Pentax has unveiled two new compact cameras with 720p HD movie recording capability. The 14-megapixel Pentax Optio LS1000 and Optio LS1100 feature an unusually boxy design, 3-inch LCD screens, 4x zoom lenses starting at a focal length of 27.5mm (in 35mm terms), Auto Picture mode and face detection with Smile Capture. Both cameras are listed on the Pentax UK website, but so far we have only been able to spot a few minor cosmetic differences between the two models. The price is £79.99.

Press Release

Optio LS1000

Simple and Efficient

HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX Imaging Systems Division is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX Optio LS1000 digital compact camera. In a very compact and lightweight body, this entry-level camera offers very comprehensive features and performances at a reasonable price.

Not only does the Optio LS1000 deliver high-resolution images produced by 14 effective megapixels, it also features a large 3.0-inch LCD monitor, a high-performance 4X optical zoom lens covering 27.5mm wide angle, a simple, user-friendly operation, and a HD video function. Encased in a lightweight, credit-card-sized body, it is compact enough to carry anywhere for every occasion.

Major Features

1. Exceptional image quality
Featuring 14 effective megapixels assuring exceptional image resolution, a state-of-the-art imaging engine with superior noise reduction and the high-performance smc PENTAX optical zoom lens, the Optio LS1000 delivers brilliant, high-quality images with well-defined details. Even when images are enlarged to large sizes, the user is assured of sharp, high-resolution prints with edge-to-edge sharpness.

2. Large, easy-to-view 3.0-inch LCD monitor
Despite its compact body, the Optio LS1000 features a large 3.0-inch high-brightness color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots. Since this monitor provides large, detailed images and menus, the user can check them with just a quick glance, and easily and instantly make the desired settings and adjustments.

3. Optical 4X zoom lens with 27.5mm wide-angle coverage
The Optio LS1000 comes equipped with a high-performance 4X optical zoom lens covering focal lengths from 4.9mm to 19.6mm (equivalent in the 35mm format to 27.5mm wide angle to 110mm telephoto). Thanks to this wide zoom range, the Optio LS1000 can be used for a wide variety of subjects and scenes — from spectacular landscapes, majestic architecture and group shots within confined spaces, to tightly cropped snapshots from a distance. When coupled with the Intelligent Zoom function, which allows for even tighter zooming in on the subject, the zoom range can be extended to approximately 26.8 times.

4. Auto Picture mode for hands-off selection of the most appropriate shooting mode
The Optio LS1000 features the new-generation Auto Picture mode, which automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene by accurately assessing various photographic conditions. This user-friendly mode instantly and unfailingly selects one of the 15 shooting modes (eight conventional modes, plus seven new modes including Blue Sky and Sunset) and optimizes various camera settings, including sensitivity and shutter speed, to assure the best results with minimal effort by the photographer.

5. Automatic face detection for beautiful, lively snapshots
The Optio LS1000 features the sophisticated Face Detection AF & AE function, which instantly and accurately detects human faces within the image field, then optimizes focus and exposure settings — all automatically. The Optio LS1000 also comes equipped with other convenient features to assist the photographer in capturing beautiful, lively snapshots, including the Smile Capture that automatically releases the shutter the moment the camera detects the subject’s smile, and the Natural Skin mode that captures subjects with smooth, healthy skin tone.

6. High-quality HD-proportioned movie recording
The Optio LS1000 captures beautiful, high-definition-TV-quality movie clips (1280 x 720 pixels).* It also comes equipped with the sophisticated Movie SR (Shake Reduction) mode,** which automatically compensates camera shake during movie shooting with the help of exclusive software, making it possible for everyone to enjoy high-quality movie shooting with minimal effort.
* When the Optio LS1000’s AV output terminal is used, movie clips are output as normal-image-size data. If the user wishes to play back movie clips at high-definition-TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels), the data must be transferred to a personal computer for playback.
** When the Movie SR mode is selected, the angle of view becomes narrower than normal shooting.

7. An assortment of digital filters for creative expression
The Optio LS1000 offers nine different digital filters, including Toy Camera, Retro and Sepia, to add various visual effects to recorded images without requiring a computer. The user can even apply multiple filters to a single image for more inventive visual effects.

8. Other features
(1) Digital Blur Removal function to effectively compensate for camera shake during still-image shooting
(2) Burst Shooting at a speed of 16 images in two seconds (fixed at 640 x 480 pixels)
(3) Auto-tracking AF mode to keep constant focus on a moving subject
(4) Digital Panorama mode to effortlessly create a single panoramic picture from as many as three images
(5) Green mode to automatically optimize exposure and sensitivity settings for a given subject or scene
(6) Frame Composite function (with 20 frames stored in the camera) to shoot or compose images with decorative photo frames
(7) MediaImpression 2.0 for PENTAX software for image viewing, editing and filing applications (compatible with the latest operating systems, including Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6)

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