Pentax Optio S55 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Product Description

Enjoy diverse digital functions with very simple operation; simply turn the handy mode dial to select from 6 still imageshooting modes. Use the Help function to display explanations of button functions for shooting and playback, making it easy to understand and operate the camera even without the manual. Outstanding image quality thanks to a 1/2.5-inch primary color 5 megapixel CCD, 3X optical PENTAX lens and high-performance ASIC. Easy capture easy review with the Large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor. Use the Magnification feature to enlarge text on the menu screen. Strap O-ST20 Software (CD-ROM) Operating manual Serial number card Service network directory Type - Programmed AE electronic lens shutter with CCD electronic shutter Shutter Speed - Approx. 1/2000 - 4 seconds Digital Filter Capture - Black & White, Sepia, Red, Green, Blue, B&W + Red, B&W + Green, B&W + Blue, 2 in 1, Panorama assist Storage Media - Approx 11MB built-in memory, SD memory card removable LCD Monitor - 2.5 inch, TFT color LCD LCD Resolution - Approx. 115,000 pixels Playback Modes - File - Single, Index- Nine image PictBridge - One image printing, All image printing, DPOF auto print. You don't need a PC, just a PictBridge compatible photo printer to print pictures directly from your digital camera. Enjoy easy digital printing without a PC! PictBridge was created to make printing digital photos even easier and more accessible. Printer not included Language - English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese Power Source - One Lithium battery CR-V3 (allows approximately 370 shots), or two AA batteries (Lithium, alkaline, nickel and rechargeable Ni-MH), Optional AC adaptor kit Camera Casing - Aluminum alloy Dimensions - Width 3.5 x Height 2.3 x Depth 1.1 Inch Weight - 4.8 oz. (130g) without battery and SD memory card, 6.5 oz. (180g) loaded and ready Mac Requirements OS - Mac

Customer Reviews:

The good, the bad and the ugly..........2006-06-30

This was my first digital camera. I chose the Pentax S55 for the following reasons:

The GOOD:
+Price
+Standard SD memory
+Standard batteries (no charger included)
+ under ideal conditions, the camera seems to take very nice pictures
+Camera's LCD is much larger than many of the others.
+Quick recharge response time for the flash.
+ Camera survived a fall from a bedside table to the floor (2ft) and continued to operate for 6 months.

The BAD:
- no view finder - makes it near impossible to be sure if your subject is in the frame while in the sunlight.
- Using the flash discharges standard and lower rated rechargeable batteries immediately.
+after purchasing the highest rated rechargeable batteries it performed much better.
- when lighting is not at it's optimum and subject is in slight motion, it's near impossible to get a shot in focus.
I tried to use the manual focus but not much better. You must be very close to your subject, if it's in motion, or have the very best lighting.
- While handling both a soft and semi hard Pentax case or when the case was stored in a backpack or purse, the power button was easy to engage through the case and caused the lens to extract and then automatically retract after sensing the pressure against the assembly.
-Until....I opened the case one day and found the lens half extracted and the camera would no longer operate. Apparently the power button had been triggered once again, but this time it failed to automatically retract the lens. The only way I could to avoid this is to remove the batteries while it's in the case (not exactly ideal for taking quick pictures) or buy a HARD case (Pentax doesn't offer one...)

THE UGLY:
I sent the camera in for warranty repair, with a note explaining what happened. I received a letter from Pentax explaining the camera was not covered under warranty due to "excessive impact or pressure" and that $108.00 was required to fix it ($38.00 parts $60.00 labor.)

When I called Pentax they explained that the camera had fine scratches on the case, which indicated it had been neglected. I agreed that it most likely did have a few scratches but was unable to comprehend how that would cause the camera to quit functioning. After closer inspection, they said the camera also had a nick in the plastic case which I presume occurred when it fell two feet to the floor(not carpeted) from the bedside table (six months prior.) I explained to Pentax the camera had been used frequently in the past six months, and again the camera most likely quit working since the power button had been engaged while it was in the Pentax case. They held firm that while that may be so, the camera had fine scratches and a small nick and was not covered.

