Pentax Espio 140V 35mm compact introduced

Pentax have announced the Pentax Espio 140V zoom compact camera, featuring a 38mm-140mm 3.7-times zoom lens. Encased in a compact, low-profile body, it incorporates a host of advanced features and user-friendly functions, including high-quality optics and a full-face lens protector.

Within its compact, lightweight body, the Espio 140V features a high-performance smc Pentax zoom lens, which incorporates two aspherical lens elements in its eight-element/six-group optics to deliver high-quality images. Combined with the Pentax-developed Switchover Zoom system, these original optics also contribute to the downsizing of a body size. It also offers a responsive five-point autofocus system, multi-function auto zoom flash, an actual-image zoom viewfinder with diopter adjustment and a multi-data LCD panel.

Major Features of the Pentax Espio 140V

1. High-performance 38mm~140mm zoom lens
The Espio 140V uses an smc Pentax zoom lens with a wide 3.7-times zoom ratio and a powerful 140mm telephoto range. This lens incorporates a glass-molded aspherical lens element and a resin-molded lens element to assure outstanding image quality with minimal aberrations or ghost images. Its zoom macro capability assures pinpoint focus on a subject as close as 0.80 meters (approximately 2.62 feet) at 38mm wide angle, or 1.15 meters (approximately 3.77 feet) at 140mm telephoto for a maximum magnification of 0.12 times at the telephoto end. In addition, the lens elements are treated with Pentax's acclaimed Super-Multi-Coating to produce clear, true-to-life images.

2. Stylish design with full-face lens protector
The Espio 140V's horizontally extended, low-profile design enhances camera-holding comfort, while its stylish silver-colored body with large metallic-finish parts creates an attractive appearance. Its front panel is covered with a full-face, slide-open lens protector to avoid damage to the lens during storage and transport. All control buttons and switches are functionally laid out for easy access.

3. Passive five-point autofocus (spot AF switchable)
The reliable passive autofocus system assures pinpoint focus, even when photographing a subject at a distance or through window glass. The five-point wide focus frame keeps the subject in perfect focus at any focal length, even when it is positioned off-center, or when two subjects are standing apart. The spot AF mode is also available to avoid focusing on unwanted elements in the foreground.

4. Versatile auto zoom flash with soft-flash function
When the metering system detects a low-light or backlight situation, the built-in auto zoom flash automatically provides fill-in illumination while adjusting the angle of discharge in proportion to the selected focal length. Its "red-eye" reduction mode* minimizes the annoying red-eye effect in subject eyes. The soft-flash function lowers the discharge level to avoid over-exposure in close-up photography. The flash-off mode deactivates the flash for situations where the use of a flash is restricted or when ambient-light photography is preferred.

* This mode does not eliminate "red eyes" in all instances.

5. Actual-image zoom viewfinder with diopter adjustment
The Espio 140V's bright, clear viewfinder automatically adjusts the size of its image area in proportion to the selected focal length. To adjust the viewfinder image to the user's eyesight, a diopter adjustment mechanism (-3.0m-1 ~ +1.0m-1) is built into the viewfinder eyepiece.

6. Large LCD data panel
The Espio 140V's multi-data LCD panel offers a wide range of useful information to the photographer at a glance, to facilitate speedy, trouble-free operations.

7. Electronic self-timer
The built-in electronic self-timer delays shutter release by 10 seconds, allowing the photographer to take a self-portrait or join in a group shot.

8. Auto lens retraction
When the camera is left unused for three minutes (five minutes in remote control mode) with the power on, the zoom lens is automatically retracted to the shortest wide-angle position to avoid damage.

9. Remote control
In combination with an optional remote control, the Espio 140V offers a convenient remote control mode, allowing the user to release the shutter from a distance after a three-second delay.

10. Espio 140V DATE model
The Espio 140V DATE automatically records the date, or day and time, of shooting on the photograph.