PENTAX ANNOUNCES COLORFUL, COMPACT OPTIO P70 AND OPTIO E70

GOLDEN, CO (January 5, 2009)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced two stylish, colorful, compact digital cameras: the Optio P70 and Optio E70.  The ultra-slim PENTAX Optio P70 digital compact camera is a high-performance model featuring fast, advanced functions to make high-quality digital photography simple and effortless.  With 12 megapixels for large, detailed images, a 4X optical zoom  (equivalent to 27.5-110mm), plus a wide angle 28mm lens that is ideal for landscape, indoor and  group photos, the fashionable Optio P70 metal body is available in multiple stylish colors. Additional features include a 2.7 inch high resolution, wide-angle view LCD panel, and new Pixel Track Shake Reduction technology to assure sharp images with low noise even in poor lighting.  The Optio P70 also offers Advanced Face Recognition that tracks up to 32 faces in 0.03 seconds, and both Smile Capture that automatically releases the shutter when subjects smile, and Blink Detection to alert you if your subject’s eyes are closed. Digital Shake Reduction sets the sensitivity up to ISO 6400 to prevent subject blur, HD movie captures vivid video in widescreen 720p at 15 FPS, and a Vertical Snap mode allows image capture with the ease of a cell phone camera.   

PENTAX also announced the latest model in the PENTAX easy-to-use, affordable compact digital E series: the Optio E70.  Designed for new digital users, the Optio E70 offers simple operation with large control buttons in a compact, ultra-slim body.  With a 10 megapixel CCD and a 3X wide zoom lens (equivalent to 35mm- 105mm), the Optio E70 features a 2.4 inch color LCD monitor to easily frame and review your images and video.  Perfect for travelers, the Optio E70 is compatible with AA batteries that are easy to find in nearly every destination.  PENTAX Auto Picture mode automatically selects from seven shooting modes for the best picture in any situation.  The Optio E70 also features Pixel Track Shake Reduction technology, Advanced Face Recognition (32 faces in 0.03 seconds), Smile Capture and Blink Detection for beautiful, detailed images from an affordable camera. 

The PENTAX Optio P70 will be available for $199.95  in a choice of three colors: white, red and silver.  The PENTAX Optio E70 will be available in champagne gold, deep blue and red for $139.95 USD.  Both cameras will ship in February 2009.   

More information is available here: www.pentaximaging.com  and product images are available here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/press/pressfiles.html

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital SLR and compact cameras, lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces.  For almost 90 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 Hoya Corporation.

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Media contact:

Michelle Martin

303.728.0224

Michelle.martin@pentax.com

PENTAX Optio P70 FACT SHEET

High image quality

Featuring 12 effective megapixels producing super-high-resolution images, the Optio P70 features a high-performance imaging engine assuring true-to-life color reproduction, and a renowned smc PENTAX lens.  The camera also records movie clips in widescreen HD at the size of 1280 x 720 pixels at 15 FPS.

Optical 4X zoom lens with wide-angle coverage

With a compact, ultra-slim body, the Optio P70 incorporates an optical 4X zoom lens covering a focal length from 4.9mm to 19.6mm (equivalent to approx. 27.5mm to 110mm in 35mm format). This versatile lens is designed to cover a wide range of subjects and scenes - from wide-angle images of landscape scenery, architecture and group shots in confined locations to telephoto images with fine details. For higher-magnification photography, the camera features an Intelligent Zoom function that extends the digital zoom range to approximately 25X without compromising the optical performance of the zoom lens.

Large, easy-to-view 2.7 inch color LCD monitor

Despite compact dimensions, the Optio P70 features a large 2.7 inch high-brightness color LCD monitor. The bright screen makes image viewing easy both during shooting and playback and facilitates menu reading and mode setting.

Compact, ultra-slim body

The Optio P70 features a compact, ultra-slim, metal body measuring as thin as just over one-half inch in some sections (16.5 mm).   Available in three colors (silver, red and white), this compact body design features a newly designed “Sliding Lens system”*  and downsized components with high-density mounting technology.  The Optio P70 is compact enough to pocket and carry just about anywhere.

* The PENTAX-original lens storage mechanism in which central lens groups are offset from the optical axis and the entire lens is stored in two vertical steps into the lens cylinder. As a result, the overall lens length at the fully retracted position is greatly reduced, contributing to the reduction in body depth.

