Amazon.com Product Description

Pentax's *ist D is the world's smallest and lightest digital SLR (as of April 2003), measuring just 5.0 by 3.7 by 2.3 inches and weighing 18 ounces. It features a clarity of 6.1 effective megapixels, a 16 segment metering system, an-11 point AF sensor, and a continuous shooting rate of 2.7 frames per second. It's also compatible with K, KA, KAF, and KAF2 mount lenses and 645/67 lenses with an adapter.

Optics and Resolution
Employing a high-performance CCD with dimensions of 23.5mm by 15.7mm and embracing Pentax's unique image processing technology, the *ist D offers 6.1-megapixel resolution for the recording of precise, superior-quality images.

Storage and Transfer
The *ist D is compatible with CompactFlash Type I/II memory cards, and is also compatible with MicroDrives.

More Features
An optical pentaprism viewfinder was developed especially for the *ist D. This makes viewing easy with an ample 95% field of view and 0.95x magnification. There is also a superimposed display function that assists composition by illuminating the AF points in red.

Other features include:

• New 16-segment metering system achieves more accurate exposure
• New 11-point AF sensor (SAFOX VIII) for enhanced focusing
• Fast 1/4,000 second shutter speed and high-speed flash sync at 1/150 seconds
• Custom function allows functionality to be tuned to satisfy user preferences
• Noise reduction function activates for long exposures
• 1.8-inch, 118,000-pixel LCD monitor
• Choice of JPEG, TIFF, and RAW recording formats
• Convenient playback functions, such as nine-image and 12x magnification display

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 4 AA batteries; rechargeable NiMH batteries are recommended. It measures 5.0 by 3.7 by 2.3 inches and weighs 18 ounces.

The *ist D and the *ist DS Compared

	*ist D	*ist DS
Effective Pixels	6.1 Megapixels	6.1 Megapixels
LCD Monitor	1.8-inch TFT Color LCD	2.0-inch TFT Color LCD
Power Source	4 AA, or 2 CR-V3	4 AA, or 2 CR-V3
Storage Media	Compact Flash (I & II), MicroDrive	SD Memory Card
File Formats	8-bit (JPEG), 8-bit (TIFF), 12-bit (RAW)	8-bit (JPEG), 12-bit (RAW)
Exposure Modes	Auto w/Hyper Program Program AE Shutter-Priority AE Aperture-Priority AE Metered Manual Bulb	Program AE Auto Picture Picture Shutter-Priority AE Aperture-Priority AE Metered Manual Bulb
Interface	USB 1.1	USB 2.0
Flash Sync	1/150 sec	1/180 sec
X-Sync Socket	YES	NO
Continuous Frame Advance	2.6 fps	2.8 fps
Continuous Autofocus	YES	YES (in Action Picture Mode only)
Mirror Lock	YES	YES
Wireless Flash Sync	YES	NO
Optional Vertical Grip	YES	NO
Stainless-Steel Chassis	YES	YES
Remote Assistant from PC	YES	NO
Interchangeable Focusing Screens	YES	YES
PictBridge Compatibility	NO	YES
Weight (w/o Batteries)	19.4 oz	17.8 oz

... Read more

Features

• Smallest and lightest digital SLR as of April, 2003
• 6.1 effective megapixels
• Compatible with K, KA, KAF and KAF2 mount lenses and 645 / 67 lenses with an adapter
• Compatible with CompactFlash Type I/II cards and MicroDrives
• Powered by 4 AA batteries

Reviews (5)

Answers to the two big on-line Criticisms...
OK, if you're here, you probably have read all the online reviews. Here's my answers to some of the major criticisms I've seen about this supurbe camera on the web. (And my opinion is based on a 20 year career as a professional photographer...for what that's worth! :) )

1.)Criticism: Memory card is hard to remove. OK, maybe this could use a little work on Pentax's part. Not really a big deal if you're careful. Just be careful...it's not THAT hard!

2.)Criticism: Batteries are not proprietary and rechargeable!? WHAT? THANK GOD! This is in my opinion not a mistake but a MAJOR PLUS! Only Pentax would have the forsight and understanding to give the user TWO (more if you consider all the AA posibilities...)onboard options for battery power both available almost anywhere for Pete's sake! Batteries are the life blood of digital photography, more options can only be better! For my part I'm running 2300 milliamp hour rechargable AA's and am thrilled with the performance!

Well that addresses the two biggies I've read about. As for the rest of it, the price is now where it should be and the camera performs fantastically. Now that Pentax has a 14mm coming out, all is wonderful in the digital world. My advice, BUY IT and you won't ever look back! The 13x19 prints are superb, I shoot weddings and fine art landscapes, and this camera gets the job done!!!

A great camera with a one serious flaw
Over the years I have used a variety of systems ranging from Pentax to Nikormat to Canon to Olympus and eventually back to Pentax. Why back to Pentax? Size and ergonomics. All of the major brands are good and some offer truly best in class - at a price - in optics such as Nikon and Canon.

However, for overall good value Pentax holds its own. While I would be happy to use equipment from any of the major brands, I am quite satisfied with Pentax - but I had to wait until last autumn to get my hands on a decent Pentax digital camera. The *istD, weird name and all, is such a camera. Overall I'm a happy camper and I have been taking some of the best photographs in my 30 years experience with this camera.

Other reviews here will tell you the camera's virtues and those features are real and not over stated. This is a professional class camera - though most professionals use Nikons and Canons when it comes to digital work for a number of reasons - usually due to optics and employers' standards. The optics from Pentax are still well respected and 99% of the folks reading this will be more than satisfied.

While battery life with this camera is very, very good, I would recommend considering getting the optional additional battery attachment that screws into the bottom of the camera. It looks like an old fashion motor drive but it provides excellent ergonomics when shooting side-wise (portrait) complete with the thumb and fore finger controls replicated for ease of use. It adds peace of mind by providing redundant power plus if you often shoot protrait framing, you can really hold this camera much better than most other cameras.

So what is the single, significant flaw of this camera? It is undoubtedly the flash card interface that is accessed via a door that doesn't swing completely open, tempting the user to push the card in a slightly wrong angle. Of course there are internal guides within the flash card holder assembly but even with care, over time, it is possible to break one of the tiny pins of the camera's interface to the flash card. I know. I have done it. The cost and speed of repair was minor, but suddenly one day out in the field I had a camera that was suddenly inoperable.

So that is why I give this other wise great camera only 4 stars. If you have a good investment in 35 mm Pentax gear, you really have no choice but this camera. But the good news, particularly if you are shooting in RAW, the output is incredible. Now that PhotoshopCS has upgraded its RAW import program via a free download from Adobe, the results from this camera can be absolutely stellar. But user beware when swapping out those flash cards!

My early impression: Wow!
After nearly 3 years of playing with other digital cameras I finally took the leap back into SLR-land and purchased this great Pentax camera. Though I am just beginning to explore its capabilities, so far I am delighted: there are a lot of advantages to SLR camera use that I missed from the film days.

As with any of the current crop of digital SLR's, you get a ton of flexibility and shooting speed at a price that would have been unthinkable just two years ago. If you are used to using film SLR's, and have been frustrated by certain aspects of using a typical digital camera, you will be happy to be back in the land of no-shutter-lag shooting; the ability to use a ring on the lens barrel for zooming; tons of manual flexibility combined with idiot-proof program modes; and of course the flexibility of many lens choices. What has particularly driven me crazy about the current crop of high-end non-SLR digicams is the use of EVF viewfinders -- by contrast, the viewfinders on digital SLR's are great.

So why this Pentax vs the other competitive models? (The others worth considering in this price range at this time are the Canon EOS 10D; the Canon Digital Rebel; the Nikon D70; the Nikon D100; or even the Sigma models). This Pentax has the same sensor as the Nikon models, and the imaging capabilities of any of these cameras is doubtless well beyond my skills in any case. So to me it came down to ease of use, size and build quality. Size in particular is important to me: if you just look at the specs of this camera on a cubic-inch basis it's 38% smaller than the Nikon D70 and 26% smaller than the Digital Rebel. The Canon 10d is even bigger, and looks like a house sitting next to the Pentax.

