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September 13, 2004 � The PENTAX Imaging Company announced its release of the 5.0 megapixel Optio SV, the latest in its Optio line of compact digital cameras.
The new Optio SV has upgraded several features: it boasts more megapixels, a 5x optical zoom/4x digital zoom lens, and a larger 1.8-inch LCD monitor with 118,000 pixels as compared to its predecessor, the Optio S, with its 3.1-megapixel CCD, 3x optical/2x digital zoom lens, and 1.6-inch LCD screen with just 84,000 pixels.
The Optio SV weighs a mere 5.8 ounces and is 3.0 x 1.8 x 0.9 inches in size. With the PENTAX Sliding Lens system, the SV�s 5x optical zoom lens retracts and recedes into the camera housing, flush with the camera body. This lens system was first used on the SV�s older sister, the Optio S, in 2003.
The SV has a macro mode that allows the user to shoot from as close as 3 cm to the subject. As with other newly released cameras, the SV also has a movie mode that shoots with sound at a 320 x 240 resolution. The SV also includes a flexible shutter speed range of 4 -1/2,000 seconds to handle a variety of lighting situations.
The Optio SV is equipped with several picture-taking modes, including Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Self Portrait, Sport, Surf & Snow, Autumn color, Sunset, Museum, Food, 3D image and Panorama assist. Other modes include the standard manual, aperture-priority, and shutter-priority modes. There are an abundance of white balance options to chose from as well, providing the user with the ability to hone color accuracy; they are: daylight, shade, tungsten, fluorescent, automatic and the always-necessary manual setting.
The PENTAX Optio SV comes encased in a tough aluminum alloy for durability. The new camera will be unveiled September 20 at the PEPCOM Holiday Spectacular in New York City and should be stocked for retail in October.