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Pentagram's Photon 304 digital camera. Courtesy of Pentagram, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Pentagram announces 3mpix, fixed focus digicam
By
(Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 12:34 EST)

Polish vendor Pentagram has today announced a new digital camera model that will be sold in that country, amongst other Eastern European countries.

The Pentagram Photon 304 is a 3.1 megapixel model that features a 45mm-equivalent lens, 16MB built-in memory and Secure Digital storage, 1.6" TFT LCD display, built-in flash, and USB connectivity. The camera, which has dimensions of 94 x 66 x 40mm and weighs 140 grams, draws its power from 2 AA alkaline or NiMH batteries. Shutter speeds are automatically controlled with a range from 1/2 to 1/1000 second, and a fixed aperture of F4.0. Likewise, white balance and ISO rating (from ISO 125 - 200, extended to ISO 500 when the flash is enabled) are controlled automatically. The camera has a suggested price of US$140, and will be available in March or April 2004 depending on the country.

Pentagram Photon 304
Pentagram's Photon 304 digital camera. Courtesy of Pentagram, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Number of effective pixels 3.1 million pixels (5 million by interpolation)
CCD sensor
1 / 2.7-inch CCD
Number of total pixels: 3.21 million pixels
Number of recorded pixels
Still image: 2560 x 1920 (interpolated) / 2048 x 1536 / 1600 x 1200 / 1280 x 960 pixels
Movie: 320 x 240 pixels. 15 frames/sec.
File formats
Still image: JPEG (Exif Ver 2.2)
Movie AVI (Motion JPEG)
Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible
Storage media Secure Digital (currently available in 32MB to 1GB capacities)
Lens� Single focal lens F4.0
Lens focal length Equivalent to 45mm on a 35mm camera
Focus Fixed focus
Focus distance

Normal: 120cm to infinity

Portrait: 80cm – 160cm
Macro: 20cm
Shutter speed 1/ 2 to 1/1000 sec
Aperture F4.0
Sensitivity
Auto (equivalent to ISO 125-200, flash off)
Auto (equivalent to ISO 125-500, flash on)
Exposure modes Programmed AE
White balance Automatic (5 positions selectable in manual mode)
Viewfinder Real image optical, approx. 80% coverage
LCD monitor 1.6” TFT (approx. 85,000 pixels) Approx. 90% coverage
Flash
Automatic
Effective range: Wide (0.8m-3.0m)
Flash mode: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Fill-in Flash, Slow Synchro, Off)
Self-timer Approx. 10 sec.
Digital interface USB
Printing DPOF compatible
Power source
2 x AA alkaline batteries (included)
2 x Ni/MH rechargeable batteries (available separately) or AC power adapter (2A-3.3V) (optional)
Dimensions 94 (W) x 66 (H) x 40 (D) mm
Weight Approx. 140g (excluding batteries and media)
Camera Functions
Digital Zoom Approx. 4x
Movie recording
320 x 240 pixels: 15 frames/sec. up to 90 seconds
Without sound, AVI format (Motion JPEG)
Playback Single frame (with max 4x Playback zoom), 9 multi-frame
Accessories included
  • 2 x AA type alkaline batteries
  • Wrist strap
  • USB cable
  • Camera pouch
  • User manual
  • CD-ROM
    • USB driver
    • Ulead PhotoExplorer
Optional accessories
  • Secure Digital Memory Card: 32, 64, 128, 256, 512MB, 1GB capacities currently available
  • AC Power Adapter (2A-3.3V)
  • Rechargeable AA-type NiMH battery
  • Ultra-fast charger with 4 x 2100mAh Ni-Mh batteries
  • Overnight charger with 4 x 1800mAh Ni-Mh batteries
.

Original Source Press Release:

Photon 304: simple shooting for everyone

PENTAGRAM today launches the Photon 304, a camera designed to simplify taking pictures for an amateur user, whilst still offering high picture quality. With a compact and user-friendly design it gives everyone an opportunity to experience the digital imaging in every-day life.

With a 3.1 million pixel effective resolution and movie recording capabilities, the Photon 304 offers great functionality yet remains easy to use. Pleasant to carry and operate, with its low weight and small dimensions, the Photon 304 offers straightforward controls and menu options, ensuring this camera makes life easy for every photographer wanting to start his adventure with digital photography.

The Photon 304 is small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or handbag, so it's never far away from the action. With both an optical viewfinder and high quality 1.6" TFT screen, users can easily take and review shots before adding them to their collection. Furthermore, an included pouch protects the camera from being scratched while being carried in a pocket or bag and gives you an opportunity to attach the camera to your belt.

Created with ease of use and convenience in mind, the Photon 304 is powered by two AA Alkaline batteries and has impressively low power consumption compared to its features.

Photon 304 features at a glance:

  • 3.1 million effective pixels (5 megapixels interpolated image size)
  • Fast operation and simple to use, just point and shoot for lifelike images
  • Movie recording capabilities up to 15 frames per second (fps). Record up to 90 seconds (320x240 pixels) in the 16MB built-in memory.
  • Secure Digital card format compatibility offers large storage capacity and quick data transfer.
All inclusive
The Photon 304 is supplied with everything needed to start shooting straight from the box: two AA alkaline batteries, built-in 16MB memory, wrist strap, CD, USB cable, user manual and a camera pouch. The supplied software CD includes USB drivers and Ulead PhotoExplorer useful for editing photos and creating multimedia albums.

Pricing and availability in the Eastern Europe
The Photon 304 will be available from Eastern European photographic and computer retailers from March/April 2004. The suggested retail price is USD140 excl. VAT. Availability of this product will vary by country.

� 2004, PENTAGRAM Specifications are subject to change.

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