... I did plenty of research online before making my decision and opted for the Pentax Optio S50 in the end. This camera hadn't been out long back then.
Pentax lenses are, some say, the very best in the world, so I took this fact into consideration when choosing which camera to buy. As is the ... Read review
To locate our camerasizing chart "Amazon help page", Either click oni-nique. Privacy ... more
Statementat the bottom left of the Amazon product page,orDispatched from and sold by i-nique(at the top left of the page)To access our camera matrix on our Amazon custom help pageWith many years of perfecting the art of mp3 / camera / PDA&phone case design, no doubt - you will not be disappointed with thisone. This is our top of the range leather case for your device.Beautifully hand made, made from the finest quality leather.Includes a removable swivel belt-clip and carabiner, with i-niqueClassic trademark metal button. Soft stylish interior lining&contrast stitching. You won't find a finer made camera case on themarket.This is not, nor do we claim it to be an official product of the brand that its designed to fit. All i-nique / Tuff-Luv cases are styled to our own designs and specifications.
Postage & Packaging:Check Site. Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Our popular range of camera cases come in many sizes and colours. Refer to our Amazon ... more
seller help page to best match your camera model to our sizing chart:To locate the help page (camera chart), either click oni-nique. Privacy Statementat the bottom left of the amazon product page - you will then see the seller help taborDispatched from and sold by i-nique(at the top left of the page)to access our camera matrix on our amazon custom help pageSo you're an amateur photographer, and need a reasonably price bag that's going to make you 'look good', and take better pictures... eerrhh perhaps not!The i-nique Dude Bag (can be a Dudette Bag as well!) is the perfect entry level photo bag for all digital cameras.So who needs a big bag anyway that's going to take up serious luggage space on your holiday? So throw out all the paraphernalia that you don't really need! Keep it small and compact, and get rid of the tag along nonsense that just gets in the way. Clip it onto your belt buckle so it doesn't even get classed as hand luggage when you check in for that long awaited holiday. Happy snappy!This is not, nor do we claim it to be an official product of the brand that its designed to fit. All i-nique / Tuff-Luv cases are styled to our own designs and specifications.
Postage & Packaging:£3.95 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Our popular range of camera cases come in many sizes and colours. Refer to our Amazon ... more
seller help page to best match your camera model to our sizing chart:To locate the help page (camera chart), either click oni-nique. Privacy Statementat the bottom left of the amazon product page - you will then see the seller help taborDispatched from and sold by i-nique(at the top left of the page)to access our camera matrix on our amazon custom help pageSo you're an amateur photographer, and need a reasonably price bag that's going to make you 'look good', and take better pictures... eerrhh perhaps not!The i-nique Dude Bag (can be a Dudette Bag as well!) is the perfect entry level photo bag for all digital cameras.So who needs a big bag anyway that's going to take up serious luggage space on your holiday? So throw out all the paraphernalia that you don't really need! Keep it small and compact, and get rid of the tag along nonsense that just gets in the way. Clip it onto your belt buckle so it doesn't even get classed as hand luggage when you check in for that long awaited holiday. Happy snappy!This is not, nor do we claim it to be an official product of the brand that its designed to fit. All i-nique / Tuff-Luv cases are styled to our own designs and specifications.
Postage & Packaging:£3.95 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
To locate our camerasizing chart "Amazon help page", Either click oni-nique. Privacy ... more
Statementat the bottom left of the Amazon product page,orDispatched from and sold by i-nique(at the top left of the page)To access our camera matrix on our Amazon custom help pageWith many years of perfecting the art of mp3 / camera / PDA&phone case design, no doubt - you will not be disappointed with thisone. This is our top of the range leather case for your device.Beautifully hand made, made from the finest quality leather.Includes a removable swivel belt-clip and carabiner, with i-niqueClassic trademark metal button. Soft stylish interior lining&contrast stitching. You won't find a finer made camera case on themarket.This is not, nor do we claim it to be an official product of the brand that its designed to fit. All i-nique / Tuff-Luv cases are styled to our own designs and specifications.
