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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on September 1, 2005 5:56 AM.

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Pentax Optio WPi Digital CameraPentax have just announced the Pentax Optio WPi Digital Camera, it is a 6 Megapixel waterproof digital camera.

  • Captures images up to five feet underwater.
  • JIS Class 8 Waterproof performance allows underwater photography and video. Rinse away sand and dirt with ease.
  • High resolution images with a quick start-up.
  • 3X PENTAX optical zoom lens and 6.0 Megapixel CCD
  • Ultra-fast 9-point Autofocus to keep your subjects sharp.
  • Large 2.0 inch LCD monitor remains easy to view, even on sunny days. Power saving mode extends battery life.
  • A recover function to retrieve erased images.
  • Stylish, compact design measures just 4.0 x 2.0 x 0.9 inches and weighs just 4.2 ounces. Easily slips into or out of a pocket or bag.
  • Superior image quality from 0.36” macro shots to expansive landscapes.

    The PENTAX Optio WPi will ship in October 2005 for $350 US.

  • Waterproof Performance Without Additional Housing:
    The Pentax Optio WPi features JIS Class 8 waterproof performance to withstand up to 30 minutes of continuous operation at an underwater depth of 5 fee (1.5 meters). Add to this Class 5 dustproof performance of category 2 (machines produced to prevent internal changes in atmospheric pressure) for an ideal camera in extreme conditions indoors or out.

    Sophisticated Body Design:
    The slim, flat body design is ideal for pocket or purse portability. The ergonomic contoured grip design provides users with a more confident, more comfortable shooting experience.

    The Pentax Optio WPi features high-quality aluminum alloy for the front panel with a textured face.

    The rounded overall form of the Pentax Optio WPi is accentuated by a water ring design element, a four-way control key and other details that give the camera a look that is both sophisticated and user-friendly.

    A 3X Optical Zoom Lens and 6.0 Eeffective Megapixels:
    The Pentax Optio WPi delivers premier optical performance with a lens comprised of 11 elements in 9 groups. It also includes three aspherical lens elements that compensate for aberration to make for even sharper results, and makes use of a refraction lens system that enables it to deliver 6.3-18.9mm 3X optical zoom performance and cover angles of view equivalent to those of a 38-114mm lens in 35mm format without ever extending from the camera body. Together these features allow photographers to make the very most of the OptioWPi's ample 6.0 effective megapixels.

    2.0 Inch, 115,000 Pixel LCD Monitor:
    Despite slim, flat body dimensions, the Pentax Optio WPi features a large, 2.0 inch LCD monitor with 115,000 pixels for precise confirmation of recorded images. This low-reflection monitor also features a backlighting mechanism that effectively maximizes visibility, even when used outside on sunny days, and additionally offers a “Power saving mode” that automatically reduces backlighting intensity to make batteries last longer.

    Mode Palette Makes Operation Easy:
    The popular Mode palette featured on other Optio models displays multiple shooting or playback options simultaneously. For the shooting Mode palette, the user can display 15 mode icons at once out of a total of 22, with the remaining 7 icons replacing the selected 15 on the user's command. What's more, just a press of the Green button while the Mode palette is on is all it takes to display easy-to-understand explanations and photos for the selected item – reducing the need to consult the user manual for simpler operation.

    Continuous AF And Tracking AF:
    Continuous AF* or Tracking AF** are activated automatically upon selection of Sport, Pet or Kids modes – allowing the camera to track a moving subject within the frame and maintain accurate focus accordingly.

    * For focus on stationary subjects, the shutter release button is depressed halfway to drive the lens to focus lock. Continuous AF, on the other hand, allows the lens to be driven constantly to ensure swift, precise focus as soon as the shutter release button is depressed halfway.

    ** Tracking AF continually detects both horizontal and vertical movement of the main subject to ensure sharp focus at the desired moment. Confirmation of the focus area can be done on the focus frame on the LCD monitor.

    High-Sensitivity Shooting:
    The OptioWPi supports mixed-pixel, high-sensitivity* shooting, which offers the choice to shoot at a Standard Output Sensitivity of ISO 800. This results in crisp and clear shots with minimal noise, hand shake and other blurring. When high-sensitivity shooting is selected, recording size is fixed at 1280 X 960 pixels.

    *Available when using Candlelight mode and Report mode only (automatic or manual activation).

    Picture Voice* Function Attaches Sound Data To Stills:
    Up to 20 seconds of audio data can be recorded while a still image is being shot – extending from 10 seconds before to 10 seconds after the moment of shutter release. Such capability allows users to capture special moments in a more memorable manner.

    *How it works: Upon selecting Picture Voice mode, the OptioWPi starts accumulating audio data, then automatically stops recording 10 seconds after shutter release. The accumulated audio data (10 seconds before the shot, plus 10 seconds after) is then stored as an attachment to the recorded image.

