Anyone picked up an Optio S4i yet?

melvard · Apr 1, 2004

Hi DeucesWilde,

Care to post some indoor shots for us? I bet we are all hungry to see it!

I preferred S4i over Canon SD110, Panasonic FX-1 but just needed some confirmation.

Would like to know
1) Indoor flash shot's quality (is there selection for slow sync flash?)
2) continuous shot, how many shots per second?

3) any significant difference in picture quality by changing ISO and EV for the same shot? (some said not much for S4)

Thanks!
Melvard

DeucesWilde said:
My pictures all seem to turn out pretty well, in low light settings
there is a decent amount of noise when the image is magnified to
its original size but it looks fine if sized down a little bit.

1. What type of pictures are you taking?

2. What is the lighting like when you take these pictures

3. What settings do you use? One of the camera's built in scene
modes or custom settings?

Cmo1 · Apr 1, 2004

I'm taking pictures in gloomy, cloudy weather and also indoors with flourescent lighting. I'm trying out the different preset modes that the camera comes with and also messing around with the different white balance settings "sunlight" "shade" etc.

I might be too critical of the pictures, I'm looking at them at the original size and I see a lot of noise. I'm taking most of my pictures at 1024 and Three Stars (highest level).

Is the GREEN mode any good?!? I want to try and program the quick button to a custom setting, any tips?

DeucesWilde, could I see some of your S4i pics?

DeucesWilde said:
1. What type of pictures are you taking?

2. What is the lighting like when you take these pictures

3. What settings do you use? One of the camera's built in scene
modes or custom settings?

DeucesWilde said:

Cmo1 said:

I'm an amateur, but my pictures seem very noisy and gloomy looking.
The weather hasn't been great here for the past few days, so I have
yet to try my camera out in good sun light, but my pictuers are
incredibly noisy. Any tips?

I'm thinking I should have went with the bigger/heavier cannon
S410.....

What do you folks think?

John McCormack said:

EA22 said:

So the s4i is larger then the s4? They didn't have the S4 in stock
so i couldn't compare. Though the s40 looked much bigger(thicker)
then the s4i--

Click to expand...

I compared the S4i and S4 side-by-side in a store today. They look
almost identical in size. I found both way too small for my average
size hands. There just isn't enough mass to hold the camera steady,
especially if you try to use the squinty (pathetic) little
viewfinder. Also, your right thumb falls naturally over the zoom
controller and zooms the lens when you don't want it to.

Other controls and features are nice, however.

John McCormack
Trying to like digital but still in love with my Contax T3

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

hoogey · Apr 2, 2004

Thanx!!!

Then I just wonder about the shot-to-shot and continuous-mode performance!

Anyone?

DeucesWilde said:
2. No, the cradle just charges, there is no computer connection,
they include a separate cord for that. Personally I like the
cradle style charger even though it isn't really loads more useful,
it is still better than removing the batteries to charge like Nikon
does and it involves no connecting, just slip it in the cradle.

3. Haven't tested shot to shot\continuous yet.

hoogey said:

…about the S4i

1. Can’t find an answer to the previous question whether the camera
is actually charging in the cradle, or if you have to take the
battery out and charge it separately. Does anyone know?

2. I understand the cradle doesn’t connect to the computer! Is this
really correct? Seems kind of unnecessary with a cradle in that
case!

3. Has anyone tested the continuous-mode or the shot-to-shot
performance on the camera? Would be nice if it has been improved!

hoogey

Click to expand...

--
hoogey

EA22 · Apr 2, 2004

Hi- What do you mean by lightly crimping the two shorter sides? If you do that, will it fit so that the tin closes and you can actually use it as a case? Also... if you put mole skin around the sides, how did you get the box to close? i found it to be a tight fit and the top def. did not close, nor did i want to try and force it. Please let me know. It's a gift and i'd LOVE to give it in an Altoids tin that closes and is lined with something soft.

Thanks.

Johnny Roaster said:
I just picked up an S4i and love it. It will fit into an Altoids
can if you lightly crimp the two shorter sides. I used some mole
skin around the sides but nothing top or bottom.

