Pentax Optio 550

153 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (34)
image quality (31)
portability (28)
size (21)
performance (19)

Negative
durability (20)
price (5)
storage (4)
connectivity (2)
memory (2)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 153 reviews of Pentax Optio 550. The average rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the size and performance. The image quality and portability are also mentioned favorably. Many are less positive about the connectivity and memory.

usability, portability, image quality, performance, size

durability, price, storage, memory, connectivity

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Pentax Optio 550 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 85/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 153 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(46% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (41% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (10% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (2% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (1% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
Show positive (85%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)

portability
Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)

image quality
Show positive (94%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)

performance
Show positive (73%)Show negative (27%)(Show all)

durability
Show positive (9%)Show negative (91%)(Show all)

More features

Showing 48 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.

Showing 1 - 36 of 48 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (105)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Pentax Optio 550

alaTest has collected and analyzed 26 user reviews of Pentax Optio 550 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers are impressed by the size and portability. The performance and image quality are also mentioned favorably, whereas some have doubts about the durability.

usability, image quality, performance, portability, size

durability

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Eamon Hickey (cnet.com)

Image quality

Pentax Optio 550

Very compact for its specs; comprehensive feature set; high-quality images; long battery life.

Autofocus speed average at best; continuous-shooting mode only 1fps; no slow-sync flash setting; no RAW mode.

This is a great choice for anyone who wants a highly portable camera that doesn't sacrifice shooting flexibility or picture quality.

Dec, 2003

Read the full review

Expert review by : Sally Wiener Grotta (pcmag.com)

PENTAX OPTIO 550

Sep, 2003

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : Phil Askey (dpreview.com)

Pentax Optio 550 Review

Pentax announced the aluminium alloy clad Optio 450 and 550 two weeks before PMA 2003. Both cameras share the same feature set, body design and impressive five times optical zoom lens. The Optio 450 has a four megapixel sensor, the 550 a five megapixel...

Good image quality, average five megapixel resolution, lens has good resolving power Good color reproduction Low image noise at ISO 64, increases noticeably from ISO 100 upwards Five times optical zoom lens gives good 'reach' in a compact body Good...

Image noise from ISO 100 upwards Pincushion lens distortion from half-zoom to telephoto Some purple fringing / chromatic aberrations Vignetting of image corners from wide to half-zoom Image parameters don't have enough latitude of adjustment Slow...

Here's my rating of the Pentax Optio 550: (5 megapixel)

Apr, 2003

Read the full review

Expert review by : Steve's Digicams (steves-digicams.com)

Pentax Optio 550

Go to Page Two Pentax Optio 550 Specifications Type: Compact-type digital still camera with built-in zoom lens, autofocus, auto exposure and auto flash. Effective Pixels: 5.0 megapixels Sensor: 1/1.8 inch interline transfer CCD with a primary color...

May, 2003

Read the full review

Expert review by (imaging-resource.com)

Digital Cameras - Pentax Optio 550 Camera Review, Information, Specifications

The Optio 550 sports a 5x, 7.8-39mm SMC Pentax lens, the equivalent of a 37.5-187.5mm lens on a 35mm camera. (The "SMC" in the lens name stands for Super Multi Coating, Pentax' name for their advanced lens coating process. From past experience in the...

Jul, 2003

Read the full review

Expert review by : Jeff Keller (dcresource.com)

Pentax Optio 550

In addition to the lens, the 550 also features a 5.0 Megapixel CCD, full suite of manual controls, and a unique 3D image mode

5X zoom in an attractive, compact body ; Impressive battery life for a compact camera ; Full manual controls ; Movies can be 10 min long ; Passive AF sensor helps with focusing ; Live histogram in record mode ; Super macro mode allows you to get as...

Some purple fringing and noise in photos ; Metal body scratches easily ; Redeye may be a problem ; Plastic tripod mount ; Skimpy 16MB SD card included

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the Pentax Optio 550. I really enjoyed using it. It's pretty much the ultra-compact camera out there with a "big zoom" lens on it (though it's only 5X). The photo quality was impressive, as were the...

Jul, 2003

Read the full review

Expert review by : Shutterbug (shutterbug.com)

Pentax Optio 550

It was once thought that the big megapixel counts would be limited to digital SLRs, the thinking being that anyone who might want a near 15MB image file at largest resolution would want SLR features as well. That's changed with a new breed of...

Nov, 2001

Read the full review

Expert review by : Darren (digital photography blog)

Pentax Optio 550

Pentax Optio 550 The Pentax Optio 550 is an excellent camera which is sure to impress. European Readers buy the Pentax Optio 550 here It has a 5 megapixel sensor with 5x Optical zoom lens. The battery will allow users to take up to 400 shots per...

It has a 5 megapixel sensor with 5x Optical zoom lens. The battery will allow users to take up to 400 shots per charege and many of its buttons and menus are customisable allowing for the camera to be set up the way its owner desires

Jan, 2004

Read the full review

Expert review by (pcauthority.com.au)

Pentax Optio 550

The Optio 550 is the first Pentax camera we've reviewed in the Labs. It's the cheapest 5-megapixel device here and, despite the slim dimensions, crams in a 5x optical zoom.

Jan, 2004

Read the full review

Expert review by (zdnet.com.au)