The Pentax Optio S5z, a 5 megapixel compact camera with a 1/2.5-inch CCD, 3x zoom, and a 2.5-inch LCD, is the smallest camera in Pentax’s Optio S line at 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches and 4.2 ounces. It’s also the most expensive, with an MSRP of $349.95, though online prices range from $270 to $350. It’s about $50 more than Pentax’s Optio S55, and about $120 more than the Optio S45.
Like the other cameras in the Optio S line, the S5z is clad in a bright aluminum alloy, and features the Pentax Sliding Lens system, which allows the lens to retract fully when the camera is shut off. Also like other cameras in the S line, the Optio S5z is very easy to use. Pentax’s slogan for the cameras is in fact, “No experience required,” and they deliver.
The Pentax S5z surprised us with its substandard color performance, earning just a 3.73 overall color score. Many colors produced by the camera were extremely under-saturated, resulting in a dull overall color pallet, while others stayed completely from their intended hue. Cooler tones, namely tones in the blue and green channels, were grossly inaccurate, and some orange tones shifted colors to near white (#16 and green #11). While many compact digital cameras earn low scores on color accuracy tests, none we’ve tested so far have strayed so significantly from the ideal tones. The S5z, like many compact cameras, will consistently produce images with inaccurate color tones; however, the problem is severe enough on the S5z to render many of the produced images unusable.
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It is getting increasingly difficult to know what to write about Pentax’s ever-expanding line of five megapixel compacts. The range now consists of no less than nine models, all very similar in both specification and appearance. The new Optio S5z joins the S5n, S5i, SV, SVi, S50, 50, and S55, as well as the Optio WP and Optio X, all of which sport 5MP sensors and either 3x or 5x optical zoom lenses, and range in price from around £112 to just over £200. Only detail differences in such things as LCD monitor size, battery type and a few special features differentiate most of these cameras. Pentax leads the market in ultra-compact digital cameras so one has to assume that it knows what it’s doing, but it certainly doesn’t make the reviewer’s job particularly easy.
In the case of the £198 Optio S5z, the main feature distinguishing it from the virtually identical S5n is its big 2.5in monitor. To accommodate such a big screen on such a small camera the case has been partially redesigned and is 3mm taller and 1mm thicker than its predecessor, but the size and position of the lens, flash, AF illuminator and self-timer indicator are unchanged. The extra height comes from the curvature of the previously flat top panel, but the positions of the on/off button and shutter release are identical to the previous model.
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Pentax seems to be taking the penta in its name to heart these days. With no fewer than six 5-megapixel models on the market, the company contributes even more than most manufacturers to this burgeoning group of digital cameras. The lead entry is the Pentax Optio S5z, a pocket-size camera offering a 3X optical zoom, high-resolution movies, and a large LCD. The Pentax’s feature set goes a step beyond point-and-shoot but lacks the manual exposure controls that would take the Optio S5z to the next level.
Although not quite small enough to fit into an Altoids tin like the original Optio S (we tried and it’s just a hair too large), the Pentax Optio S5z is small and sleek, weighing in at 5 ounces with its tiny battery and an SD/MMC card installed. Even though the Optio S5z is basically a rectangle with curved corners, it’s quite attractive. Aluminum alloy gives the digital camera a solid build, and there are no parts or pieces that will snap or fall off; we especially like the tiny sliding doors that cover the PC, A/V, and DC connections.
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The Optio S5z is an ultra compact digital camera. This type of camera is very small and slips easily into a pocket or small bag. You can take it anywhere ready for a quick photo opportunity. The Optio S5z is a five megapixel model with a three times optical zoom lens. This is a fairly standard set up for an ultra compact camera.
Operating the camera is straightforward and it is likely to appeal to the casual photography who takes photos for fun rather than a more serious photographer.
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Following in the footsteps of the popular Optio “S” series, the Optio S5z features the highest megapixel count in this ultra-compact series, with 5.0 effective megapixels and a 3X optical zoom lens. It features a stylish design in an ultra-compact, lightweight, alimnum alloy body. The Pentax digital advantage doesn’t stop there. Equipped with PictBridge technology, the Optio S5z can connect directly to any PictBridge compatible printer, so you may print images without the need for a PC.
Featuring Pentax’s legendary smc optical zoom lens and their unique Sliding Lens system that allows the lens to retract fully inside the camera when it is powered off. The Optio S5z is sleek and compact enough to carry everywhere. With the optional acrylic waterproof housing, everywhere may well include the exciting world of underwater digital photography! For optimal results it features both Marine Picture and Marine Movie modes to correctly capture the underwater colors.
Despite its size, the Optio S5z is packed with features found only on larger digital cameras; Records VGA MPEG-4 video at 30fps with sound up to the capacity of the memory card, built-in movie editing features, a voice recording mode that also allows for attaching 30-second memos to selected images, a large 2.5-inch color LCD monitor with 100% coverage, selectable metering modes, white balance settings, exposure compensation, approximately 10MB of built-in memory expandable with any size SD card, audio-video output for display on TV sets and USB connectivity with your computer.
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