Alan wrote: AC> I don't know about average consumers, but the insisting on using smaller CCDs have AC> kept me from buying Pentax DCs. For instance, 1/2.5" CCD is marginal for 3MP, but AC> they kept using it for 4 & 5MP. The image quality simply suffers.
I have to say that after testing the Optio S5i I was sorry to have it recommended to my brother. The image is soft and oversharpened with that dreadful video look even at 80 ASA/best jpeg/ etc. I'm not sure the culprit is just the too noisy sensor requiring a more aggressive noise reduction; the lens seems too soft as well, especially at the corners. For what it's worth I don't think image quality impacts Pentax compacts sales; rather the compact digicams are afflicted by the inherent consumerism trend, where quality comes last in the customer check list. Servus, Alin
