Pentax Corporation has announced the launch of the new Pentax Optio A20 digital camera earlier today. It features a 10.0 effective megapixels and a high-fine quality image.

Being the latest addition to Pentax' high-grade Optio A series, this model puts in extra features such as three types of anti-shake function like SR (Shake Reduction), which, as the name suggests, reduces camera shake.

This stylish, compact and lightweight model also is equipped with a high-quality smc Pentax zoom lens, which maintains that superior clarity and high-contrast image performance trait that is the mark of Pentax lenses. Its program also has incorporated the Auto Picture mode, which automatically determines the best settings for shooting conditions. Also found is the Programmed Exposure mode, where the camera automatically determines the shutter speed and aperture.  

The Optio A20 supports two removable storage media: the conventional SD memory cards and the new SDHC memory cards.

Other features include: a Calendar Display function that allows image to be retrieved based on the capture date; digital zooming that provides up to 4x magnification; approximately 22MB of built-in memory; and pan-focus functions for effortless snapshots. The A20 supports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III.

The Pentax Optio S7 camera is the newest addition to Pentax's line of slim and stylish digital cameras called the Pentax Optio S series.

This baby boasts of 7.0 megapixels plus a feature known as the Blur Reduction High ISO mode that reduces camera shake and subject blur due to poor or minimal lighting. Another neat feature is the Face Recognition AF & AE, which guarantees perfectly focused faces devoid of shadows by automatically detecting the position of the subject's face and adjusting the focus and exposure based on the detected position. Also, the camera adjusts shutter speeds automatically to an ISO as high as 1600 to match the brightness of the subject.

Sources add that the Optio S7 captures movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640 x 480 pixels with image quality rivaling camcorders. Since it employs the DivX® (MPEG-4 compliant) movie format, the Optio S7 can record longer, high-quality movies. Camera shake while filming can also be corrected automatically by switching on the movie anti-shake feature. Smart, eh?

That's not all. The Optio S7 also features 3X optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD monitor,an Auto Picture Mode for a plethora of settings (Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene and Program Modes), 23MB internal memory, and MPEG-4 DivX Movie Mode. It is also the first digital camera by Pentax to accept the new SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) memory cards that have capacities up to 4GB.

The Pentax Optio S7 goes for $300.00 and will be available in the US beginning September 2006 - limited stocks only, though.

A lot of things happened at the International Photo & Imaging Industry Show 2006 at Seoul this month. Samsung showed off the first digital SLR it had created with Pentax, and there were a lot of new products showcased at the 550 stands during the event.

One camera though that caught on-lookers' eyes was the first digital SLR off the "istD series" of Pentax. Perhaps it's the manufacturer's name that caught the eye of the masses, but there were also reasons to glance at and admire Pentax' new offering. The new 10-megapixel DSLR of the "istD series" will hopefully be launched soon. There were still no model name, specs, date and price details about this camera.

When QJ learns more about this 10-MP DSLR from Pentax, we'll let you know.

As someone who's been wanting to upgrade to a digital SLR photography for quite sometime now, I find the latest DSLR from Pentax to be a somewhat ideal choice for a first DSLR camera. Pentax describes K100D as "a versatile all-around performer for all levels of photographers...."

Features of the K100D are as follows:

• 19 custom functions to personalize camera operations
• Secure Digital memory card compatibility
• Eight distinctive Scene modes to accommodate specific subjects/applications
• Choice of two preview functions (digital/optical)
• Storage of recorded images in day-by-day files on an Secure Digital memory card
• 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering
• Noise reduction mechanism to reduce digital noise during extended exposures
• Dual power source (two CR-V3 lithium batteries, or four AA-size batteries)
• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) compatibility for speedy data transfer to PC
• Choice of image format between JPEG (Best, Better or Good) and RAW
• PictBridge compatibility
• Five digital filters (Black-and-white, Sepia, Slim, Soft and Brightness) for easy editing of recorded images
  

The latest Pentax camera is also equipped with the Pentax-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system. The SR system reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under difficult shooting conditions. The SAFOX VIII auto focus system will also be very appealing to users of the K100D. It has 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors in the middle) to automatically focus on the subject with utmost precision.

A large 2.5 inch color LCD monitor is also incorporated in the camera's back panel. The monitor's wide-view design makes it possible for photographers to check the image 140 degrees vertically and horizontally. The 210,000 pixels (approx.) offers up to 12 times digital zooming of playback images.

With the large, high-performance 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD as image sensor, images will be printed as a faithful reproduction of the desired photographic intention. Also with the Pentax K100D package is a software that includes the Pentax Photo Laboratory 3 (featuring SILKYPIX image-processing engine) for RAW data processing and Pentax Photo Browser 3 for faster data processing speed.

At the Seoul International Photo & Imaging Industry Show 2006 in Korea, Samsung Techwin invited us to take a peek at its first digital SLR camera. Dubbed as the GX2, this 10-megapixel digital camera is the first product of Samsung's and Pentax's partnership.

