Pentax Optio I-10, H90, and E90

Photography News

Optio I-10 and Optio H90 kick-off Pentax’s new product lines and the E90 is priced under one hundred dollars.

Pentax Imaging Company announced three new digital cameras with designs so unique that not one can be labeled as “just another silver digital camera.”

Most unique is the slim and stylish PENTAX Optio I-10 with a design inspired by the classic look of film SLR cameras. This head-turning first model in the new Optio I line features a flash unit and speaker in the upper mid-section of the SLR-shaped body while the camera’s front panel is embellished with high quality leatherette texture and the classic PENTAX logo placed front and center. The Optio I-10 features a wide angle, 5X optical zoom lens (28mm-140mm equivalent), a 12.1 megapixel high resolution CCD sensor, a 2.7 inch widescreen LCD, and HD video capture at 720p and 30 FPS. For optimal image capture, the camera features a mechanical sensor shift Shake Reduction system and improved Pixel Track Shake Reduction technology for blur-free images as well as Smile Capture, Blink Detection and improved Face Detection that spots up to 32 faces including dogs and cats. The Optio I-10 is remote control compatible (sold separately) and will ship in February 2010 in a choice of Classic Black and Pearl White for $299.95 USD.

PENTAX also announced the Optio H90 digital camera with a clean, contemporary design that is as in style in a museum of modern art as at a concert or sporting event. Developed with the concept of “functional beauty” in mind, the fashionable and affordable Optio H90 offers a full assortment of features to capture a variety of subjects and scenes. This first model in the new Optio H line features a wide angle 5X optical zoom lens (28mm-140mm equivalent), a 12.1 megapixel high resolution CCD sensor, and widescreen HD video capture at 720p and 30 FPS. Improved Pixel Track Shake Reduction technology captures blur-free images and the Face Detection, Smile Capture, and Blink Detection functions help users create better portraits. The Optio H90 will ship in February 2010 in a choice of Orange-Silver, Matte Black and Ceramic White for $179.95.

Both the PENTAX Optio I-10 and Optio H90 offer Eye-Fi connectivity capability for use with Eye-Fi wireless memory cards.

The latest model in the easy-to-operate, affordable Optio E series is the PENTAX Optio E90. Priced at just $99.95 USD, the Optio E90 features a 10 megapixel CCD, a 3X wide angle zoom (32mm-96mm equivalent) and a large 2.7 inch LCD housed in a luxurious rubber coated body for a sure grip. The Optio E90’s features a travel-friendly design with AA battery compatibility. Auto Picture mode selects the best shooting settings for the scene, and a high 6400 ISO that freezes subject movement in Digital SR (Shake Reduction) mode. The Optio E90 features an intelligent ergonomic design with a sure grip and an easy menu that makes the E series a popular choice. Available in Black and Wine Red, the Optio E90 will ship in February 2010.

Each model is available for pre-order now on the www.pentaxwebstore.com

PENTAX OPTIO I-10 FACT SHEET

SLR inspired design
The nostalgic, eye-catching design of the Optio I-10 resembles classic film SLR cameras. PENTAX positioned the flash unit and speaker in the upper mid-section of the camera body to create this original SLR-shaped body, and the leatherette texture and classic 20th century PENTAX logo add elegance to the camera design.

Optical 5X wide angle to telephoto zoom lens
The Optio I-10 features an optical 5X zoom lens that covers focal lengths from 5.1mm to 25.5mm (equivalent in the 35mm format to approximately 28mm wide angle to 140mm telephoto). This wide zoom range allows the Optio I-10 to capture a wide variety of subjects and scenes from breathtaking landscapes, majestic architecture and group shots in a confined space, to tightly cropped photos shot from a distance. An Intelligent Zoom function allows even tighter zoom on subjects and extends the digital zoom range to approximately 31.3X.

12.1 effective megapixels for exceptional image quality
With 12.1 effective megapixels, a high-performance imaging engine, and the camera’s high performance PENTAX zoom lens, the Optio I-10 delivers brilliant, high quality images with well-defined details. Even when enlarged, the images deliver sharp, high-resolution prints with edge-to-edge sharpness.

Improved Face Detection recognizes dogs and cats
The Optio I-10 features an improved Face Detection AF & AE function that detects up to 32 faces in the image field and captures them all in sharp focus with optimal exposure in just 0.03 seconds. This upgraded Face Detection technology now allows users to adjust the camera to detect dogs and cats. Users may program the camera to automatically release the shutter the moment the subject faces the camera, which is especially helpful for pet photography.

Triple anti-shake protection

CCD-shift-type SR mechanism
The Optio I-10 incorporates an advanced CCD-shift-type Shake Reduction (SR) mechanism that compensates for camera shake by shifting the camera’s image sensor (CCD) horizontally and vertically in relation to the amount of shake detected by the high-accuracy gyro sensor. This offers outstanding camera-shake compensation equivalent to up to 2.5 shutter steps even when shooting telephoto or in lowlight settings such as sunsets or indoors.

