PENTAX INTRODUCES TWO NEW DIGITAL CAMERA MODELS
August 21, 2006

GOLDEN, CO. (August 21, 2006)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced significant upgrades to two popular PENTAX compact digital camera lines. The latest model in the PENTAX Optio A series is the Optio A20 now featuring 10.0 effective megapixels and three anti-shake functions including Shake Reduction, Blur Reduction High ISO mode, and a Movie Anti-shake all designed to improve image quality.

PENTAX also announced the latest model in the Optio M series, a compact, affordable digital camera now offering 7.0 effective megapixels plus a wide range of basic features including extended AA battery life that makes the camera an ideal travel companion. This new model also features the new PENTAX High ISO Blur Reduction mode for sharper images without camera shake or subject blurring.

The Optio A20 will ship in October 2006 for under US $350.00, while the Optio M20 will ship in September 2006 for under US $200.00.

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital SLR and compact cameras, scopes, eyepieces, binoculars, lenses, 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.
# # #

PENTAX Optio M20 Facts

7.0 effective megapixels permit beautiful, crisp prints even at large-format sizes

The Optio M20 produces clear images with impressive quality thanks to the high resolution afforded by its 7.0 effective megapixels and to its high-performance smc PENTAX lens. This superlative resolution makes it possible to attain prints with crisp details even when the photo is greatly enlarged.

Outstanding battery life

With a comprehensive energy-saving design, the Optio M20 provides exceptional battery life (approximately 220 images with AA alkaline batteries,* or approximately 700 images with AA lithium batteries*) for on-the-go power.

*Measured under testing conditions prescribed by CIPA standards.

New Blur Reduction mode reduces camera shake and subject blurring

The Optio M20 is equipped with a High ISO Blur Reduction mode, a new feature that lets you take photos at faster shutter speeds for sharper images even in dim lighting conditions such as night scenes and indoor sporting events. In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts the sensitivity to as high as ISO 1600 to match the brightness of the subject. The higher sensitivity permits faster shutter speeds that effectively reduce not just camera shake but also blurring caused by moving subjects.

Auto Picture mode automatically determines the best settings for the shooting conditions

The Auto Picture mode lets the camera automatically determine the shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Program modes and choose the optimum settings for each subject. This PENTAX original function simplifies shooting for users since it eliminates the necessity of making a number of individual settings.

High-quality Movies with Anti-Shake Function

The Optio M20 captures movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at resolutions up to 640 x 480 pixels and with an image quality rivaling that of camcorders. Camera shake while filming can be corrected automatically using the movie anti-shake function.*

*Using the movie anti-shake function results in a narrower field of view than that during normal recording.

Face Recognition AF & AE for beautiful one-step portraits

The camera includes Face Recognition AF & AE, which allows you to take bright, beautiful photos with perfectly focused faces free of backlighting shadows. This useful function automatically detects the position of the subject's face anywhere in the photo frame and adjusts the focus and optimizes the exposure for the detected position.

Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject

The Optio M20's auto-tracking AF feature continuously focuses on subjects such as kids and pets that move around unpredictably. Since the focus frame automatically follows the movement of the subject inside the photo frame, you can capture those instantaneous photo opportunities.

Easy-to-view LCD Monitor

The Optio M20 comes with a 2.5 inch LCD monitor, which displays subjects' movement with very little time delay (60 fps). Its easy to view, large monitor and menu display make operation, setting, monitoring, and playback comfortable and easy. An auto LCD dimmer function automatically dims the backlight to preserve battery life and optimize the screen checks indoors and outdoors.

Easy to use 3X optical zoom

The Optio M20 includes a 3X optical zoom lens with a focal length from 38 to 114 mm for 35mm film, which is ideal for a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes, through sightseeing photographs, to portraits.

SDHC memory card support for greater storage of high-quality images and longer movies

The Optio M20 supports two removable storage media: the conventional SD memory cards and the new SDHC memory cards.*

* SD High Capacity; these memory cards have capacities in excess of 2 GB.

Compatibility with the ImageLink printing system

The Optio M20 is compatible with the ImageLink printing system, which allows wireless connection of a digital camera to ImageLink-compatible printers. By simply placing the Optio M20 on the printer's dock, the user can take advantage of simple, push-button printing of recorded images, without requiring a personal computer.

Additional features

-World time function for 71 cities (28 time zones) worldwide
-Calendar display lets you choose photos by date
-Mode Palette provides quick access to 15 shooting modes and 13 playback modes
-Soft flash function avoids overexposure during close-up flash photography
-Macro mode allows close-up photography as near as 5 cm
-Digital zooming provides up to 4X magnification
-Approximately 21.9 MB of built-in memory
-Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX image viewer/image management software
-Supports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III

SD Logo and SDHC Logo are trademarks.

PENTAX, Optio and smc PENTAX are registered trademarks of PENTAX Corporation.

All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

QuickTime and QuickTime logo are trademarks used under license. The QuickTime logo is registered in U.S. and other countries.

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.

ImageLink and the ImageLink print system logo are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company used under license.

Design and Specifications are subject to change without notice.



# # #