GOLDEN, Colorado (August 16, 2004)….PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the new PENTAX Optio S50 digital camera with a 5.0 effective megapixel CCD and a 3X optical zoom lens. A successor to the popular Optio S40, the PENTAX Optio S50 offers an easy-to-use help function menu to help guide digital newcomers through the camera's array of digital features.

With the superior imaging capability of 5.0 effective megapixels and a generous 1.8 inch LCD monitor, the Optio S50 is equipped with a handy mode dial that allows users to select one of nine modes with a simple turn. Two AA batteries power the Optio S50 making it a perfect travel choice. Other easy-to-use features include 13 shooting modes to match any scene at hand and a menu display enlargement function. The Optio S50 also is PictBridge compatible to allow direct printing to compatible printers.

While positioned as a perfect choice for new digital users, the Optio S50 offers uncompromised image quality. The camera incorporates an smc PENTAX lens that delivers crystal clear images, a high-resolution CCD with 5.36 total megapixels, and a 12-bit A/D converter that achieves smooth reproduction for gradations.

PENTAX will unveil the Optio S50 and other new and exciting digital products on September 20 at the PEPCOM Holiday Spectacular in New York City.

As with all newer PENTAX Optio digital cameras, the Optio S50 includes the latest version of ACDSee™ 5.1 software. With a $150 value, ACDSee™ digital camera software makes it easy to retrieve, view, manage, print, enhance and share your digital photos.

The Optio S50 will ship along with the software to major camera retailers in September 2004.

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital and film cameras, binoculars, spotting scopes, eyepieces, lenses, mobile printers, scanners and internet cameras. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PENTAX Corporation of Japan.

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Major Features of the PENTAX Optio S50

Mode dial for quick mode selection

The Optio S50 features a mode dial users can simply turn to select a desired mode. Including six still image shooting modes, a movie mode, a voice recording mode and a unique digital effect mode, the dial makes it easy for anyone to get the very most out of the camera's wide-ranging capabilities.

Auto Select mode

A highly convenient feature for novice users is the Auto Select mode. Once selected on the mode dial, the mode enables the Optio S50 to sense the shooting scene at hand and automatically select the most appropriate from Portrait, Landscape and Night scene modes. A press of the “?” button, on the other hand, provides the photographer with access to the help function, which displays easy explanations of each of the modes on the mode dial and the functions of the buttons used in playback and shooting with the LCD monitor. Furthermore, a press of the Menu button displays only the “image quality” menu, showing recording size and image quality setting menus for easier operation.

A stylish, compact body with a large 1.8-inch LCD monitor, plus the convenience of AA battery compatibility

Despite the incorporation of a large 1.8-inch LCD monitor, the Optio S50 has been created with truly compact body dimensions of 89 (W) x 58.5 (H) x 26 (D) mm. The secret behind this is PENTAX's unique Sliding Lens System that houses the lens concisely in the body. The large LCD monitor makes framing, focusing and the checking of recorded images extremely easy and the Optio S50 also offers further convenience through compatibility with widely available AA batteries. Extraordinarily easy to use and extremely portable, the Optio S50 also has a stylish design that incorporate an aluminum alloy with a hairline exterior effect. This stunning look is also complemented by plated elements on the grip and the area surrounding the lens.

Excellent image quality

With its smc PENTAX lens the Optio S50 achieves clear images by suppressing ghost and flare. With a CCD with a total of 5.36 megapixels, it employs a primary color filter that delivers vivid colors and high-resolution images. In addition, the Optio S50 is equipped with a 12-bit A/D converter that ensures smooth gradations from dark to light areas, and a noise reduction function, which is helpful when shooting with slow shutter speed.

13 shooting modes to match diverse shooting situations

The Optio S50 is equipped with 13 shooting modes and all the user has to do is select the mode that matches the shooting scene at hand. Even in situations where exposure and white balance can be difficult, these handy modes allow the user to achieve excellent results with ease. The three most frequently used modes (Portrait, Landscape and Night scene) are selectable by turning the mode dial. For the other 10 modes, all the user has to do is select Picture mode on the mode dial, then select the one that matches the situation.

Menu display enlargement function

While displaying the menu, text information display can easily be enlarged for easy reading by pressing the zoom lever toward the telephoto side.

Image playback on a TV

By connecting the Optio S50 to a TV via the standard AV cable, the user can enjoy viewing recorded images or images with sound in a much more comfortable, convenient manner. Furthermore, a remote control is also possible with optionally available remote controller units.

Note:

• Remote Control F: Image advance can be controlled.
• Remote Control E: Image advance/rewind can be controlled.
• The remote controls can not command playback of movies, still images with sound or sound alone.

Digital filter for payback

The Optio S50 is equipped with a digital filter function that can be applied to previously recorded images during playback. As a result, the user can enjoy image filter treatment on the camera without the need to hook up to a PC. This enjoyable function allows the user to turn recorded images into black/white or sepia images or emphasize certain colors using other color filters. Furthermore, the user can keep red, blue or green areas as they are while turning the rest of the image into black and white. Furthermore, the user can reduce the number of color gradations to make images look like illustrations.

Other features

1. PictBridge compatibility
2. SD memory card compatibility, approx. 11MB built-in memory
3. USB mass storage class compatibility
4. Standard image viewer, ACD See for PENTAX software
5. Function customization allows frequently used functions to be assigned to a four-way controller for short cut access.
6. Optical viewfinder
7. Up to 2.6X digital zoom
8. Built-in auto flash
9. World time function
10. Super macro function (enables shooting as close as 6cm from the subject)
11. DPOF, ExifPrint and PRINT Image MatchingIII compatibility
12. Voice recording function

• SD Logo is a trademark
• PENTAX, smc PENTAX, Optio are trademarks of PENTAX Corporation
• All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
• 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.
• Specifications is subject to change without notice.

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