PENTAX INTRODUCES EASY-TO-USE, AFFORDABLE AND ULTRA-SLIM OPTIO M40



With 8.0 megapixels, the PENTAX Optio M40 features an ultra-slim, sophisticated metallic body offering a 3X optical zoom and a large and easily viewable LCD monitor. The user-friendly Optio M40 also features Face Recognition and digital Shake Reduction.

Features

Stylish, Ultra-Slim Body
With an ultra-slim body that features an exclusive and very compact rechargeable battery, the Optio M40 body is less than 7/10 inch thick. The exterior features high quality aluminum alloy with a sophisticated textured finish.

8.0 Effective Megapixels Produce Exceptionally Fine-Detailed Photos
With 8.0 megapixels, the PENTAX Optio M40 delivers high-resolution photos that capture images with the finest details even at higher magnifications.

Face Recognition AF & AE Function
The Optio M40 is equipped with a Face Recognition AF & AE function* that automatically detects and focuses on faces, regardless of where the people appear in the photo frame. In addition, optimal exposure settings are automatically conducted so that the areas with faces are highlighted, even if there is backlighting.
* Available when the photography mode is “Portrait”, or “Natural Skin Tone” and the camera is directed at people from the front.

Digital SR (Shake Reduction)
A Digital Shake Reduction mode reduces camera shake and subject blur when photographing still images. The sensitivity is adjusted automatically to as high as ISO 3200 to match the brightness of the subjects to enable photography with faster shutter speeds and images with less blur.

Flash Photography
The Optio M40 is equipped with powerful flash photography performance options for subjects in dark locations to be captured clearly at a distance up to 50 feet. The flash also features a Soft Flash function that prevents overexposure of skin tones by controlling the amount of light emitted when photographing at close distances.

Large, Easy-To-View 2.5 Inch LCD Monitor
Despite the compact size of the Optio M40, the camera comes with a generous 2.5 inch monitor with an improved pixel number of approximately 150,000 pixels for easier playback and better operational view of camera settings and menu displays. The Optio M40 is also equipped with an Economy mode that promotes energy saving by dimming the backlight automatically after a certain period of time has passed.

Auto Picture Mode For Automatic Optimal Settings For Shooting Conditions
An Auto Picture mode lets the camera automatically determine the shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Normal mode and choose the optimal settings for each subject. This PENTAX original function simplifies photography for users by eliminating individualized camera settings.

Sixteen Photography Modes
The Optio M40 features 16 photography modes including Natural Skin Tone, Flower, Sport, Pet, and Food that are set with the optimum exposure and white balance depending on the scene or subject. A Mode Palette icon helps make the selections simple.

3X Optical zoom and 4X Digital Zoom For A Maximum Of About 12X Magnification
The Optio M40 features a 3X optical zoom lens with a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 36-108mm lens in 35mm format, which is ideal for a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes to portraits. Combined with 4X digital zoom, The Optio M40 achieves a 12X zoom capability.


Additional Optio M40 Features:
• Equipped with Movie SR (Shake Reduction) function, which enables movies to be delivered with high quality image rivaling camcorders
• Auto-Macro mode allows for close-up photography as near as 10cm during the normal focusing mode
• Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject
• New Date Imprint function for easier images categorizing
• World time function for 75 cities (28 times zones) worldwide
• Calendar Display function allows easier image retrieval based on the capture date
• Approximately 21.9MB of built-in memory
• FotoNation’s red-eye compensation function for flash shots
• Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX image viewer/image management software
• Support PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III



Priced at US $199.95, the PENTAX Optio M40 will ship in August 2007.