After handling all of these cameras, I concluded that the Pentax is the one I would use most often. Too often my film SLR's sat at home when I was using film -- I would grab a point-and-shoot instead. I really wanted something I would use a lot.

On the other hand, some published complaints (and my conclusions) about the Pentax have been:
(1) Images are too "soft" (this is super-easy to adjust if you use something like Adobe Album, Elements or Photoshop, and in return the camera is not "sharpening" the image for you, which can introduce sharpening noise)
(2) Not as many lenses as available as in the Canon or Nikon lines (There seem to be plenty for my purposes, both new and used)
(3) Memory cards are hard to eject (Doesn't seem that hard to me; you need to be careful no matter what camera you use).

Another issue (price) with this camera has been fixed: when it was introduced it was more expensive than the others in its class. But the price has been reduced and now is typically available at a price that slots it in as a bit more expensive than the D70 and less than the 10D.

All of these current digital slr's are great, and it seems to me that if you already owned Canon or Nikon lenses you wouldn't go wrong with one of their models. On the other hand, if you are starting from scratch (or like me, you own brands you can't use on any of these), the Pentax is worthy of serious consideration.

Wonderful Addition to the Pentax Line
The istD is Pentax's first serious entry into the digital market. Pentax are the people who came up with the K-1000, the no-frills manual camera which was so popular among students and artists. When one thinks of a name brand camera, Nikon and Canon are probably the first names to come to mind. Pentax is the underdog in 35mm, now a serious competitor in the digital world.

The CCD (digital film) is identical to that used in the Nikon D100. The istD accepts all manual focus and automatic focus Pentax lenses. Focal lengths are a bit different - so, if you have a 50mm "normal" Pentax lens, now you will have a 75mm lens when connected to this body.

I plugged in a CF card from my E-10 and all the photos I took showed up in the istD. No drivers or special software required for the USB cable - just plug the camera into a Windows OS and a harddrive appears with your photos on it.

If you are familiar with Pentax's Hyper-Program mode, you have it here again. Pentax is wonderful for tweak-ability. In "green" mode, you can set the program line to favor DOF or shutter speed. Hyper-Program mode allows you to tweak either the shutter or aperture. And, a totally manual mode is available.

There are three user-customizable banks of special tweaks, such as taking a picture before the flash full charges (option) or changing the action of a few of the buttons. In addition to a full bank of pre-set WB settings, there are three custom white balance settings which may be set using a greycard or piece of white paper. And, the viewfinder is loaded with indicators and a bar display light meter.

The best feature which made me say "wow" was the autofocus. Not only will the camera autofocus, but it flashes a red dot to show you what it is focusing on. You can manually select the focus point, or just override everything and put the focus dead center. If you don't like the red dot overlay, even that can be tweaked off.

It's fast. I took a few frames in rapid succession and was not left wanting for something faster. Of the most frustrating features of the Olympus E-10 was trying to fire off another frame - so many missed photos. Not the Pentax. When you need that little extra burst of speed, it's pretty quick.

The camera is also surprisingly light and small. The more common settings are off the program dial, such as ISO, image compression, and pixel depth. Other settings, such as sharpness, contrast, and color saturation are quickly accessed though the menu. The camera turns on fast and ready to fire. Matrix metering, center weighted metering, and spot metering all available. PC socket for external flash plus a hot shoe. Manual, automatic, and predictive continuous autofocus.

And, of course, the images are clear and crisp. It accepts up to a 1gig CF card or microdrive. A single connector provides USB and video out. If you want the LCD display on while the video output is used, well - that's a tweakable setting as well.

Back to Pentax .... after many yaers.... :-)
Well for a long time I've been one from the domain of MF 645 and saved many good words for Pentax quality. Well this camera isn't disappointment.
I've been using this camera for two weeks and can say it is cool! The image quality is very good, camera is easy to use, light, handy and steady. The overall impression is very positive. The Pentax optics is cool! I have tried it also with Sigma's 24-70 2.8 zoom that is amazingly and surprisingly quality stuff. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The sleek, sophisticated Pentax Optio 550 digital camera offers high-level performance and is convenient enough to make you want to carry it everywhere. The Optio 550 features 5-megapixel resolution, a 5x optical zoom lens, automatic operation (as well as a wide range of manual control), and compatibility with Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard memory cards.

Optics and Resolution
Featuring a 5-megapixel CCD sensor, the Optio 550 delivers image detail up to 2,592 x 1,944 pixels for print enlargements up to 20 by 30 inches. The exceptionally compact lens offers a high level of performance with 5x optical zoom. Zooming power can be augmented through combination with digital 4x zoom for a total of 20x zoom performance.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on either Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMediaCard (MMC) memory cards. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB storage-class connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Optio 550 is capable of recording up to 10 minutes of video at 15 frames per second, with 320 x 240 recorded pixels. The Optio 550 can also be used as an audio recorder, with up to 30 seconds of sound added to images.

More Features
With the 3-D image mode, the Optio 550 adds a totally new dimension to digital photography. Just take two shots following a simple set of guidelines to achieve shots that have a genuine sense of depth and perspective when seen through the special viewer provided

Other features include:

• 1.5-inch TFT LCD display
• Optical viewfinder displays actual image zoom, which helps to conserve battery power by switching off LCD display
• Digital filter mode provides effects similar to conventional filters, from sepia to color tones (red, pink, yellow, green, blue, and purple)
• Built-in flash can be automatically set to fire; also includes red-eye reduction, flash-on, and flash-off modes
• A range of shooting modes to choose from, including metered manual and shutter priority AE
• Interval shooting mode lets you set the time to start shooting, the duration of the interval between shots, and the number of frames

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included). It measures 3.9 by 2.3 by 1.6 inches and weighs 7.2 ounces. ... Read more

Features

• 5 megapixel sensor for enlargements up to 20 x 30 inches
• 5x optical zoom plus 4x digital zoom (for 20x total)
• Optical viewfinder shows actual image zoom, innovative stereoscopic shooting
• Compatible with Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMedia (MMC) cards
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery(included); connects with Macs and PCs via USB port

Reviews (19)

Optio 550 = just right
I purchased the Optio 550 to replace my original Kodak DC215. I was looking for a camera with decent Optical zoom, good photo resolution, and not something so big I would dread carrying it around.

So far I have been VERY pleased with this camera. It weighs significantly less than the Kodak, and is a good deal smaller too. It's a little big to put in your pocket, but I was able to get a reasonably small camera case which will work very well.

The pictures I have taken so far have all been very good quality, and you can't beat the 5MP resolution :) Connecting it to my computer was a snap, and the menus and options while a little bit criptic, provide easy access to lots of features.

I only have 2 complaints with this camera. 1) You will DEFINITELY need a larger memory card. The bundled 16MB card will only hold 4 pictures at the highest quality setting (below TIFF). However, this is true with every single digital camera I was looking at so I can't hold it against Pentax. 2) The movie mode does not support Optical zoom, only digital zoom. I have no idea why they did this, but for some reason you cannot use the optical zoom while shooting movies. Granted, this is a still picture camera, and I will probably seldom use the video mode, but it seems to be a very strange oversight.

