Photography Blog has reviewed a new travel-zoom camera from Pentax that starts at 25mm and ends at 450mm. The camera is called Pentax Optio RZ18 and comes with 16 megapixels and a large 3″ LCD screen in addition to be able to record HD movies.

Some key features for the Pentax Optio RZ18 camera:
-16 megapixel image sensor
-18x optical zoom lens (25-450mm equivalent)
-3″ LCD screen
-720p HD movie recording
-Face detection
-Sensor shift image stabilization

The reviewer over at Photography Blog ends up giving the Optio RZ18 a “Above Average” rating with an overall score of 3.5 out of 5 possible stars. The Pentax camera scores highest on value for your money, a little lower on ease of use and features, while it scores lowest on image quality and design. This Optio camera comes with a pretty low price tag, but the average image quality and long processing times hinders it from getting a top score. Pentax really needs to work on the image quality if they want to play with the top camera brands.
Read the full review of the Pentax Optio RZ18 travel-zoom compact digital camera here.

CNET UK has tested the smallest interchangeable lens camera on that is currently on the market. The manufacturer of this camera is Pentax and the camera itself is called Pentax Q.

Some key features for the Pentax Q:
-12.4-megapixel CMOS sensor
-Interchangeable lens system
-3″ LCD screen
-1080P high-definition video at 30 fps
-HDR capture
-Bokeh control

CNET UK ends up giving the Pentax Q an overall score of 3 out of 5 possible stars. The reviewer really like the compact size of the camera and the pictures it produces has good colors. But there are some point keeping the Pentax camera from getting a top score including pretty high price tag and while shooting video you can not change focal length. The Pentax Q seems like a nice camera, but at that price you might want to look at cameras with larger sensors.
Read the full review of the Pentax Q compact camera with interchangeable lens system here.

A reviewer from CNET UK has tested the new rugged digital camera Pentax Optio WG-1. The 14 megapixel camera works down to 33 feet under water, is crushproof, handles cold and is shockproof. Let us hear if it is also able to take good photos.

Some key features for the Pentax Optio WG-1:
-14 megapixel image sensor
-5x optical zoom lens (28-140mm)
-Waterproof to 33 feet
-Shockproof from drops up to 5 feet
-Crushproof construction
-Coldproof to sub-freezing temps of minus 10 degrees C

CNET UK ends up giving the WG-1 an overall score of 4 out of 5 possible points. On the positive side there are aspects such as rugged design that handles extreme conditions, HD video, HDMI output and the camera is easy to use. The Pentax also has some negative points including that some people might find the design ugly and softness in some images. If Pentax had worked some more on image quality it would get an even better score, but overall it seems like a good rugged camera.
Read the full review of the Pentax Optio WG-1 rugged digital camera here.

CNET UK has tested a budget camera from Pentax. The camera is called Pentax Optio S1 and comes with 14 megapixels, 5x zoom and it is able to record HD videos. Let us hear what the reviewer thinks about this cheap camera.

Some key features for the Pentax Optio S1:
-14 megapixel image sensor
-5x optical zoom lens (28-140mm)
-2.7″ LCD screen
-Able to capture 720p HD videos
-Face detection
-Smile capture

CNET UK ends up giving the S1 an overall score of 3.5 stars out of 5 possible. On the positive side the reviewer finds the Pentax camera to have a small design, it is easy to use, the zoom range is useful and the camera is of good value compared to the price tag. There are a few negative sides that keeps the camera from getting a higher score including small buttons on the camera body, poor video quality and the picture quality could have been better. Maybe it is worth shelling out a few more dollars to get better image quality?
Read the full review of the Pentax Optio S1 budget digital camera here.

Pentax has announced a new stylish digital camera that is aimed at competing with the Canon IXUS cameras. The S1 comes in three designs – chrome with black trim, black with red trim, or green with silver trim.

The Pentax cameras also has features such as 14 megapixel image sensor, 5x optical zoom lens (28-140mm), a 2.7″ LCD screen, and is able to capture 720p HD videos.

The will be released in March 2011 and cost about $199.95 / £119.99.

Press release:
Pentax is pleased to announce the launch of the new Optio S1, a sleek compact digital camera which combines a unique design with outstanding functionality.

At only 20mm thick, the Optio S1 is an ultra thin and beautifully designed compact digital camera. In addition, the Optio S1 is equipped with many advanced functions including a high-definition mechanically stabilized 14 megapixels sensor and a 5x wide-angle optical zoom.

Furthermore, the Optio S1 is equipped with a high-quality HD video function, recording at 30 fps, easily viewable on a large 2.7’’ LCD screen.

