The Pentax Option S55 is a good ultra-compact camera that improves well on its predecessors. The S55 produces better pictures than most ultra-compact cameras with great color,  excellent contrast, good sharpness, low noise and low chromatic aberrations. Users of this camera will be amazed of the amount of useful features packed into this camera including a customizable interface, a live histogram, image parameters adjustment, manual focus, custom white balance, panorama-assist mode and voice-recording. This is also one of the rare ultra-compact cameras powered by AA batteries. The main weakness of this camera is its slow focus speeds, particularly in low-light and low-contrast situations.

The Pentax S55 competes with the Konica-Minolta X50 which produces pictures with slightly more details but also more noise. The S55 is slower and not as well built as the X50 but does pack more features and has the advantage of using AA batteries.

 

Our full-length review focuses on usability and suitability rather than intricate feature descriptions. The review emphasizes information necessary to make an informed buying decision.