Value (4.0)
The Optio S5z is the top of the Pentax Optio S line, so it's the most expensive one as well. At $50 more than the next camera down, the S55, the S5z has the same resolution and is built with the same lens. Its most important positive distinction is its size: the Optio S5z is 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches and 4.2 ounces, as opposed to the S55, which is 3.5 x 2.3 x 1.1 inches and 6.5 ounces. The big difference is the depth – the S5z is more than a quarter-inch flatter than the S55, so the S5z is significantly more compact.

The extra features of the S5z– time-lapse video and image distortion, for instance – are only distractions from the fact that for $50 less, the same manufacturer makes a camera with the same zoom range and resolution, and more accurate color. Of course, other manufacturers offer far better color for less money. (See the Testing/Performance section of this review for more information.)

The Optio S5z's excellent performance in our manual ISO mode image noise test is impressive, but its value is limited for the average user. First, most snapshooters do not prefer to set ISO manually; second, the advantage still leaves the user with an image that needs color-correction, and most users of this camera will lack the skill and inclination to do this.

Comparisons
Pentax Optio S55 – The Optio S55 is three-tenths of an inch thicker than the S5z. The extra size may make the S55 a little harder to stow and carry, but it makes the camera easier to hold, and makes the controls far easier to use. The S55 is not a good performer in our color tests, but it's far better than the S5z, which has among the worst scores we've recorded for color accuracy. The S5z offers higher-resolution video – 640 x 480, much better than the S55's 320 x 240. Both run at 30 fps, but the resolution gain makes the S5z video useful, while the S55’s choppy clips remain in the range of novelty. For users not concerned with video capture, the S55 may be the better choice.

Kodak EasyShare C360 – The Kodak EasyShare C360 is another 5 megapixel compact camera with a 3x zoom. It offers 24 fps video recording, which is not as fast as the Optio S5z's 30 fps, and its LCD is only 2 inches, which is cramped compared to the 2.5-inch display on the Optio S5z. However, the EasyShare model lives up to its name; it's easier to use than the Optio S5z. The C360 has 32MB of internal memory, which will hold a reasonable set of family pictures, if they're not at full resolution. The Optio S5z's 9.3MB storage is only about a fourth of the capacity.

Fujifilm E550 – The Fujifilm E550 is a 6 megapixel, 4x zoom compact camera. It beats the Optio S5z on resolution and zoom but it's also cheaper. The E550's color accuracy far outstrips the Optio S5z. The E550 has ISO settings up to 800, and good performance at 800, so it handles low light situations better, too. Its 2-inch LCD has 154,000 pixels, and yields a sharper image than the Optio S5z.

 
Canon A510 – The Canon A510 is only a 3 megapixel camera, but its excellent color and noise performance make it a very attractive alternative – particularly for its online price of about $165. Because of the camera’s color and noise performance, snapshot-size prints from the A510 ought to be much better quality than Optio S5z snapshots. With great manual controls and a 4x zoom, the A510 is a flexible picture-taker for people who don't need the Optio S5z's styling, or its 2.5-inch LCD – the screen on the A510 is only 1.8 inches, though both have 115,000 pixels.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – The Optio S5z is a point-and-shoot camera with a wide range of features in a small package. Many casual users will enjoy the automatic features, and won't miss the manual controls that this camera lacks.

Budget Consumers – The Optio S5z is a premium camera – Pentax charges $50 less for their Optio S55, which is also a 5 megapixel camera with a 3x zoom. With the S5z, you're paying extra for smaller size and more glitter. The basic functions offered here are available elsewhere for less.

Gadget Freaks – The Optio S5z is a little too straightforward for the gadget crowd, though many of them probably want its distortion effects (see the Image Parameters section).

Manual Control Freaks – The Optio S5z lacks manual exposure control entirely, and the manual controls it does have are nothing unusual. The Canon PowerShot A520 would be a better choice for this market segment.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists – Pro and Prosumer cameras are big, heavy things, so you can imagine that these users might occasionally want a light, compact alternative. But they'd probably want a camera with some sort of above-average capability – the Canon PowerShot A520 for manual control, or the Fujifilm FinePix F10 for low light performance.

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