Pentax updates the Optio T10
By
Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 18:00 EDT)
Alongside its launch of the K10 digital SLR, Pentax USA has today launched the new Optio T20 digital camera.
The Pentax Optio T20 is closely based on the existing Optio T10 model, and as with that camera it crams a giant 3.0" LCD display with a relatively high resolution of 230,000 pixels into an ultracompact body that's just 19.5mm thick. To achieve this, Pentax needed to use most of the camera's rear panel to fit in the LCD - meaning there was little room left over for any thing else. The solution? Make the T20's LCD a touch-screen type, and put the controls on the LCD as user-friendly icons. This makes for a really clean, smooth body with a grand total of four physical buttons (power, shutter, playback, and menu) plus a zoom dial. The Pentax T20's main upgrade over the six megapixel T10 is its 1/2.5" seven megapixel CCD imager. Other than the resolution boost, the only other spec change that stands out is an increase of the maximum ISO sensitivity from 400 to 800, although it should be noted that this new setting is only accessible in manual mode. Other features retained from the original camera in the Pentax T20 are an smc Pentax-branded 3x optical zoom lens that provides a fairly standard 35mm-equivalent focal range of 38 - 113mm, Secure Digital plus 12MB of built-in storage memory, NTSC / PAL video and USB 2.0 connectivity (type unspecified), as well as a built-in flash and a macro mode that allows focusing as close as 15 centimeters. Power comed courtesy of a proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery. The Pentax Optio T20 goes on sale from October 2006, for the same $350 list price at which its predecessor retailed.
Pentax Optio T20 |
|
General |
Camera Type |
Compact |
Manufacturer |
Pentax |
Model Number |
T20 |
Dimensions |
3.7 x 2.3 x 0.8" 95.0 x 59.0 x 19.5mm |
Weight |
155.0 g 5.4 oz |
Planned Price |
$349.95 |
Planned Availability | Oct 2006 |
Image Capture |
Sensor Type |
1/2.5" CCD 7.38 megapixels (total) 7.00 megapixels (effective) |
Filter Type |
RGBG |
Aspect Ratio |
4:3 |
Image Dimensions |
3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels) 2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels) 2304 x 1728 (4.0 megapixels) 2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels) 1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels) 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels) |
Image Quality |
3 levels |
Image Preview / Review |
Viewfinder |
No |
LCD |
3.0", 230,000 pixels 100% field of view |
Playback Zoom |
12.0x max |
Lens |
Lens Type |
smc PENTAX power zoom 3x optical zoom |
Image Stabilization |
No |
Focal Length |
6.2 - 18.6mm (actual) 38 - 113mm (35mm equivalent) |
Aperture Range |
f/2.7 (wide) / f/5.2 (tele) - ??? |
Focusing System |
5-point Contrast Detection with AF assist lamp Manual Focus possible (0) steps |
Focusing Range |
Normal: 16" - infinity (40 cm - infinity) Macro: 6.1" - 20" (15 cm - 50 cm) |
Exposure |
ISO Sensitivity |
Auto, 80, 160, 320, 400, 800* (manual mode only) |
Shutter Speed |
1/2000 - 4 second |
Exposure Modes |
Program |
Metering Modes |
TTL Multi-segment metering, Center weighted, Spot |
Exposure Compensation |
+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments |
White Balance |
Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light, Manual, Manual |
Internal Flash |
Modes: Auto, Flash-off, Flash-on, Auto + Red-eye reduction, Flash-on + Red-eye reduction, Soft flash Range: ISO Auto: Wide: 0.49 ft- 14.8 ft (0.15m - 4.5m) ; Tele: 1.31 ft - 8.2 ft (0.4m - 2.5m) |
Creative |
Scene Modes |
Program, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Night scene, Surf & snow, Food, Sport, Pet, Frame |
Digital Zoom |
4x |
Self Timer |
Yes, 2 or 10 seconds |
Time Lapse |
No |
Movie Format |
AVI (Motion JPEG) with audio 640x480 and 320x240 Max. frame-rate: 30 frames per second |
Storage |
Recording Medium |
SD/MMC, Built-in |
File System |
Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) |
File Format |
JPEG (Exif 2.2) |
Connectivity |
Video |
Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable |
Computer |
USB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed |
Other |
DC In |
Power |
Battery Type |
Lithium Ion rechargeable |
Battery Form Factor |
Proprietary D-LI8 |
Product Bundle |
Software |
Software S-SW61 (CD-ROM) |
Battery / Charger |
Proprietary D-LI8 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger |
Flash Memory |
12.0MB built-in memory |
Other |
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant |
Yes |
PictBridge Compliant |
Yes |
Internal Microphone |
Yes |
Internal Speaker |
Yes |
Tripod Mount |
Yes |
Remote Control |
