DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS

Amphibious PENTAX Digital Camera Launches at CES

2005 International CES

GOLDEN, Colo. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Jan. 4, 2005 -- PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the amphibious OptioWP digital camera. With 5.0 megapixels and a 3X zoom, the sleek, elegant OptioWP captures high quality images both on land and up to five feet underwater without an additional underwater housing unit. The OptioWP is the perfect digital camera for active people who snorkel, ski, sail, surf, or participate in a variety of outdoor activities.

Well-known for delivering tiny digital, PENTAX keeps the OptioWP dimensions to a mere 4x2x0.9 inches and only 4.2 ounces (without battery and memory card). Despite the diminutive size, the OptioWP features a generous 2.0 inch low reflection LCD, 10MB built-in memory, quick start-up, an ultra fast nine point autofocus, and it captures movies at 30 frames per second in JPEG format.

How does the OptioWP outdo other water resistant digital cameras in the marketplace? The design of the new OptioWP is not only stylish, it's innovative. Every seam in the camera is protected with rubber sealant and an interlocking design to resist the enemies of all electronics including dust, pressure and moisture. Inside, a powerful internal 3X optical zoom captures images as close as 0.36 inches without ever protruding from the camera body. A special watertight locking mechanism fully secures the camera's rechargeable Lithium-ion battery and SD memory card slot.

These technological design advances help qualify the PENTAX OptioWP as the first 5.0 megapixel, 3X zoom digital camera with a JIS Class 8 water resistant rating.

"Our latest camera blends digital elegance into outdoor lifestyles," said Michelle Martin, Public Relations Coordinator. "The beautiful, high quality PENTAX OptioWP appeals to anyone who wants a powerful digital camera they will be proud to use everywhere."

PENTAX will unveil the OptioWP this week during the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The camera will ship to major camera retailers in April 2005.

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital and film cameras, sport optics, lenses, mobile printers, scanners and internet cameras. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PENTAX Corporation of Japan.

The slim OptioWP body is less than one inch in depth, so it slips easily into a pocket or bag while the stylish aluminum alloy design offers a comfortable grip.

Waterproof Performance

Go ahead and swim with the OptioWP!  The camera features a rust-resistant metal interior, rubber sealants, and lens protection that opens up a new world of photographic potential.  Users may shoot in rain, in snow, in the pool, or on the beach to capture outdoor scenes and adventure.  The JIS Class 8 waterproof rating confirms the OptioWP will remain watertight even when the camera is used in water.* 

*The OptioWP may be submerged and operated up to five feet underwater for up to 30 minutes. 

The Power of 5.0 Effective Megapixels and a 3X Optical Zoom Lens

Despite the elegant design, the OptioWP captures delicate detail with 5.0 effective megapixels, while the 3X zoom lens (equivalent to a 38-114mm lens in 35mm format) captures both expansive scenery shots and tightly composed portraits without protruding from camera body.

Generous LCD Monitor

The OptioWP features a large, low reflection 2.0 inch monitor. Incorporating low reflection technology and a backlighting system, the OptioWP LCD is easy to view even in sunny, outdoor conditions. The LCD monitor also features a power saving mode to extend battery life. 

Quick Response

The start-up time of the OptioWP is less than a second (0.6) and the shutter release time lag is 0.05 seconds.

Green Mode Standard Setting

A "green mode" button sets all camera settings to a standard combination (with the exception of the zoom setting) for easy setting.  The green button also offers four short cut function combination settings from a choice of recording image size, image quality, white balance, AF area, focus limit, exposure compensation, sensitivity, sharpness, saturation, contrast and "off."

Mode Palette

The OptioWP offers a shooting Mode palette that displays icons for up to 15 shooting modes (out of a selection of 20). Also, the green button may be used to select icons and provide a text explanation of the function it represents without referring to the instruction manual. Further, the Mode palette simplifies playback modes. The palette itself is translucent, so the playback icons are displayed directly over the desired image for easy selection.

Synchronous Sound Record

A Synchronous Sound Record mode, the OptioWP enables users to record up to 20 seconds of sound to accompany a still shot to record memorable moments in a much more special manner.  

Note: Upon selecting Synchronous Sound Record mode, the OptioWP starts recording sound before shutter release and stops 10 seconds after the shutter release button is pressed. The OptioWP then attaches the resultant audio file to the still shot.

Continuous AF and TrackingAF

In addition to continuous AF*, the OptioWP features a new tracking AF function available in Pet and Sport modes to automatically monitor movement of subjects within the frame and maintain sharp focus.

*Normally, focusing is achieved by driving the lens with the shutter release button depressed halfway. During continuous AF use, however, the lens continues to readjust for focus at all times. This allows optimal focus to be achieved as soon as the shutter release is pressed down fully.

Digital Photo Frames

The OptioWP offers three innovative digital photo frames to recorded images for viewing and printing.

Recovery Function

A new recovery function on the OptioWP reclaims any images and audio files that are erased unintentionally.

Movie Editing Function

A movie editing function allows recorded movies to be edited in the camera.  One frame of a movie may be stored as a still image* or a selected movie may be divided into different frames for storage in separate files. Two movies may also be combined into one.  * Storable still image size depends on the recording size of a movie.

Clock Mode

Pressing the OK button for an extended duration while the power is turned off, and the OptioWP displays the time on the LCD monitor to confirm current time, anytime, compatible with the World time function.

Other Features

Red-eye compensation function touches up red eyes in recorded images.

Real-time warnings indicate "washed out" and "blacked out" areas.

Digital zooming provides up to 4X performance.

Macro mode enables shooting from as close as 1cm from the subject.

Full-color, black and white and sepia color modes are available for movie shooting.

SD memory card compatibility plus approximately 10.5MB of built-in memory.

Compatible with exclusive, rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries.

Complete with ACDSee for PENTAX Standard image viewer software.

DPOF functionality, Exif Print and PRINT Image Matching III compatibility.

*Time taken for the camera to become ready for shooting once the power is turned on when the built-in flash, start-up screen and start-up sound settings are not activated.

PENTAX, smc PENTAX, Optio are trademarks of PENTAX 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 are subject to change without notice.