I would DEFINITELY recommend this camera to anyone who wants a relatively easy to use camera, that takes very good pictures.

good by conventional photography...
As someone who strted taking photographs 40 years ago with a Box Brownie, worked his way up through various SLRs, and basically lives & dies in public presentations on the basis of slides, I confess that I was VERY sceptical about going digital. The Pentax Optio has changed all that. I have been using this camera for about a month now, and my poor Canon F1 has stayed in its case. I am simply STUNNED with the quality of the image, the ease & accuracy of the "point and shoot" features, and the impressive array of options that Pentax offers me. Battery life seems excellent, the camera has survived a tough month in the field in high humidity/salt air being jostled and banged (and dropped at least once) in transfers from boats to dories to shore, and the 5x optical zoom lets me get reasonably close to my birds (it still isn't a "real" telephoto, don't be confused, but it beats the heck out of other digital cameras that I have played with). Downsides are that the enclosed 16mb card is a joke, I didn't even bother with it, get at least a 64mb & start shooting. The lens DOES take a while to extend, and there is a slight-but-noticeable delay between pressing shutter release & the actual image. This is annoying in an "action" setting. In addition, the viewscreen, while brighter than I expected, is invisible in bright sunlight. The biggest problem with this (the optical viewfnder is just fine for actually taking photos) is that messages like "memory card full" may not be conveyed to you unless you look really closely -I lost half a dozen pictures from not paying attention. Overall I am VERY impressed with this camera, it is light, portable, versatile, gives me very high quality pictures, and seems tough enough to stand up to a demanding life on off-shore seabird colonies. Go for it.

Optio 550 gets a great review
I love the Optio 550. It takes great pictures, with lots of options for the more technical person. I haven't figured out how to use the 3D function yet (but I'm not sure I ever would) and the flap to the PC/AV card is a little flimsy (but it hasn't broken yet). The zoom is awesome. I love to be able to blow up a picture and have it maintain its resolution. The pictures are clear. I am still trying it out, but so far it works great.

Pentax Optio 550
I really didn't have any luck with the camera. I took it with me to New Orleans and about 2/3 of the pictures turned out. The other third did not. Some had shadows around the frames and some objects were fuzzy around the edges and those were the day shots. I set the camera on the night scene mode, for night shots in the French Quarter and that was a disaster as there were streaking lights and double exposures. I had practiced with the camera at home before the trip and night shot worked good, but I think the problems were caused by electrical interference as there was a warning in the manual about it, but I had never experienced it with my other digital camera. I had always kept the Pentax on point and shoot for the most part to be safe as the camera was supposed to take care of everything.

I was used to my Olympus Camedia which pretty much gave it up after 4 years and chose the Pentax as a replacement. Frankly, there was no comparison, with the Olympus I could shoot anything at any time with fantastic results. People were so impressed with the photos they would ask what camera I used. I thought the Pentax would have the same quality.

I had planned to return the camera to Pentax so they could check it out, but it unfortunately it went missing on my trip, leaving me only with a spent SD card.

In case your wondering why I didn't buy another Olympus is because the retractable lense made alot of noise and they use some plastic parts, which didn't set right with me as the new one would have been over $500.00. The memory card was also changed.

Maybe the bad experience with Pentax is that is was just a bad camera out of the lot, maybe the camera was just too sensitive for my use or maybe it has too many bells and whistles and gets confused in the point and shoot mode.

Excellent quality pics! Software is old though...
I am excited and very happy with the quality of these pictures and the size of the camera! 5x zoom is great! 5 MP is great! My only 2 issues are once it was shutting down (low battery) and battery went dead and camera lens cover jammed and left lens exposed. Had to force it closed with newly charged battery. But my biggest complaint is that I thought I was getting a $70 piece of software along with this camera in ACDSee, but found out it's a version a few years old! It's version 3.x!!! 5.x is out! What a bummer, so I emailed Pentax and got no reply... ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Pentax's *ist D is the world's smallest and lightest digital SLR (as of April 2003), measuring just 5.0 by 3.7 by 2.3 inches and weighing 18 ounces. It features a clarity of 6.1 effective megapixels, a 16-segment metering system, an 11-point AF sensor, and a continuous shooting rate of 2.7 frames per second. It's also compatible with K, KA, KAF, and KAF2 mount lenses and 645/67 lenses with an adapter. This package includes a Pentax SMCPDA 16-45mm zoom f4.0 ED/AL lens.

Optics and Resolution
Employing a high-performance CCD with dimensions of 23.5mm by 15.7mm and embracing Pentax's unique image processing technology, the *ist D offers 6.1-megapixel resolution for the recording of precise, superior-quality images.

Included Lens
The Pentax SMCP-DA was designed for Pentax's Kaf mount and features extra-low dispersion (ED) glass for superior sharpness and color correction, a "Quick-Shift" system to move between autofocus and manual, and a lens hood. On this camera, the focal length is converted to 24.5mm-69mm. It uses 67mm filters.

Storage and Transfer
The *ist D is compatible with CompactFlash Type I/II memory cards, and is also compatible with MicroDrives.

More Features
An optical pentaprism viewfinder was developed especially for the *ist D. This makes viewing easy with an ample 95% field of view and 0.95x magnification. There is also a superimposed display function that assists composition by illuminating the AF points in red.

Other features include:

• New 16-segment metering system achieves more accurate exposure
• New 11-point AF sensor (SAFOX VIII) for enhanced focusing
• Fast 1/4,000 second shutter speed and high-speed flash sync at 1/150 seconds
• Custom function allows functionality to be tuned to satisfy user preferences
• Noise reduction function activates for long exposures
• 1.8-inch, 118,000-pixel LCD monitor
• Choice of JPEG, TIFF, and RAW recording formats
• Convenient playback functions, such as nine-image and 12x magnification display

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 4 AA batteries; rechargeable NiMH batteries are recommended. It measures 5.0 by 3.7 by 2.3 inches and weighs 18 ounces.

The *ist D and the *ist DS Compared

	*ist D	*ist DS
Effective Pixels	6.1 Megapixels	6.1 Megapixels
LCD Monitor	1.8-inch TFT Color LCD	2.0-inch TFT Color LCD
Power Source	4 AA, or 2 CR-V3	4 AA, or 2 CR-V3
Storage Media	Compact Flash (I & II), MicroDrive	SD Memory Card
File Formats	8-bit (JPEG), 8-bit (TIFF), 12-bit (RAW)	8 bit (JPEG), 12-bit (RAW)
Exposure Modes	Auto w/Hyper Program Program AE Shutter-Priority AE Aperture-Priority AE Metered Manual Bulb	Program AE Auto Picture Picture Shutter-Priority AE Aperture-Priority AE Metered Manual Bulb
Interface	USB 1.1	USB 2.0
Flash Sync	1/150 sec	1/180 sec
X-Sync Socket	YES	NO
Continuous Frame Advance	2.6 fps	2.8 fps
Continuous Autofocus	YES	YES (in Action Picture Mode only)
Mirror Lock	YES	YES
Wireless Flash Sync	YES	NO
Optional Vertical Grip	YES	NO
Stainless-Steel Chassis	YES	YES
Remote Assistant from PC	YES	NO
Interchangeable Focusing Screens	YES	YES
PictBridge Compatibility	NO	YES
Weight (w/o Batteries)	19.4 oz	17.8 oz

... Read more

Features

• 6.1 effective megapixels
• Pentax SMCPDA 16-45mm Zoom f/4.0 ED AL lens included
• Compatible with K, KA, KAF and KAF2 mount lenses and 645 / 67 lenses with an adapter
• Compatible with CompactFlash Type I/II cards and MicroDrives
• Powered by 4 AA batteries

Reviews (5)

Answers to the two big on-line Criticisms...
OK, if you're here, you probably have read all the online reviews. Here's my answers to some of the major criticisms I've seen about this supurbe camera on the web. (And my opinion is based on a 20 year career as a professional photographer...for what that's worth! :) )

1.)Criticism: Memory card is hard to remove. OK, maybe this could use a little work on Pentax's part. Not really a big deal if you're careful. Just be careful...it's not THAT hard!

2.)Criticism: Batteries are not proprietary and rechargeable!? WHAT? THANK GOD! This is in my opinion not a mistake but a MAJOR PLUS! Only Pentax would have the forsight and understanding to give the user TWO (more if you consider all the AA posibilities...)onboard options for battery power both available almost anywhere for Pete's sake! Batteries are the life blood of digital photography, more options can only be better! For my part I'm running 2300 milliamp hour rechargable AA's and am thrilled with the performance!

Well that addresses the two biggies I've read about. As for the rest of it, the price is now where it should be and the camera performs fantastically. Now that Pentax has a 14mm coming out, all is wonderful in the digital world. My advice, BUY IT and you won't ever look back! The 13x19 prints are superb, I shoot weddings and fine art landscapes, and this camera gets the job done!!!