Hear is the deal, if the camera fell to the floor and it quit working: MY BAD, call it a day and buy a new camera.

If the camera's power button is too easy to engage, even while in the Pentax case and damages the lens assembly: THEIR BAD, call it a day and buy a new camera (but not without letting you guys know first : )

best CAMERA i ever have, compare with "Sony P100".......2006-04-18

i have using this carmera, for couple month and i also selling in my shop, i feel great vision with 2.5 inch LCD also provide great quility of picture, i have detial compare with Sony P100, in many way are the same, but why we have to pay more for a good quility of Camera. even the size of LCD is much better than Sony, and easy to use for starter to take pro-pictures.

Optio is a great line........2006-01-09

Wait for the Optio A10 8M, but beware. Some unscrupulous dealers are charging way more than Pentax Camera's published retail price of "Below $350." Pentax says release is scheduled for February 2006. A10 is an awesome camera.

out of focus.......2005-11-19

I received this camera yesterday, and I am going to return it now.
The exterior designe is nice in my opinion, though I would like to have an optical viewfinder as an option.
The picture quality is extremely poor.
Apparently, the only way to get them in focus is to use manual focus mode.
I am quite surprised with this because my Pentax Optio33WR(3.2MP) after 2 years of use is doing just fine even in relatively dark conditions.

It is possible that the camera I got was simply defective.

Bravo, Pentax........2005-08-15

I bought the Pentax S55 after my previous digital camera (a 4mp Sony Cybershot) was stolen. It took me several months to find what I wanted. I had never owned Pentax, so needless to say, I put in my research. While it was slightly more than I wanted to spend, it was what I wanted and I purchased it.

The camera, at first, was not liked. I didn't like the picture quality, flash, or shutter speed. After reading the booklet, I discovered how to change these and now love my camera more than my previous Sony. It was definately worth the money.

A note of caution - the 2.5 LCD is WONDERFUL. However, rechargable batteries are a must. THERE IS NO OPTICAL VIEWFINDER (which some people, myself included, do not need). The battery life is decent, but I feel there is not enough warning before the capacity has reached 'low'.

Also- a memory card of 156 or above is necessary for this camera. The bigger, the better - at least in my mind.

Overall- I was extremely happy with this camera, it is compact, has an excellent zoom, an incredible flash (I took a picture during a blackout and it was not apparent that there was a blackout), a large screen and marvelous picture quality. The only reason this camera did not recieve 5 stars was due to a shutter speed slightly slower than I wanted, but still is very workable.

Average customer rating:
Orion 20mm Sirius Plossl 1.25" Eyepiece

Manufacturer: ORION
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

Binoculars | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics
Telescopes | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics
Eyepieces | Telescope Accessories | Telescopes | Optics | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics
Plossl | Eyepieces | Telescope | Accessories | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics
Product Features:

This 20mm eyepiece is ideal for all types of telescopes: reflector, refractor, and catadioptric

Offers a 50 degree apparent field of view for clear, sharp images of impressively high contrast

Fully coated with magnesium fluoride on every air-to-glass surface

Excels for low power scanning of open star clusters and viewing of nebulas and larger galaxies

One-year limited warranty

ASIN: B0000XMWV2

Product Description

With a wide 50-degree apparent field (43-degree for the 40mm), our Sirius Plossl line of eyepieces provide clear, sharp images of impressively high contrast. They're suitable all telescope types: reflector, refractor, and catadioptric. Each 4-element Sirius Plossl is fully coated with magnesium fluoride on every air-to-glass surface. Lens edges are blackened to reduce scattering of stray light and maximize contrast. Lenses are mounted in black anodized aluminum housings with 1.25" chrome-plated brass barrels. Each is fitted with rubber eyeguards and internally threaded to accept standard filters.

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