GOLDEN, Colorado (August 24, 2004)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the new Optio S5i. With 5.0 effective megapixels and a 3X optical zoom lens, the Optio S5i features a stylish design in an ultra-compact, lightweight digital camera. Following in the footsteps of the popular Optio S, the stylish Optio S5i features the highest megapixel count in this ultra-compact series.

The Optio S5i is a perfect digital camera for action photographers. The Optio S5i features a new Sport mode that sets the camera for shutter speed-priority to enable spur of the moment shooting while Pan focusing mode ensures optimal focusing from close range to infinity. Both modes help offer optimal results for capturing fleeting action shots. For additional user confidence, the Optio S5i battery charger stand is capable of simultaneously charging one rechargeable Lithium-ion battery housed inside the camera as well as a spare battery. The Optio S5i is equipped with 10MB of internal memory and is compatible with SD memory cards.

PENTAX will unveil the Optio S5i 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 S5i 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 S5i 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 Optio S5i

A stylish, ultra-compact body

The high quality aluminum alloy body and grip are textured beautifully for a sense of high design.

Lightweight, tiny design

Despite a powerful 3X optical zoom lens, the Optio S5i weighs 3.7 ounces (excluding batteries and SD memory card). A unique Sliding Lens system that allows the lens to store up and away inside the camera for the ultra-compact dimensions of 3.3x2.0x.80 inches (excluding controls and other protusions).

The power of 5.0 effective megapixels

For high-precision imaging, the Optio S5i features the power of 5.0 effective megapixels and features an smc PENTAX lens that delivers high-clarity and suppresses ghosting and flare. The primary color filter reproduces vivid, natural colors.

Large, easy-to-view 1.8-inch LCD monitor

The Optio S5i incorporates a large 1.8 inch, TFT LCD monitor that offers an approximate 100% field of view with approximately 85,000 pixels. It makes confirmation of composition or focus easy at the time of shooting and enhances image confirmation during playback.

Quick button function offers shortcut to favorite modes

A Quick button function allows the user to designate one mode from a choice of 10 to act as a shortcut button to a selected function. By default, the Optio S5i comes with Green mode designated for the Quick button, which leaves all settings to the camera with the exception of zooming. Additional modes accessible via the Quick button include: Green mode, USER mode, Movie mode, Mode Palette, White balance, Mode memory, Resizing, Trimming, Image/voice copy, and Format.

Diverse shooting modes, plus a new Sport mode

In addition to the conventionally available shooting modes, the Optio S5i features a new “Sport” mode that sets the camera for shutter speed-priority to enable spur of the moment shooting for active subjects. As with other shooting modes, the Sport mode is easy to select on the Mode palette where mode icons on the LCD monitor are displayed all at once. The easy to select option helps isolate 10 select modes from the an impressive selection of 21 modes.

Pan focusing – a new addition to focus modes

Pan focusing ensures clear focusing from a close range to infinity, providing a better chance of capturing the action in quickly disappearing photo opportunities.

Battery charger stand charges camera battery and a spare

The battery charger stand charges the battery inside the camera as well as spare batteries.

TV playback with remote control

Optio S5i users may control image playback on a TV via two optional remote controller units. Remote control F can be used to control image advance by pressing the shutter release button, while remote control E can be used to control image advance with the shutter release button, and image rewind with the zoom button.

Additional features:

• Quick response with approx. 0.01 sec.* shutter release time lag
• SD memory card compatibility, approx.10MB built-in memory
• USB mass storage class compatibility, AV cable connects the OptioS5i to a TV
• Standard image viewer, ACDSee for PENTAX software
• Optical viewfinder, built-in auto flash
• Digital zoom of up to 4X
• Super macro mode that allows the user to shoot as close as 6cm from the subject
• DPOF function, ExifPrint, PRINT Image MatchingIII compatibility
• PictBridge compatibility
• World time function, alarm function

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.

Design and Specifications is subject to change without notice.

*Time taken from the moment when the shutter release is fully depressed following focus lock to the moment the shutter opens, when the flash is switched off.

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