Pentax Goes Thin, Thrifty, and Waterproof With New Optio Cameras
At a Glance
Pentax beefed up its ultracompact, entry-level, and waterproof camera lines today with the announcement of three point-and-shoot models.
The ultraslim, 12-megapixel Pentax Optio P80 is a follow-up to this year's Optio P70, and for a bargain price it offers a good range of specs and a 0.8-inch-thick frame.
Its 4X optical zoom range offers a nice 27.5mm on the wide-angle end (and 110mm telephoto), and its 720p HD video recording is at 30 frames per second as opposed to the P70's 15-fps rate. The P80 also offers a motion-tracking feature for keeping moving subjects in focus, a 2.7-inch LCD, face detection for up to 32 faces in a scene, digital image stabilization, and ISO adjustments up to 6400. The P80 will be available in light-green, black, and white starting in September for $200.
The 10-megapixel Optio E80, follow-up to Pentax's entry-level Optio E70, adds HD video recording to the mix of features.
The AA-powered Optio E80 has a 3X-optical-zoom lens with some wide-angle chops (32mm to 96mm), digital image stabilization, 720p HD video capture at 15 frames per second, a 2.7-inch LCD, and ISO levels up to 6400. The Optio E80 hits stores in September for $130, available in black and silver.
Hot on the heels of the ultrarugged Optio W80 camera announced last month, another element-resistant point-and-shoot is joining Pentax's arsenal. The 10-megapixel Optio WS80 packs many of the P80's features into a waterproof frame; the Optio WS80 can handle submersion to 5 feet underwater.
