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Press Release - 24 February 2010
The Waterproof Crossover
A waterproof digital compact camera designed for
worry-free underwater photo-shooting, with a new Digital Microscope mode to
make active outdoor photography even more exciting
HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX Imaging Systems Division is
pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX Optio W90 digital compact
camera. In addition to its upgraded waterproof, dustproof and shockproof
capabilities, this heavy-duty model provides the new Digital Microscope
mode, which allows for a closer look at small but intriguing subjects in
outdoor shooting.
Major Features
1. Enhanced waterproof and shockproof performance
By further enhancing the air tightness of the camera body, PENTAX has
upgraded the Optio W90’s underwater picture-taking performance to six metres
(compared to five metres for its predecessor) and for up to two hours of
continuous operation. Along with its outstanding IPX8 (or JIS Class 8)
waterproof performance, the Optio W90 also offers exceptional shockproof
capacity* to withstand a fall from a height of 1.2 meters* (one metre for
its predecessor) without damage to the body, thanks to its new body design
and refined internal mechanisms. In addition to these characteristics, the
Optio W90 comes with remarkable dustproof performance equivalent to IP6X (or
JIS Class 6) and exceptional coldproof performance for reliable operation at
temperatures as low as –10°C, making it a perfect choice for active
photographers who venture to shoot pictures in demanding outdoor conditions.
* Measured under PENTAX-original testing
standards (from a height of 1.2 metres, onto a surface of 5cm-thick
plywood), conforming to the Method 516.5-Shock of the MIL-Standard 810F.
2. Digital Microscope mode for nature observation
from 1cm away
Combining a macro shooting capability from one centimetre away with the
Digital Zoom function, the Optio W90’s new Digital Microscope mode delivers
a magnified view of miniscule subjects difficult to observe closely with the
naked eye, and makes it possible to capture fine-detailed images of such
subjects.** Thanks to three LED Macro Light installed on the face of the
lens barrel, the subject is clearly and brightly displayed on the LCD
monitor even when the camera is held at a distance at which it casts a
shadow on the subject. This mode not only comes in handy when observing the
wonders of nature and photographing such subjects as leaf veins and tiny
insects, but also opens the door to new discoveries and unexpected surprises
in the ordinary subjects found in daily life.
** When using the Digital Microscope mode, the image size is
fixed at 2.1 megapixels (at 16:9 proportions).
3. Upgraded face detection to detect even the faces
of dogs and cats
The Optio W90 features a new-generation Face Detection AF & AE function,
which instantly and accurately detects up to 32 faces in the image field,
then catches them in sharp focus and optimum exposure in just 0.03 seconds.
In addition to popular features such as the innovative Small Face filter,
this upgraded version is programmed to detect not only human faces, but also
the faces of dogs and cats. When the user selects pre-registered dog or cat
faces (up to 3 choices), the camera automatically detects them and optimises
focus and exposure. The user can even program the camera to automatically
release the shutter the moment the subject’s face turns straight toward the
camera. These features make it simple and effortless to capture the
delightful faces of active pets.
4. High-quality, HD-proportioned movie recording
The Optio W90 captures beautiful, flawless movie clips at 16:9
high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels)*** at a frame rate of 30
frames per second. This mode also offers a variety of editing functions:
Still images can be extracted from movie clips; title images can be added to
the beginning and/or end of a movie clip; and more. The Optio W90 also
provides an HDMI micro terminal for audio/video signal output.
5. Extra-wide 2.7-inch LCD monitor for effortless
outdoor viewing
On the back of its small body, the Optio W90 features a large 2.7-inch
high-brightness colour LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots and
horizontally extended 16:9 proportions. This monitor is treated with a
special AR (Anti-Reflection) coating to cut the glare of external light and
minimise annoying reflections, making it easy to view recorded images and
on-screen menus even in bright sunlight.
6. High image quality
Combining approximately 12.1 effective megapixels with the PENTAX-developed
imaging engine and the high-performance PENTAX zoom lens, the Optio W90
delivers brilliant, high-quality images with well-defined details. Even when
images are enlarged to larger sizes, the user is assured of sharp,
high-resolution prints with edge-to-edge sharpness.
7. Optical 5X zoom lens with a 28mm wide-angle
coverage
Despite its compact dimensions, the Optio W90 features an optical 5X zoom
lens covering focal lengths from 5mm to 25mm (equivalent in the 35mm format
to approximately 28mm wide angle to 140mm telephoto). Thanks to this wide
zoom range, the Optio W90 can be used for a wide variety of subjects and
scenes, from spectacular landscape and group shots to tightly framed
snapshots taken from a distance.
8. Triple anti-shake protection to prevent
different types of camera shake
1) Pixel Track SR
When recording still images, the Optio W90’s Pixel Track SR (Shake
Reduction) effectively compensates for camera shake by processing affected
images.
2) High-Sensitivity anti-shake mode***
When the Optio W90 detects low-lighting conditions in still-image shooting,
it automatically raises its sensitivity to as high as ISO 6400, making it
possible to use a higher shutter speed. This effectively minimises the
adverse effects of camera shake and subject shake under poor lighting
conditions.
3) Movie SR****
During movie recording, the Optio W90 prevents blurry images by effectively
minimising annoying camera shake through the use of exclusive software.
*** When the High-Sensitivity anti-shake mode is selected,
the recorded size is fixed to five megapixels (2592 x 1944 pixels).
**** When the Movie SR is selected, the angle of view becomes narrower than
normal shooting.
9. Subscreen Input function for constant display of
a favourite image on the screen
Thanks to its large, horizontally extended LCD monitor, the Optio W90 offers
the innovative Subscreen Input function. This allows the user to display a
thumbnail of a recorded image in the upper left corner of the LCD panel, so
it can be used as a reference. This comes in handy when the photographer
wants to shoot subjects from the same angle and at the same image size every
time (such as photographing prepared food in the same way to compile a
recipe file), or when the user wants to constantly keep a favourite image on
the screen.
10. Other features
1) Carabiner strap included for hooking the camera to a backpack or other
outdoor gear
2) Remote Control Waterproof O-RC1 (available as an optional accessory)
for wireless remote shooting*****
3) Waterproof housing down to 60 metres, available in June 2010 (available
as an optional accessory)
to enable the divers to go even deeper than 6 metres
4) New Collage function to compose a single picture from multiple images
5) New Ink Rubbing filter to create a monochromatic, high-contrast image
from a recorded image
6) Auto Picture mode to automatically select one of the eight shooting modes
for the optimum result
7) 12 digital filters to add distinctive visual effects to recorded images
8) Digital Wide function to compose an extra-wide-angle image (equivalent to
an image taken with an
approx. 21mm lens in 35mm format) from two images
9) MediaImpression 2.0 for PENTAX image viewing, editing
and filing software included (compatible with latest operation systems,
such as Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6)
10) Compatibility with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards.
***** Wireless remote operation is not available when
shooting under water.
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