Go to: Previous Item Current News Next Item Pentax announces tiny new 3mpix digicam! By Mike Tomkins (Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 18:32 EDT) Pentax Optio 330 is the smallest three megapixel, 3x optical zoom digicam... As promised earlier, we have now added Pentax' newly announced Optio 330 digital camera to our database. The camera is incredibly small, for a 3 megapixel unit with 3x optical zoom - in fact a quick check in our database suggests that it is more than 1/3 smaller than its nearest competitor, Fuji's FinePix 6800 Zoom - which is 61% larger by volume. In fact, the camera even beats Canon's PowerShot S300 for size by some 7% despite having a 3 megapixel CCD instead of the Canon's 2 megapixel unit! Other impressive features of the Optio 330 include a stainless steel chassis, some manual functionality (ISO, white balance, focus, and possibly exposure although we're not sure on this last), a choice of metering options (multi, center-weighted, spot), movie capability, histogram for checking exposure, infra-red remote control, and more. One particularly interesting point is that the camera has the ability to set 'alarm' times on the built-in clock, and take a picture at that time - something we can't remember seeing on a digital camera before. Specifications highlights for the Pentax Optio 330 follow: Specification Highlights - full specifications here Pentax Optio 330 General Model Number: Optio 330 Camera Format: Ultra-compact Price: Street ¥95,000 (US$791) Date Available: Mid-July 2001 Image Capture Image Sensor: 0.55" 3.34 megapixel RGBG CCD Image Resolution: 2048x1536, 1024x768, 640x480 Lens Focal Length (effective): 37-111 mm (3x optical zoom) Digital Zoom: 2x Auto Focus: Yes (TTL Contrast Detect type) Manual Focus: Yes Normal Focus Range: 40 cm to Infinity; 16.3 in to Infinity Macro Focus Range: 14 - 50 cm; 5.7 - 20.4 in Aperture Range: f/2.6 (wide) / f/4.8 (tele) - ??? Display Optical Viewfinder: Yes (Real image opt. zoom w/diopter) LCD Viewfinder: Yes (1.6 inch) Exposure ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, White Balance Settings: Auto, Sun, Shade, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Manual Manual White Balance: Yes Shutter Speeds: 15 - 1/2000 second Exp Adj Range: +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV steps Metering Modes: Multi, Center-weighted, Spot Exposure Modes: Auto, 'manual' Self Timer (seconds): 10 Flash Internal Flash: Yes Flash Modes: Auto, Fill, Off, Slow-Sync (all with/without red-eye reduction) Flash Range Description: Unknown Ext Flash: No Image Storage Flash Memory: CompactFlash Type-I Memory Included (MB): 8 File Formats: JPEG (EXIF v2.1), AVI (OpenDML MotionJPEG) More Information Weight: 205 g; 7.2 oz Weight With Batteries? No Size: 92 x 59 x 31mm; 3.6 x 2.3 x 1.2in Notes & Features: Lens has 7 elements in 6 groups, 2 with double aspheric surfaces. Stainless steel chassis. Automatic lens cover incorporated into camera body. As well as the self-timer and remote control, shutter can be triggered by one of three 'alarm' times set off the camera clock. Internal clock can be set to one of 62 preprogrammed cities worldwide. Remote control works from up to 5 meters in front of the camera, and triggers shutter after 3 seconds. Histogram feature allows user to check for accurate exposure on LCD screen. Bundled with strap, battery, charger, AC cord, video cable, USB cable, software CD-ROM. Optional accessories include camera case O-CC2 and AC adapter kit K-AC2J. Price estimate based on Japanese price of ¥95,000.   Source: Pentax website Go to: Previous Item Current News Next Item Powered by Coranto