I also picked up a Canon S500. My Dad is going to buy whichever
one I don't keep. So far I like the Pentax for size and function.
The Canon has better resolution but I don't like the power button.
You have to hold it down for about two seconds. It may be me, but
I have also gotten a lot of pictures that are out of focus with the
Canon.

EA22 · Apr 2, 2004

Hi- A friend of mine sent me a link to a great memory card for my new s4i- It looks like it will be about $43.00 after rebate. Anyone know if this card will do the trick for this camera.. and if there are any other memory cards that are less expensive? I'm not too familiar with cameras or memory cards for that matter- Do you know if i have to be very specific in buying a memory card for the s4i... or will any old memory card do? Thanks.

EA22 · Apr 2, 2004

oops... here is the link...

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=763471

EA22 said:
Hi- A friend of mine sent me a link to a great memory card for my
new s4i- It looks like it will be about $43.00 after rebate. Anyone
know if this card will do the trick for this camera.. and if there
are any other memory cards that are less expensive? I'm not too
familiar with cameras or memory cards for that matter- Do you know
if i have to be very specific in buying a memory card for the
s4i... or will any old memory card do? Thanks.

Allen Chang192550 · Apr 2, 2004

Yeap, that will work just fine. But this one will cost you $1 less,

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?DPNo=144985&adcampaign=email,ewb05289

EA22 said:
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=763471

EA22 said:

Hi- A friend of mine sent me a link to a great memory card for my
new s4i- It looks like it will be about $43.00 after rebate. Anyone
know if this card will do the trick for this camera.. and if there
are any other memory cards that are less expensive? I'm not too
familiar with cameras or memory cards for that matter- Do you know
if i have to be very specific in buying a memory card for the
s4i... or will any old memory card do? Thanks.

Click to expand...

EA22 · Apr 2, 2004

Thanks so much!! (A dollar, a dream, right?) But I heard that Viking Memory Cards have given Pentax Camera users problems. I called Pentax and they told me to just buy a Lexar, but of course, the Lexar is much more expensive. Has anyone else had a bad experience using a Viking Memory Card?...Any suggestions on what type is the "best".. or works flawlessly with a Pentax s4i?

Allen Chang said:
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?DPNo=144985&adcampaign=email,ewb05289

EA22 said:

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=763471

EA22 said:

Hi- A friend of mine sent me a link to a great memory card for my
new s4i- It looks like it will be about $43.00 after rebate. Anyone
know if this card will do the trick for this camera.. and if there
are any other memory cards that are less expensive? I'm not too
familiar with cameras or memory cards for that matter- Do you know
if i have to be very specific in buying a memory card for the
s4i... or will any old memory card do? Thanks.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Johnny Roaster · Apr 2, 2004

Hello EA,

If you take an Altoids tin and flatten out the lip of the tin on the inside with some pliers paying close attention to the corners. Then line the side walls of the tin with mole skin cut to the height of the inside of the tin but skip the corners. Don't put any mole skin on the lide or the bottom of the tin. You may need to slightly bend out the short side of the tin where the anchor for the wrist strap goes. The lid should close enough to stay shut. I am going to try and find another tin just slightly larger than a standard altoids tin. Go to a good candy store and see if you can find something about the same size but with a bit more depth to it. It would be nice to have some padding top and bottom. I'll let you know if I find anything that works.

Good luck. I will try to post a picture when I have a chance.

EA22 said:
Thanks.

Johnny Roaster said:

I just picked up an S4i and love it. It will fit into an Altoids
can if you lightly crimp the two shorter sides. I used some mole
skin around the sides but nothing top or bottom.

I also picked up a Canon S500. My Dad is going to buy whichever
one I don't keep. So far I like the Pentax for size and function.
The Canon has better resolution but I don't like the power button.
You have to hold it down for about two seconds. It may be me, but
I have also gotten a lot of pictures that are out of focus with the
Canon.

Click to expand...

muzzle · Apr 2, 2004

First post - thought I should post some pics since I found this forum very useful in deciding to buy my s4i.

