PENTAX Announces Latest Optio Waterproof Digital Camera
PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the new PENTAX Optio W20, a compact digital camera featuring excellent waterproof performance with a slim, flat body design.
The Optio W20 is the latest model in the PENTAX Optio W series of cameras that are capable of underwater photography without requiring a waterproof case or other accessories.
The waterproof design of the Optio W20 meets the JIS Class 8 waterproof standard, enabling it to withstand up to 30 minutes of continuous operation at an underwater depth of up to five feet.
In addition, this model features a new Blur Reduction High ISO mode that selects ISO up to 1600, and an upgrade to 7.0 effective megapixels to offer improved image quality in a fun, easy-to-handle package. The PENTAX Optio W20 will ship this month for under US$300 (check price).
PENTAX Optio W20 FACT SHEET
Water and dust protection for worry-free use in all kinds of environments
The Optio W20 features a waterproof design that meets the JIS Class 8 waterproof standard, enabling it to withstand up to 30 minutes of continuous operation at an underwater depth up to five feet, without needing a waterproof case. The Optio W20 also meets the JIS Class 5 dustproof standard, and is ideal for use skiing, marine sports, fishing, and enjoying other outdoor events.
3X optical zoom lens and 7.0 effective megapixels deliver outstanding pictures
The Optio W20 includes a 3X optical zoom lens that covers focal lengths from 6.3 to 18.9 mm (equivalent to 38 to 114 mm for 35mm film) and features a ‘folding’ optical system so the lens never protrudes from the camera while zooming. The 7.0 effective megapixels produces extremely high-quality prints with crisp detail even when the photo is greatly enlarged.
Macro photography at less than an inch
The Optio W20 can be used at less than an inch away from a subject for stunning close-up photography. Macro photography provides many exciting photo options that allow you to fill the photo frame with subjects such as flowers, insects, and jewelry.
2.5 inch LCD monitor with superb visibility even outdoors
The Optio W20 comes with a 2.5 inch LCD monitor that is easy to view even in sunny outdoor conditions. The LCD cover is finished with a non-glare coating and features adjustable LCD backlight strength. The camera also has a Power Saving mode that automatically dims the backlight to save battery power.
Optio W20 automatically adjusts ISO as high as 1600
The Optio W20 is equipped with a Blur Reduction High ISO 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.
Face Recognition AF & AE for beautiful one-step portraits
The camera includes Face Recognition AF & AE, which allows you to take bright, beautiful photos of people with perfectly focused faces free of shadows caused by backlighting. This useful function automatically detects the position of the subject’s face anywhere in the photo frame and then adjusts the focus and optimizes the exposure for the detected position.
High-quality movies with an electronic anti-shake function
With the Optio W20, you can smoothly capture movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640 x 480 pixels that rival those shot with camcorders. It also has additional features that make taking movies easier and more enjoyable, including the movie electronic anti-shake feature,* which automatically compensates for camera shake while taking movies, and the Mermaid Movie mode, which optimizes the settings for filming underwater.
*Using the movie anti-shake function results in a narrower field of view than during normal recording.
Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject
The auto-tracking AF feature of the Optio W20 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.
Supports the SDHC memory card for greater storage of high-quality images and longer movies
The Optio W20 supports two removable storage media: the conventional SD memory cards and new SDHC memory cards.*
*SD High Capacity; these memory cards have capacities in excess of 2 GB.
Digital filters add all kinds of fun expressions
A number of creative digital filter functions are built into the camera that you can use to customize your photos. In addition to a B&W filter, a Sepia filter, a Soft Focus filter, and six Color filters, there is a Fish-eye filter, which dramatically distorts the image so it appears to have been taken with a fish-eye lens. With these filters, you can obtain a rich assortment of digital effects without needing a computer.
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.
Other features
- Calendar display lets you choose photos by date
- Mode Palette provides quick access to 25 shooting modes and 15 playback modes
- Image Recovery function lets you retrieve accidentally erased picturesSoft flash function avoids overexposure during close-up flash photography
- Digital zooming provides up to 4X magnification
- FotoNation’s red-eye compensation function for flash shots
- 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