Triple anti-shake protection

Pixel Track SR mode

When recording still images, the Optio P70’s new Pixel Track SR (Shake Reduction) mode effectively compensates for camera shake by processing the amount of image blur with a dedicated ASIC.  Pixel Track SR tracks motion blur at the pixel level and calculates blur volume in real time. After exposure, the recovery filter centers the motion effect around each pixel to compartmentalize the blur.  Then, an adjustment filter sharpens the pixels to help remove the blur effect. Pixel Track SR results in sharp images without adding high ISO noise.

High-Sensitivity SR mode**

When the Optio P70 detects low-lighting conditions in still-image shooting, the camera automatically raises sensitivity to as high as ISO 6400 for a higher shutter speed. This effectively minimizes the adverse effects of camera shake and subject movement under poor lighting conditions.

** When the High-Sensitivity SR mode is selected, the recorded size is fixed to 5M (2592 x 1944 pixels) at ISO 3200 and 6400.

Movie SR mode***

During movie shooting, the Optio P70 prevents blurry video by effectively minimizing camera shake.

*** When the Movie SR mode is selected, the angle of view becomes narrower than normal shooting.

Faster Face Recognition AF & AE function to capture the subject’s face in focus in approx. 0.03 seconds

The Optio P70 features the Face Recognition AF & AE function for snapshots of people.  This optimizes focusing and exposure status of the subject — up to 32 faces in a single image — in approximately 0.03 seconds. The Optio P70 offers other user-friendly functions: a Smile Capture function automatically releases the shutter the instant it detects the subject’s smile and a Blink Detection function warns the photographer when the subject’s eyes close at the time of shutter release.

Auto Picture mode for automatic selection of eight different shooting modes

The Optio P70 features an advanced Auto Picture mode, which automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene by detecting the subject’s lighting, size, movement and other conditions. This user-friendly mode chooses the optimal mode (Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Flower, Sport, Standard and Candlelight) for the shooting situation, and also features an Auto Macro mode, which automatically switches the camera’s focus range to macro in close-up applications.

Vertical Snap mode for easy vertical-position shooting

The Optio P70’s unique and handy Vertical Snap mode simplifies vertical-position shooting, as it allows the photographer to zoom the lens and snap the picture with simple pushbutton operation of the OK button and 4-way controller on the back panel. In addition, all icons on the LCD monitor are automatically rotated for vertical-position viewing. This new mode offers the same ease of operation as a cellular phone camera.

Additional features

·         HD widescreen video capture records beautiful and detailed movies at 720p at 15 FPS

·         Digital Wide function combines an extra wide-angle image (equivalent to an image taken with an approx. 21mm lens in 35mm format) from two images

·         Digital Panorama mode combines single panoramic picture from as many as three images

·         The shooting mode palette offers easy selection of 26 modes including  a new Party mode for low light settings

·         A Favorites function saves reduced-size files of special images stored in the camera’s internal memory for quick playback of your favorite images

·         Image recovery function retrieves accidentally erased images

·         Frame Composite function offers 90 decorative digital frame selections to embellish captured  images

·         Approximately 33.7MB built-in memory

·         Red-eye reduction function corrects red eyes in recorded images during playback

·         ACDSee for PENTAX 3.0 image viewing, editing and filing software included, supporting Windows VistaTM

·         Compatibility with PictBridge DPOF functions, Exif Print and PRINT Image Matching III

PENTAX, Optio and smc PENTAX are trademarks of HOYA CORPORATION.

All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

This product supports PRINT Image Matching III. PRINT Image Matching enabled digital still cameras, printers and software help photographers to produce images more faithful to their intentions. Some functions are not available on printers that are not PRINT Image Matching III compliant.

Copyright 2001 Seiko Epson Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Print Image Matching is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.

The PRINT Image Matching logo is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.

Design and Specifications is subject to change without notice.

PENTAX Optio E70 FACT SHEET

High image quality assured by approximately 10 effective megapixels

Available in three colors (champagne gold, wine red and deep blue), the Optio E70 features approximately 10.0 effective megapixels.  Combined with a new imaging engine with much-improved processing capacity and a high-performance PENTAX lens, this resolution assures high-quality digital images with edge-to-edge sharpness.

Large LCD monitor and easy-to-use control buttons

The Optio E70 offers an easy-to-view 2.4 inch color LCD monitor with approximately 112,000 dots of resolution. 

