Pentax Optio E10 digital camera announced

Point and shoot operation of the new Pentax Optio E10 is made easy by the Simple mode. This sets everything on the camera except image size and jpeg compression used.

The price for the Optio E10 is still to be announced.

Press Release:
The latest entry-level digital compact camera from Pentax will ensure beginners can make the most of digital photography

As part of its ongoing commitment to bring photographic excellence to digital photographers of all levels, Pentax has introduced the Optio E10. It is aimed specifically at photographic novices and features a mode dial that permits simple mode selection. A slim, lightweight compact camera with 6.0 effective megapixels and a 3x optical zoom lens, the Optio E10 also boasts a large, 2.4-inch LCD monitor.

The Optio E10 combines the world's leading optics, providing a great value digital camera without a performance compromise. Now there's no reason not to be digital.

Major features
Mode dial for straightforward mode selection
The Optio E10 has a mode dial, located on the top of the body, enabling the quick, clear-cut selection of one of the eight modes. Six of these are still-image shooting modes, one is a movie mode and a set-up mode is also featured.

Simple mode is easy for beginners
The simple mode automatically sets all still-image photo settings except for size and quality.

6.0 effective megapixels for outstanding image quality
The 1/2.5-inch CCD with 6.36 effective megapixels enables top-quality digital photography. The primary-colour filter also produces more natural, vivid colours and the 12-bit A/D converter evenly reproduces all tones from dark to light.

3x optical zoom and up to 12x total zoom magnification
The Optio E10 comes with a 3x optical zoom lens equivalent to a 34-102mm lens in 35mm format. When the optical zoom is paired with the digital zoom function (1x to approximately 4x) the camera can attain up to 12x effective zoom magnification.

Large, 2.4-inch LCD monitor
Despite its compact body dimensions, 87 x 60 x 32mm (W x H x D), and weighing only 180g, the Optio E10 features a 2.4-inch LCD monitor. The monitor's size makes it easier to compose and play-back images and also permits easier operation and set-up thanks to its larger, easier-to-read menu display.

AA battery compatibility
The camera is powered with widely available AA batteries so replacements can be easily sourced, regardless of location.

Other features

• Supports SD memory cards and features approximately 10MB of built-in memory
• AV output terminal for playback on televisions (supports both NTSC and PAL)
• Built-in auto flash with red-eye reduction
• Macro mode allows close-up photography as near as 5cm at full wide-angle setting
• USB mass storage class compliant
• ACDSee for PENTAX image viewer / image management software
• DPOF functions, Exif Print and PRINT Image Matching III compatible
• PictBridge compatible