A great camera with a one serious flaw
Over the years I have used a variety of systems ranging from Pentax to Nikormat to Canon to Olympus and eventually back to Pentax. Why back to Pentax? Size and ergonomics. All of the major brands are good and some offer truly best in class - at a price - in optics such as Nikon and Canon.

However, for overall good value Pentax holds its own. While I would be happy to use equipment from any of the major brands, I am quite satisfied with Pentax - but I had to wait until last autumn to get my hands on a decent Pentax digital camera. The *istD, weird name and all, is such a camera. Overall I'm a happy camper and I have been taking some of the best photographs in my 30 years experience with this camera.

Other reviews here will tell you the camera's virtues and those features are real and not over stated. This is a professional class camera - though most professionals use Nikons and Canons when it comes to digital work for a number of reasons - usually due to optics and employers' standards. The optics from Pentax are still well respected and 99% of the folks reading this will be more than satisfied.

While battery life with this camera is very, very good, I would recommend considering getting the optional additional battery attachment that screws into the bottom of the camera. It looks like an old fashion motor drive but it provides excellent ergonomics when shooting side-wise (portrait) complete with the thumb and fore finger controls replicated for ease of use. It adds peace of mind by providing redundant power plus if you often shoot protrait framing, you can really hold this camera much better than most other cameras.

So what is the single, significant flaw of this camera? It is undoubtedly the flash card interface that is accessed via a door that doesn't swing completely open, tempting the user to push the card in a slightly wrong angle. Of course there are internal guides within the flash card holder assembly but even with care, over time, it is possible to break one of the tiny pins of the camera's interface to the flash card. I know. I have done it. The cost and speed of repair was minor, but suddenly one day out in the field I had a camera that was suddenly inoperable.

So that is why I give this other wise great camera only 4 stars. If you have a good investment in 35 mm Pentax gear, you really have no choice but this camera. But the good news, particularly if you are shooting in RAW, the output is incredible. Now that PhotoshopCS has upgraded its RAW import program via a free download from Adobe, the results from this camera can be absolutely stellar. But user beware when swapping out those flash cards!

My early impression: Wow!
After nearly 3 years of playing with other digital cameras I finally took the leap back into SLR-land and purchased this great Pentax camera. Though I am just beginning to explore its capabilities, so far I am delighted: there are a lot of advantages to SLR camera use that I missed from the film days.

As with any of the current crop of digital SLR's, you get a ton of flexibility and shooting speed at a price that would have been unthinkable just two years ago. If you are used to using film SLR's, and have been frustrated by certain aspects of using a typical digital camera, you will be happy to be back in the land of no-shutter-lag shooting; the ability to use a ring on the lens barrel for zooming; tons of manual flexibility combined with idiot-proof program modes; and of course the flexibility of many lens choices. What has particularly driven me crazy about the current crop of high-end non-SLR digicams is the use of EVF viewfinders -- by contrast, the viewfinders on digital SLR's are great.

So why this Pentax vs the other competitive models? (The others worth considering in this price range at this time are the Canon EOS 10D; the Canon Digital Rebel; the Nikon D70; the Nikon D100; or even the Sigma models). This Pentax has the same sensor as the Nikon models, and the imaging capabilities of any of these cameras is doubtless well beyond my skills in any case. So to me it came down to ease of use, size and build quality. Size in particular is important to me: if you just look at the specs of this camera on a cubic-inch basis it's 38% smaller than the Nikon D70 and 26% smaller than the Digital Rebel. The Canon 10d is even bigger, and looks like a house sitting next to the Pentax.

After handling all of these cameras, I concluded that the Pentax is the one I would use most often. Too often my film SLR's sat at home when I was using film -- I would grab a point-and-shoot instead. I really wanted something I would use a lot.

On the other hand, some published complaints (and my conclusions) about the Pentax have been:
(1) Images are too "soft" (this is super-easy to adjust if you use something like Adobe Album, Elements or Photoshop, and in return the camera is not "sharpening" the image for you, which can introduce sharpening noise)
(2) Not as many lenses as available as in the Canon or Nikon lines (There seem to be plenty for my purposes, both new and used)
(3) Memory cards are hard to eject (Doesn't seem that hard to me; you need to be careful no matter what camera you use).

Another issue (price) with this camera has been fixed: when it was introduced it was more expensive than the others in its class. But the price has been reduced and now is typically available at a price that slots it in as a bit more expensive than the D70 and less than the 10D.

All of these current digital slr's are great, and it seems to me that if you already owned Canon or Nikon lenses you wouldn't go wrong with one of their models. On the other hand, if you are starting from scratch (or like me, you own brands you can't use on any of these), the Pentax is worthy of serious consideration.

Wonderful Addition to the Pentax Line
The istD is Pentax's first serious entry into the digital market. Pentax are the people who came up with the K-1000, the no-frills manual camera which was so popular among students and artists. When one thinks of a name brand camera, Nikon and Canon are probably the first names to come to mind. Pentax is the underdog in 35mm, now a serious competitor in the digital world.

The CCD (digital film) is identical to that used in the Nikon D100. The istD accepts all manual focus and automatic focus Pentax lenses. Focal lengths are a bit different - so, if you have a 50mm "normal" Pentax lens, now you will have a 75mm lens when connected to this body.

I plugged in a CF card from my E-10 and all the photos I took showed up in the istD. No drivers or special software required for the USB cable - just plug the camera into a Windows OS and a harddrive appears with your photos on it.

If you are familiar with Pentax's Hyper-Program mode, you have it here again. Pentax is wonderful for tweak-ability. In "green" mode, you can set the program line to favor DOF or shutter speed. Hyper-Program mode allows you to tweak either the shutter or aperture. And, a totally manual mode is available.

There are three user-customizable banks of special tweaks, such as taking a picture before the flash full charges (option) or changing the action of a few of the buttons. In addition to a full bank of pre-set WB settings, there are three custom white balance settings which may be set using a greycard or piece of white paper. And, the viewfinder is loaded with indicators and a bar display light meter.

The best feature which made me say "wow" was the autofocus. Not only will the camera autofocus, but it flashes a red dot to show you what it is focusing on. You can manually select the focus point, or just override everything and put the focus dead center. If you don't like the red dot overlay, even that can be tweaked off.

It's fast. I took a few frames in rapid succession and was not left wanting for something faster. Of the most frustrating features of the Olympus E-10 was trying to fire off another frame - so many missed photos. Not the Pentax. When you need that little extra burst of speed, it's pretty quick.

The camera is also surprisingly light and small. The more common settings are off the program dial, such as ISO, image compression, and pixel depth. Other settings, such as sharpness, contrast, and color saturation are quickly accessed though the menu. The camera turns on fast and ready to fire. Matrix metering, center weighted metering, and spot metering all available. PC socket for external flash plus a hot shoe. Manual, automatic, and predictive continuous autofocus.

And, of course, the images are clear and crisp. It accepts up to a 1gig CF card or microdrive. A single connector provides USB and video out. If you want the LCD display on while the video output is used, well - that's a tweakable setting as well.