In addition, the camera’s shutter release and other control buttons are larger than previous models to help facilitate camera operation.   Larger icons on the LCD monitor help make the Optio E70 quick and effortless to set and confirm desired modes and functions.

Easy-to-use 3X optical zoom lens

With a 3X optical zoom lens offering an angle of view equivalent to 35mm wide angle to 105mm telephoto in 35mm format, the Optio E70 captures a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, keepsake photos and portraits. For higher-magnification photography, the camera offers an Intelligent Zoom function, which extends the digital zoom range to approximately 17.1 times without compromising the optical zoom lens image quality.

AA battery power

Powered by a pair of standard AA size batteries, the Optio E70  makes a great travel camera and the  power-saving design records approximately 210 images* with one set of alkaline batteries (approximately 620 images with lithium batteries).

* Based on measurement conditions conforming to CIPA specifications.

Auto Picture mode for automatic selection of seven different shooting modes

The Optio E70 features an advanced Auto Picture mode, which automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene by detecting the subject’s lighting, size, movement and other conditions. This user-friendly mode chooses the optimal mode (Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Flower, Sport, Standard and Candlelight) for the shooting situation, and also features an Auto Macro mode, which automatically switches the camera’s focus range to macro in close-up applications.

Triple anti-shake protection prevent different types of camera shake

Pixel Track SR mode

When recording still images, the Optio E70’s new Pixel Track SR (Shake Reduction) mode effectively compensates for camera shake by processing the amount of image blur with a dedicated ASIC. Pixel Track SR tracks motion blur at the pixel level and calculates blur volume in real time. After exposure, the recovery filter centers the motion effect around each pixel to compartmentalize the blur.  Then, an adjustment filter sharpens the pixels, to remove the blur effect. Pixel Track SR results in sharp images without adding high ISO noise.

High-Sensitivity SR mode**

When the Optio E70 detects low-lighting conditions in still-image shooting, the camera automatically raises its sensitivity to as high as ISO 6400 for a higher shutter speed. This effectively minimizes the adverse effects of camera shake and subject movement under poor lighting conditions.

** When the High-Sensitivity SR mode is selected, the recorded size is fixed to 5M (2592 x 1944 pixels at ISO 3200 and 6400).

Movie SR mode***

During movie shooting, the Optio E70 prevents blurry video by effectively minimizing camera shake.

*** When the Movie SR mode is selected, the angle of view becomes narrower than normal shooting.

Faster Face Recognition AF & AE function

The Optio E70 features faster Face Recognition AF and AE function for improved snapshots of people. This function optimizes focusing and exposure status of the subject — up to 32 faces in a single image — in approximately 0.03 seconds. The Optio E70 also offers a Smile Capture function that automatically releases the shutter the instant it detects a subject’s smile and a Blink Detection function that warns photographers when the subject’s eyes close at the time of shutter release.

Green mode for worry-free shooting for all photographers

With single pushbutton operation, the Optio E70’s Green mode selects the optimum combination of exposure settings, ISO sensitivity and other factors for hassle-free photography. It makes high-quality digital photography simple and effortless, even for first-time digital camera users. This mode also comes in handy when the photographer asks others to take a picture for them, and to preserve camera settings.

Additional features

·         Nine-point AF system, with Auto-Tracking AF function to maintain constant focus on a moving subject

·         A Favorites function saves reduced-size files of special images stored in the camera’s internal memory for quick playback of your favorite images

·         Image recovery function to retrieve accidentally erased images

·         Recording of movie clips at sizes up to VGA 640 x 480 pixels with movie SR

·         Digital Panorama mode to compose a single panoramic picture from three images

·         World-time function to keep track of local time at 75 cities in 28 time zones around the world

·         Frame Composite function offers 90 decorative digital frame selections to embellish captured  images

·         ACDSee for PENTAX 3.0 image viewing, editing and filing software included, supporting Windows Vista™

·         Compatibility with PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III

PENTAX and Optio are trademarks of HOYA CORPORATION.

All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

This product supports PRINT Image Matching III. PRINT Image Matching enabled digital still cameras, printers and software help photographers to produce images more faithful to their intentions. Some functions are not available on printers that are not PRINT Image Matching III compliant.

Copyright 2001 Seiko Epson Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Print Image Matching is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.

The PRINT Image Matching logo is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.

Design and Specifications is subject to change without notice.