I bought a Pentax Optio S4 for my wife. Our main criteria was to have a camera that had 3x optical zoom, at least 3MP (the Pentax Optio S4 has 4MP) and was as small and light as possible (which is where the Pentax Optio S4 won out over other cameras). By the way, if you click on the "technical data" link for a camera on Amazon then the details shown usually include the dimensions and weight of a camera.My wife wanted the camera to be as small and light as possible so that she could always carry it in her bag without the size/weight being an inconvenience. Having decided that the Pentax Optio S4 met our size and weight criteria, it then became a challenge to find a suitable case for it.
Most cases we saw in shops were designed for larger cameras and so increased the bulk of the camera too much. This case fits very snugly. The dimensions of the camera are 84mm wide x 52mm high x 20.5mm deep. With the case, the dimensions become 88mm x 68mm x 32mm. Most of the extra height added by the case is due to the overlap of the case where it clasps shut. Most of the extra depth is due to padding in the leather case. Squeezing the case decreases the depth from 32mm to 25mm (the camera itself is 20.5mm deep). In my opinion, the case provides a sufficient level of padding without increasing the size excessively. One way to think of it is that some competing "small" cameras without a case are bigger than the Pentax Optio S4 with this case.
One concern we had was that the case does not appear to protect the sides of the camera. However, the case extends 2mm each side of the camera so that offers some protection. Furthermore, there are not any buttons on the side of the camera that need protection. Yes, there are two connection ports (power input and USB cable output) on the side of the camera but those have their own rubber covers. In short, the lack of side covers in the case is not a problem.
The case screws into the tripod screw-hole. Just three turns and the case is fitted. You do not need a screwdriver to fit or remove the case. When the case is screwed into the camera, the leather of the case can rotate freely independently of the screw. This is good because it means that you can "over screw" the case into the camera without doing any damage. Once the case is screwed in, you can easily unscrew it with just a few turns.
When you want to take a photo, you simply unclasp the buttons on the case so that the case rolls out. When you are taking a photo, you probably hold the top and bottom of the camera with your left thumb and index finger. With the case fitted, your thumb will be holding the case pressed to the underside of the camera. If you are taking a landscape shot then the case will hang down underneath the camera, which is conveniently out of the way. If you are taking a portrait shot then the case dangles to the side of the camera and has an annoying habit of swinging over to obscure the LCD display of the camera. My wife and I have found different ways of preventing this. My wife has very small hands, and she is able to trap the case behind her forearm so that it does not swing to obscure the LCD display. I have bigger hands which put my forearm too far away to be able to use this technique. Instead, for a portrait shot, I don't hold the camera at the top and bottom in my left hand. Instead, I hold the camera at the left and right sides (which for a portrait shot are the top and bottom of the camera). Doing this allows my left hand to easily trap the camera case and so prevent it from swinging to obscure the LCD display.
Unclasping the case to take a photo and the reclasping it shut is much more convenient than removing the camera from a normal case and putting it back into the case afterwards.
The only drawback with this camera case is that it is expensive. However, the tiny size of the case combined with its ergonomics make it worth the price, in my opinion.
Just upgraded my digital camera to an S4 and wanted to get a nice case to protect my new little darling. What could be better than the Pentax Luxury 'Kit' (including leather wrapover case & metal handstrap)...? Well, it arrived after a couple of weeks (why so long?) and first impressions were of a very nicely made padded wrap-around case that was easy to attach to the camera. Second impressions were why a simple flat piece of leather with poppers on it could cost so much and perhaps I should have gone for that nice little pouch in the camera shop at less than half the price.
Oh well, I've decided to keep it, it does look nice and will protect the camera. Shop around though - you may get better VFM and functionality to suit you (eg belt clip, pockets for spare battery etc) from another source.
