Pentax P&S ??

Do/did Pentax make a small P&S camera ?

8MP min with Optical viewfinder and as many manual settings as possible ??

Somewhat like the IXUS range in size and spec

All the ones I'm coming across ONLY have LCD screens !?

TIA

You could check out the Pentax optio 555 - it has an optical viewfinder but is (I think) 5MP - worth checking out it's specs on the web. Don't think it's made anymore but you might find one on ebay for a small handful of pounds...??

Regards

as u say 5MP !! already have Ixus 50 !

'Ixii' don't have viewfinders now

I know !!! The reviewers claim it's an improvement as the viewfinders were useless !! They aren't good ! but still handy !?

To be quite honest your original choice of P&S camera was a good one - Pentax don't do anything as well as the Ixus range, your best bet is get an updated version !!

This one perhaps...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001T9NH5G/ref=asc_df_B001T9NH5G667187?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=7974&creativeASIN=B001T9NH5G



Simon

That's the conclusion I had come to Simon

But thought I'd give Pentax a chance !

You guys have clearly not tried models such as the new I-10....

Quote : There is no electronic or optical viewfinder

One of my main criteria !!!

Plus it's too expensive and who cares what it looks like !?
It's the images that count for me !!

No offence John, I'm all for singing the praises of Pentax with the K20D, but when it comes to producing P&S cameras Pentax is behind the competition by some margin - Fuji & Canon are the way to go IMHO. I simply wouldn't even consider Pentax in that market segment.

regards

Simon

No offence taken.

I don't actually agree with what you're saying, but that's OK, we don't all have to agree!

I think some of the newer Pentax compacts look quite interesting. The W90 looks like it plays to a niche that Pentax is aiming for: hard-wearing and durable camera that's ready to go wherever you want to take it. The i10 is I am sure as competent as most non-enthusiast digicams out there, but at least looks nicer.

However, other than that, I don't think Pentax really have the model range with the capability to take on either the high end Canon or Lumix models (I would certainly add the latter to the collection of best compacts you can buy), or some of the best that Ricoh has to offer.

That said, I think the recent moves to produce cameras that differentiate themselves from the mainstream is probably a very smart idea - let's hope there is more to follow, as people are influenced by buying products that involve good design as well as capability and function.

One thing NOT shouted about with the I-10 is the stabilisation system.

It's not done by software but by sensor movement, like the DSLRs.

That alone has to be the thing worth getting one for, the images I've seen so far are excellent.

If you want a viewfinder on a P&S you're going to struggle. The best Pentax did were the 5meg Optios, in my mind they were better than the cannon ixus of the same period. I tried cannon, Olympus and Pentax, going with the Pentax in the end just for the IQ.

Now viewfinders seem limited to bridge and DSLr type cameras.

Holding a camera at arms length so u can see the LCD (especially if ur long sighted) is a sure way to get camera shake !!

Not good for stock photos ! Hence the requirement for a viewfinder

Also have trouble seeing the lcd in bright conditions !
Ok for snaps perhaps !?

Being very short sighted is quite an advantage in photography.

If you hold the camera so that the hands form a shield (like a lens hood) for the screen then even the brightest light is manageable. You do have to be able to focus a little closer than arm's length though....

Incidentally, the I-10 shake reduction works very well indeed.