Pentax S12 Review

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S12 Overview

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S12 Overview
Specifications

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Pentax Optio S12
Resolution:	12.00 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/1.7 inch (7.6mm x 5.7mm)
Lens:	3.00x zoom (37-111mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	LCD
Extended ISO:	64 - 3200
Shutter:	1/2000 - 4 sec
Max Aperture:	2.8
Dimensions:	3.6 x 2.2 x 0.9 in. (91 x 56 x 23 mm)
Weight:	4.6 oz (130 g)
MSRP:	$280
Availability:	04/2008
Manufacturer:	Pentax
Full specs:	Pentax S12 specifications

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12.00 Megapixels	3.00x zoom	1/1.7 inch size sensor

Pentax S12 Intro

An update to the tiny ten megapixel Optio S10, Pentax now claims the Optio S12 is the smallest, most stylish twelve megapixel camera in its class.

Pentax S12 Features

The Pentax Optio S12 has a twelve megapixel CCD imager and a Pentax-branded 3x optical zoom lens. The S12 features a 2.5-inch LCD display for image framing and reviewing, but there's no room for an optical viewfinder in this extremely compact digicam. Power for the S12 comes from a proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable battery or optional AC adapter, and the camera stores images on SD/SDHC cards or 21MB of built-in memory. There's also USB 2.0 High-Speed computer connectivity and NTSC / PAL video out to let you see your photos or movies on a television.

Additional Pentax Optio S12 features and details (adapted from the press release):

Ultra-compact, Stylish Design
With a stylish, compact body, the Pentax Optio S12 is one of the smallest and lightest models with approximately 12.0 effective megapixels.
12.0 Megapixels
With 12.0 megapixels, the camera offers high image quality and higher performance through the 1/1.7-inch CCD that features a wide light receiving area and superior tone reproduction. The high-performance image engine with excellent color reproduction and smc PENATX lens adds to the image quality.
3X Optical Zoom
The Optio S12 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 35 mm format, which is ideal for a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes to portraits.
Bright, Easy-to-view LCD Monitor
The high-intensity LCD monitor features an LCD booster function to increase the brightness of the screen. The LCD cover is coated with an Anti-Reflection coating that reduces glare. With a screen size of 2.5 inches and a high resolution of 232,000 dots, it is also easy to confirm the picture composition and the focus. Also, as the screen has a wide viewing angle of approximately 170 degrees in the horizontal and vertical directions, images may be viewed easily even from the side.
Face Recognition Function*
The Optio S12 is equipped with a Face Recognition Auto Focus and Auto Exposure function that automatically recognizes up to 15 faces, adjusts focus and sets the optimum settings. A new Face Selector function also enables users to select one persons face from among multiple recognized faces. *The face recognition technology Face Tracker developed by FotoNation is used for the Optio S12s Face Recognition AF & AE.
New Dynamic Range Adjustment Function
The Optio S12 is newly equipped with the Dynamic Range Adjustment function that suppresses the generation of white- outs and black-outs by correcting the tones for the highlighted areas and shadowed areas of subjects with significant differences in contrast. Through a link with the Face Recognition function, this feature helps highlight subject even in backlit settings while background tones are automatically retained. In addition, it is possible to change settings in accordance with the photography conditions.
Digital Shake Reduction
Digital Shake Reduction mode reduces camera shake and blurring of the subject when photographing still images. The sensitivity is adjusted automatically, to as high as ISO 3200, to match the brightness of the subjects. This enables photography with fast shutter speeds, and images with less blur.
Movie Recording Function Enabling High-quality Recording
The Optio S12 smoothly captures movies at 30fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640x480 pixels with image quality rivaling camcorders. Since it employs the DivX(MPEG-4) movies format,* the Optio S12 can record long, high-quality movies. * The Optio S12 is DivX certified. Movie playback is not supported on Macintosh operating systems
Auto Picture mode automatically determines the best setting for the shooting conditions
Mode palette provide quick access to 18 shooting modes and 15 playback modes
An Intelligent zoom function which enables images to be magnified even larger and stored, while maintaining the image quality of optical zoom
A Green button enables users to assign functions that are frequently used, and recall then in just one touch
Date imprint function for easier image categorizing
Approximately 21.0MB of built-in memory
FotoNations red-eye compensation function for flash shots
Includes the ACDSee for Pentax 3.0 viewer/image management software that supports Windows Vista™
Support PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III