Back to Pentax .... after many yaers.... :-)
Well for a long time I've been one from the domain of MF 645 and saved many good words for Pentax quality. Well this camera isn't disappointment.
I've been using this camera for two weeks and can say it is cool! The image quality is very good, camera is easy to use, light, handy and steady. The overall impression is very positive. The Pentax optics is cool! I have tried it also with Sigma's 24-70 2.8 zoom that is amazingly and surprisingly quality stuff. ... Read more

Features

• Objective lens: 25mm
• General purpose binocular ideal for wildlife, sports, and theater
• High-refraction Bak4 glass prisms and multi-coated lens
• 324-foot field of view at 1000 yards
• Magnification: 8x

Features

• Ultra-compact, measuring just 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches (W x H x D)
• Stores images on SD memory cards; powered by on Lithium battery (rechargeable battery and charger included)
• 5.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• 2.5-inch LCD; 3x optical zoom; MPEG-4 video at 30 frames per second with sound
• Quick response with an approximate 0.01-second shutter-release lag time

Features

• 4.23-megapixel sensor captures enough information for photo-quality 11-by-15-inch prints
• 2.8x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom (11.2x total)
• Waterproof design, can be immersed in water up to 3 feet for 30 minutes
• Stores images on SD memory card
• Powered by one CR-V3 or 2 AA batteries

Reviews (1)

Sturdy but the picture quality leaves much to be desired
I got this camera for one reason - fishing pictures - and it is adequate for that or beach photos. If everything is evenly lit and you don't need to rely on the flash it's OK. And no problem if it gets wet or sandy. By the way, the imaging software that comes with it is bad beyond belief and makes all the pix look worse so don't bother installing it - use whatever you have. It is serviceable and sturdy and will probably never endear itself to me unless I become enamoured of taking pictures in the rain. However, I must say it has an excellent macro capability and if you're not catching any fish you can take nice flower closeups along the bank. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Combining advanced Pentax lens technology with a detailed digital imaging system, the Optio 30 is an appealing choice for those who want good-looking pictures from a camera that's easy to use.

Optics and Resolution
The Optio 30 has a 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor, which can capture images with enough detail to print photo-quality at sizes up to 10 by 14 inches. It comes with a Pentax high-efficiency 3x optical zoom, which coupled with the camera's 4x digital zoom, allows you to a combined zoom of 12x.

Movie Mode
Like many other digital cameras in its class, the Optio 30 can capture short, silent video clips in movie mode. The maximum length of the movies this camera can capture is governed by resolution settings (either 320x240 or 160x120 pixels) and memory card size, but generally these movies are just a few minutes in length. While not camcorder quality, these types of video clips are fun and convenient, and they're perfect as e-mail attachments. The camera does not come with a video output terminal, which is often used to connect the camera to a TV, but you can move them to your PC via the camera's USB port.

More Features

• Compact, stylish body
• Bright LCD monitor that's easy to see even in direct sunlight
• Black & White and Sepia digital filters for nostalgic, artistic effect
• Three image-quality settings
• Focus Free mode allows you to place a focus point anywhere in the image area
• Single-touch playback quickly shows you the photos you've taken
• Easy mode with help button allows easy operation for beginners

Storage and Transfer
Images and video are stored in 16 MB of internal memory, but the camera also has a slot for optional use of Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (memory card not included). Files can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by two AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable lithium ion recommended). The camera measures 3.7 by 2.4 by 1.4 inches and weighs 4.6 ounces without memory card or batteries (approximately 6.3 ounces with).

What's in the Box
Optio 30 digital camera, two AA alkaline batteries, USB and video connection cables, strap, ACDSee image-management software ... Read more

Features

• 3.2-megapixel resolution for photo-quality 10 x 14-sized enlargements
• Pentax 3x high-efficiency zoom lens and 4x digital zoom combine for 12x total zoom
• Focus Free mode allows you to place a focus point anywhere in the image area; Single-touch playback
• Store images in 16 MB of internal memory or on optional Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (memory card not included)
• Powered by 2 AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable lithium ion recommended)

Reviews (3)

Great Camera
I purchased the camera after owing a 1.3 mp camera. After the 1st time of using the camera, my God-daughter borrowed it to use at school. She loves it and so do I so I had to buy a second one. Easy to use, photos are nothing short of great. I learned by using 2300 mAh batteries, and up, you can take loads of flash photos and not have to worry about battery power loss. I wouldn't hesitate telling anyone to get this camera. They would not be sorry.

great digital camera
I spent a week researching the internet and photo magazines before deciding on the Optio 30. A major selling point, besides price, was that it uses the much smaller and popular SD card for external storage. I bought a new 256 Mb card for $40 (after rebate). I've had the camera for only three days and have taken over 100 hundred pictures in varying resolution. I haven't printed any photos, but uploaded into a computer they all turned out really well. The camera is easy to hold and the control buttons are simple to configure. The Optio 30 is ready to shoot about 2 secs after powering it up. The case has a metallic finish which will repel minor scratches, and the lens retracts nicely into the body after powering down. I'm pleased with this purchase.

Defective out of the box, but replacement worked fine
I had to return it because the LCD display worked for a few minutes, then went very dark. I have ordered another one, thinking that this might be a rare manufacturing defect.

I will be using it a lot this summer, so we'll see if the display holds up this time.

All else worked correctly. I liked the over-all size & placement of the controls.

7/01/2004....The camera has been working great. No problems with the digital display. I'll up my review from the original one star to now 5 stars. It turned out to be exactly what I wanted. Simple, yet very capable. ... Read more

Features

• Housed in a nitrogen-filled magnesium-alloy waterproof body (JIS Class 6) and protected with a full-body rubber housing
• Exceptional image quality and close focusing with edge-to-edge sharpness
• High-resolution phase-coated roof prisms
• Scratch-resistant hydrophobic coating on exposed objective and eyepiece lenses
• Multi-coated optical elements

Features

• Full-body rubber housing effectively protects the internal mechanisms and optical elements
• Super-Multi-Coating eliminates harmful ultraviolet rays
• The diopter adjustment allows near- and far-sighted viewers to easily and quickly adjust the image to match their eyesight
• BaK-4 prisms transmit more light at the edges to enhance illumination
• Protected by a limited lifetime warranty

Reviews (1)

Great set of binoculars!
I just got these binoculars and I love them! They are not too heavy (only about 3 pounds) and work very well! I got rained on earlier this week when I used them and so far, no problems!! They're a good price as well, I highly recommend! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The best reason to get the fully automatic Pentax IQ Zoom 160 QD is for its state-of-the-art, ultrapowerful, and ultraclear 38-160mm zoom lens. This is one of the longest zoom lenses available on a 35mm point-and-shoot, making it a very versatile camera for travel, portraits, and everyday use. The body is ergonomically designed with a "slide-out" flash (includes red-eye reduction) that pops out of the side of the camera the moment you turn on the power, and the lens fully retracts to protect it when you shut off the camera. If you forget to shut off the power, the lens will retract to its original position anyway to protect it.

The IQ Zoom 160 QD features a five-point passive autofocus system that produces extremely sharp pictures, even in difficult focusing circumstances such as through a window. You can also take extreme close-up shots with its full-range macro capabilities for great pictures at any focal length. It is excellent in tough lighting situations as well, thanks to a six-segment multipattern metering system that takes incredibly accurate exposure measurements. The automatic backlight compensation feature lets you know when your main subject requires increased light, too.

This compact camera is designed to be very easy to operate. It includes a user-friendly mode dial that you simply twist to turn the power on or off and to select your desired flash mode. It is also easy to switch to panorama mode, and you can even create double exposures by using the multiexposure mode. In addition, the IQ Zoom 160 QD features an "actual image" viewfinder with automatic LCD parallax compensation for a precise framing area, an adjustable diopter so you can adjust the viewfinder to match your eyesight, and a large, easy-to-read LCD instruction panel that displays the vital information pertinent to each exposure. Other nice features include an optional remote control and date imprinting. ... Read more

Features

• Powerful 38 to 160mm zoom lens
• Passive 5-point autofocus, 6-segment metering
• Built-in flash with red-eye reduction
• 10-second self-timer and date imprinting feature
• LCD corrected viewfinder

Reviews (12)

Incredible Pictures
On a recent trip to the Rocky Mountains, my family and I were simply stunned by the amazing snowy landscapes. I couldn't help but think that the pictures I was taking would not be able to capture the experience. I was wrong. The Pentax (which I had bought specifically for the trip) produced top quality pictures. The 160 Zoom feature was handy for capturing the action of my kids on the slopes while I stayed at the lodge :) I was especially impressed with the Pentax's ability to handle the tricky lighting conditions that snow produces.

I gave this camera the highest rating for the simple fact that it is extremely easy to use and takes amazing pictures. When I am ready to upgrade I will definitely buy another Pentax.

