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Note: this camera was first sold in Oct 2003. There may be newer versions available.

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Pentax Optio S

HQ Grade: F

A	is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B	means they are good, with some standout features.
C	means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F	mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.

2 out of 5

"Breaks easily"

4 out of 5

"We love it!!"

See rating based on 110 user reviews
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This camera is ranked

29th of 31 in Pentax (#1 is Pentax K200D)
69th of 74 in $150 - $200 (#1 is Canon SD990 IS)
163rd of 167 in Ultra Compact (#1 is Canon SD990 IS)

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Editors' Comments

The Pentax Optio S has an unusual claim to fame: It is the first 3-megapixel camera small enough to fit into an Altoids tin. Despite its diminutive site, the Optio S offers 3.2-megapixel resolution and a 3x optical zoom, as well as a few manual controls for more demanding photographers. If you're looking for a truly pocketable camera, look no further... read more

Specifications

3.2 megapixels (effective)
3x optical zoom/4x digital zoom
auto and manual focus
program exposure only
JPEG file format
ISO range 50-200

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Store Ratings and Offer Details for the Pentax S

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1119 Store Reviews	eBay	$184.97

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3.84 out of 5

Average rating based on 110 total reviews: 3.84/5

Pentax S Ratings By Site

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- 4 out of 5
Amazon: 76 User Reviews
- 3 out of 5
DigitalCamera-HQ: 2 User Reviews
- 3.5 out of 5
Shopping: 32 User Reviews

DigitalCamera-HQ User Reviews

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2 out of 5

Breaks easily (jenp - 10/18/06)

I had this camera for a while, and loved its small size, but after about a year, the lens jammed and the camera wouldn't turn... read more

4 out of 5

We love it!! ( - 7/11/05)

Pros: Very portable/compact, user-friendly menus, and above average quality pictures. And it fits in an Altoid tin!!
Cons: button to take picture is awkwardly placed/designed... read more

See all S user reviews...

Professional Reviews

3.5 out of 5

The incredibly small Optio S is a good choice for style-conscious shoppers who want a straightforward point-and-shoot camera (PC World - 10/7/03)

The Pentax Optio S delivers good snapshot performance for such a small camera, but its size has a few drawbacks, including a tiny viewfinder that may be difficult to see with glasses on, and very small buttons that can be difficult to operate. read original review

3.8 out of 5

Generally good image quality and an excellent feature set with a stylish, truly pocket-sized design (CNET - 10/7/03)

If you're in search of a point & shoot camera that you can truly take anywhere, then the Pentax Optio S is a good choice. While the cameras slow shot-to-shot speed and "unremarkable" image quality may disappoint more advanced photographers, the casual user will likely find it a very capable camera. read original review

3.9 out of 5

All-in-all, I do like the Optio S quite a bit -- but mostly for its design (DC Resource - 10/7/03)

Though the design of the Pentax Optio S is impressive, its pictures are less so: blurry edges are visible in many of its images. Nonetheless, it still makes a good camera for the point & shoot set. read original review

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