Digital Photography Blog: Digital Camera Reviews, Ratings, News, Tips and Tutorials.
February 2009
January 2009
August 2008
July 2008
April 2008
March 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
Digital Camera Reviews and Ratings By manufacturer:
Canon | Casio | Fuji | HP | Kodak | Minolta | Nikon | Olympus | Panasonic | Pentax | Samsung | Sony | Misc. | Accessories | Lenses
The Pentax Optio S6 is a 6.0 megapixel (CCD) digital camera with a 3x Optical Zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD (232,000 pixels) and slim line design (just 19mm thin). It's a PictBridge compatible camera with high speed continuous shooting at 1.6 frames per second.
Compare prices on the Pentax Optio S6 and Get the latest price on thePentax Optio S6 at Amazon.
Pentax Optio S6
Through taking an entirely new approach to lens design, PENTAX presents the OptioS6 with an impressively slim body depth of a mere 19mm. Yet despite being exceptionally slim, the OptioS6 also features a powerful 3X optical zoom lens and delivers the shooting performance of 6.0 effective megapixels.
Penta Optio S6 Major features
1. A new design for new, slimmer dimensions
A fresh approach to the design of the lens unit including the PENTAX Sliding Lens System* has enabled the OptioS6 to be created with exceptionally compact dimensions. In fact, through the use of glass-molded aspherical lenses which are concave on both sides, a thinner CCD, a fully flat backside of the lens unit and other advances, the entire lens unit has a depth that is a full 2mm thinner than our conventional unit. High-level engineering expertise has also been applied to influencing the dimensions of the body, with high-density mounting and the strategic use of internal space realizing a body depth of only 19mm.
*PENTAX�s proprietary lens system which offsets the central lens groups from the optical lens axis and houses the lens in two steps in the lens cylinder for minimized overall body depth.
2. Large, easy-to-view LCD monitor
Despite its new slim body design, the OptioS6 incorporates a large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor that offers the clarity of 232,000 total pixels. And because it is a Beau-Reflective monitor (low-reflection type) with a built-in backlighting mechanism, it can be viewed easily and clearly even outdoors in sunny weather. As a result, the OptioS6 makes it easy to compose shots, playback recorded images for confirmation and select functions through smooth menu navigation.
3. High image quality
Employing a 1/2.5-inch primary color CCD, the OptioS6 delivers outstanding 6.0 effective megapixel performance. It also boasts an smc PENTAX lens that makes use of PENTAX original coating to achieve minimized ghosting and flare, a high-performance ASIC* that delivers refined image processing, and new improved noise reduction with the power to deliver true-to-life color gradation and rich texture, even at high sensitivities.
*Application Specific Integrated Circuit.
4. Mode Palette displays all icons at once
The Mode palette enables the display of multiple mode icons for shooting and playback on the LCD monitor simultaneously � a factor that has earned it praise on other Optio models for the level of operational ease this entails.
On the OptioS6, it allows the user to select from the diverse range of 15 shooting mode icons and 14 playback icons in an instant. And because the Palette mode display is translucent, the user can make his or her selection while still being able to view the image on the screen.
5. Stylish design that exudes a sense of quality
Featuring a combination of fine spindle treatment, a unique blast process effect, and a metal band at its upper end, the aluminum alloy exterior of the OptioS6 exudes a sense of high quality while also feeling attractive to the touch. Plated parts have been added for the grip and the area surrounding the lens � adding an appealing luster which accentuates the camera�s overall elegance. And the connectors and battery compartment have all been grouped together on one side to minimize protrusions and maintain the clean, attractive lines. Stylish enough to be worn as an accessory, yet delivering the power to take impressive images, the OptioS6 is equally ideal for travel, leisure, snapshots and business use.
6. Movie anti-shake function for high-quality action
Offering movie shooting with 640x480 recording pixels at a swift rate of 30fps (frames per second), the OptioS6 delivers smooth movies with camcorder quality. The OptioS6 also offers the advantage of DivX MPEG-4* image compression that makes it possible to shoot movies of a longer duration, while a useful movie anti-shake** function makes results noticeably more stable.
