Digital Gadgets

PENTAX Introduces the Optio M10

PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce the marketing of the PENTAX
Optio M10 digital compact camera, which incorporates a host of user-friendly features and offers solid performance for a wide range of photographic applications.

The Optio M10 is a reliable, popular-class model, combining a compact, lightweight body and simple operations with a versatile 3X optical zoom lens, 6.0 effective megapixels, a large, functional LCD monitor, and other user-friendly features.

Coupled with its exceptional battery life, the Optio M10 offers fun, easy digital photography for a variety of occasions and applications to many different users, regardless of photographic skill and experience.

Pentax just announced three new compact digicams they’ll turn out at the Photo Maketing Association trade show in a couple of weeks. The 0.77-inch thin, 6 megapixel Optio T10 (pictured) has a run-o-the-mill 3x zoom but is one of just a few compact shooters to offer-up a touch-sensitive 3-inch LCD — the current max in this class.

The Pentax Optio M10, T10 and W10 will all ship this March, aimed at three different segments of the market. The entry-level M10 offers a six megapixel imager, 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5″ LCD display in a compact, affordable package priced at $229.95.

High-quality images assured by a 3X optical zoom lens and 6.0 effective megapixels

The Optio M10 incorporates a high-performance 3X optical zoom lens, which offers an angle-of-view coverage equivalent to 35mm to 105mm in the 35mm format. This versatile zoom lens allows the user to capture a variety of subjects — from landscape to snapshots and portraits — in perfect composition by means of effortless fingertip operation. Its six-element, five-group optics includes two aspherical lens elements to effectively compensate various aberrations, while optimizing the performance of 6.0 effective megapixels.

The Optio W10 offers a waterproof, dustproof body that will attract fans of the great outdoors. The W10 is rated JIS Class 8 Waterproof and JIS Class 5 dustproof, and combines a six megapixel imager, 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5″ LCD display at a price of $300. Finally, the Optio T10 offers a six megapixel imager and 3x optical zoom lens as well, but boosts the LCD to a higher-resolution touchscreen type, with an approachable icon-based on-screen interface. The T10 will be priced at $349.95.

Despite its compact dimensions, the Optio M10 features a large, low-reflection 2.5-inch color LCD monitor. Its auto LCD dimmer function automatically adjusts backlight brightness according to the incident-light level, making it possible for the user to view the screen comfortably, whether shooting in a dimly lit indoor setting or outdoors in the bright sun. This not only assures quick, effortless confirmation of images both during shooting and playback, but also facilitates the reading and selection of on-screen menus for swift, efficient camera operation.

In order to assure best results with minimal effort, the Optio M10 offers the convenient Green Mode, which automatically and instantly sets all factors — including exposure, sensitivity and white balance — to the optimum levels, with a single push of the green button on the back panel. Since this user-friendly mode eliminates complicated camera operations completely, it lets even first-time digital camera users to take beautiful, high-quality images with minimal effort.

The W10 is an update to Pentax’s underwater camera lineup featuring 6 megapixels, a reflection-free LCD, and stamped with JIS Class 8 waterproof and Class 5 dustproof ratings. Rounding out their PMA roster is the new M10 offering such middling features as 6 megapixels, a 2.5-inch LCD, and 3x optical zoom. All three offer SD expansion and should drop next month — the T10 for $350, the W10 for “under $300″ and the M10 for a cool $230. More pics after the break.