"Functions like a Rolls Royce in my hands!"
This will be quick and simple. Buy it! This is the finest point and shoot camera I've ever owned. The zoom is just long enough to be extremely helpful, and is smooth and tight! I can't imagine using all the functions on this camera, but it's nice to know they're available.

The newer Pentax cameras of this type appear to lose some of the features this one has, and certainly do not maintain the look and quality feel of this one.

Great camera with SLR like features
This camera was bought for me as a gift after extensive research by the giver. And boy am I glad he did his research. This camera does it all! Great ease of use, but lots of versatility. You can just take that quick, simple shot or you can create art with multiple exposures and long shutter times. With a tripod and the remote, the possibilities are endless with this camera.

Clear pictures!
I have never had a better camera. I have found that Kodak 800 film works the best for this camera. The camera automatically adjusts to the lighting and has excellent outcome in the pictures. This camera is VERY easy to use. I choose it over an SLR. Great for anywhere, anytime, and especially anyone.

Good camera, but one complaint...
No reason to not like this camera. It performs wonderfully and I've gotten some great results from it.

The only problem is that it drains the battery like an alcoholic on a bender drains his liquor cabinet. If you take the camera with you on a trip or something be sure you have a fresh battery in it and a couple of spares.

Also, the dial that turns it off and on can too easily be moved by the slightest brushing against any case you put the camera in. Too many times I have turned the camera off and put it in its case, only to find out later that the on/off dial got messed with and the camera was turned on and the battery drained. Not a flaw, exactly, but something to be careful with when handling the camera or putting it away. ... Read more

Features

• Five selectable picture modes
• Auto exposure bracketing
• Programed AE, Av & Tv Mode, Metered manual modes
• SAFOX V TTL auto focus system
• TTL auto pop-up flash w/red-eye reduction

Reviews (2)

Pentax MZ-60 (non-US version)
I purchased the MZ-60 model which is simply a renamed ZX-60. This camera, contrary to the previous review, will use manual lenses but only in manual mode. I have used manual focus lenses with no "A" aperture setting with this camera - you can also fake having depth-of-field preview with automatic-aperture lenses by slightly unscrewing the lense and moving to your desired aperture setting. The light metre will still function this way in manual mode.

Firstly my gripes - the viewfinder information is very basic not unlike that of an older manual camera. Exposure is indicated by a plus or minus sign, but there is no shutter speed or aperture figures indicated. These are only shown on the LCD panel, which in dark conditions is difficult to see.

Secondly there is no exposure compensation dial, so if you wish to increase or decrease exposure outside of the meter's suggested setting you'll have to take it into manual mode.

Thirdly there is no cable-release socket BUT this is not a terrible ommision as you can set the shutter to open after 2 seconds AND the very good news is it locks-up the mirror immediately, then waits two seconds before exposing the film.

Metering is two segment, but I am unsure if this is a fancy name for centre-weighted metering. It seems to expose for the darker subject if faced with a contrasting subject & background. No multi-segment metering but it's a very easy metering system to predict!

Be very careful with dust with this unit as a small moth has managed to get up above the focusing screen. It is definately constructed mostly of plastic so don't use this camera as a football as you may not like taking photos with a smashed camera. Admittedly the buttons are a little bit cheap-feeling and it's very easy to switch the camera off without realising it due to it's position - but just remember it's Pentax's budget offering.. just because the buttons may not feel terribly solid doesn't mean you can't produce exactly the same photograph than a more expensive camera (in most 'normal' cases).

For the price I would recommened this camera to anybody who's familiar with using a manual camera but hates not having autofocus. The focusing isn't the fastest around but I'd much rather save a lot of money now than having my camera focus a few 10th's of a second quicker.

Decent camera, but not compatible with manual lenses
I purchased this camera to replace an old Pentax ME, but I had to promptly return it, as it is not compatible with older Pentax manual lenses. While it seems to be a quality camera, it will only be useful to you if you have autofocus lenses. Though the price is atractive this will probably not be the best camera for a student for just this reason. In the future I will likely buy the Pentax ZX-5N instead. ... Read more

Features

• 38-105mm zoom lens
• Active infrared autofocus
• Built-in flash with red-eye reduction
• Automatic film loading, winding, and rewinding with midroll rewind
• Auto backlight light metering

Reviews (2)

Good All Purpose Camera
Got this 105G with QD back in Nov.2000. Pictures taken have been sharp and clear. In sunny conditions taking still pictures with Fuji 100 film provided brilliant, vivid colors. Just hope this one will be as reliable as my last IQ ZOOM100 which lasted 6 years and traveled all over the globe before it was stolen. To a previous reviewer: The viewfinder focus can be adjusted using the diopter adjustment dial. At about 10oz. with battery, this camera is NOT heavy at all.

Likes: Good, solid construction. The zoom movement, shutter action, and auto lens cover closure all convey a sense of quality materials and good mechanical design, unlike some minoltas and olympus cameras I've compared with.

Minor dislikes: on/off button right next to shutter release button. Zoom lever at an awkward position not like the old models where the zoom is integrated with the shutter release button, i.e., one finger to zoom AND snap picture. The accompanying case is TOO SMALL...can barely fit one extra roll of film in there...I suggest get a leather case. I got this camera at a really good deal so I shouldn't complain!

Overall, a good value in an "aim and shoot" camera.

crisp, clear images
This camera has excellent ability to capture fine details. I was able
to stand at the base of a cathedral, aim the camera up, and take a
picture of the architectural details at the very top of the cathedral
- that's probably some five stories up. .... The drawbacks were that this camera was quite heavy, and
the image from the eyepiece was always blurry for some odd reason.
... Read more

Features

• Objective lens: 25mm
• Water-proof binocular ideal for hunting and bird-watching
• High-refraction Bak4 glass prisms and multi-coated lens
• 261-foot field of view at 1000 yards
• Magnification: 10x

Features

• Center-focus system allows accurate and speedy focusing on the subject with simple fingertip control
• Super-Multi-Coating eliminates harmful ultraviolet rays and improves light transmission
• Full-body rubber housing effectively protects the internal mechanisms and optical elements
• Finely constructed porro-prism
• Protected by a limited lifetime warranty

Amazon.com Product Description

The Pentax IQ Zoom 140M QD 35mm camera is incredibly compact--at aheight of 2.6 inches it's just a little taller than a roll of 35mm film. Yet ithas a powerful 38-140mm zoom that makes your pictures bigger, closer, and moredetailed than most compacts in its class. The "actual image" viewfinder lets yousee the image size in relation to the zoom ratio, providing a concise preview ofthe finished photo no matter which of the two available print formats--standardand panorama--you use. Switch back and forth between the two formats as often asyou like to capture close-ups or the whole landscape.

In spot AF mode, you can keep your subject in focus even when it's in thebackground and/or other subjects are in the foreground. The six-segmentmultipattern metering provides flawless exposure for any lighting condition. Thebuilt-in, fully automatic flash has five modes to illuminate your subjectperfectly: flash on, flash off, slow shutter sync, bulb sync with or withoutflash for special effects, and bulb (night mode), for great pictures in anylighting condition. Red-eye reduction is also included.

This camera has several features that allow you to shoot worry-free pictures.The fail-safe film loading function loads and advances your film automatically.The high-precision, passive five-point autofocus system ensures sharp pictures,even when shooting through windows. When left unused for three minutes with thepower on, the camera retracts the lens to the wide-angle position to protect itfrom damage, and then shuts itself off completely. The LCD panel gives youeasy-to-see readings on frame counter, zoom, flash modes, self-timer, remotecontrol, shooting modes, date/time stamp, and battery level, so you always knowwhat your camera settings and levels are. ... Read more

Features

• Powerful 38-140mm zoom lens
• Passive 5-point autofocus
• Built-in flash with red-eye reduction
• Automatic film loading, winding, and rewinding with midroll rewind
• 10-second self-timer, date imprinting, and panorama mode

Reviews (5)

Great price, Great Pictures, Great Camera
I bought this camera after reading other reviews and looking on Consumer Reports.com. I was not dissapointed. This camera takes great pictures, is easy to use, and has an excellent zoom.