* Movie playback is not supported by Macintosh.
** Selection of the movie anti-shake function results in an angle of view narrower than that experienced in normal shooting.
7. Tracking AF
Not all subjects are willing to stand still and say �Cheese!� Fortunately, the OptioS6 features tracking AF* which can track a moving subject around the frame, while maintaining precise focus for pin-sharp results. Adding further convenience, this mode is automatically activated upon selection of Sport and Pet modes.
* Tracking AF continually detects both horizontal and vertical movement of the main subject to ensure sharp focus at the desired moment. Confirmation of the focus area can be done on the focus frame on the LCD monitor.
8. Other features
1) High-speed continuous shooting at up to 1.6 frames per second
2) Approx. 23MB built-in memory; SD memory card compatible
3) Candlelight mode allows high-sensitivity shooting at a Standard Output Sensitivity of 800.
4) Built-in AF spotbeam (on/off switching possible)
5) Frame composite function allows frames to be added at time of shooting
6) Pan focus function for easy snapshots
7) Convenient image rotation function for easy confirmation of vertical shots
8) Standard image viewer, ACDSee for PENTAX software
9) FotoNation�s red-eye compensation function for flash shots
10) UBS2.0 (HI-SPEED) compatible
11) DPOF function, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III compatible
12) PictBridge compatible
CNET has posted a review of the Pentax Optio S6 which they give a rating of 6.8 (Good). They describe the performance of the Optio S6 as - 'The aluminum-alloy, 6-megapixel Pentax Optio S6--which the company bills as small enough to fit inside a tin of Altoids (it will also fit inside a pack of cigarettes, if that's your weakness)--is a well-designed digital camera that will please casual shooters with its ease of use and build quality. Though some photo-quality shortcomings and sluggish shooting mar its overall value, Pentax's slimmest offering is a good choice for anyone looking for a pocketable camera that produces decent snapshots and looks great while doing it.'
Steves Digicams reviews the Pentax Optio S6 digital camera and writes - 'Like some of its predecessors, the Pentax Optio S6 offers some appealing features like its extremely pocketable size, all-metal construction and 6-megapixel sensor. It's not quite the performer we had hoped it wold be and like I stated above, image quality is average. While it comes with approx. 23MB of internal memory, there is no SD memory card included. And with the average file size of its 6-megapixel images being around 2.2MB, we strongly recommend you add at least a 256MB SD card to your purchase; you'll thanks us in the long run. At about $350, the S6 doesn't offer that good of a value, and we would recommend you look at some similar models like Sony's Cyber-shot P200, Casio's Exilim EX-Z750 or Canon's PowerShot SD550 just to name a few which can be found for about the same price. All of these will offer you better image quality and performance, but still allow you to tuck it away in almost any size pocket or purse.'
DigiCamReview has posted a review of the Pentax Optio S6 and writes - 'The Pentax Optio S6 is an ultra compact digital camera featuring 6 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens, and a high resolution 2.5� screen. The easy to use camera offers several useful scene modes and features such as custom white balance, manual focusing, panoramic assist. The cameras MPEG4 / DIVX video mode is good as it allows you to fit longer videos on your memory card, however battery life is an Achilles heel in this regard as you are limited to a maximum recording time of 50 minutes, and then the battery goes flat! Image quality was good outdoors, but poor indoors due to focusing problems and the flash overexposing the subject. Overall, this camera is a mixed bag - if style, size and features are a priority then have a look at this camera, however I believe there are better ultra compact digital cameras out there.'
Trusted Reviews has reviewed the Pentax Optio S6 and writes - 'If you�re looking for an ultra-compact camera that can deliver good quality pictures with a minimum of fuss, the Optio S6 should certainly be near the top of your list. It is well made, attractively designed, and is one of the smallest and lightest cameras on the market. It has enough options to cope with virtually any shooting conditions, and its excellent low light focusing and flash performance are a big bonus. Considering its very competitive price and the S6 is hard to beat.'
Posted by Darren in our Pentax category on September 01, 2005