Lotta Megapixels - 6, Neveready Batteries - 0, Film at 11

I got this camera as a present for the end of year holidays (sanitized to be PC) from the wife as she's fed up with our Sony 5 Megapixel camera that has so much boot up time and shutter lag it nearly missed the holidays entirely (press, yawn, ponder, flash, darn missed again).

So far I am pleased with this light, pocket size camera and it is a pretty decent choice in a crowded field for the casual novice to competent digital photo tweaker. It is best suited for entry level digital fans, or what I call techno-phobic, or in kinder terms, those like my wife that stick with disposable film cameras due to 'it's never ready when you need it' mindset. It is truly fiddle free as all you need to know how to do is turn it on, zoom, and press the shutter, the rest is automatic. It would also be handy to know how to get photos out of the camera but a blue-vested employee at Wal-Mart might show you how to run the kiosk. It has plenty of features for digi-techies but in super 'S' simple mode there's no need to outsmart except for NASCAR or night time photography. I would rate it much higher if it weren't such a battery hog.

Other reviewers have done a fine job of telling you all about what it comes with, where most of the buttons are, etc. I prefer to take the seldom used road of blending humor and facts to help you in your buying decision. Please excuse me if I meander from fact to funny as its late and I should be in bed.

Usually, I thoroughly research a purchase like this and except for a few Canon cameras, might have chosen this newly released model or it's slightly quicker-lensed Optio 60S twin had it been by choice. The wife does all her research on QVC, if it's on TV, it must be good, buy it.

What about brand heritage you ask? The name Pentax itself scared me. After all, what is a writing instrument (pen) company doing teaming up with the IRS (tax) to build a camera? Is it secretly taking notes and pictures as it spies on me? That would surely explain why even the super-duper Panasonic digital camera batteries are dead after 30 or 40 pictures (15-20 with regulars).

The colors this camera produces are quite genuine and so far are not harsh, unnatural or washed out. I have printed several at home, used them as desktop backgrounds, and done online printing without editing, all with good results except for some moving subject blurriness but the colors stayed true. The software bundled with the camera does a few tricks, nothing special like putting your face in a magazine/poster. It is just fine for consumer use and actions like crop, resize, etc. are straightforward. The only beef with the movie mode is that the camera records in .avi format and the CD comes with QuickTime player. Rather odd combo but if you associate .avi files on your PC Windows Media Player (probably is already) you'll never notice. You can also use it as a webcam if desired.

The Secure Digital slot is vacant and I recommend at least a 512Mb card (holds at least 125 pics). If you skip the card the 12Mb onboard memory might be full after picture four. I just got a 2 GB SD card for $79 and can now take 584 pictures before downloading (high resolution and this doesn't consider the second mortgage required for that many batteries). Hmmm...I can actually watch my son grow up if I hold off downloading.

Mode stew: It has various modes selectable on top via a small rotary dial and some of the labels & icons can be confusing. Tv mode isn't television, its Time variable aka shutter priority. Movie mode looks like an old time motion picture camera and it'll fill up your SD card pretty quick. What does that little flower with the wrench do anyway? Last time I used hand tools on her roses I would up sleeping on... them (bada-boom). Oh, the wrench flower is settings (how logical) where you can control file size, set up time, date, control sound, everything but order pizza. You can download pictures using the USB cable provided, watch them on television, or pop out the SD card and insert it in a media adapter (standard on many computers). USB connection simply makes the memory card a drive your computer can see and share.

The buttons and four-way rocker on the back are laid out logically and have corresponding on screen menu prompts to avoid mistaken deletions. There is a handy playback button just below the zoom controls to the left of what look like anti-slip dots (I hope they aren't naughty Braille words) that replays what you have accomplished. The eye-piece is a tad small and I was hoping for a Kaleidoscope in such a small opening, but alas, all you see is exactly what the lens will see (unzoomed), a nice feature as some crop or misalign reality.

I love the portability and convenience of having a camera this powerful and versatile. I also love the price especially for a six megapixel camera. The wife paid less than $200 and by now it's probably hovering around $150 on the web. Other loves are the almost complete absence of shutter lag, OK, maybe a quarter second tops on max res. The recycle time is also very good, about 1 second before you are ready to take another pic, again, using max res (sounds like a rapper).

I hate the lack of battery life. Grant it I was spoiled with the Sony getting 200 or more with pictures remaining battery feedback but come on Pentax, design for consumers, not Eveready executives. I fault myself for leaving the viewfinder on when I don't need it or leaving it in standby until it shuts itself off in a minute or so to preserver battery life. A camera this good should be able to last longer on a set of AA's. I read the other reviews and may try the biggie size 2500 milli-amp hour rechargeables. I can't imagine anyone getting more than 40 or 50 pictures on a set of batteries ever.

Think of this camera as something in your glove box, purse, backpack, not on a tripod in a studio but at 6 megapixels, it could do fine. It is quite good in any photo situation you'll come across unless it involves speed or dark. Space Mountain would look terrible with any camera though. I have finally converted the wife to digital full time providing I leave two fresh sets of Panasonic Oxydride Extreme Power AA's (about $3 at Target) in the case. Consider this one a bargain as its cheap and powerful, no need to spend $300 for a good camera anymore.

21 Mar 06 Update: As suggested, I started using Eveready 2500 Milliamp Hour rechargeable batteries and I get 80-100 pictures per set, more than adequate, downright superb. The video recording capability of this camera is fine for small web-size resolution but lacks the detail for a clear view on a full size PC screen and resembles old 8mm movies (OK, I'm THAT old). Comes in handy but wouldn't want to rely on it for a wedding. For $79 I got a SanDisk 2Mb card (on sale at Circuit City a couple of months ago), and I have yet to fill it more than halfway before downloading/erasing. With the improved battery life I now love it even more! Function meets affordability and you win.