GOLDEN, CO. (July 11, 2007)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced two new lightweight, affordable compact digital camera models – the PENTAX Optio M40 and the PENTAX Optio E40.

With 8.0 megapixels, the PENTAX Optio M40 features an ultra-slim, sophisticated metallic body offering a 3X optical zoom and a large and easily viewable LCD monitor. The user-friendly Optio M40 also features Face Recognition and digital Shake Reduction.

The PENTAX Optio E40 is an affordable, entry-level compact digital camera also featuring Face Recognition technology and Digital Shake Reduction functions for high-resolution photography. This entry-level model accepts widely available AA batteries and is designed for simple and intuitive operation so that even beginners can enjoy photography effortlessly.

Priced at US $199.95, the PENTAX Optio M40 will ship in August 2007.  The PENTAX Optio E40 will ship in September 2007 for US $149.95.

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.

OPTIO M40 FACT SHEET

Stylish, Ultra-Slim Body
With an ultra-slim body that features an exclusive and very compact rechargeable battery, the Optio M40 body is less than 7/10 inch thick. The exterior features high quality aluminum alloy with a sophisticated textured finish.

8.0 Effective Megapixels Produce Exceptionally Fine-Detailed Photos
With 8.0 megapixels, the PENTAX Optio M40 delivers high-resolution photos that capture images with the finest details even at higher magnifications.

Face Recognition AF & AE Function
The Optio M40 is equipped with a Face Recognition AF & AE function* that automatically detects and focuses on faces, regardless of where the people appear in the photo frame. In addition, optimal exposure settings are automatically conducted so that the areas with faces are highlighted, even if there is backlighting.
* Available when the photography mode is “Portrait”, or “Natural Skin Tone” and the camera is directed at people from the front.

Digital SR (Shake Reduction)
A Digital Shake Reduction mode reduces camera shake and subject blur when photographing still images. The sensitivity is adjusted automatically to as high as ISO 3200 to match the brightness of the subjects to enable photography with faster shutter speeds and images with less blur.

Flash Photography
The Optio M40 is equipped with powerful flash photography performance options for subjects in dark locations to be captured clearly at a distance up to 50 feet. The flash also features a Soft Flash function that prevents overexposure of skin tones by controlling the amount of light emitted when photographing at close distances.

Large, Easy-To-View 2.5 Inch LCD Monitor
Despite the compact size of the Optio M40, the camera comes with a generous 2.5 inch monitor with an improved pixel number of approximately 150,000 pixels for easier playback and better operational view of camera settings and menu displays. The Optio M40 is also equipped with an Economy mode that promotes energy saving by dimming the backlight automatically after a certain period of time has passed.

Auto Picture Mode For Automatic Optimal Settings For Shooting Conditions
An Auto Picture mode lets the camera automatically determine the shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Normal mode and choose the optimal settings for each subject. This PENTAX original function simplifies photography for users by eliminating individualized camera settings.

Sixteen Photography Modes
The Optio M40 features 16 photography modes including Natural Skin Tone, Flower, Sport, Pet, and Food that are set with the optimum exposure and white balance depending on the scene or subject. A Mode Palette icon helps make the selections simple.

3X Optical zoom and 4X Digital Zoom For A Maximum Of About 12X Magnification
The Optio M40 features a 3X optical zoom lens with a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 36-108mm lens in 35mm format, which is ideal for a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes to portraits. Combined with 4X digital zoom, The Optio M40 achieves a 12X zoom capability.

Additional Optio M40 Features:

• Equipped with Movie SR (Shake Reduction) function, which enables movies to be delivered with high quality image rivaling camcorders
• Auto-Macro mode allows for close-up photography as near as 10cm during the normal focusing mode
• Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject
• New Date Imprint function for easier images categorizing
• World time function for 75 cities (28 times zones) worldwide
• Calendar Display function allows easier image retrieval based on the capture date
• Approximately 21.9MB of built-in memory
• FotoNation’s red-eye compensation function for flash shots
• Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX image viewer/image management software
• 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

PENTAX Optio E40 FACT SHEET

Face Recognition AF&AE Function
PENTAX adds Face Recognition AF & AE technology* to the Optio E40 to automatically detect and focus on faces, regardless of where the people appear in the photo frame. In addition, optimal exposure settings are set automatically so that the areas with faces are not darkened even if there is backlighting.
*Available when the photography mode is “Auto Picture”, “Program”, “Portrait”, and “Kids” and the camera is directed at people from the front.

8.1 Effective Megapixels Produce Exceptionally Fine-Detailed Photos
Despite being an entry-level camera, the Optio E40 delivers high-resolution photos that look sharp even at large magnifications thanks to its 8.1 effective megapixels, which precisely captures images down to the finest detail.

Digital SR (Shake Reduction)
A mode that reduces camera shake and blurring when photographing still images. The sensitivity is adjusted automatically, to as high as ISO1000, to match the brightness of the subjects. This enables photography with faster shutter speeds, and images with less blurring can be obtained.

Auto Picture Mode
The Auto Picture mode lets the camera automatically determine the shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Normal mode and choose the optimum settings for each subject. This PENTAX original function makes photography a lot easier for users since it eliminates the necessity of a number of individual settings.

Compatibility With AA Batteries
Since the Optio E40 accepts widely available AA batteries, you can shoot with confidence when away from home or whenever you want. Furthermore, the camera has been designed specifically to use less power so that you can take approximately 240 photos when running on alkaline batteries.

Green Mode For Automated Setup
The Optio E40 comes with the Green mode to automate camera setup when shooting still images and allow digital-camera beginners to enjoy effortless photography. A single button press automatically sets the exposure, sensitivity, white balance, and other parameters according to the shooting conditions. This function is useful when asking someone else to take your picture or when you lose track of camera settings.

3X Optical Zoom And 4X Digital Zoom
The Optio E40 features a 3X optical zoom lens with a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 37.5-112.5mm lens in 35mm format, which is ideal for a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes to travel photography to portraits. Combined with 4X digital zoom, the Optio E40 achieves a total of about 12X zoom capability.

Additional Optio E40 Features:

• Recording movie size is up to 640 x 480 pixels with image quality of rivaling camcorders
• Large, high-resolution 2.4 inch LCD monitor with approximately 110,000 pixels provides an easy-to-view display
• Calendar Display function allows easier image retrieval based on the capture date
• More convenient to carry thanks to the slim design, which features a lens design that fully retracts when the camera is off
• Continuous shooting mode can record up to 16 consecutive images (640 x 480 pixels per image) in a 2-second burst
• Compatible with SDHC memory card in addition to conventional SD memory cards 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.
ImageLink and the ImageLink print system logo are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company used under license.
All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.