Pentax Optio S55

Front (7.0)
The Optio S55 presents a clean, simple face to the world, covered in a bright satin aluminum finish. The telescoping lens assembly is slightly right of center and dominates the front of the camera. When the camera is ready to shoot, the lens protrudes about an inch and a half off the frame in three concentric circles. The actual glass is pretty small in relation to the assembly, which is imprinted with lens specifications in small, unobtrusive type. A metallic ring with a mirror-finish surrounds the lens, with embossed text identifying the "SMC Pentax Zoom Lens."

Above and to the right of the lens are three small holes in a row, for the camera’s microphone. Not quite directly above the lens (slightly off to the right) is the camera’s very small flash. This slight offset from the lens is a pity, because it will cause ugly shadows. There’s a small red window above the lens and to the left. The self-timer light blinks through the window, and signals from an (optional) infrared remote control can pass through the window to operate the camera from a distance.

The camera thickens slightly at both edges. The thickening is more pronounced along the right side, where, combined with a mirror-finish tab, it forms a subtle grip. The mirror-finish tab is embossed with a large Pentax logo. Parallel to it, the camera is also embossed "Optio" in large type between the lens and the grip. The embossing is more subtle than printing (and stickers), and improves the camera’s appearance. It also adds texture to some very smooth surfaces, improving the user’s grip.

Back (6.5)
The 2.5-inch LCD dominates the back of the camera, taking up about two-thirds of the surface. It’s framed in black, with a small Pentax logo below. Above the LCD, on a beveled surface that runs the width of the camera, there are two small, widely-separated buttons. The one on the left switches status displays on and off, while the button near the center of the display initiates the multi-step procedure for deleting data. Further to the right on the bevel are two status lights, one for the flash and one for focus.

The third of the camera's back face that's not consumed by the LCD screen is off to the far right and clearly the busiest section of the camera. The zoom lever, which doubles as the magnification control for the LCD, is at the top, accessible with the user’s right thumb. The Playback button is below and to the left of the zoom, and the Help/Function button is below that. Further below is the circular four-way controller, with an "OK" button in the middle. Just above the bottom edge of the camera is the "Menu" button. The hinge for the SD media slot is also visible from the back, to the right of the navigational control.

Delightfully, the camera lacks an optical viewfinder. On cameras this size, the old, eye-to-the-camera viewfinders tend to be miserably small and thoroughly inaccurate, proving to be a waste of space. They're essentially included as a pure aesthetic novelty.

Left Side (7.0)
The left side of the Optio S55 features a rubber port cover shielding a combined analog/digital data terminal and a jack for an optional power supply. The rubbery cover is connected to the camera by a small strip of the same material. That’s a convenient, durable option that's superior to some cheap plastic hinged doors that some competing cameras have. Other than the ports, the left side sports only two Phillips-head screws.

Kudos to Pentax for leaving well enough alone, and not marring the side of the body with a big "5 MEGAPIXEL -- 3x Optical Zoom" label - they graciously restricted their advertisements to the front face of the camera, near the lens.

Right Side (7.5)
The right side of the camera is similarly spare. Just about centered, there’s a nice, heavy lug for a wrist strap, which is a logical choice for carrying a small camera such as the Optio S55. The door covering the SD media slot opens on the right side and secures with a latch. The latch offers a significant advantage to Optio S55 owners – similar doors on some cameras simply snap closed, and they are more apt to wear out and pop open, or break off. The door itself is also a bit more secure than most, particularly within its price range.

Top (6.0)
The top of the Optio S55 is pleasantly simple. At the far left, a cluster of six holes gives vent to the cameras speaker. Next to that, the camera is labeled "Optio S55," in moderately-sized type. Almost dead center is the mode dial, containing nine settings and encircling the camera’s power button. A green, glowing indicator mark shows which mode is set. At its right and toward the front of the camera is the large shutter release.

Bottom (3.0)
The bottom of a camera is usually the least lovely bit, and the S55 does not rise above its competition in this aspect. At the very, very far left, the camera sports a plastic tripod socket. Ideally, tripod sockets should be made of metal, and they should line up with the lens axis. However, this camera is so light, and intended for such casual use, that the majority of users will never utilize a tripod anyway. Though if you do, you'll have a laugh at the 30-degree pitch the camera takes on because of the socket's unconventional placement. The bottom also features a serial number and the battery compartment door.