Pentax Optio 450 and 550 cameras added to their range

Pentax have unveiled the Optio550 and the Optio450. Two cameras that follow in the footsteps of the popular Optio430 and Optio330. Functionality and operability have been enhanced, and Pentax state that digital clarity is assured with the power of 5.0 and 4.0 effective megapixels respectively.

Major Features

1. Sleek, sophisticated design
Crafted from aluminum alloy, and complete with a design accent that enhances the bases of the lenses. The dimensions of both cameras has also been reduced without a compromise in performance through use of an ultra-compact zoom lens that retracts in not one, but two stages when the power is switched off.

2. 5X optical zooming with an ultra-compact lens
Though the lenses on the Optio550 and the Optio450 are compact, they succeed in offering a surprisingly high level of performance with 5X optical zooming.

3. Simple, swift operation
Employing a newly designed processing circuit, Pentax say the Optio550 and the Optio450 are as simple to use as they are stylish. The selection of shooting modes has also been made simple with single dial operation. This allows you to choose from Metered Manual, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Program, Picture, Movie, Panorama Assist, 3D image, Digital Filter, User and Voice Recording modes with minimal effort. The Optio550 and Optio450 also offer standalone buttons for the easy access of frequently used shooting and playback functions, ways to customize the operational process, and handy functions such as quick deletion and quick enlargement.

4. 3D image mode achieves stereoscopic shooting
With the 3D image mode, the Optio550 and the Optio450 add a totally new dimension to digital photography. Just take two shots following a simple set of guidelines to achieve shots that have a genuine sense of depth and perspective when seen through the special viewer provided.

5. Digital filter mode gives greater creative freedom
Achieving effects similar to conventional filters, digital filter mode gives you the freedom to influence the overall tone of your shot. With a choice of black & white and sepia shooting as well as a range of other tones (red, pink, yellow, green, blue and purple), digital filter mode can let you add more mood to a sunset, for example, or tone down subjects that are too bright. A soft focus effect can also be achieved through selection of the Soft filter setting.