The Pentax Optio S4 Discussion Thread (McBain Deal)

[synaptech]

continued from Hot Deals...

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/showt...86#post1519186

Ok, we left off discussing batteries for this camera. Ebay has some offerings. What battery do you use.

How about the altoids tin, any tips for the felt?

Any tips in general?

edit - April 8. It arrived today



More pics:
top: http://tinypic.com/2mjzpl
bottom: http://tinypic.com/2mk12p
LCD: http://tinypic.com/2mk16q

[synaptech]

these do use AA batteries

I don't think it does, but since you have the cam I really can't argue. The specs say it's a LithiumIon DL18.

[synaptech]

In regard to the SD memory - does the brand make a difference? Are there faster SD cards? ANy experience from RFD members?

[Cronic]

I don't think it does, but since you have the cam I really can't argue. The specs say it's a LithiumIon DL18.

if you do some more investigating you will soon find that the Lithium Ion battery is an option or 2 AA's.

[Tennoh]

In regard to the SD memory - does the brand make a difference? Are there faster SD cards? ANy experience from RFD members?

Brands doesn't matter much with latest devices/cards. Standards are better enforced now so any SD card should work in any SD device. As for speeds in SD, yes it definitely makes a difference. But there's a big BUT, the camera has to be able to take advantage of the faster SD speeds. In the case of Pentax S4/S5/etc. they write very slow to card regardless. When I had a S5i, it took around 3-5 sec between shots to write to card, depending if flash needed to be recharged or not. Won't make a diff for these cameras whether you have faster SD cards or not.

[synaptech]

if you do some more investigating you will soon find that the Lithium Ion battery is an option or 2 AA's.

meh, I'll just wait till it arrives. Wish I'd known this yesterday.

[canook]

1100 mAH?! in the same size package? Wow, can you link to it? Batteries don't have a max, but typically more mAH means a bigger battery when using the same technology. Similar to the way AA and AAA rechargables have increased in capacity with better technology. So yes, higher mAH means a longer lasting battery (the units are the milliAmpere drain in hours),

Just do a search for NP-40, you'll find lots. Some claim to be compatible with Optio's (those are around 750 mAh) and some do not (1100 mAh).

And my other question copied from the old thread regarding the sale you linked to before...

This seller confuses me - auction says he's shipping from Canada, but then the text says from Hong Kong. Says he ships worldwide, but text says "Available to U.S. Only" and underneath "Will Ship Worldwide". HUH?

If it works out for you, let me know and I'll order some from him, too. Prices are good, just that the auction is very confusing.

[canook]

if you do some more investigating you will soon find that the Lithium Ion battery is an option or 2 AA's.

You sure about that? I know that the newer S50's use 2 AA's or 1 single Lithium Ion CRV-3, but I'm pretty sure the S4 is strictly a proprietary battery. Of course, I'd be happy to be wrong!

[synaptech]

This seller confuses me - auction says he's shipping from Canada, but then the text says from Hong Kong. Says he ships worldwide, but text says "Available to U.S. Only" and underneath "Will Ship Worldwide". HUH?

After you pointed it out I agree, but I didn't read it all I guess I was looking for a Canadian seller, but after seeing his prices the shipping from HK didn't seem bad. I have had emails from him and the items are apparently being prepared to ship. I'll let you know when they arrive.

[rabbit]

if you do some more investigating you will soon find that the Lithium Ion battery is an option or 2 AA's.

Yeah, right. I don't know of any AA pairs that have three contacts on them nor any that are shaped into almost a thin square.

[Cronic]

hmmm.....these look like AA's to me! sorry about the ****** web cam quality!

[Cronic]

let me apoligize!!!!!! he he he s40 I have.

[canook]

I posted an update from McBain on order status in the original thread -
/dead-pentax-optio-s4-refurb-169-a-151773/

I guess I'd better hold off on ordering batteries or SD cards till then.

Anyone know the max capacity for the memory cards? Is it 512, or will these take the 1GB SD cards?

And anyone who tries an 1100 mAh battery, please post results!

[Doom Dealer]

I'm glad that synaptech got a camera that did not have any physical damage (scratches/dents).

My friend bought a refurb'ed Canon S400 from McBains last year during a sale; the camera he got was full of dents and scratches everywhere. Although we knew the camera was a refurbished unit, we certainly didn't expect it to have any dings all over the casing.

Let's hope all the people who jumped on this deal will get a scratch/dent-free camera!

[nightwolf]

the battery rabbit posted is correct.

the S up to S5i so far all use that battery.

i used to have the S, upgraded to the S5i, i love these cameras.