Announced in August 2004, the Pentax Optio S5i is an upgrade of the popular S4i with an extra million pixels, some minor styling changes and a couple of new features. The S5i is almost unfeasibly small — thanks in part to the innovative sliding lens first seen at the start of 2003 in the Optio S (and since in several Pentax and Casio models) — yet is more feature-packed than most other ultra-compacts. In an ever-growing market, and with a handful of outstanding competing models (see recent reviews of the Canon PowerShot SD300 and Panasonic DMC-FX7 for example), does the Optio S5i have what it takes to become the pocket camera of choice? Let's find out. Here's a few of the S5i's headline features to get us started:
- 5.0 million effective pixels
- 35-105mm equiv. sliding zoom lens
- 1.8-inch LCD monitor
- 21 shooting modes, including new Sports mode
- New Pan Focus mode
- 0.01-second shutter lag time
- SD card-compatible and 10MB internal memory
- Live histogram
- 6cm Super Macro mode
- Battery charger stand can charge two batteries at once
Pentax Optio S5i Key specifications
| Street price |
• US: $360
• UK: £250 |
| Body Material |
Metal |
| Sensor |
• 1/2.5" CCD, 5.25 million total pixels
• 5.0 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes |
• 2560 x 1920
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200
• 1024 x 768
• 640 x 480
|
| Movie clips |
• 320 x 240 (15 fps)
• With audio
• AVI Motion JPEG
|
| Lens |
• 35.6 - 107 mm equiv. (3x zoom)
• F2.6 - F4.8 |
| Focus |
• TTL autofocus
• 7-point mutli/spot AF
• 49 selectable AF points
• Pan focus, manual focus and infinity focus options
• Normal: 0.4 m - Infinity
• Macro: 18 cm - 50cm
• Super macro: 6cm - 20cm
|
| Shooting mode |
• Portrait
• Flower
• Self-portrait
• Sports
• Surf and Snow
• Autumn colors
• Landscape
• Sunset
• Museum
• Text
• Food
• Sport
• Green (auto everything)
• Program
• Soft focus
• Night scene
• Movie
• Panorama assist
• 3D
• Digital filter
• User
• Marine
• Marine movie
• AE Compensation +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps
|
| Sensitivity |
• Auto
• ISO 80
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400 |
| White Balance |
• Auto
• Cloudy, daylight, incandescent, shade, tungsten light, fluorescent light (neutral white and white), fluorescent light (daylight) and manual (custom) |
| Image parameters |
• Sharpness (5 settings)
• Saturation (5 settings)
• Contrast (5 settings) |
| Continuous |
0.3 fps
|
| Flash |
• Built-in flash
• Auto, on/off, auto + red-eye reduction, on with red eye reduction
• Range (ISO 200): Wide 0.2m - 3.5 m (0.65 - 11.5 ft) /
Tele 0.2m - 2.0m (0.65 - 6.6 ft) |
| Storage |
• SD/MMC
• Approx 10MB internal memory
|
| Viewfinder |
Optical |
| LCD monitor |
• 1.8 " TFT LCD
• 85,000 pixels |
| Connectivity |
• USB 1.1
• A/V out
• DC-IN |
| Power |
• D-L18 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
• Battery Charging Stand D-BC25 included |
| In the box* |
• Optio S5i camera
• Battery Charger
• Battery Pack
• AV Cable
• USB Connection Cable,
• Hand Strap,
• CD-ROM |
| Other features |
• PictBridge
• Multi-segment, center-weighted and spot metering
• Record and playback histogram
• Optional remote control
• 2/10 second self-timer
• Panorama assist and 3D assist modes
|
| Weight (inc batt) |
120 g (4.2 oz) |
| Dimensions |
88 x 52 x 20.5 mm (3.4 x 2.0 x 0.8 in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 20, 2004
|
Aug 24, 2004
|
Dec 19, 2007
|
Dec 14, 2007
|
The Nikon Z7 is slated as a mirrorless equivalent to the D850, but it can't subject track with the same reliability as its DSLR counterpart. AF performance is otherwise good, except in low light where hunting can lead to missed shots.
Nikon's Coolpix P1000 has moved the zoom needle from 'absurd' to 'ludicrous,' with an equivalent focal length of 24-3000mm. So far, it's a fun camera to shoot with – if a bit over the top.
The Canon EOS R is the first full frame mirrorless camera to use the new RF mount. We're well underway putting it through our range of standard tests – take a look at how it compares to the competition and our thoughts on using it so far.
The GFX 50R is a 50MP rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. It borrows heavily from the existing 50S model but in a smaller body and at a lower price. How does it differ?
The Everyday Sling might just be the perfect pack for not carrying too much gear, combining comfort with Peak Design's signature modern style.
The instant camera market is heating up, and with four formats and 15+ cameras to choose from, we felt it was high time to examine them all and pick our favorite.
Whether you're hitting the beach in the Northern Hemisphere or the ski slopes in the Southern, a rugged compact camera makes a great companion. In this buying guide we've taken a look at seven current models and chosen our favorites.
What's the best camera for a parent? The best cameras for shooting kids and family must have fast autofocus, good low-light image quality and great video. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for parents, and recommended the best.
What's the best camera for shooting landscapes? High resolution, weather-sealed bodies and wide dynamic range are all important. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for shooting landscapes, and recommended the best.
What’s the best camera costing over $2000? The best high-end camera costing more than $2000 should have plenty of resolution, exceptional build quality, good 4K video capture and top-notch autofocus for advanced and professional users. In this buying guide we’ve rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing over $2000 and recommended the best.
Comments