Postage & Packaging:Check Site. Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Solid, light, reliable, good-looking, easy to use, a name you can trust Disadvantages: Guzzles batteries (as they all do), a bit slow to start up
...decision and opted for the Pentax Optio S50 in the end. This camera hadn't been out long back then.
Pentax lenses are, some say, the very best in the world, so I took this fact into consideration when choosing which camera to buy. As is the case these days, we are spoilt for choice as consumers with so many manufacturers vying for our custom. I feel I've made a wise choice in going for Pentax. After all, the better the lens, the better ... ...to mention is that the Pentax Optio S50 is so very easy-to-use. It has a nifty dial located at the top of the camera which allows you to select what you want with just a simple twist. The display is large, bright and clear. It has an easy-to-understand help menu which you can access when in either recording, or playback, mode. Simple explanations appear on-screen (there is also an instructional CD-ROM included if you want to swot up on what your ... more
Last Christmas I was getting ready to buy my first digital camera. I didn't know what features I wanted on it exactly, but I knew that I didn't want to spend more than £300... or less than £200. I did plenty of research online before making my decision and opted for the Pentax Optio S50 in the end. This camera hadn't been out long back then.
Pentax lenses are, some say, the very best in the world, so I took this fact into consideration when choosing which camera to buy. As is the case these days, we are spoilt for choice as consumers with so many manufacturers vying for our custom. I feel I've made a wise choice in going for Pentax. After all, the better the lens, the better the picture.
For £255, I got the camera, a 512mb memory card, a case, a wrist strap, all the necessary cables and software, two batteries and a charger. I was very pleased.
A year on, and God knows how many photos later, and it's as good as new. I can't fault it.
The most important thing to mention is that the Pentax Optio S50 is so very easy-to-use. It has a nifty dial located at the top of the camera which allows you to select what you want with just a simple twist. The display is large, bright and clear. It has an easy-to-understand help menu which you can access when in either recording, or playback, mode. Simple explanations appear on-screen (there is also an instructional CD-ROM included if you want to swot up on what your new camera can do). It really is great for those who are new to the delights of digital.
It's small (or should I say compact?) and light and looks great in a smooth and sleek aluminium alloy shell. It's clearly well made and sturdily built. It does look classy, even if I say so myself, and not at all cheap-looking, like so many others (I'm getting at you, Sony). The measurements are as follows: 3.5 inches x 2.3 inches x 1 inch. Small and easy to carry, it weighs just 180g when loaded and ready to use (that's including batteries, memory card and wrist strap).
Now for the jargon that I won't pretend to understand!
Internal flash, red-eye reduction, optical viewfinder, built-in colour monitor, self-timer, auto focus, manual focus, ISO, AF area… All I care about is that it's easy to use and takes crystal-clear images. The first time I copied my photos to my computer and opened them up one by one, I was shocked. They are huge and you can see everything! Blemishes, nostril hair, bloodshot eyes… You name it, you will see it when you view these sharp shots on your PC. It's fantastic.
It is a 5.0 (or 5.4 to be precise) mega pixel camera. Apparently, this larger figure indicates the number of light sensors on the imaging chip and the smaller - and most important - figure shows how many light sensors are actually used. The higher the number, the better the image. A mega pixel is a million pixels and with cameras that are capable of handling more than two million pixels, you can print your photo in A3 size without any noticeable impairment. This camera gives you five million pixels, so enough said.
It has a 1.8-inch TFT LCD screen which is clear and bright.
There are 13 shooting modes - one for practically every situation you might possibly find yourself in. For example, there is a mode for taking pictures of scenery, for taking pictures at night time, for taking pictures in overcast conditions etc. It only takes a second for you to select which you require and which is most appropriate for the conditions you find yourself in. With an easy icon so you know which setting is suitable for which scenario (i.e. a flower icon for taking pictures outside where you require lots of vibrant colours in your snap), it's a piece of cake to take great photos every time. Portrait, landscape and night scene modes are on the mode dial, too.
You can customise the camera so that it remembers your preferred, and more frequently used, options (such as size and image quality).
It has a digital filter, so you can shoot in black and white, sepia, and apply red, green and blue tints to your photos. Finding these options is simple using the easy-to-navigate menu and dial.
