Home > Consumer Reviews > Pentax Optio S4 Digital Camera [4MP 3xOptical]

The size of this camera has to be seen to be believed, especially when you consider that it incorporates an optical zoom. Picture results are truly amazing and the whole unit generally feels well put together. If you want a decent digital camera to shove in your handbag/bumbag then this is the one.
The only two concerns I have are the battery/SD card cover which appears a little flimsy and unless careful may cause problems in the future, and the main operating button is small, so anyone with big fingers may struggle with accuracy! Apart from that a truly great product.

I spent about a year agonizing about which digital camera to buy. Should I get a sleek little number, that looks snazzy and fits in my pocket? Or should I go for a professional-looking chunky effort, that I would have to carry around in a supermarket trolley, but which would allow me to discover my artistic side, and pursue a career in photography? I then spent a while looking for a camera that was all things to all people. I assure you, they don't exist.

In the end, I plumped for the S4, and I'm thrilled with it. It looks great, and feels solid and well-made. After a quick flick through the instructions, the controls are very simple to grasp. The photographs it produces are, at least to my untrained eye, excellent - very crisp, and full of accurate colour. Photo quality prints of A4 size are possible and, for such a tiny camera, there's an awful lot of modes to play with (manual focus, macro, supermacro, digital filters, panoramic assist, movies, long exposure, continous shooting, and so on), so there is plenty of scope for a bit of creativity. The software supplied is very straightforward to install and use, and the fact that images can be viewed through a TV is also pretty handy. The camera's battery life seems good - after I got mine, I played with it for a good two and half hours before it died. The battery recharges in 100 minutes.

My only complaint is that you have to remove the battery and place it in the supplied charger, rather than just plug a charger into the side of the camera. But unless you're incredibly lazy, I can't see that being a big problem. I have also heard some people complain that the on/off switch is next to the shutter button. This is true, but takes about ten seconds to get used to, unless you're particularly dim, or under the influence of alcohol. It could cause a problem if you pass the camera to a stranger to take a photo of you in front of a famous landmark. However, since the stranger is quite likely to run off with the camera, the location of the buttons becomes a secondary concern.

Overall, the S4 is a great little gadget, lots of fun, and takes high quality images. Just don't get it if you want a big zoom lens, if you have disturbingly large hands, or if you are prone to losing small objects.

I have had this camera for a few weeks now and love it. When I show it to friends everyone says wow isnt that small. When I show them a 60second video clip of my kids they know that it may be small but it cuts the mustard aswell!

The only gripe I have with the camera is the battery lasts for around 50 flash photos and than needs recharging. Therefore I am considering a 2nd battery.

I read lots of reviews and took my time to make my selection and I have not been disappointed. The camera takes great point and shoot photos and has lots of options to play with.

I have 128MB sd card and that gives about 43 photos at best quality.

If you want a small camera that takes great family photos, have the option to to experiment with some other modes then you cannot go far wrong with the Optios4!

I just got this camera a week ago after upgrading from the Minolta Dimage X (2 megapixal). The Pentax is smaller (by 3/4 inch), lighter (by 1 oz) and higher resolution (4 MP). But most of all, the photos are sharp! The menus take a little getting used to, and the shot lag is longer, but the photos make it worthwhile. I like the 2 macro modes for close and closer shots. I take it everywhere!

A stylish, feature-packed, yet very compact creation by Pentax, boasting 3x optical zoom and a resolution of over 4MegaPixels.
I considered, at length, 3 cameras: Canon Ixus 400, Olympus Mju-400, & Pentax Optio S4. The Pentax won simply because it is so small and therefore very convenient to take to all places. The Ixus 400 is a first-class camera in all technical respects. The Mju-400 is also good and stands-out due to being water-resistant (with appropriate accreditation). The strengths of the Pentax, aside of its size, are its build quality and camcorder function & general features.
I purchased this camera and took it with me on my world-tour. I am satisfied with its performance. Indeed, the only significant problem I encountered is the poor battery performance. A second battery is definitely recommended, and one should carry it with them if going on day-trips, etc.
Score= 8-9/10