High-Sensitivity anti-shake mode
The Optio I-10 automatically raises the sensitivity to as high as ISO 6400 in low-lighting conditions in still-image shooting making it possible to use a higher shutter speed. This effectively minimizes the adverse effects of camera shake and subject shake under poor lighting conditions.

Movie SR mode
PENTAX Movie SR mode allows the Optio I-10 to digitally minimize camera shake to prevent blurry footage in movie recording mode.

HD movie recording
The Optio I-10 captures flawless movie clips at 16:9 high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels)* at 30 frames per second. This mode also offers a variety of editing functions that allows users to extract still images, divide longer clips, and add title images to video clips.

*When the Optio I-10’s AV output terminal is used, movie clips are output as normal image-size data. If the user wishes to play back movie clips at high-definition-TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels), the data must be transferred to a personal computer for playback.

Picture In Picture function for constant display of a favorite image on the screen
The Optio I-10 offers new Picture In Picture function, which allows users to display a thumbnail of a recorded image in the upper left corner of the LCD panel. This function is handy when photographers want to reference a recorded image to shoot subjects from the same angle and at the same image size every time (as in food or macro photography) or when users simply want to maintain a favorite image on the screen.

Creative digital filters to process recorded images
The Optio I-10 features 11 digital filters to add various visual effects to recorded images without touching a computer. Filters include Monochrome, Sepia, Toy Camera, Soft filters, and Starburst to create cross, heart or star-shaped highlights from nighttime illuminations or water reflections. Users may apply multiple filters to a single image.

Additional features

• Eye-Fi connected: optimized for use with Eye-Fi wireless memory cards
• Wireless remote shooting using optional PENTAX remote controllers
• Auto Picture mode to automatically select one of the eight shooting modes for best results
• D-Range setting to prevent whitewashed (overexposed) and blacked-out (underexposed) areas in images
• Original Frame function to add a decorative frame and/or letters/characters to a recorded image
• Digital Panorama mode to create a single panoramic picture from as many as three images
• Digital Wide function to compose an ultra-wide-angle picture (roughly equivalent to an image taken with approximately 21mm lens in the 35mm format) from two images
• Menu Magnification function to enlarge menu items for easier viewing
• MediaImpression 2.0 for PENTAX image viewing, editing and filing software included (compatible with latest operation systems, such as Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6)

PENTAX OPTIO H90 FACT SHEET

Clean, modern, functional design
Designed with functional beauty in mind, the Optio H90 features clean, straight lines and easy-to-push round, control buttons. Featuring high quality aluminum alloy and matte paint finish, the body is shaped for a firm, comfortable hold.

Optical 5X zoom lens for wide coverage from wide angle to telephoto
The Optio H90 features a high-performance optical 5X zoom lens covering focal lengths from 5.1mm to 25.5mm (equivalent in the 35mm format to approximately 28mm wide angle to 140mm telephoto). With this wide zoom range, the Optio H90 may be used for a wide variety of subjects and scenes from spectacular landscapes, majestic architecture and group shots within confined spaces to tightly cropped snapshots from a distance. Featuring an Intelligent Zoom function, which allows for even tighter zooming in on the subject, the digital zoom range extends approximately 31.3X.

Exceptional image quality
Featuring 12.1 effective megapixels, the Optio H90 delivers exceptional image resolution with the PENTAX-developed high-performance imaging engine for high quality images with well-defined details. Even when images are enlarged, the camera delivers sharp, high-resolution prints with edge-to-edge sharpness.

Large, easy-to-view LCD monitor
Despite its compact body, the Optio H90 features a large 2.7 inch high-brightness color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots. With this large monitor, the user may check results of images and make any desired menu adjustments quickly.

High quality HD movie recording
The Optio H90 captures beautiful, high-definition movie clips (1280 x 720 pixels).* The camera is equipped with sophisticated Movie SR (Shake Reduction) mode,** which automatically compensates camera shake during movie capture for high quality, stabilized movie clips with minimal effort.

* When the Optio H90’s AV output terminal is used, movie clips are output as normal-image-size data. If the user wishes to play back movie clips at high-definition-TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels), the data must be transferred to a personal computer for playback.

** When the Movie SR mode is selected, the angle of view becomes narrower than normal shooting.

Automatic Face Detection for effortless snapshots
The Optio H90’s Face Detection AF & AE function detects up to 32 faces and optimizes focus and exposure settings in a mere 0.03 seconds even when faces are tilted or turned sideways. The Optio H90 is equipped with a Smile Capture mode that automatically releases the shutter the moment the camera detects the subject’s smile, and a Blink Detection function that alerts users if a subject’s eyes closed at the time of shutter release.