It has a 3x optical zoom lens. Incidentally, it has the famous Pentax 'sliding lens' system, which allows the lens to fully retract inside the camera when switched off.
You can choose between six image sizes ranging from 640x480 to 2560x1920, There are three different quality settings as well. The maximum image (resolution) size is 2560x1920 pixels. Do bear this in mind when choosing your camera because the higher the resolution, the higher the quality of the pictures.
It is PictBridge compatible, which means you can print straight from compatible printers without the need for a personal computer. As I have a relatively new Epson printer - as is the case with any printer that has a slot for memory cards - I don't need to connect the camera to my computer to edit and copy pictures. I merely take the memory card out of the camera and slot it into the printer. It's a doddle.
There's roughly 11mb of built-in memory inside the camera, but you can add to this by inserting a memory card. 11mb will only hold about a dozen pictures, I'd say, and that's not nearly enough.
The best bit, you ask? Well, you can record video… with sound. This is a fantastic feature and came in very handy when we had some (very light) snow on Christmas Day! Finally, undeniable proof of a white Christmas! I used it to capture my Mum's 50th birthday party and have highlights on my computer and disc. With the AV cable, everyone can watch on TV. How long you can record for depends on the memory card's capacity, of course, so if you want to use this camera as a video recorder, then you'll need a high capacity (and therefore more expensive) memory card.
You can record 30-second voice memos and attach them to images of your choosing (to remind you of where and when it was taken or to record background noise to help set the scene when showing off your pictures to family and friends).
I mentioned software. I got ACDSee 5.1 software included. This is all you need to view and edit your photos on your computer.
The camera also displays world time and has an alarm clock, apparently.
It requires two AA batteries. Be prepared to do a lot of re-charging, because they don't last for long... but I don't know anyone who owns a digital camera who doesn't say the same, so this is not unique to Pentax. You really get what you pay for with batteries, so don't buy cheap ones! Don't even consider alkaline batteries. You will need good quality rechargeable ones. Alternatively, you can buy an AC adapter to plug your camera to the mains and use electricity instead of batteries. This only costs £40 direct from Pentax.
Although you can use this camera without purchasing a memory card, you won't be able to store many pictures on the 11mb of built-in memory. I can store loads of pictures and videos on my 512mb card.
As mentioned earlier, you also get audio-video output (AV) cables so you can connect your camera to your TV and view your pictures and videos on your television set. You can also connect it to your computer with the USB cable that is also included.
Another of the extras that you can buy for the S50 is an acrylic waterproof case that allows you to take photographs underwater. I don't have one, myself. You can also get a tripod and a remote control (so no relying on the self-timer or scurrying back to get in the shot) if you're serious about your photography.
The only bad point is that it takes a short while to start up and for the shutter to open. But be fair, that's not bad. My mobile phone has the same 'problem', but when you consider what it can do, it's no wonder it takes a moment extra to get going. This isn't really worth mentioning, but it's the only disadvantage (other than battery life) that I could think of… and it's only slight one at that.
All in all, a fantastic camera and one I would heartily recommend to anyone, especially those who are looking for a good first digital camera. I can't fault it and would certainly buy another Pentax camera again.
Advantages: compact,well built,full manual control,excellent macro. Disadvantages: response could be a bit faster
...and online before purchasing a Pentax Optio s50. I paid £160 in the summer of 2005, which was a bargain then and it's probably a lot cheaper now.
The Good points:
I would call this camera a professional compact, it is small enough to fit in your pocket but with enough professional touches to make it a tool rather than a toy. For example you can attach it to a tripod, a lot of small silver compacts don't have that ability and show them up as being ... ...close to the lens, this creates harsh shadows and flattens the image as it is lit head on, this is just a down side of compacts in general.
Overall I am very happy with the camera, it serves me incredibly well. Will purchase from Pentax again. ...
victoriaelectra 09.11.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pentax Optio S50
Advantages: Wonderfully Small Disadvantages: Battery Life!!!
This camera has proven that it is not only ahead in its class but is also on the more affordable end of the 5 megapixel range.
The camera boasts a unique new sliding lens system which gives very smooth zooming and focusing. It is littered with functionality. I would even go so far as to say, too much!!
