Home > Consumer Reviews > Pentax Optio S12 12MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Black)

I must admit I am Pentax fan. I own the K2000 dSLR kit, and now the S12. Before I got the S12, I previously owned the Casio Exilim EX-Z1000 10.1MP but it got lost right after a vacation. I enjoyed the portability of the Casio and was mostly satisfied with its use, but something was just not right it, especially the blurry photos of further away objects--objects I could see with my naked eyes were blurry through the camera's lense. I decided to give this one a try and it has exceeded my expectations. It took me only about 30 minutes of experimenting with the various controls and settings to become confortable with usage. I like the face recognition which is very active with the digital viewfinder. It even recognized a face on a wall photo, no kidding. I only wish this camera would let me zoom when I'm taking videos. Since this was not bought to be a video camera, I can happily live with that. By the way, I bought the silver and save me some bucks since the black cost almost twice as much, leaving me wondering what's really is the difference since they are the same model, separated only by the color. Finally, while shopping by my local Walmart, I notice they carry lots of compact cameras like this from different brands but not a single Pentax. I started thinking to myself that if they had this one on the shelf next to the others, this one would be a hot seller. hint..hint..hint...

Love the camera! My second one of the same because I thought I lost the first. Not disappointed that I have two. Good little camera. No negatives.

I agree with the first four reviewers of this camera who all gave it top marks. I have owned a 35mm Pentax for years and still prefer it for some types of photography. I bought this Pentax digital just to get some experience with digital. I am very impressed. Operation is relatively easy to figure out and the pictures came out very clear just using the automatic settings. As I learn how to use the camera I think my results will get even better. I shied away from some of the other brands like Sony and Canon because of some of the bad reviews I read here at Amazon. I think anyone who buys and uses this camera will be well pleased.

I bought this camera for my wife's birthday present (Dec. 15). She is "electronicly challenged", but it is so easy for her to use. The pictures are so clear. I am sure there are better cameras out there, but I don't think you'll beat this one for the price. I am more than pleased, I am ecstatic. You would have to know my wife to appreciate this review!

Camera is easy to operate and fun to use. When my wife saw it she started using it and likes if better than her large big name camera and I have to fight her to get to use it.

For its small size it has a lot of features that normally are only found on larger more expensive cameras. I have owned Pentax cameras since Viet Nam and they usually match up nicely with most of the more well known brands.

Would purchase this camera again today!