January 26, 2012
PENTAX Optio VS20
An all-purpose digital compact camera,
featuring a high-power 20X optical zoom lens
and extra shutter-release button and zoom lever
for effortless vertical-position shooting
PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. is pleased to announce
the launch of the PENTAX Optio VS20 digital compact camera. In addition
to an extra-powerful 20X optical zoom lens featuring a broad focal-length coverage
from wide angle to super-telephoto with a macro mode, this versatile model
offers an extra set of shutter-release button and zoom lever to facilitate
vertical-position shooting.
Within its compact body, the Optio VS20 incorporates a full
array of advanced functions and user-friendly features, including approximately
16.0 effective megapixels to produce sharp, high-resolution images; a high-power
20X optical zoom lens; and an extra-large, easy-to-view 3.0-inch color LCD
monitor. It also features an extra set of shutter-release button and zoom lever
to assure firm, comfortable hold of the camera and stable posture during vertical-position
shooting. It also comes with new Handheld Night Snap mode captures beautiful
images with minimal blur and noise even in poorly illuminated locations. The
PENTAX Optio VS20 is a high-performance, all-purpose camera that can flawlessly
respond to a greater range of subjects and scenes than most conventional models — from
casual snapshots to travel pictures and sports photos.
Major Features
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20X optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage to handle
a variety of subjects and scenes
The Optio VS20 features a high-performance, extra-powerful 20X optical zoom
lens covering focal lengths from 28mm wide angle to 560mm super-telephoto
(in the 35mm format). Thanks to its extra-wide zoom range, the Optio VS20
can capture beautiful, lively pictures in a wide range of subjects and scenes — from
landscapes to sports events. It also offers other advanced features, including:
high-quality macro shooting down to just one centimeter from the subject;
and the Intelligent Zoom function to further extend the zoom range to approximately
144 times to cover the focal length of an approximately 4032mm super-telephoto
lens (in the 35mm format) without compromising image quality.
-
Effortless, comfortable vertical-position shooting
The Optio VS20 features an extra set of shutter-release button and a second
zoom lever at its grip to assure natural posture and comfortable hold of the
camera during vertical-position shooting. Since the camera automatically adjusts
its on-screen display by detecting vertical alignment with its orientation
sensor, the user can effortlessly capture images of vertically extended subjects,
such as high-rise buildings. The Optio VS20 even offers a vertical-position
tripod socket, allowing the photographer to securely set the camera up with
a lighter, more portable tripod.
-
Exceptional image quality
Thanks to the combination of approximately 16.0 effective megapixels, the
state-of-the-art image engine, a high-performance smc PENTAX zoom lens and
the sophisticated CCD-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, the Optio
VS20 delivers well-defined, high-quality images with extra-fine resolution.
Even when images are enlarged to large sizes, the user is assured of sharp,
high-resolution prints with edge-to-edge sharpness.
-
Triple anti-shake protection for sharp, blur-free images
- CCD-shift-type SR mechanism
The advanced CCD-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction)
mechanism produces sharp, blur-free images even under shake-prone shooting
conditions, such as when using a telephoto lens, or when shooting a sunset
or indoor scene with incident light only.
- Digital SR mode*
During still-image shooting, the Optio VS20 automatically
raises its sensitivity to as high as ISO 6400 by detecting the subject’s
brightness level. This user-friendly feature allows the photographer to
capture the subject at faster shutter speeds to minimize the risk of camera
shake and subject shake.
- Movie SR mode**
During movie recording, this digital shake-reduction
mode effectively compensates for camera shake to produce beautiful, blur-free
movie chips.
* When the Digital SR mode is selected, the recorded size is fixed at five megapixels (2592 x 1944 pixels).
** When the Movie SR mode is selected, the angle of view becomes narrower than normal shooting.
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Automatic selection of the most appropriate shooting mode
The Optio VS20 features the PENTAX-developed Auto Picture mode, which automatically
selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene by
accurately assessing various photographic conditions over the entire image
field. Since this user-friendly mode instantly and unfailingly selects one
of 15 shooting modes including Blue Sky and Sunset and optimizes various camera
settings (such as sensitivity and shutter speed), the photographer is always
assured of the best results with minimal effort.
-
New scene modes for greater creative options
With the user-friendly scene modes, the photographer can effortlessly capture
beautiful images simply by selecting a desired scene mode for a given subject
or application. With the addition of three new modes (Handheld Night Snap,
Fish-eye and Sketch), the Optio VS20 offers an even greater range of creative
options. Visual-effect modes, such as Fish-eye, allow the photographer to
take pictures while confirming the level of filtering effect on the LCD monitor,
making it easy to produce more personalized visual expressions.
-
Upgraded auto face recognition function with a new face recall
function
The Optio VS20’s Face Recognition AF & AE function offers a new
face recall function, which puts priority on a pre-registered face when optimizing
focus and exposure settings. Since the main subject’s face is always
captured sharply and brilliantly, this function comes in handy when taking
group shots. To assist the photographer in capturing beautiful, lively snapshots,
the Optio VS20 also provides other user-friendly features, including the Smile
Capture mode that automatically releases the shutter the moment the camera
detects the subject’s smile, and the Blinking Detection function that
warns the photographer when the subject’s eyes close at the time of
shutter release.
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High-quality HDTV-standard movie recording with pushbutton
start
The Optio VS20 captures beautiful, high-definition-TV-quality movie clips
(1280 x 720 pixels).*** Since the camera provides an independent movie recording
button on its back panel, the user can instantly start recording movie clips
from any shooting mode. It also features three new digital filters (Fish-eye,
Miniature and Sketch mode) to allow the user to experiment with more diversified
visual expressions.
*** When the Optio VS20ツ痴 AV output terminal is used, movie clips are output as normal image-size data. If the user wishes to play back movie clips at high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels), the data must be transferred to a personal computer for playback.
Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor
The Optio VS20 features a high-resolution 3.0-inch color LCD monitor with approximately 460,000 dots. Since this extra-large monitor provides a clear view of images and menus, the photographer can quickly and efficiently check captured images and menu settings. In addition, the monitor is treated with AG (Anti-Glare) coating to constantly keep the screen clear and spotless by minimizing reflections and blocking stains such as fingerprints.
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Other features
- Digital level and 48-segment grid display functions for easy confirmation
of horizontal and vertical alignment
- Wireless remote-control shooting using an optional PENTAX remote controller
- Newly added Stretch filter to extend a particular portion of an image
for an eye-catching visual effect
- Neck strap included
- 13 digital filters, including newly added Sketch mode, to add creative
visual effects
- Choice of three image sizes (4:3, 16:9 and 1:1) to accommodate different
applications
- D-Range setting to prevent whitewashed (overexposed) and blacked-out
(underexposed) areas in an image
- Digital Panorama mode to effortlessly create a single panoramic picture
from as many as three images
- Image viewing, editing and filing software included: MediaImpression
3.1 for PENTAX (Windows version compatible with Windows 7) and MediaImpression
2.1 for PENTAX (Macintosh version compatible with Mac OS X 10.7)
- Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
- This product supports PRINT Image Matching III. PRINT Image Matching enabled digital still cameras, printers and software help photographers to produce images more faithful to their intentions. Some functions are not available on printers that are not PRINT Image Matching III compliant.
Copyright 2001 Seiko Epson Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Print Image Matching is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
The PRINT Image Matching logo is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
- Macintosh and Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
- All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
- Design and Specifications are subject to change without notice.