,
L