The specs of this digital SLR has not been disclosed yet, but we can expect it to have almost the same features like those of Pentax's 10-megapixel camera showcased at the PMA 2006.

We'll keep you posted when Samsung and Pentax finally announce the release date and specs of the GX2. For the meantime, check out this photo of the Samsung GX2 from Kumio Yamada.

If you've been on the lookout for a digital camera to match your active lifestyle, then you might want to check out Pentax's Optio W10 Waterproof camera. Though it's not much of a looker, it boasts a six-megapixel resolution, shake-reduction technology and a hat full of scene modes.

Despite its bland styling, the camera is remarkably compact even with a 3x optical zoom lens (and 4x digital zoom). Its predominantly plastic build allows it to be airtight at a depth of up to 1.5m. If you worry about dust as much as water, you'd be happy to know that the camera is safe from dirt particles as fine as talcum powder. Ideal for almost any outdoor activity.

The optic lens, which provides a 38-114mm focal range, is safely housed within the camera body behind a protective screen. In addition, you get a 2.5-inch color screen which gives an impressive view underwater. The W10 is loaded with features but they just might be easily overlooked with the simplicity of the camera design. With just an on/off switch and shutter button on the top plate, and 4-way controller, menu, playback and zoom controls gracing the back plate, the W10 just doesn't look like it's feature-loaded.

Find out what the W10 can do underwater by reading the rest of Doug Harman's full review.

For photography newbies who want to switch to a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras, maybe you might wanna consider the Pentax *ist DL 6.1, well don't be turned off by name (which is somewhat impossible to pronounce) because this baby has been getting good marks from consumer reviews.

When reviewed, the successor to the *ist DS, impresses on many categories such as image quality, response times, ergonomics, and easy-to-use functions which is perfect for those who are just learning the ropes of DSLR photography.

But unfortunately, the *ist DL 6.1 ain't the complete package. This Pentax creation seem to lack in  image stabilization or CF card support. English translation- storage is limited to the most spacious SD card available in the market. But since this model is somewhat intended for photography novices, maybe they won't even see this as an issue. However, this camera will definitely have storage problems if used by already-advanced and professional photographers. This contraption has a $697 price tag, but if you want to purchase it with the lens kit, it is gonna cost you an extra $50 or so.

DigitalCameraReview.com has a review up of the new Pentax A10 digital camera. The Pentax camera is packed full of features in a very compact frame. The 8 megapixel camera touts a ton of features including a CCD-shift image stabilization mechanism, a 2.5 inch LCD, and 3x optical zoom. Does the camera live up to the expectations?

The reviewer does a great job in testing the camera inside and out. He goes into a lot of detail about the cameras various functions and features. He notices that out of the box, the camera needs to be tweaked. The pictures are over-saturated and underexposed, thankfully, with the camera's advanced settings you can fix these issues. Overall, the camera is great for point and shooting, but the battery life is not up to par with other cameras in the category and the settings need to be tweaked for optimal picture quality.

Pentax has released 15 new picture frames for its compact digital camera series "Optio". Users can download them from the official website for free.

The supported devices are: "Optio S6", "Optio A10", "Optio WP", "Optio WPi", "Optio M10" and "Optio W10".

The frame picture formats of Optio S6/A10 and Optio WP/WPi/M10/W10 are different. Users should download them from their own page.

You can save the downloaded frames in the root directory of the SD memory card, and select them in the "Frame composing menu". You can even store the new frames into the internal memory to replace the old ones. There is no need to worry if you deleted all of the frames, since the official website offers both the add-on frames and original frames that came with the camera. You will be able to restore the camera to its initial state easily.

Download: [New Frames for Optio S6/A10]
Download: [New Frames for Optio WP/WPi/M10/W10]

Main Features

• Pixel count: 1/1.8-inch 8 million CCD
• Supported resolution: 3264*2448 / 2592*1944 / 2304*1728 / 2048*1536 / 1600*1200 / 1024*768 / 640*480
• Supported format: JPEG
• ISO sensibility: Auto, ISO50/100/200/400 (up to ISO800 in candle mode)
• Supported media: SD memory card (24MB built-in)
• Lens: Focus distance 38-114mm/F2.8-5.4
• Photo distance: 35cm-∞, (wide) micro 12-40cm, (wide) super micro 6-15cm
• Photo modes: Auto, program, scene (10 modes)
• Shutter speed: 4-1/2000sec
• Actinometer method: split, center emphasis, spot
• LCD monitor: 2.5-inch TFT, 232K pixels
• PC connection: USB 2.0
• Battery: Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
• Possible shot count: around 150 (CIPA standard)
• Video: 640*480@ 30fps
• Unit size: L88.5*W23*H54.5
• Weight: around 144g (battery & media card included)