    Green Mode For Swift, Automated Shooting:
    The Green button activates Green mode for automatic control of all settings with the exception of zoom. Not only is this function handy when others take your picture or you lose track of camera settings, but the Green button can also be used as a shortcut – allowing the user to assign up to four* frequently used functions for swift access.

    *Functions that can be assigned to the Green button: Green mode, recording size, image quality, white balance, AF area, focus limit, sensitivity, exposure compensation, sharpness, saturation, contrast, and off.

    Recovery Function Retrieves Erased Images:
    The OptioWPi eliminates the panic when images or audio are erased. A handy recovery function remains active until the erased data has been overwritten or the power is switched off.

    Framing Options:
    Not only does the OptioWPi enable users to put images together with photo frames within the camera itself, but it also offers a choice of shooting options to produce results best suited to a pre-selected frame. Frames can also be added at the time of printing. Three different frames are installed by default within the camera, which can be easily replaced by up to three of many downloadable frames available on the PENTAX website.

    In-Camera Movie Editing:
    A Movie editing function edits recorded movies in-camera. Selected clips can be saved as new movie files, or users may select single frames for saving as individual still images. Separate movies can also be combined as one file.

    * The size of a storable still image depends on the recorded size of a movie.

    Additional Features:

  • Ready to shoot just 0.6 seconds after the power is turned on
  • Real-time display of “washed out” and “blacked out” areas
  • Soft flash function avoids overexposure when shooting with flash in close proximity
  • Up to 4X digital zooming
  • Macro mode enables shooting as close as 1cm from the subject when lens is in wide setting
  • Three color modes (full-color, B&W, sepia) for versatile movie recording
  • “Clock Mode” function displays the time even when the camera is off
  • SD memory card compatibility; approximately 10.5MB built-in memory
  • Standard image viewer, ACDSee for PENTAX software
  • FotoNation's red-eye compensation function for flash shots
  • DPOF, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III compatibility

    Pentax Optio WPi Digital Camera Specifications:

    Sensor 1/2.5" Type CCD
    6.4 million pixels total
    6.0 million effective pixels
    Image sizes 2816 x 2112
    2560 x 1920
    2304 x 1728
    2048 x 1536
    1600 x 1200
    1024 x 768
    640 x 480
    Movie clips 320 x 240 @ 30 fps or 15 fps with sound
    160 x 120 @ 30 fps or 15 fps with sound
    File formats Still: JPEG
    Movie: MOV (QuickTime Motion JPEG)
    Sound: WAV
    Lens 38 - 114 mm (35 mm equiv) 3x optical zoom
    F 3.3 - 4
    Digital zoom Up to 4x
    Focus TTL contrast detection auto focus system
    AF area modes 9-point multi AF
    Tracking AF switchable
    Spot AF
    AF assist lamp Yes/No
    Focus distance Normal: 0.4 m (1.31ft) - infinity (W) / 0.5 m (1.64ft) - infinity (T)
    Macro: 0.01 m - 0.6 m (0.03 ft - 1.97 ft)
    Pan focus: 1 m (3.3 ft) to infinity at wide-angle setting / 5 m (16.4 ft) to infinity at telephoto setting
    Metering Multi-segment
    TTL metering
    ISO sensitivity Auto
    ISO 64
    ISO 160
    ISO 320
    ISO 400
    Exposure compensation +/- 2EV
    1/3 EV steps
    Shutter speed 1/2000 - 4 secs
    Modes Program
    Scene modes Auto
    Night Scene
    Panorama assist
    Landscape
    Flower
    Portrait
    Sport
    Surf & Snow
    Food
    Pet
    Text
    Underwater
    Soft
    Natural skin tone
    Firework
    Museum
    Candlelight *1 **2
    Report mode *1 **2

    *1 Recorded size is fixed to 1280 x 960
    **2 Sensitivity is set at 800.

    White balance Auto
    Daylight
    Shade
    Tungsten
    Fluorescent
    Manual
    Self timer Yes
    Continuous shooting Yes
    Image parameters Black & White
    Sepia
    Red
    Pink
    Purple
    Blue
    Green
    Yellow
    Soft
    Brightness
    Flash Built-in
    Modes: Auto, on, off, soft flash, red-eye reduction
    Range: Approx. 0.2 m - 3.1 m (0.66 ft - 10.2 ft) at 6.3 mm, Sensitivity Auto
    Approx. 0.5 m -2.5 m (1.64 ft - 8.2 ft) at 18.9 mm, Sensitivity Auto
    Viewfinder No
    LCD monitor 2.0" TFT LCD
    115,000 pixels
    Connectivity USB
    AV out
    DC in
    Print compliance DPOF
    PIM III
    EXIF 2.2
    PictBridge
    Storage SD card
    10.5 MB internal memory
    Power Rechargeable D-LI8 lithium-ion battery
    AC adapter optional
    Weight 120 g (4.2 oz) (no battery or card)
    135 g (4.8 oz) (loaded and ready)
    Dimensions 102 x 51 x 22 mm (4 x 2 x 0.9 in)
    Pentax Optio WPi Digital Camera