I took these pics in my lunch break on the first day of having the camera. I just shot them using the camera's 'program mode' as I am just learning how to use the advanced functions.

http://www.pbase.com/muzzle/first_shots

EA22 · Apr 2, 2004

Hey Johnny Roaster,

Thanks so much for the tip. I'll grab a pair of pliers and try that myself. it's funny that you say you bought the Canon s500 as well. I was debating between those exact two cameras, but finally decided on the Pentax because of it's size and weight. You know what? I think you're right about just finding a slightly larger tin. It beats all the work one has to put into forming the Altoids tin. And not having anything light the top and bottom of the tin makes me uneasy. Wouldn't want to scratch the LCD monitor- In either case, thanks so much for the tip. Have fun with the new cameras!

EA22

Johnny Roaster said:
Good luck. I will try to post a picture when I have a chance.

EA22 said:

Thanks.

Johnny Roaster said:

I just picked up an S4i and love it. It will fit into an Altoids
can if you lightly crimp the two shorter sides. I used some mole
skin around the sides but nothing top or bottom.

I also picked up a Canon S500. My Dad is going to buy whichever
one I don't keep. So far I like the Pentax for size and function.
The Canon has better resolution but I don't like the power button.
You have to hold it down for about two seconds. It may be me, but
I have also gotten a lot of pictures that are out of focus with the
Canon.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

DeucesWilde · Apr 3, 2004

Ok guys sorry I haven't posted any pictures yet. I've been taking a lot of pictures to try and match your requests but I don't have a place to upload them to. I'll probably sign up for a pbase account pretty soon but if there are any other suggestions.

So far what I have are

1. Overcast outdoors pictures: infinity landscape, green mode, macro, super macro, misc.

2. Indoors shot: random indoors shots w/ different white balance and a few portraits, as well as low light indoors shots w/ flash.

3. Outdoors: several super macro as well as just a whole assortment of outdoors pictures, taken in good light in several different modes.

Any other suggestions\requests\questions are welcome

mvb123 · Apr 3, 2004

Thanks, now your post can be useful to others!
Especially for such a small camera these are nice sharp pics.

Menno

muzzle said:
First post - thought I should post some pics since I found this
forum very useful in deciding to buy my s4i.

I took these pics in my lunch break on the first day of having the
camera. I just shot them using the camera's 'program mode' as I am
just learning how to use the advanced functions.

http://www.pbase.com/muzzle/first_shots

Parham · Apr 3, 2004

Try bytephoto.com

It's free and you can link your pictures here.

Cheers.

DeucesWilde said:
Ok guys sorry I haven't posted any pictures yet. I've been taking
a lot of pictures to try and match your requests but I don't have a
place to upload them to. I'll probably sign up for a pbase account
pretty soon but if there are any other suggestions.

So far what I have are

1. Overcast outdoors pictures: infinity landscape, green mode,
macro, super macro, misc.

2. Indoors shot: random indoors shots w/ different white balance
and a few portraits, as well as low light indoors shots w/ flash.

3. Outdoors: several super macro as well as just a whole assortment
of outdoors pictures, taken in good light in several different
modes.

Any other suggestions\requests\questions are welcome

--

Someday we'll look back at this, laugh nervously, and then change the subject.

http://www.pbase.com/parham

Dewdrop1 · Apr 3, 2004

DeucesWilde said:
Ok guys sorry I haven't posted any pictures yet. I've been taking
a lot of pictures to try and match your requests but I don't have a
place to upload them to. I'll probably sign up for a pbase account
pretty soon but if there are any other suggestions.

I have Comcast broadband and they provide space for your own web site which can also be used for simple file uploading. So, when I want to post some images, I upload them to a "Photos" folder on the Comcast server and then simply put the links in my posts. It works great. As a matter of fact, I did that in this thread in response to a question about the charging base.