Additional features

• Eye-Fi connected: optimized for use with Eye-Fi wireless memory cards
• Pixel Track SR (Shake Reduction) mode to effectively compensate for camera shake during still-image shooting
• Auto Picture mode for automatic selection of one of eight shooting modes for optimum results
• Digital filters, including Toy Camera and Retro, to add distinctive visual effects to recorded images
• D-Range setting to prevent whitewashed (overexposed) and blacked-out (underexposed) areas in an image
• Auto-tracking AF mode to keep constant focus on a moving subject
• Digital Panorama mode to create a single panoramic picture from as many as three images
• Digital Wide function to compose an extra-wide-angle picture (equivalent to an image taken with an approx. 21mm lens in 35mm format) from two images.
• Frame Composite function (with 90 frames stored in the camera) to shoot or compose images with decorative photo frames
• Image Recovery function to recover accidentally erased images
• MediaImpression 2.0 for PENTAX software for image viewing, editing and filing (compatible with the latest operating systems, including Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6)

PENTAX OPTIO E90 FACT SHEET

10.1 effective megapixels
Featuring 10.1 effective megapixels and a high-performance PENTAX zoom lens, the Optio E90 delivers brilliant, high quality images with well-defined details. Even when images are enlarged, the camera delivers sharp, high-resolution prints with edge-to-edge sharpness.

Optical 3X zoom lens covering angles as wide as 31.5mm
The Optio E90 comes equipped with an optical 3X zoom lens covering focal lengths from approximately 31.5mm to 94.5mm (in the 35mm format). The 31.5mm wide-angle coverage is perfect for confined spaces as well as landscapes, magnificent structures or group snapshots. The Intelligent Zoom function, which allows even tighter zooming in on the subject without compromising image quality, extends the digital zoom range to approximately 17.1X.

Comfortable, easy-to-hold grip
The Optio E90’s exterior has been treated with a luxurious, satin-like, non-slip rubber coating and the right-front panel is slightly raised to form fatigue-free, firm camera grip.

Travel friendly AA-size battery compatibility
Two universally-available AA-size batteries power the Optio E90 and replacements may be found almost anywhere in the world. The energy-efficient design captures approximately 600 images* with a pair of fresh lithium batteries.

* Based on measurement conditions conforming to CIPA specifications.

Automatic Face Detection with Smile Capture function
The Optio E90 features advanced Face Detection AF & AE function that automatically detects the subject’s face then optimizes the focus and exposure settings. The camera also is equipped with a Smile Capture function to detect a smile on a subject’s face and releases the shutter automatically.

Auto Picture mode for automatic selection of the ideal shooting mode
The Optio E90 features PENTAX-original Auto Picture mode that automatically and instantly selects one of eight shooting modes (Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Flower, Sport, Standard, and Candlelight) for a specific subject or scene. This user-friendly mode helps photographers capture beautiful, high quality digital images of various subjects and scenes, without having to worry about making the proper adjustments to their capture settings each time.

Green mode for beginners
The Optio E90’s user-friendly Green mode automatically selects the optimum combination of exposure settings, ISO sensitivity and other factors for a given subject or scene for high quality digital photography that is simple and effortless even for first-time digital photographers. This feature retains settings when the user asks someone else to take a picture or when a user has lost track of camera settings.

Double anti-shake protection

High-Sensitivity anti-shake mode
When the Optio E90’s Digital SR mode detects low-lighting conditions in still-image shots, the camera automatically raises sensitivity to as high as ISO 1600, making it possible to use a faster shutter speed to minimize adverse effects of camera and subject movement under poor lighting conditions.

Movie SR mode
PENTAX Movie SR mode allows the Optio E90 to digitally minimize camera shake to prevent blurry footage in movie recording mode.

Digital filters for personal, creative touches
The Optio E90 comes equipped with six digital filters to add various visual effects to recorded images without a computer including Monochrome, Sepia, and a new Starburst filter to create cross, heart or star-shaped highlights from nighttime illuminations or reflections on the water. Users may apply multiple filters to a single image.

Digital Panorama mode to compose extra-wide-perspective images
The Optio E90 features the creative Digital Panorama mode that automatically creates a single panoramic picture from as many as three images. Users simply move the camera sideways (or up and down) as they capture images and follow instructions to stitch the images together. This mode captures expansive subjects, such as spectacular landscapes or high-rise buildings that may not be captured in a single standard-format image.

Additional features

• Large 2.7 inch, high-brightness color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots for comfortable viewing of images and menus
• Recording of beautiful movie clips (640 x 480 pixels) almost equal in
• quality to those recorded by a video camera
• World-time function to keep track of local time for 75 cities in 28 time zones around the world
• Image recovery function to retrieve accidentally erased images
• MediaImpression 2.0 for PENTAX image viewing, editing and filing software included (compatible with latest operation systems, such as Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6)
• High-speed continuous shooting mode to record 16 images (fixed at 640 x 480 pixels) in a mere two seconds