Great camera
This is a great camera. I've taken lots and lots of pictures with it-like over 2000. It really comes up with some fantastic shots. I like the lightweight. It's got a great long distance zoom lens that's fast. Indeed, it shoots like an expensive 35mm. The only drawback is it's macro ability. It does shoot up to about 2.6 feet which is pretty close, and for most shots this is enough. Really, in the majority of situations, it comes up with some wonderful shots that are very clear and great!

Great camera, exceptional features,excellent photo quality
I've had this camera for a couple of years now and it has been a really great purchase. The picture quality is extraordinary. I often have people asking me what kind of camera I have because my pictures are so great. (i'd like to think it's my skill at picture taking but it really is the camera) I would highly recommend getting the optional remote, it has come in very handy when taking skyline pictures and other night pictures that require the camera to be very still. I've even used this camera to take some wedding pictures for some friends of mine. A lot of my pictures came out better than the professional camera !!! The price may seem somewhat high for those looking for a simple camera, however I found the quality to be well worth the price.

a great camera
I love this camera, its easy to use and carry.

Great Camera Value for Money
If u are looking for a Medium range Camera Go for This Camera. It has a Good Panaromic Mode for Photographing Skylines and Wide angles. The Controls Are Cool. A Bit Bulky But u can accept it for the way it shoots Pictures. Picture Quality is Crystal Clear. I have shot with this camera the Niagara Falls and It came Great. I strongly recommend this Camera if u are looking for more features at a reasonable price. ... Read more

Features

• Waterproof and fogproof body of these PCF WP models is rated JIS Class 6
• Aspherical optical elements produce clear, bright images with minimal distortion
• Click-stop diopter adjustment locks in right eyepiece diopter setting
• Rubber covering to protect the optical and mechanical systems
• Protected by a limited lifetime warranty

Amazon.com Product Description

Succeeding the popular, award-winning Optio 550, the Optio 555 offers a quicker start-up time and reduced lag time between shots. This lightweight camera also offers a 5-megapixel resolution, 5x optical zoom, PictBridge direct printing, and movie mode with sound.

Optics and Resolution
With its 5-megapixel resolution, the Optio 555 delivers 2592 x 1944 pixel images for up to poster size enlargements. It also offers 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480 resolution modes. The high-precision SMC Pentax 5x optical zoom lens and employs advanced image processing technologies to capture powerful images. The ultra-compact zoom system allows the lens to fully retract in two stages and helps reduce the depth of the camera. It also features a 4x digital zoom, for a 20x total zoom.

Movie and Audio Modes
The Optio555 can also capture video with sound at 15 frames per second, with 320 x 240 recorded pixels. The videos can be as long as your memory card will allow. All clips are recorded in MOV format, allowing easy playback on a PC or Mac. The time-lapse movie feature runs a set of sequential recorded frames together as a short film. It offers a selection of X2, X5, X10, X20, X50, or X100 recording speeds and can be used to achieve effects such as construction scenes or clouds rushing across the sky.

The Optio555 can record audio to the full capacity of the external memory, allowing the Optio555 to be used as a regular voice recording device. With a 64 MB memory card, you can record up to 2 hours and 12 minutes of audio. It also allows you to record and attach up to 30 seconds of sound for each image.

More Features

This camera can connect directly to select printers. Learn more about PictBridge.

The Optio555 was designed to be ready within mere seconds of the power being turned on, and it is easy to switch between playback and shooting modes. A single touch of the playback button will bring up recorded images, and just a touch of the shutter button is all that's required to return to shooting. Modes are easy to select through a handy mode dial, and it is easy assign frequently used functions to independent buttons.

• 1.5-inch LCD monitor
• Viewfinder with actual image zoom allows you to conserve power by switching off the LCD monitor
• Macro mode lets you shoot as close as 5.9 inches from subject, while Super Macro mode gets you as close as .79 inches
• Built-in flash with auto, on, off, auto + red-eye reduction, and flash-on + red-eye reduction modes
• Shooting modes: Metered manual, Aperture-priority AE, Shutter-priority AE, Program, Picture, Panorama assist, Movie, 3D image, Digital filters, User
• Picture modes: Landscape, Night scene, Flower, Portrait, Surf & Snow, Autumn color, Sunset, Fireworks, Text

Storage and Transfer
The Optio 555 is compatible with Secure Digital (SD) MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards; a 16 MB SD card is included. When shooting in Large/Normal mode (2592 x 1944), you can store 8 images on the included memory card. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It measures 4.84 by 3.35 by 3.35 inches and weighs 7.2 ounces excluding the batteries or 8.8 ounces when loaded with the battery.

What's In The Box
This package includes the Optio 555 digital camera, 16 MB SD card, rechargeable lithium-ion battery and charger, USB and A/V cables, strap, and CD-ROM with USB drivers for PC and Mac. It also includes ACDSee 5.0 digital camera software (a $150 value), which makes it easy to retrieve, view, manage, print, enhance and share your digital photos. ... Read more

Features

• 5.0 MegaPixel CCD
• Ultra lightweight aluminum alloy body - Weighs only 7.2 oz
• Voice recording mode - audio capability that rivals stand alone audio recording devices
• Unlimited recording in Movie mode with sound
• LCD monitor bright enough for use in direct sunlight

Reviews (17)

Optio 555 - excellent choice for me
I bought the Pentax Optio 555 on 2 November 2003 in Hong Kong.

My number one reason for choosing the 555 was: The longer battery life. My second reason was the 5x zoom, followed by stronger flash and additional features to learn now to use. Saying that, there will be times I wish I had the smaller, lighter, faster Minolta G500... So it was a serious compromise that was not an easy choice - they are BOTH excellent options for a small light 'everyday' camera!

Very basic - but my very first photos are here - nothing special, just really posting them so you can see the image quality - almost all done in P mode... and straight from the camera! http://www.pbase.com/jaqatac/optio555_firstshots_hongkong (this expires 5 Dec 2003)

OK - I have never owned a digital camera before, but I have owned most recently a Nikon F100 and do know a little about film cameras...

I bought it, battery took exactly 3 hours to charge...

While I waited, I read the manual

Oh - and the first thing I did was stop all the annoying sounds by turning them all off in the user menu.
The second thing I did was turn the digital zoom off
I also turned the start up picture off

I do not have a stop-watch - but here are some approximate times. NOT ACCURATE TIMES, NO STOP WATCH!

Sunlight/brightly lit room - I found the shot to shot time to be incredibly good - even with the flash and the pictures again were in focus with excellent lighting...

Dimly lit room - wide angle - 1-3 seconds
Dimly lit room - full Optical zoom - 1.5 - 3 seconds

Totally DARK room - wide angle - 3-5 seconds
Totally DARK room - full Optical zoom - 3-6 seconds

I mean TOTALLY DARK! But saying that - the photos look great, are well lit by the flash and in focus...
With the zoom, it takes a bit longer to focus BUT once it gets it, it is perfect. (how, I do not know)

Here are more accurate times from another review:
Auto Focus LAG Wide angle:
0.8 - 1.4

Auto Focus LAG Telephoto
0.8 - 1.5

Shutter Release LAG Viewfinder
0.1

Shutter Release LAG LCD
V1: 0.1
0.1 - 0.2

Shot to Shot Wide angle
1.8

Frames per second
1.1

I am using the P mode and I quickly set up the User Mode as Gordon (see DP Review Pentax Forum) suggested:
ISO 200
AWB
Low Contrast
Spot Focus

I have a 256 Panasonic SD card (10Mb/Second)
MAX Resolution of 2592 x 1944
At 1 * it is 243 pictures
At 3 *** it is 75 pictures
I am switching between * and *** depending on the subject.
I am looking forward to Panasonic coming out with a 2 Gig card!!!

The user mode with these settings is faster than the P mode by about 1 second in the dimly lit and dark rooms.

continuous mode with no flash - that was really fast too - I did not time this.

