Pentax S6 Review

The Optio S6 combines Pentax's 'Sliding Lens System' technology seen in some of the company's past models (which removes elements from the optical path as the lens retracts, allowing a slimmer profile when the camera is powered off) with a 1/2.5" six megapixel CCD imager. There's also a Pentax-branded 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5" LCD display with a higher-than-average 232,000 pixels - but no optical viewfinder - in a compact body with smooth lines that should make for pocket-friendliness. The Pentax S6 is designed for simplicity and affordability first and foremost, and has a list price of just $350.

Other features include 23MB of built-in storage memory, NTSC / PAL video and USB 1.1 data connectivity (rather slower than the USB 2.0 High-Speed connections offered on many cameras these days), as well as a built-in flash and a macro mode that allows focusing as close as 15 centimeters. Power comed from a proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery. The Pentax S6 ships from October 2005.