Pentax Optio S - best of the best

Author's Rating:

Pros: compact size, impressive battery life, excellent zoom lens

Cons: expensive, power button confused with exposure button

The Bottom Line: 
A good alternative to the Canon S230 or those looking for a model between it and the S400.

Author's Review
This camera may be on the expensive side of the compact small size camera's but it certainly packs an impressive punch. The small size betrays the impressive 3X optical zoom and 1.6 inch LCD display.
The battery life is excellent compared to the Canon S230 and the screen is larger and brighter as well. The 2 cm thick body is made of tough metal and has a rough finish to hide small scratches and bumps. The features of this camera are very impressive, sporting a panorama mode, 3D stereoscopic, custom and movie modes among others. The movie mode allows 30 seconds of movie with sound to be recorded at decent size ( 12 FPS).

Pentax continues to offer the stereoscopic imaging capability and matching glasses with the package. It allows the user to take two pictures slightly offset to give the impression of 3D imaging.

The panorama mode works well and the included computer software allows the photos to be stitched together with ease. The only drawback is that the software is not compatible with Mac OSX for the moment.

The only drawback so far is the small menu buttons on the back and jog dial which requires a small finger or use of a finger nail.

Other than that this package is extremely compact and adaptable to many situations.