Pentax releases X90 digital superzoom camera

Within its compact, lightweight body, the Pentax X90 features a high-magnification optical 26-times zoom lens offering a focal-length coverage between 26mm wide angle to 676mm super telephoto (in the 35mm format). Coupled with the 1cm Macro mode – which allows the photographer to capture dramatic close-up images of a subject from just one centimetre away – it offers quick, effortless shooting in a wide range of photographic situations.

Furthermore, it also provides the Intelligent Zoom function, which extends the zoom coverage to approximately 162.5 times (for a focal length of an astonishing 4225mm in the 35mm format) without compromising the optical performance of the zoom lens.

The X90 incorporates the Pentax-original CCD-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction) system to assure sharply focused, blur-free images even under demanding photographic conditions prone to camera shake, such as when using the zoom lens’s super-telephoto range or when shooting a sunset or indoor scene with incident light only.

By accurately detecting the amount of camera shake using a high-performance gyro sensor and shifting the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed, the X90 offers an outstanding camera-shake compensation effect, equivalent to approximately three shutter steps.

The X90 comes equipped with an electronic viewfinder of 200 000 dots, which comes in handy when shooting the subject against harsh backlight or when the user needs a more solid hold of the camera. Since its newly incorporated dioptre adjustment mechanism provides a clearer view of the subject and in-finder indications, the photographer can enjoy shooting more comfortably.

The X90 captures high-quality movie clips, equivalent in image quality to that of high-definition TV (1280 x 720 pixels), in 30 frames per second. It also features the Movie SR (Shake Reduction) mode, which effectively minimizes annoying camera shake during movie shooting through the use of exclusive software. As a result, the photographer enjoys high-quality, blur-free movie shooting with minimal effort. It is even equipped with an HDMI micro terminal for audio/video signal output, allowing the enjoyment of high-resolution movies simply by connecting the camera with a high-definition TV monitor.

In addition to the advanced Programmed AE mode, which automatically selects the optimal combination of aperture and shutter speed for a given subject, the X90 also offers Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter-Priority AE and Metered Manual modes to let the photographer more freely express their creative intention and personal style.

Thanks to the combination of approximately 12.1 effective megapixels, a sophisticated imaging engine and a high-quality PENTAX zoom lens, the X90 delivers super-clear, high-quality images. It even allows the photographer to choose the preferred finishing touch from Bright, Natural or Monotone.

The X90 features the advanced Auto Picture mode, which automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene by detecting the subject’s lighting and other conditions. This user-friendly mode not only makes the right mode choice for the photographer from Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Flower, Sport or Standard modes, but also features an auto macro mode, which automatically switches the camera’s focus range to macro in close-range applications.

The X90 features the upgraded Face Detection AF & AE function, which automatically detects up to 32 faces in the image field in a mere 0.03 seconds and captures them in great accuracy and with superb clarity, even when the faces are tilted or turned sideways. It also offers a new Small Face filter, which makes the subject’s face appear slightly smaller than in reality in recorded images. In addition, the X90 offers other user-friendly functions designed to produce beautiful portraits with ease: the Smile Capture function, which automatically releases the shutter the instant it detects the subject’s smile; and the Blinking Detection function, which warns the photographer when the subject’s eyes close at the time of shutter release.

The X90 comes equipped with the advanced High-Sensitivity anti-shake (Digital SR) mode, 4 which allows the photographer to use higher shutter speeds in dimly lit locations by automatically shifting the sensitivity level to as high as ISO 6400 based on the subject’s lighting condition. By coupling this function with the dependable CCD-shift-type SR system, the photographer can effectively minimize adverse effects of camera shake and subject shake, even when shooting at such demanding locations as concert halls and indoor sports arenas.