Pentax P&S OPtio S6

[Geoff]

Bel and I are looking for a small/compact digital P&S.
I recently saw the Pentax Optio S6 and was quite impressed with it.
We just want something that will fit in our pockets etc and just pull out for fun etc for small casual friendly get togethers etc etc. I have found it for $446 which I thought is a pretty good price for a 6mp camera! Would appreciate others views on this.

[spartikus]

I can't comment for the S6 Geoff, but I have the plain old Optio S which I bought almost 2 years ago, and it's never failed me. About the size of a credit card, and decent optical quality and produces pretty nice shots. It's a great camera just to take to friends places and things without having to take the D70 which is a bit too big.

[Dug]

Not all megapixels are created equal!

I would personally avoid it and have a look at the Fuji F10 or the Sony W5 or W7.

The construction of the S6 does not impress me the size is nice but if you are looking for results too.

[gstark]

I would not look at any Sony.

Canon or Nikon first, perhaps Olympus/Pentax/Fuji.

[birddog114]

Geoff,
It seems to me your Xmas wishes & lusts are growing
An iPod early today and now a crappy Pentax Optio S6, save up yourself for something better. Who use Pentax Optio S6 ?

[Geoff]

Geoff,
It seems to me your Xmas wishes & lusts are growing
An iPod early today and now a crappy Pentax Optio S6, save up yourself for something better. Who use Pentax Optio S6 ?

Crappy? Hmm...what do you suggest then Birdy as a small/compact decent P&S digital?

[birddog114]

Geoff,
It seems to me your Xmas wishes & lusts are growing
An iPod early today and now a crappy Pentax Optio S6, save up yourself for something better. Who use Pentax Optio S6 ?

Crappy? Hmm...what do you suggest then Birdy as a small/compact decent P&S digital?

Nikon S3
CANON POWERSHOT S2IS

[Nnnnsic]

I personally wouldn't touch the Pentax, Geoff.

My old workplace had a few of the Pentax S series and, aside for being built fairly decently, the images that came out of them weren't too impressive, the OS was buggy, and it frequently enjoyed making transitions to shooting at sub-standard megapixel ranges without telling the user.

The following logic applies here:
Buy a P&S camera from someone who makes cameras.

While Pentax do, I'd buy a Nikon, Konica Minolta, Canon, or Fuji over a Pentax camera anyday.

[birddog114]

If Aldi has their own brand, it's still better than the Pentax Optio S6

[Geoff]

Thanx for the suggestions peoples!

[Paul]

Hi Geoff,
We bought the Panasonic Lumix DMC LZ2 for about $420 on sale at Myer.
Great features with 5MP, 6x Optical Zoom with image stabilization (M.I.O.S.), takes SD cards & AA batteries.
This sensor isn't the best for night shots, but hey that's why we have our DSLR's!
It's nice and compact for our needs and overall were very happy with the shots it's taken so far.
My only gripe is that red eye happens a lot due to the flash position to the lens, just like every other P&S on the market unfortunalty.
There is no aperture or shutter priority function, although I believe this can be slightly achieved but tricking the night mode function.
If your desperate for these functions then the Canon 520 (4MP & 4x optical zoom) would be a good buy as well at about $290 from dickie smith.
The Panny LZ1 of which Chi has is nearly the same functions as the LZ2, only difference is there's no sound on the video function.
You could proberly pick up that version for about $360.. maybe?
At the end of the day none of these P&S are going to match the DSLR, you just have to try and buy something that suits your needs the best.

[Heath Bennett]

I borrow Dom's little ist DL when I want to be unobtrusive. With the 50mm 1.4 on it, it is awesome. Excellent low noise at high ISO, super light, 2.5 inch screen... And th 14mm 2.8 is really good too. Don't discredit Pentax to much, esp. now that big things will come from them with their partnership with Samsung.

[shutterbug]

I recommend a Digital IXUS i5 if you can still find one....small size and sharp fix lens.

I got myself a canon ixus 500 (last of the CF media ixus)

[Onyx]

Hi Geoff,
We bought the Panasonic Lumix DMC LZ2 for about $420 on sale at Myer.
Great features with 5MP, 6x Optical Zoom with image stabilization (M.I.O.S.), takes SD cards & AA batteries.

Yay, Panasonic compacts represent! I bought my LZ1 cos it was the most feature packed entry level cam at the time.

But while some will see it as a compact, others may perceive it as 'bulky' compared to the likes of IXUS/Optio S/Coolpix S3 type cameras.

[greencardigan]

My bro bought a P&S a month or so ago. We were looking at the Lumix LZ1 but I have seen lots of worrying reviews. Aparently there's HEAPS of noise on anything other than the lowest ISO. Didn't actually test it out myself though.

We ended up getting a Coolpix L1. 6MP, 5X zoom. RRP about $500. Comes with 2 NIMH's + charger.

Olympus have a nice 6MP, 10X zoom but it's larger than the L1 or LZ1.

[Glen]

If Aldi has their own brand, it's still better than the Pentax Optio S6

Birddy, ask and you shall receive. Very appropriate for the Aldi Chairman.

Geoff, after this camera you may never pick up one of your D70 again 6.3 Mp (not 6.1 like the little D70), aluminium case (not plastic like D70), 3x optical, 4x digital zoom, included 2 batteries (not 1 like u know who), 256MB SD card, pouch, USB/Video cable, charger/power supply unit and even a car charger. If this camera had been out when I was getting the D70, I may never have got the D70. All this can be yours for $299





http://www.aldi.com.au/

[birddog114]

Great find!!!!!
Special for Aldi's man

[Geoff]

Great find!!!!!
Special for Aldi's man

I wouldn't go that far Birdy!
I have ONE aldi product, and a fine one it is too!
I'm currently on Sirhc's wireless LAN...the SPEED!!