PIC - Night Scene Mode - I went out at night on the streets of HK and took three pictures of the same things - P Mode, User Mode, Night Scene Mode. What the Night Scene Mode does is really light up the whole area - I don't know how it does this, but the same photo in P mode was bright lights from the signs, and a bit dark everything else. While with Night Scene the whole photo lights up as if with a flood light - really amazing. At different times I would opt for P, User or Night Mode depending on my desired outcome.

Physical - the case seems sturdy, the buttons are well placed, it is easy to hold and shoot. I like the way it is easy to change what the LCD displays and to turn it off... It is not as [nice] as the G500, but it is a nice functional, sturdy camera!

OK - so this is the quick first impressions... but so far I am really enjoying it!...

Great Camera. Unmatched options at any price
I was looking for a 5MP camera with maximum zoom in an small package. The Pentax Optio 555 satisfies all of these requirements and more.

I had a 4MP 4X zoom but was having a hard time capturing action shots of the kids. With the Pentax, I now have a camera half the size, 5MP and 5X zoom and the flexibility to adjust shutter speed to capture the moment. It's no easy task getting the soccer shots of the kids as they're always moving and you need a decent zoom to get close enough. This camera is perfect for that purpose. So far the battery life seems excellent. I fill up my 256MB SD card long before the battery runs out.

I'm very pleased with the quality of pictures. So far I've taken about 100 pictures. It seems to have some difficulty in low-light conditions but it's better than my previous camera so I'm not sure it's the camera's fault.

My only complaint is the 16MB included card is a joke. It seems typical of all mfrs to include such inadequate storage so it's not unique to the Pentax but never the less frustrating. The battery lasts forever but it also seems to take forever (~3 hours) to charge. I'm not usually in a hurry to charge but thought it was worth noting.

GREAT Camera!
I can't say a whole lot that hasn't been covered by the other comments here... the Pentax Optio 555 is really a great camera. I agree with the reviewer who immediately turned the digital zoom off -- it's really kinda silly to mess with digital zoom on a digital camera, since you will probably be able to post-process the images. I haven't found the cash yet to upgrade from the memory card that comes with it, but it's definitely high on my to-do list. I've never seen a camera that's so easy to use right out of the box but also has so many great features. Even the novelty features continue to amuse me almost a year after getting the camera. The 3D photo mode is really fun to play with, and the panorama assist makes it really easy to take panoramic pictures. And yes, it includes software to stitch the images together (semi)automatically. Lately I've been taking lots of night pictures -- it's really amazing how well this thing soaks up ambient light to take bright night shots WITHOUT the flash.

The ONLY complaint I've got is that in a really saturated environment the auto-focus doesn't work very well. A friend of mine got married recently and the auto focus refused to work at all, but I must admit the ENTIRE room was this hideous olive color, from the carpet to the fabric wall covering, and of course the completely mirrored ceiling only made the room twice as green. Add to that the weak yellow light coming from the chandeliers, and it was understandably tough for the camera. Finally I just switched to manual focus and put it in the continuous shoot mode and then I could just pick and choose the shots I liked and delete the rest.

A couple of reviewers mentioned that the camera doesn't hold up well... I dunno about that. Mine's been bounced around on a speedboat, fallen off a table, jerked around by the strap, and survived perfectly intact. Maybe I've just been lucky, but I think that it holds up really well to "normal" wear and tear AND the occasional accident.

I almost didn't get this camera because I really hate being locked into proprietary rechargable batteries. I'd normally rather go through a bunch of AA batteries because I always worry that in 2 years the company will discontinue the battery and my product will be useless. I've been pleasantly surprised, the battery has held up really well. I've had the same battery almost a year and it still works for a few days with several hours of use each day between recharges. It also holds a charge really well if I don't use the camera for a while. And though someone complained about the 3 hour recharge time, I'm used to charging my previous [Kodak] digial camera and my camcorder overnight, so 3 hours is a HUGE improvement.

(...)

Great camera!
I love this camera. I have several digital cameras and this one is the best by far. The battery lasts for a VERY long time. It's very easy to learn to use (hint: read the manual). The pictures are great. I love the scenes (Pict) modes. Even city shots at night with no tripod came out great. There's no restriction on the time you can take a movie (like with the comparable Canon), and then there's the terrific, wonderful, fabulous 5X zoom that beats every other camera in its class.

It's small enough to fit in a purse or a pocket and I take it everywhere. It powers up and focuses as fast or faster as any other digital camera. No more lost shots of the grandkids taking their first bite of brussels sprouts! It has a diopter so you can fine tune the optical viewfinder to fit your eyesight. The LCD screen is bright and sharp. Macro and super macro shots are amazing.

If you're looking for a small camera that does a great job in point and shoot situations, or if you're looking for a camera with enough bells and whistles to keep you interested, this is the one for you. It's far better than my Canon, Nikon or Sony. Price is dropping, too. Sure wish I had the $$$ back I spent on my other cameras that now sit unused at home in their large, bulky camera bags full of expensive extra batteries (for the Canon and the Nikon) and obsolete, expensive memory sticks (in the case of the Sony).

By the way, here's the key to capturing moving things, which is true for all digital cameras: 1. Focus; 2. Compose your shot; and 3. Shoot. With film cameras, you compose the shot, then focus, then shoot. Won't work in the digital world. Second hint is use the continuous mode which will capture several shots of the same subject. Then you get to pick the best one and delete the ones you don't like.

One accessory that works great and comes in very handy is the wireless remote. Set the camera on a tripod and become part of your pictures, or capture those hummingbirds without camera shake.

Buy this camera and enjoy.

Great camera
Outstanding camera with tons of options and flexibility. Photo/color quality is superb. I researched many cameras before adding this one to my short-list and then finally selecting it. Note: it's almost small enough for an oxford shirt pocket but frankly it's a bit too large. However, the small leather Pentax Optio belt pouch (sold separately) works out very well and makes it easy to carry anywhere. I really enjoy my 555. ... Read more

Features

• Detailed imaging with a 3.2 MegaPixel CCD
• Unlimited recording time in Movie mode as an AVI file 30 fps
• Convenient USB connection to your computer
• Three metering options: Multi-segment, Center weighted, Spot
• Ultra lightweight - Weighs only 6.3 ounces

Features

• Easy-to-use, extremely compact Advanced Photo System camera
• 29-87mm zoom lens
• Passive autofocus and multipattern metering
• Drop-in loading with midroll change possible
• 10-second self-timer

Reviews (4)

Very very good camera
I have never had a single problem with this camera or ever lost a photo for any reason in three years of use. Highly recommended for APS pocket camera users and travelers. But be alert to setting the settings correctly though this does not cause failure. The red eye does not work very well but that is the only fault.

Camera Hunter
Go to Pentax website for a picture of the Efina T. Also, it's range is 23-69mm ("equivalent" to a 35mm's 29-87mm range). Considering a purchase...forced to rate product without ever using it.

Pentax Efina T
Pleasantly surprised at all the features packed in to this little, easy to use camera. Most importantly I am very impressed by the quality of the photos. This is my first aps camera and was not expecting very sharp pictures. Surprised and peased to say the pictures are great so far. Was deciding between the new Pentax or a Canon Elph 2. The Pentax is metal just like the Canon and has a 3x zoom lens for basically the same price. Very happy with my decision.

P.S. The photo on this web site is not the Efina T but rather the original Efina camera. The "T" looks different.

Great APS Camera
This is a great APS camera. Compact, light, feature-filled, and aesthetically appealing. I was also comparing the Minolta Vectis 300, as well as the Canon Elph line. What sold me was the power of the zoom on the Pentax. It has a 3x zoom, and although the Vectis 300 also has a 3x zoom; seeing first-hand, I felt the Pentax's zoom was a little better. Feature-wise, the Pentax lacks nothing to its competitors. Also, the feel of the camera is superb. Very lightweight and compact; easy enough to holster on belt or slip into pocket. To compare, I have a StarTac cellular phone, and the Pentax and StarTac are nearly identical in size!!! How's that for a compact, powerful, feature-pack APS camera...I would definitely recommend to all. ... Read more