Pentax Intros Two 8 Megapixel Optios

Pentax's new Optio E40 and Optio M40 digital cameras pack 8 megapixel resolutions and features aimed at entry-level and snapshot shutterbugs.

Pentax has announced two new entries in its Optio line of point-and-shoot digital cameras, the Optio E40 and the Optio M40.

The Optio M40 sports a slim metallic body, 8 megapixel resolution, a 3× optical zoom, and a 2.5-inch LCD display. The camera is designed to appeal to both entry-level and experienced digital camera users, offering digital shake reduction, and auto-macro feature, and face recognition technology designed to keep your friends (and even your enemies) recognizable in candid photos. The camera has decent low-light capability—sensitivity down to ISO 1600 (3200 with shake reduction) and can capture QuickTime video. The Optio M40 offers USB 2.0 output, NTSC/PAL video out, and PictBridge compatibility; the camera packs over 20 MB of internal memory, and stores images to SD and SDHC media.

Meanwhile, the Optio E40 is aimed more at folks just getting started with digital cameras, offering an 8.1 megapixel resolution, a 2.4-inch LCD display, and a 3× optical zoom along with digital shake reduction and face recognition. The E40 runs off AA batteries (handy when you’re traveling and can’t plug in a charger), offers 10 MB of internal memory and stores images to SD and SDHC media.

The Optio M40 should lake in August at a suggested price of $199.95; expect to see the Optio E40 in September at a suggested price of $149.99.