Dewdrop

DeucesWilde · Apr 3, 2004

Just a heads up for anyone whos interested, Butterfly Photo has the S4i for $327.00 and w/ free shipping. I've never ordered from them so I can't attest to their quality but they got a five-star rating from CNET. Anyway. here's the link.

http://www2.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=cnet&sku=OPTIOS4I

Alex Ball148753 · Apr 4, 2004

I would be interested to know if the movie mode is any better than the original Optio S. I note that the S4i uses AVI files while the S used MOV files. I was disappointed in the video quality of the S but happy with the camera in every other way (except the tiny joystick button which I am pleased to see has gone)

I lost my Optio S and I am trying to decide whether to replace it with the S4i or to wait for the Sony W1 and sacrifice a bit of size and weight for much better movie mode. (Canon still lacks a steaming solution capable of unlimited length in their pocketable IXUS range)

As you can see I am not a in the purist camp who's moto is "Buy a video camera if you want movies". I am an advocate of convergence in these technologies as I am into alpine climbing adventures in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Why lug two devices around when the technology exists to combine them into 1?

DeucesWilde said:
Ok guys sorry I haven't posted any pictures yet. I've been taking
a lot of pictures to try and match your requests but I don't have a
place to upload them to. I'll probably sign up for a pbase account
pretty soon but if there are any other suggestions.

So far what I have are

1. Overcast outdoors pictures: infinity landscape, green mode,
macro, super macro, misc.

2. Indoors shot: random indoors shots w/ different white balance
and a few portraits, as well as low light indoors shots w/ flash.

3. Outdoors: several super macro as well as just a whole assortment
of outdoors pictures, taken in good light in several different
modes.

Any other suggestions\requests\questions are welcome

Johnny Roaster · Apr 4, 2004

Alex,

I think the quality of the movies on the S4i is pretty decent. I also just got a Canon S500. It will record up to 3 minutes but in 640x480, the memory gets eaten up pretty quickly. I can't see any reason to have a clip over 3 minutes. I would be happy to send you a sample movie from either camera.

I chose to keep the S4i and sold the S500 to a friend. For me, the image quality was fine from the S4i and I like the features and size better. I don't know anything about the Sony. In general, the memory sticks seem overpriced to me.

Alex Ball said:
I would be interested to know if the movie mode is any better than
the original Optio S. I note that the S4i uses AVI files while the
S used MOV files. I was disappointed in the video quality of the S
but happy with the camera in every other way (except the tiny
joystick button which I am pleased to see has gone)

I lost my Optio S and I am trying to decide whether to replace it
with the S4i or to wait for the Sony W1 and sacrifice a bit of size
and weight for much better movie mode. (Canon still lacks a
steaming solution capable of unlimited length in their pocketable
IXUS range)

As you can see I am not a in the purist camp who's moto is "Buy a
video camera if you want movies". I am an advocate of convergence
in these technologies as I am into alpine climbing adventures in
the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Why lug two devices around when
the technology exists to combine them into 1?

Sa7724473 · Apr 4, 2004

Those guys are apparently part of a specifc NY-based group that operates under sevral website names and is not the most relaible. Tose review sites can be (and often are) rigged by sending in self-reviews. Read through the detailed of the reviews carefully and if you smell somehting - you're probabaly right.

In anycase don't take a risky seller over a more reliable one for the mere sake of $10 or $20. That's nothing on a $300 purchase compared to th hassle of dealing with a company that has your money - while you have no camera or or a bad one. As they say: "penny-wise and pound foolish"...

DeucesWilde said:
Just a heads up for anyone whos interested, Butterfly Photo has the
S4i for $327.00 and w/ free shipping. I've never ordered from them
so I can't attest to their quality but they got a five-star rating
from CNET. Anyway. here's the link.

http://www2.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=cnet&sku=OPTIOS4I

Brault · Apr 5, 2004

If cost isn't too much of a concern, buy speed. The SanDisk UltraII with 9MB/sec write speed clears the CCD REAL FAST.
Brault...

Anyone picked up an Optio S4i yet?

Active member

Member

New member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Active member

New member

Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Leading Member

Member

Member

Active member

Senior Member

Well-known member

Keyboard shortcuts