The Pentax Optio S5i is not a new camera.  I've had mine for almost a year now and I like it more and more each day.  What I like about this camera is that it's tiny enough to carry around in your pocket (fits in an Altoids tin), yet it's packed with all the features you'd expect in a larger camera.  And for the recreational SCUBA diver, it sports a very stylish and equally small (optional) underwater housing!

The underwater housing (about $200.00) is rated for 40 meters - more than deep enough for the recreational diver.  The housing is compact and rugged. It's full-featured, meaning that you're able to access and operate every button on the camera through the case.  The LCD display is completely visible and makes for a wonderful viewfinder underwater.  If you're going to do any serious underwater photography, I highly recommend a strobe attachment.  The camera includes a built-in Marine Mode which ensures that blue tones are reproduced in a faithful, pleasing manner.

Many of the pictures you see on DiveSpots.com were taken with the Optio.  Some of my favorites are the pictures taken while in Bimini.  Check out the photos of Tuna Alley and Honeymoon Harbor.  While the camera is not going to win any awards when compared with higher priced SLRs, its tiny size, tiny price, and very good 5 megapixel quality make it a no-brainer for most divers. 

Comments:

	Posted by ETCsLady, Oct-17-2006 @ 08:22 PM CDT Anyone know where I can purchase a Pentax O-WP2 housing for my S5i? Please e-mail me privately at ETCs_Lady@yahoo.com New or used, please give me a shout. Lisa
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