Pentax Optio S5n review

Performance
Snapshots were bright and sharp, with neutral colours. There was some barrel distortion at the wide end of the lens and some purple fringing on backlit subjects, but you'd only notice these problems if you went out of your way to test the lens. We doubt that anyone using this camera for its intended purpose -- casual snapshots -- would find anything to complain about.

Snapshots were sharp and clear, with neutral colours

We tested the Pet mode on a white swan, using the white cat option. While it did make the swan Persil white, we preferred the photographs taken using the default settings in Program mode, which preserved more of the detail in the feathers. The S5n also struggled with a display of bright red tulips, converting the petals into red smudges. It coped with a red post box, however, so this only seems to be a problem with very intense reds.

Although the Optio S5n had problems with bright red tulips, it coped with the phone box and post box

Macro shots were detailed and correctly exposed. The Super Macro mode lets you put the lens 60mm from your subject and worked well for spring flowers. Portraits taken with flash came out slightly pink. We felt the slight yellow cast of the portraits taken with the Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z57 was more flattering.

Super Macro Mode lets you get to within 60mm of your subject

Edited by Michael Parsons
Additional editing by Nick Hide