Pentax as introduced two new consumer-oriented digital cameras, the Optio T30 and Optio M30. Both cameras offer 7.1 megapixel resolutions and offer somewhat different feature sets to appeal to different types of photographers, all wrapped inside thin casings sure to appeal to bulk-weary consumers.
The Optio T30 offers a 3-inch LCD touch screen display, which—in addition to letting users drive the camera’s interface and configuration—also enables image editing and manipulation with drawing functions. Users just whip out the included stylus and active the camera’s built-in drawing mode to customize images, write notes, or even add stored or original art using a stamp function. The T30 also sports a 3× optical zoom and face recognition technology to detect and focus on faces anywhere they appear in the photo frame; the camera automatically adjusts exposure settings so faces are highlighted even in the presence of backlighting. Pentax says the T30 snaps images all the way to ISO 3200 sensitivity (that’s be some very low-light conditions) and includes digital anti-shake technology to reduce blur during longer exposures. Pentax says the T30 is the thinnest camera to offer a 3-inch LCD display (it’s just three quarters of an inch deep); the T30 carries just under 20 MB of user memory and saves images to SD and SDHC memory cards; connect it to your computer with USB or to your NTSC or PAL TV (did we mention it’ll also capture 30 fps Quicktime movies, 15 fps with sound?). Expect to see it at retailer in March with a suggested price of $349.95.
The Optio M30 also boasts a 7.1 megapixel resolution, a 3× optical zoom, digital shake reduction, and Pentax’s face recognition technology to supplement the camera’s autofocus and auto-exposure capabilities. The M30 handles 30 fps VGA video, offers a 2.5-inch LCD display along with almost 22 MB of user memory in addition to SD/SDC memory card support, and sports a Super Macro mode enabling users to take pictures of objects from as little as two inches away. Expect the Optio M30 this March at a suggested price of just $199.95.
