GOLDEN, CO (March 17, 2008)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the PENTAX Optio V20 compact digital camera with a 5X zoom lens, 8.0 megapixels, and a generous 3.0 inch LCD monitor. Ultra-slim and stylish in design, this latest PENTAX compact digital camera makes it easy to capture and to view images.

Three innovative features on the Optio V20 help users optimize portrait photographs. A Face Recognition function automatically detects and focuses on faces, then sets the optimum exposure. Smile Capture detects the key facial expression of happy people and releases the shutter automatically. Blink Detection reports to the user whether any subjects closed their eyes in an image, so that the shot may be recaptured if necessary. Additional features include Auto-tracking AF for continuously focusing on a moving subject, 52MB of built-in memory, and an Auto-Macro mode that allows close-up photography as near as 4 inches (10 cm) without changing the normal focusing mode.

The PENTAX Optio V20 will ship in May 2008 for US $279.95.

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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PENTAX Optio V20 Fact Sheet

Optical 5X Zoom Lens
The Optio V20 is equipped with a 5X optical zoom lens with an angle of view equivalent to a 36mm -180mm lens in 35mm format that allows users to zoom in on subjects. Combined with the digital zoom function (approx. 1X to 5.1X), the camera offers photography with a maximum zoom of 25.5X.

Large 3.0 Inch LCD Monitor
The Optio V20 features a high resolution, 3.0 inch LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots that enables images and text to be displayed largely and clearly. The LCD monitor has a wide viewing angle of 170 degrees from all directions, making it easy to confirm images even when viewing the screen from any angle. The LCD also features an Anti-Reflection coating that reduces reflections. With this coating, the monitor is even more easily viewable outdoors.

8.0 Megapixels
With a high resolution of approximately 8.0 effective megapixels and a high-performance PENTAX lens, the Optio V20 offers high quality images even when pictures are enlarged.

Face Recognition AF&AE , Smile Capture, And Blink Detection For Portraits
The Optio V20 is equipped with the Face Recognition Auto focus and Auto Exposure function to automatically detect and focus on faces and set the optimum exposure. In addition, the Optio V20 is equipped with a Smile Capture function that recognizes smiles and releases the shutter automatically. A Blink Detection function tells users whether subjects blink during image capture, so the image may be recaptured.

Digital Shake Reduction
The Digital Shake Reduction mode reduces camera shake and blur of subjects when photographing still images. The sensitivity can adjust automatically to the ultra-high sensitivity of ISO 6400 to match the brightness of the subjects. This enables photography with fast shutter speeds and images with less blur.

Evolved Auto Picture Mode Automatically Determines Best Settings For Shooting Conditions
Unique to PENTAX, the Auto Picture mode automatically determines shooting conditions and chooses optimal settings for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Normal, Flower and Sports mode.

Additional Features:
Movie recording function with shake reduction enabling high image quality rivaling camcorders
Mode palette provides quick access to 16 shooting conditions and 15 playback modes
Panorama mode for composing photographs into 1 panoramic picture
Auto-Macro allows for close-up photography as near as 4 inches (10cm) without changing the normal focusing mode
Auto-tracking AF continuously focusing on a moving subject
Date imprint function for easy image categorizing
Approximately 52 MB of built-in memory
FotoNation’s red-eye compensation function for flash shots
Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX 3.0 image viewer/image management software that supports Windows VistaTM
Support PictBridge, DPOF functions, EXIF Print, and PRINT Image Matching III

PENTAX and Optio are trademarks of PENTAX Corporation. 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. All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.