In terms of its core imaging features, the Pentax Optio NB1000 is identical to the RS1000, in all respects except size and weight, which differ due to a change in the camera's face plate. Where the Pentax RS1000 already has an attention-grabbing design, with interchangeable skins positioned under a removable, transparent faceplate, the NB1000 takes things to an entirely different level.

The entire front panel of the Optio NB1000 is covered in tiny, Lego-like studs, which are compatible with a competing block system from Japan's Kawada Co. Ltd. Dubbed "Nanoblocks", these tiny construction blocks can be attached to the front of the Pentax NB1000 in pretty much any pattern, making it one of the most visually customizable cameras we've ever seen.

Two body colors are available in Japan -- either a monochromatic black and white version, or a two-tone green and black. It appears that a small collection of Nanoblocks are included with the camera, with the block colors varying to match the body scheme. The Monotone NB1000 includes black, white, yellow, and red blocks, while the Safari NB1000 comes with black, green, yellow, and brown blocks.

As you can see in our pictures of the camera below, Pentax's example designs include two Safari layouts (one with a camouflage theme, and the other with a lion), and two example Monotone layouts (one intended to look somewhat like a classic camera, and the other rather bizarrely including a bicycle design.)

Pricing and availability for the Pentax Optio NB1000 haven't yet been disclosed, with the company only promising Japanese customers that it will be available "soon". Even in that market, availability is set to be rather limited, with an initial monthly production of some 10,000 Pentax NB1000 units, as compared to the 130,000 unit monthly production of the RS1000. More details are available in our Pentax NB1000 preview.

Pentax Optio NB1000
General
Camera Type	Ultra Compact
Manufacturer	Pentax
Model Number	Japan: NB1000
Image Capture
Sensor Type	CCD 1/2.3" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal) 14.53 megapixels (total) 14.00 megapixels (effective)
Filter Type	RGBG
Aspect Ratio	4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions	4288 x 3216 (13.8 megapixels) 4224 x 2376 (10.0 megapixels) 3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels) 1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels) 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels) 0.8 megapixels 0.3 megapixels
Capture Speed	Continuous: 3.2 frames per second for 10 frames
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder	No
LCD	3.0 in. diagonal 230,000 dots (approx. 77,000 pixels)
Playback Zoom	10.0x max
Lens
Lens Type	Pentax Zoom; 6 elements in 5 groups, 3 aspheric 4x optical zoom
Focal Length	4.9 - 19.6mm (actual) 28 - 110mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range	f/3.2 (W) to f/5.9 (T)
Focusing System	Contrast Detection; 3-point AF, Spot AF, Auto tracking AF
Focusing Range	Normal: 16" - infinity (40 cm - infinity) Macro: 3.3" - 10" (8 cm - 25 cm)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity	Auto: 100-800, Digital SR 100-6400 (ISO 3200-6400 at 5M) Manual: 100-6400 (ISO 3200-6400 at 5M)
Shutter Speed	4 - 1/2000 second
Exposure Modes	Program
Metering Modes	TTL Multi-segment
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance	Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light, Manual
Internal Flash	Modes: Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Auto + Redeye, On + Redeye Range: Auto ISO: 16ft (wide), 8.5ft (tele)
Creative
Scene Modes	Portrait, Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Movie, Landscape, Blue Sky, Sunset, Flower, Sport, Pet, Digital SR (ISO 3200-6400 5M), Natural Skin Tone, Kids, Fireworks, Frame Composite, Party, Food, Candlelight, Text, Surf & Snow, Digital Wide (5M), Digital Panorama (2M per frame)
Digital Zoom	Up to approx. 6.7x
Self Timer	Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie Format	AVI (Motion JPEG) with audio
Storage
Recording Medium	SD/MMC including SDHC, Built-in
File System	FAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format	JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
Video	Standard definition: Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer	USB 2.0 High Speed
Other	AC adapter available
Power
Battery Type	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor	Proprietary D-LI108
Product Bundle
Software	Software CD-ROM S-SW112 with MediaImpression 2.0 for PENTAX
Battery / Charger	1 x Proprietary D-LI108 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory	18.3MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant	Yes
PictBridge Compliant	No
Internal Microphone	Yes
Internal Speaker	Yes
Tripod Mount	Yes
Notes	Japanese-market model. Identical to the Optio RS1000, except for size and weight, and an unusual front faceplate design that allows attachment of Nanoblocks, a Lego-like building block created by Kawada Co. Ltd.
More Photos