Yes |
|
|
Original Source Press Release:
PENTAX UNVEILS SLIMMEST DIGITAL CAMERA WITH THREE INCH LCD
OPTIO T20 FEATURES SEVEN MEGAPIXELS
GOLDEN, CO. (September 13, 2006) PENTAX Imaging Company announced the new PENTAX Optio T20 compact digital camera featuring an extremely slim body. Incorporating the PENTAX-developed Sliding Lens System and an impressive 3.0 inch, high-definition LCD monitor, the Optio T20 is the thinnest digital camera in this class. Featuring 7.0 megapixels and a 3X zoom, the latest model in the PENTAX T series allows users to select and confirm functions directly on the LCD monitor with just a touch or with a stylus. The 3.0 inch display allows users to easily view and decorate images with drawings, stamps, picture frames and more. With the 3.0 inch touch-display, the Optio T20 allows users to simply touch, shoot and enjoy. Easy-to-share 3.0 inch oversized LCD monitor The Optio T20 hosts a large 3.0 inch LCD monitor with 230,000 pixels for exceptional clarity and definition for reviewing images and menu text. With a wide viewing field, the screen remains easy-to-see when viewed from an angle or straight on. This is helpful when monitoring shots at low or high angles or when displaying images in a group setting. The Optio T20 features an extra-large 3.0 inch LCD monitor made possible by the PENTAX Sliding Lens System* and high-density mounting technology. *PENTAX's proprietary lens system: The central lens group slides upward from the optical axis and the front and back lens groups slip under them. Housing the lens in two steps in the lens cylinder reduces overall lens thickness, thereby minimizing body depth. Extremely slim body With a slim body only 0.77 inch thick (19.5mm), the Optio T20 is the thinnest in this digital camera class. Touch display makes operations simple and enjoyable The Optio T20's touch display allows users to select and confirm functions by directly touching the LCD monitor. Easy operation of the screen allows users to access icons from the displayed menu with a simple touch. Excellent image quality Upgraded to 7.0 effective megapixel resolution, the Optio T20 delivers images with exceptional definition. The camera boasts an smc PENTAX lens for clear, high-contrast images, while the unique lens coating reduces ghosting and other artifacts. The Optio T20's superb image processing technology produces vivid colors and creates smooth tonal expressions at all brightness levels. My Drawing mode for easy picture design The Optio T20 comes with the My Drawing mode, which lets users customize their shots. With the enclosed stylus pen, users may create original pictures by writing directly on the image shown on the monitor or adding a stored illustration with the Stamp function. The camera also offers a function for storing favorite photos as original stamps to add to other images. 12 shooting modes cover a wide range of scenes The Optio T20 features 12 versatile shooting modes such as Portrait, Landscape, Flower, and Night Scene. Just choose the mode matching the subject scene and the camera automatically optimizes the exposure, white balance, and other settings. Selecting the mode is easy with the touch display and the Mode Palette, which displays PENTAX mode icons on the LCD monitor. High-quality movies with a built-in Movie editing function The Optio T20 smoothly captures movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640 x 480 pixels, and a movie editing function may save a frame from a recorded movie as a still image. Additional Optio T20 features - Approximately 12 MB of internal memory; supports external SD memory cards
- Frame composite mode adds decorative frames to images when shooting or after shooting
- Function (Fn) setting permits you to store frequently used settings and recall them from the panel with a single touch
- 4X digital zoom function
- Convenient image-rotation display for confirmation of shots (rotates images 90°, 180°, or 270°)
- Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX image viewer/image management software
- USB 2.0 (hi-speed) compatible
- PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III compatible
The Optio T20 digital camera will be available for $349.95 in October 2006. PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital SLR and compact cameras, lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, eyepieces, 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 are registered trademarks of PENTAX Corporation. SD logo is a trademark. All other brands or product names are trademarks of 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. Designs and Specifications are subject to change without notice. # # #
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