Click on the Optio S55 to take a 360° QuickTime VR tour

The new Optio S55 is a compact camera that packs a 5 megapixel imager and a 3X optical zoom lens in a sleek aluminum design. It featuring a smc Pentax lens coupled with their Sliding Lens system that allows the lens to fully retract inside the camera when it is turned off. Equipped with PictBridge technology, the S55 connects directly to any PictBridge compatible printer so you can print images without the use of a personal computer.

Pentax made it easy to select shooting modes with the S55's handy mode dial. Simply set the mode dial to one of the eight desired record modes. For customized operation the S55 allows users to program frequently used functions (recording size, image quality, exposure compensation, metering, white balance, ISO and AF area) to the left and right elements of the four-way controller for access when the dial position is set in modes other than Auto, Movie, and Voice recording. In addition to placing Portrait, Landscape, and Night scene modes directly on the mode dial, the S55 also offers 8 picture modes that provide fully-automatic exposure for select shooting conditions. A useful Help function can be easily accessed when in both recording and playback modes, displaying simple explanations of all button functions on the screen.

The S55 features six image size choices (640x480 - 2560x1920) with three different quality settings. You can record 320x240 motion video at 30fps or 15fps with sound, with lengths limited only by the capacity of the memory card. The voice recording mode allows users to attaching 30-second memos to selected images. It features a 2.5-inch color LCD monitor with 100% coverage, selectable metering modes, white balance settings, exposure compensation, optical viewfinder, approximately 11MB of built-in memory expandable with any size SD card, audio-video output for display on TV sets and USB connectivity with your computer. The S55 also features an optional acrylic waterproof housing that allows users to explore the world of underwater photography.

Optio S55 Features:

• Ultra compact 3.5 x 2.3 x 1 inches, weighs just 4.4 ounces
• Stylish and durable aluminum alloy body
• 3x Pentax zoom lens (35.6-107mm in 35mm equivalent)
• 5.0-megapixel CCD imager for images up to 2560 x 1920 pixels
• 320 x 240 motion JPEG with audio at 30/15fps, length limited to media capacity
• 30 second voice memos can be attached to images
• Shooting modes selected from a convenient mode dial
• Super macro mode coverage down to 2.4 inches
• Three metering choices: multi-segment, center weighted and spot
• 28-zone, 62-city, world time with alarm clock.
• Audio-Video output for TV display
• 2.5" color TFT LCD monitor with 100% coverage
• Powered by CR-V3 or 2xAA batteries
• 11 MB of internal memory plus SD card slot
• PictBridge, Epson PRINT Image Matching II and Exif Print compatible
• USB Mass Storage compliant

Physical Views

The Optio S55 compared in size to a standard CD.

The Optio S55 and the Optio S5z, both are 5MP with 2.5" LCD.