As well as a unique and sophisticated mirror-like finish, the Optio S1 has also been designed to be easy to use and provide great picture quality. The face recognition function, smile capture, blink detection and 22 different scene modes mean that you can almost leave it up to the camera to take the photos for you.

The camera comes in 3 different colours, chrome, black and aquamarine green, to suit everyone’s tastes and outfit!

Main Features

1. Stylish body with well-conceived design
The Optio S1’s chrome model combines a high-quality aluminium-alloy housing with a unique mirror-finish. The black and green models have also been treated with a gloss-coating. Each model comes with a lens barrel that matches its body colour, while all models feature laser-engraved logos. Thanks to the meticulous attention given to every single design detail, the Optio S1 is a stylish, beautifully designed imaging tool that is almost a fashion accessory.

2. Versatile optical 5X zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage
Despite its compact dimensions, the Optio S1 features an 5X optical zoom lens equivalent to 28mm wide angle to 140mm telephoto, in the 35mm format. Thanks to its wide zoom range, the Optio S1 can be used for a wide variety of subjects and scenes — from breathtaking landscapes, majestic architectural photos and group shots in confined spaces, to tightly cropped snapshots taken from a distance. When coupled with the Intelligent Zoom function, which allows even tighter zooming in on the subject, the zoom range can be extended to 33.5 times.

3. Exceptional image quality
Combining the exceptional image resolution of 14 effective megapixels and a state-of-the-art imaging engine with a high-performance PENTAX zoom lens and a reliable SR (Shake Reduction) system, the Optio S1 delivers brilliant, high-quality images with well-defined details. Even when enlarged to poster size, the images ensure sharp, high-resolution prints with excellent edge-to-edge sharpness.

4. Triple anti-shake protection to prevent different types of camera shake
1) CCD-shift-type SR
The Optio S1 incorporates an advanced CCD-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which assures sharp, blur-free images even in shake-prone shooting conditions — such as when using a telephoto lens, or when shooting a sunset or indoor scene in incident light only — by effectively compensating camera shake for up to three shutter steps.
2) High-Sensitivity anti-shake mode*
When it detects low-lighting conditions in still-image shooting, the Optio S1 automatically raises the sensitivity to as high as ISO 6400, making it possible to use a higher shutter speed to effectively minimize the adverse effects of camera shake and subject shake under poor lighting conditions.
3) Movie SR mode**
During movie recording, the Optio S1 prevents blurry images by using exclusive PENTAX software to digitally minimize any annoying shake of the camera.
* 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 mode is selected, the angle of view becomes narrower than normal shooting.

5. High-quality, HD-proportioned movie recording with single-action REC button
The Optio S1 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. It even comes with an independent Movie REC button on the back panel, so the user can start movie recording from any shooting mode without delay.
*** When the Optio S1’s AV output terminal is used, movie clips are output at normal image size. 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.

6. Advanced, user-friendly Auto Picture mode for hands-off selection of the appropriate shooting mode
The Optio S1 features the PENTAX-original Auto Picture mode, which automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene by accurately and instantly accessing all photographic conditions affecting the subject or scene. It detects 14 different subjects and scenes including people, landscape, blue sky and sunset, and instantly optimizes all camera settings such as sensitivity and shutter speed, ensuring the user sharp and beautiful images with minimal effort.

7. Upgraded face detection for greater fun and convenience
The Optio S1 features a new-generation Face Detection AF&AE function, which instantly and accurately detects the subject’s face in the image field, then catches it in sharp focus and optimum exposure. It also comes equipped with other convenient features to make portrait and snapshot photography simple and effortless, for example the Smile Capture mode which automatically releases the shutter the moment the camera detects the subject’s smile. In addition, the Natural Skin mode reproduces natural, healthy skin texture.

8. Creative image-editing tools to broaden visual presentation possibilities
The Optio S1 comes equipped with nine digital filters, including Toy Camera and Retro, to add various visual effects to recorded images without requiring a computer. It also offers other creative tools such as the Miniature filter, which turns an actual scene into an image full of miniature models, and the HDR filter, which produces images with an extra-wide tonal range. Thanks to these creative tools, the user can create a wide variety of unique visual effects with very little effort.

9. Other features
1) Wireless remote shooting using an optional PENTAX remote control
2) Large 2.7-inch colour LCD monitor with 230,000 dots for easy viewing of images and menus
3) In body charging system for simple, mobile phone-like battery recharging
4) Compatibility with SDXC memory cards for recording of high-quality images over extended hours
5) D-Range setting to prevent whitewashed (overexposed) and blacked-out (underexposed) areas in an image
6) Image viewing, editing and filing software included: Media Impression 3.0 for PENTAX (Windows version) and MediaImpression 2.1 for PENTAX (Macintosh version)

Available from all good retailers from end of March 2011.
RRP: £119.99

Pentax Optio RS1000 is an interesting little camera as you can change the covers on the camera making it look pretty unique. CNET UK has reviewed this Pentax camera that also has plenty of megapixels and a 4x optical zoom lens.