For the beginner into the world of digital photography this is a brilliant camera. I bought this camera for my partner and she has never batted ... ...a photographer, but with the pictures this camera produces you would swear she was. She has now leaped into photography with both feet and the camera now goes where ever she does.
The camera has the all important "point and shoot" function for those of us that don't quite understand focal length etc.. and the rotating dial on the top of the camera lets you choose just how involved you want the setup for a picture to be.
Internally the camera has ...
vette376 26.06.2005
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Pentax Optio S50
Advantages: Pratically everything: Simple, Cheap, Fun, Good Quality, Reliable, Robust, Compact.... Disadvantages: Battery life is very short.
The Pentax Optio S50 truly is a camera for everyone. It makes an ideal first camera, family camera, or hobby camera. I bought one, and was so impressed that I bought another for the rest of the family!
It is so easy to use: anyone can take a decent picture with ease. Although it is very clear and detailed, the instruction manual is useless: you'll never need it! Within minutes of buying the camera, I felt I had already mastered the basics, but it ... ...a Macro and Super Macro mode, settings for pictures of sunsets, text, snowy scenes...the list goes on!
The quality of pictures is very good considering its size and price. Although it is not quite up to a proffesional standard of picture quality, it is still enough. Five Megapixels is certainly sufficient for all but the most serious of photographers. The zoom is good, as is the flash.
Its size is astonishing. It has the characteristics of a big ...
HazKL003 11.07.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Pentax Optio S50
Advantages: Lightweight, simple to use, good range of features Disadvantages: Can be unreliable, prone to wear and tear
...a proud owner of a Pentax SLR. I bought this for two proposed reasons; I needed a digital camera to take candids and quick shots and also that it represented value for money with the exclusion of development costs.
The Pentax S50 is a lightweight, stylish 5Mp digital camera with 3x optical zoom that is easy to use yet is prone to damage (as I found out after wrestling with my brother) and can be unreliable depending on the AA battery used. My recommendation ... ...cost (£15) is worth it in the long run as it saves you the frustration of missing out on some photo opportunities. I also recommend upgrading the flash memory card to at least 256 Mb (the default memory is 16 Mb). I found that it is tiresome to run out of space when using the highest quality image settings on the very simple to follow menus. It is also worth investing in a flash card as you can remove it for quick processing should any of your snaps ...
edmundreid 14.04.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Pentax Optio S50
Advantages: SO easy to use, light, compact etc Disadvantages: Battery use
What a fab camera!
With 5 Megapixels this lovely small camera is fantastic for the complete digital photography virgin as well as those with slightly more knowledge
It has a 3x optical zoom, with 'point and shoot' function. There is a dial on the top of the camera, which lets the user choose from all the different functions - these include; video (with sound), voice recorder, sunset etc
This one also has an 11 MB internal memory - handy when you've ... ...of these cameras - it uses batteries like they're going out of fashion. I've tried high energy AA batteries and they last for hardly any time. I've tried rechargeables and the camera wouldn't work at all BUT I've just been told there is a camera battery available for it
The manual was another disappointment. It's on the CD ROM so if you want a hard copy you have to print it out yourself. I've got a PC (obviously) but what about people like my elderly ...
lamoon1 12.07.2005
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Pentax Optio S50
A successor to the popular Optio S40, the PENTAX Optio S50 offers an easy-to-use help function menu to help guide digital newcomers through the camera's array of digital features. With the superior imaging capability of 5.0 effective megapixels and a generous 1.8-inch LCD monitor, the Optio S50 is equipped with a handy mode dial that allows users to select one of nine modes with a simple turn. Two AA batteries power the Optio S50 making it a perfect travel choice. Other easy-to-use features include 13 shooting modes to match any scene at hand and a menu display enlargement function. The Optio S50 also is PictBridge compatible to allow direct printing to compatible printers. While positioned as a perfect choice for new digital users, the Optio S50 offers uncompromized image quality. The camera incorporates an smc PENTAX lens that delivers crystal clear images, a high-resolution CCD with 5.36 total megapixels, and a 12-bit A/D converter that achieves smooth reproduction for gradations.
