PENTAX ANNOUNCES COLORFUL OPTIO M50, TINY OPTIO S12,
TRAVEL-READY OPTIO E50; OPTIO A40 TO SHIP
GOLDEN, CO. (January 23, 2008)…PENTAX Imaging Company announced three new compact camera models and confirmed the Optio A40 is scheduled to ship in February 2008.
The PENTAX Optio A40 appeals to the advanced digital user who wants the most from their compact camera including a high resolution sensor, mechanical Shake Reduction system, and advanced capture settings. Previously announced in the fall of 2007, the Optio A40 will ship in February 2008 for US $299.95.
The PENTAX Optio E50 has advanced functions and high resolution with simple operation that appeal to customers looking for the maximum features and a minimal price − making it an ideal gift. The Optio E50 is also an excellent travel camera due to compatibility with easy to find AA batteries. This camera will ship in March 2008 for US $149.95.
The PENTAX Optio S12 is the smallest, most stylish 12MP camera in its class. An ideal choice for the experienced digital camera user looking for an extremely compact camera with advanced features, the PENTAX Optio S12 is scheduled to ship in April 2008 for US $279.95. The Optio S12 will be available in silver and black.
The PENTAX Optio M50, with a 5X optical zoom housed in an ultra compact body with fun color options, is the ideal combination of style, function and price for both customers looking to update their camera and new digital users. The camera features a unique Smile Capture function, which distinguishes smiles on a subject and automatically releases the shutter. Available in three color choices including silver, light blue and pink, the Optio M50 will ship in March 2008 for US $229.95.
“PENTAX’s goal with our compact digital cameras is to offer customers advanced features in the most compact bodies at a reasonable price,” said Ned Bunnell, President, PENTAX Imaging Company. “Every compact offering from PENTAX includes the popular face recognition feature, Digital Shake Reduction, PENTAX’s own Auto Picture mode and high quality design.”
All of these latest PENTAX compact digital products will be displayed at PMA 2008 Trade Show from January 31 to February 2 in Las Vegas.
PENTAX OPTIO A40 FACT SHEET
Three Types Of Shake Reduction
Mechanical Shake Reduction
The Shake Reduction (SR) mechanism is unique to PENTAX, and corrects camera shake when photographing still images by shifting the image sensor (CCD) horizontally and vertically in relation to the amount of shake that the high-accuracy gyro sensor detects. Shake Reduction technology used in PENTAX’s digital SLR cameras is applied to the Optio A40 for highly corrective effects that are equivalent to shutter speeds of approximately 2.5 to 3.5 stops.
Digital Shake Reduction
Digital SR (Shake Reduction) mode automatically adjusts sensitivity to an ultra-high sensitivity of ISO 3200 according to the brightness of the subject, and effectively reduces camera shake and subject blurring when photographing still images. With fast shutter speeds, photography with reduced blurring is available.
*Recording size is fixed at 5M (2592×1944 pixels) when “Digital SR” is selected.
Movie Shake Reduction *
The Movie SR function electronically reduces camera shake exclusively during the shooting of movies. This function uses software to effectively correct distortions in images caused by camera shake during the capturing of movies.
*When using “Movie SR”, the field of view is narrower than during normal recording.
Face Recognition AF&AE Function
The Optio A40 is equipped with a Face Recognition Auto Focus and Auto Exposure function* that automatically detects and focuses on faces. In addition, the Optio A40 also comes with new functions that apply face recognition technology, such as “Natural Skin Tone” mode, which smoothly captures skin texture based on the detected information, and “Half-length Portrait” mode,** which automatically takes a head and shoulders photograph of people recognized in photo frame.
*This camera’s “Face Recognition AF&AE” function uses the Face Tracker face recognition technology from FotoNation.
**Recording size is fixed at 3M (2048×1536 pixels) when “Half-length Portrait” is selected.
New Dynamic Range Adjustment Function
The Optio A40 is newly equipped with a Dynamic Range Adjustment by correct tones for highlight or shadowed areas of a subject with significant differences in contrast. Even when photographing people with sun in the background, the new function highlights subjects and maintains background tones.
Bright LCD monitor
This LCD monitor is a high intensity type equipped with an LCD booster that adjusts the brightness of the screen even when viewed outdoors. The 2.5 inch size and high resolution of approximately 232,000 pixels makes it easy to confirm picture composition and focus quality. With a wide viewing angle, the screen may be viewed easily since there is little change in brightness and colors even when looking at the monitor diagonally.
3X optical zoom and 6X digital zoom for a maximum of 17.9X magnification
The Optio A40 features a 3X optical zoom lens with a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 37-111mm lens in 35mm format, which is ideal for a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes to portraits. The zooming power increases to 17.9X zoom capability when combined with 6X digital zoom.
Video Recording Function With High-quality Recording For Extended Capture
The Optio A40 smoothly captures movies at 30fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640×480 pixels with image quality rivaling camcorders. Equipped with DivX (MPEG-4) movie format,* the Optio A40 records long, high-quality movies.
*The Optio A40 is DivX certified. Movie playback is not supported on Macintosh operating systems.
Additional Features
- Users can freely choose Shutter-Priority AE mode and Manual Exposure mode, depending on the effect they are aiming to achieve
- An Intelligent Zoom function enables images to be magnified, while maintaining the image quality of optical zoom
- Auto Picture mode automatically determines the best settings for the shooting conditions
- Mode palette provides quick access of 18 shooting modes and 15 playback modes
- Approximately 21.0 MB of built-in-memory
- Compatible with SD memory cards and SDHC memory cards
- FotoNation’s red eye compensation function for flash shots
- Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX 3.0 image viewer/image management software that support Windows Vista™
- upports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III
PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital SLR and compact cameras, lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, eyepieces and mobile printers and scanners. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc.
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