After a snorkeling session the camera takes ages

SOURCE: Pentax M20 Green Mode Stuck

i just had the same problem....

here's how i fixed it...

turn it on... then as it's loading up... hold the "menu" button
i think this forces it to stay on...
i changed the green button to be something else... not green mode
then i just turned it off and on again

SOURCE: Pentax Optio M20: won't work.

ok have same problem press the power button and and the play> button at the same time. your screen will come on but not lens. then hold the play button down untill lens come out. this will work for you , you may have to do it a couple of times but it will work

SOURCE: Unlock Pentax Optio S5z

I had the same problem with the exact same camera (Pentax Optio S5Z) that happened the same way. I searched everywhere on the web and finally found this post that didn't have a solid solution. So I started experimenting with different button combinations and finally figured it out.

Hold the OK button while turning on the camera. The screen should indicate that it is in audio record mode. Now press the Menu button and use the navigation keys to find and execute the system reset option.

After turning it off and back on it should function normally.

SOURCE: pentax optio stuck on green

click on the green button with the picture of the trash can... i have a pentax optio m50 and it worked for me!

SOURCE: Green Mode stuck on

remove the batteries and the memory/SD card. replace the batteries first. power up the camera (this will help save your pics from possible deletion). If you can get to the menu of your camera, here is where you'll find the 'green mode'. check the settings. if its on, turn it off. after saving, reload your SD card and try to take another picture.