Released by Pentax:

PENTAX Unveils New Digital Developments at PMA

PENTAX Corporation is proud to announce that it has exhibited two new digital products currently under development - a wide-angle interchangeable lens for use with its digital SLR cameras and a compact digital still/movie camera - at the 2004 Photo Marketing Association's (PMA) Show, the largest photographic merchandise exhibition in the U.S.A., held from February 12 to 15, 2004, in Las Vegas.

Designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras such as the *ist D, the smc PENTAX-DA 14mm F2.8 ED [IF] is designed extremely compact, measuring only 69mm (2.7") long and 83.5mm (3.3") in diameter. Featuring the reliable PENTAX KAF lens mount and high-performance 12-element, 11-group optics, it offers a focal length of 14mm (equivalent to 21.5mm in 35mm format), and a minimum focusing distance of 17cm (0.7"). Its innovative Quick-Shift Focus system enables the user to instantly switch the focus mode from auto to manual with a slight twist of the focus ring. It also offers a 77mm-size filter thread for quick, effortless mounting and removal of a filter.

Equipped with an ergonomic grip handle, the palm-sized PENTAX OptioMX digital still/movie camera features 3.2 effective megapixels, a 10-times optical zoom lens and a high-resolution (VGA) full-frame movie mode with zoom compatibility on MPEG-4 format. Its color LCD monitor swivels horizontally and vertically to ensure picture-framing versatility from different angles. It also offers an optional wide-conversion lens also offers a high-quality movie recording function.

Note: Designs and specifications of these products are subject to change without notice.

Web Address: www.pentax.co.uk