Pentax unwraps 8MP compact

A new Optio model, the V20, has been announced by Pentax. The eight megapixel silver camera has all the features you'd expect to find in a state-of-the-art, point-and-shoot image snatcher, and a little more. It has a 5x optical zoom (36-180 equivalent), as well as a 5.1x digital zoom, and a three-inch LCD that's treated with an anti-reflective coating to improve viewing in sunlight. In addition, the display has a wide viewing angle of 170 degrees and high resolution of 230,000 dots. All the latest digital novelties are packaged in the unit--focus and exposure face recognition, smile capture and blink detection. The camera has auto scene choosing for four of its 16 scene modes. The feature will analyze a scene and automatically choose the appropriate pre-set for it from landscape, portrait, night scene, flower and sport modes. For steadier shots, the unit has image stabillization based on automatic light sensitivty, or ISO, adjustment. Top ISO for the snapper is 6400. Other automatic features include auto macro focusing to within 3.9 inches of a subject and auto adjustment of focusing as an object moves. The unit is expected to be available to retailers in May and to sell for $279.95.