Some key features for the Pentax Optio RS1000 :
-14.1 megapixel image sensor
-4x optical zoom lens (28-110mm)
-3″ LCD screen
-Widescreen 720p HD video at 30 frames per second
-Uses SD and SDHC memory cards

CNET UK ends up giving the Pentax Optio RS1000 an overall score of 3.5 stars out of 5 possible. The Pentax camera gets positive points on aspects such as good price tag, stylish look, good camera body, easy to use and the image quality is better what you can expect from such a low price tag. The RS1000 has some negative points too and they include that you can not use zoom while recording video, short battery life and you do not get much of manual controls. Overall it seems like a good enough camera if you want to change the covers on your digital camera.
Read the full review of the Pentax Optio RS1000 digital camera here.

Trusted Reviews has tested a superzoom camera from Pentax. The digital camera is called Pentax X90 and has an incredible 26x worth of optical zoom. It also comes with 12 megapixels and a triple anti shake system that make your pictures sharper.

Some key features for the Pentax X90 digital camera:
-12 megapixel image sensor
-26x optical zoom lens (26-676mm)
-Triple Shake Stabilized Zoom
-2.7″ LCD screen
-720p HD video with mono audio at 30fps
-Face Detection
-Choice of image format: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 or 1:1

Trusted Reviews ends up giving the Pentax X90 a total score of 8 out of 10 points. The X90 scores highest on value for your money, a little lower on build quality and features while scoring lowest on image quality. The Pentax camera is really good for a superzoom camera (especially if you look at the price tag), but Pentax could do some more work on improving the image quality in their next ultrazoom camera.
Read the full review of the Pentax X90 digital camera here.

Photography Blog has reviewed a pretty different camera from Pentax. The Pentax Optio I-10 has a classic look of film SLR cameras, but is a modern compact digital camera. Let us hear if it is all style and no content in this good looking camera from Pentax.

Some key features for the Pentax Optio I-10 digital camera:
-12.1 megapixel image sensor
-5x optical zoom lens (28-140mm)
-2.7″ LCD screen
-Triple shake reduction technology
-720p HD movie recording
-Wireless remote shooting

Photography Blog ends up giving the Pentax Optio I-10 a very good review with “Highly Recommended” rating and an overall score of 4.5 stars out of 5. The Pentax camera scores highest on value for your money and design, and a little lower on image quality, features and ease of use. Overall this stylish camera from Pentax is a good camera at a good price. The Optio I-10 should draw a lot of looks on the street so if you want to show off your camera this one should be a good one.
Read the full review of the Pentax Optio I-10 digital camera here.

Photography Blog has reviewed the Pentax Optio W90 waterproof digital camera. In addition to being waterproof down to 6 meters, it can also handle as low temperatures as -10°C and drops from 1.2 meters.

Some key features for the Pentax Optio W90:
-12.1 megapixel image sensor
-2.7″ LCD screen
-5x optical zoom lens (28-140mm)
-Coldproof down to -10°C (14°F)
-Waterproof down to 6 meters
-Shock-resistant for drops of up to 1.2 meters
-Able to record HD movies

Photography Blog ends up giving the Pentax Optio W90 a “Recommended” rating with an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars. The W90 scores highest on ease of use, design and features while scoring a bit lower on image quality and value for your money. Pentax Optio W90 is a pretty good rugged camera especially if you look at the nice price, but there will always be some shortcomings on such cheap cameras and with the W90 it is the image quality that could be better.
Read the full review of the Pentax Optio W90 digital waterproof camera here.

Pentax Optio WS80 is a waterproof compact digital camera that has a lower price compared to other waterproof models. Trusted Reviews has tested the WS80 to let us know how the quality is.

Some key features for the Pentax Optio WS80:
-10 megapixel image sensor
-Waterproof down to 5 feet
-5x internal optical zoom lens (35-175mm)
-2.7″ LCD screen
-HD video quality 1280 x 720 30fps

Trusted Reviews gives the Pentax Optio WS80 an overall score of 7 out of 10 points. The camera scores highest on build quality, features and value while scoring pretty low on image quality. The Optio WS80 has a very nice body and autofocus system, but could have worked a bit on the image quality. Looks like a nice camera for photographers that have an active lifestyle and do not want to use too much money on a compact camera.
Read the full review of the Pentax Optio WS80 camera here.