Pentax Optio S5i

168 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (45)
portability (38)
performance (32)
size (32)
design (32)

Negative
viewfinder (5)
stabilizer (4)
low-light (4)
exposure (2)
flash (1)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 168 reviews of Pentax Optio S5i. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Views about the image quality and portability are overall positive. The performance and size are also appreciated, but many are negative about the contrast and exposure.

usability, size, performance, portability, image quality

viewfinder, low-light, stabilizer , exposure, contrast

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Pentax Optio S5i is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 85/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 168 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Features

usability
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size
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performance
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portability
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image quality
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Showing 1 - 51 of 74 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (94)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Pentax Optio S5i

alaTest has collected and analyzed 41 user reviews of Pentax Optio S5i from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Opinions about the performance and image quality are generally positive. The portability and size also get good opinions.

usability, size, portability, image quality, performance

98% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Donald Melanson (engadget.com)

Pentax Optio S5i reviewed

The ever-excellent Digital Photography Review has an in-depth review of the new Pentax Optio S5i compact digital camera. The 5 megapixel model is one of the smallest and lightest cameras in its class and has good, but not great image...

Dec, 2004

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Expert review by : Robert Ellis (pcworld.com)

Pentax Optio S5i

Live histogram ; Time-lapse movie mode ; Compact, lightweight ; 21 camera modes, including a fun 3-D mode ; Printed manual

Produces dark images with lots of noise and barrel distortion ; Can't preview during exposure compensation ; Slow continuous mode

Apr, 2005

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Expert review by : Simon Joinson (dpreview.com)

Pentax Optio S5i Review

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...

Very compact Incredibly light - carry anywhere without even noticing Excellent handling for such a small camera Fairly low noise at ISO 80-100, not bad at 200-400 High quality construction, lovely design Good resolution and edge-to-edge sharpness Fast...

Slight underexposure Images a bit on the soft side Some focus problems in low light (esp. at long end of zoom) Default contrast a little high Poor shot-to-shot performance No AF illuminator Screen doesn't 'gain up' in low light Movie mode unimpressive...

In an ever-growing sub-compact market the Optio S5i has much to recommend it; it's probably the lightest - and one of the smallest - in its class, has fast focus, no discernible shutter lag, lots of useful features and is a real joy to use. It's also...

Dec, 2004

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Expert review by : David D. Busch (cnet.com)

Pentax Optio S5i

Although targeting snapshooters looking for an ultracompact and stylish camera, the Pentax Optio S5i still offers enough features to please those who want to tweak their photos as their skills grow. Unfortunately, it can also be sluggish. Read all...

Ultracompact and stylish design; fun effects and modes; useful preset button for most frequently used feature; decent picture quality; minimal shutter-lag.

Tiny optical viewfinder; small size may make controls difficult for large hands; sluggish burst mode at full resolution.

Pentax has crammed a host of useful features inside this decent 5-megapixel shooter.

Oct, 2004

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

Pentax Optio S5i

Continue on to Features & Controls Optio S5i Specifications Effective Pixels 5.0 megapixels Image Sensor Type - 1/2.5 inch interline transfer CCD with a primary color filter Total Pixels - 5.25 megapixels Color Depth - 12 bit x 3 colors Recorded Pixels...

Oct, 2004

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Expert review by (imaging-resource.com)

Digital Cameras - Pentax Optio S5I Digital Camera Review, Information, Specifications

Overall, the Optio S5i is amazingly full-featured for a subcompact model, delivering good (although slightly understated) color and tone in an incredibly tiny package. If you're looking for an ultra-compact camera with a full feature set, the Optio S5i...

The Pentax S5i has a 3x zoom, 5.8-17.4mm lens, the equivalent of a 35.6-107mm lens on a 35mm camera, like its predecessor, the Optio S4i. The lens is where Pentax made a real innovation with the Optio S-series, in that its internal elements actually...

Dec, 2004

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Expert review by : Robert Ellis (macworld.com)

pentax optio S5i

The Pentax Optio S5i may be compact and lightweight, but its dark, noisy images mar this otherwise promising camera.

Compact, lightweight ; live histogram ; 21 camera modes, including a fun 3-D mode ; time-lapse movie mode ; printed manual

Produces dark images with lots of noise and barrel distortion ; can't preview during exposure compensation ; slow continuous mode

The 1.8-inch LCD is somewhat dark and grainy, but the menus are easy to navigate and a live histogram helps you gauge exposure

Apr, 2005

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Expert review by : David D. Busch (cnet.com.au)

Pentax Optio S5i

Pentax has crammed a host of useful features inside this decent 5-megapixel shooter.

Ultracompact and stylish design ; Fun effects and modes ; Useful preset button for most frequently used feature ; Decent picture quality ; Minimal shutter-lag

Tiny optical viewfinder ; Small size may make controls difficult for large hands ; Sluggish burst mode at full resolution

Oct, 2004

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Expert review by : Digital Camera Magazine (dcmag.co.uk)

Expert Review

Always ready for a good time, the Optio S5i is the kind of party animal that's fun to be with, yet doesn't hog the limelight. You'll certainly feel comfortable in its presence, and will definitely want to go out with it again and again. There may be...

Dec, 2005

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Expert review by : Darren (digital photography blog)

Pentax Optio S5i

The Pentax Optio S5i is a new 5.0 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens and 1.8inch LCD. It's made out of a stylish aluminum alloy and is available in 'cool silver' or 'indigo blue'. The Pentax OptioS5i weighs just 105g and has...

The Pentax OptioS5i weighs just 105g and has dimensions of 84 (W) x 52 (H) x 20.5 (D)mm

Aug, 2004

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