Espio 120SW

Espio 120SW

Pentax Markets a Pocket-Sized 28mm~120mm Zoom Compact Camera

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February, 11th 2001

Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce the addition of the Pentax ESPIO120SW 35mm-format zoom compact camera to its popular ESPIO lineup. Set in a fashionable silver-colored body, this new ESPIO incorporates a versatile 28mm~120mm 4.3-times zoom lens and a host of user-friendly features in super-compact dimensions. It is also one of the few zoom compact cameras on the market offering a 28mm wide-angle setting, and its outstanding wide-to-telephoto coverage allows the user to take a variety of subjects with great ease — from landscapes and group shots to portraits and casual snapshots.

Major Features of the Pentax ESPIO120SW

1. Super-compact body with fashionable, user-friendly design

Even though it incorporates a 28mm~120mm zoom lens offering an outstanding 4.3-times zoom ratio, the ESPIO120SW comes in a super-compact, lightweight body which easily fits into a shirt pocket or small purse. This body is made of high-quality aluminum for visual appeal and reduced weight, and is also designed to offer maximum holding comfort. In addition, all control buttons and switches, including the large, easy-to-use control dial, are carefully laid out to ensure easy access.

2. Versatile 4.3-times zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage and zoom macro capability

The ESPIO120SW’s 28mm~120mm zoom lens offers an extra-wide 4.3-times zoom ratio to capture a wide range of subjects, while its 28mm wide-angle setting allows the user to create dramatic wide-perspective images, such as sensational landscapes, eye-catching group shots and stunning indoor pictures. It also offers a zoom macro capability to capture well-defined close-up images from a distance of just 50 centimeters (1.64 feet) at any focal length — for a maximum magnification of 0.32 times at the 120mm telephoto setting.

3. High-precision passive five-point autofocus with Spot AF mode

The ESPIO120SW’s passive five-point autofocus system assures accurate focus on the subject from a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters (one foot) to infinity. Its passive feature ensures sharp focus on a subject positioned behind a glass window, while its wide focus area handles difficult situations with ease — such as when the subject is positioned off center, or when two subjects are set apart to the sides. The Spot AF mode enables the user to pinpoint the focus on a single, small element of the image.

4. Reliable auto-exposure control with multi-pattern metering

Assisted by the sophisticated multi-pattern metering system, the ESPIO120SW’s auto-exposure system automatically produces beautifully exposed images frame after frame — even when the subject stands against backlight or in the shade.

5. Multi-function auto zoom flash with red-eye reduction

When the camera’s exposure system detects a low-light or strongly backlit condition, the built-in auto zoom flash automatically discharges to produce properly exposed images. When taking portraits or snapshots at night or indoors, the user can select the "red-eye" reduction function to eliminate annoying red eyes in the subject. The ESPIO120SW also simplifies advanced flash applications, including daylight sync, slow-shutter-speed sync and bulb sync, allowing the user to capture dramatic flash images with ease. A flash-off mode is also provided for times when the use of a flash is prohibited or when the user chooses to use only ambient light.

6. Extra-clear zoom viewfinder with diopter adjuster

The actual-image viewfinder automatically zooms back and forth in proportion to the selected focal length to indicate the exact image area for easy framing. It even switches automatically from the standard frame to the panorama frame when the user selects the panorama mode. Its built-in diopter adjustment device allows the user to match the viewfinder image with his/her eyesight in the range from -3m^-1 to +1m^-1, for the clearest possible view of the subject.

7. Large LCD panel with in-the-dark illumination

The large LCD panel on the camera’s top panel displays all vital operational information using easy-to-recognize symbols, letters and digits, allowing the user to confirm the camera’s operational status at a quick glance. When shooting at night or in poorly illuminated locations, the panel is automatically illuminated while the user takes pictures, makes setting changes or changes film rolls.

8. Panorama mode with mid-roll switching

The panorama mode, ideal for capturing breathtaking landscapes or eye-catching group pictures, can be selected for any frame with a simple slide of the panorama switch. It produces a dramatic, eye-catching effect, especially when combined with the 28mm wide-angle setting of the zoom lens.

9. Quick-set picture modes

The "infinity-landscape" mode instantly fixes the focus at infinity at any focal length, allowing the photographer to take sharply focused pictures of distant subjects, such as landscapes, with great ease. The "bulb" mode enables the user to emphasize nighttime illumination by extending the exposure time up to one minute. Both modes can be set easily and quickly with simple dial control.

10. Auto lens retraction & auto power off

When the camera is left unused for three minutes (or five minutes in the remote-control mode), the lens is retracted to the shortest wide-angle position to protect it from damage and the power is turned off to conserve batteries — all automatically.

11. Handy remote control (optional)

The ESPIO120SW’s shutter release can be operated from a distance using an optional remote controller. The camera’s shutter is released three seconds after the user presses the release button of the remote controller.

12. Data recording with ESPIO120SW DATE model (optional)

The ESPIO120SW DATE automatically records the date or day and time of shooting on the photograph, and even adjusts the position of data imprinting or the panorama mode.

Pentax ESPIO105SW Specifications

Type: 35mm fully automatic lens-shutter camera with built-in zoom lens, autofocus, auto exposure and auto flash.

Film: 35mm DX-coded film with 24mm x 36mm format.

Lens: Pentax power zoom 28mm - 105mm F5.6 - F11.5 lens; 6 elements in 5 groups.

Focusing System: Phase-matching passive five-point autofocus system. Infinity landscape / Spot AF mode available.

Autofocusing Range: 0.5m (1.64 ft.) to infinity

Exposure Control: Programmed auto exposure control with multi metering.

Metering Range:
(1) Auto mode: EV10 – EV17 (28mm at ISO400)
EV13 – EV19 (105mm at ISO400)
(2) Slow shutter speed: EV6 – EV17 (28mm at ISO400)
EV6 – EV19 (105mm at ISO400)

Shutter: Programmed AE electronic lens shutter.
Shutter speeds: approx. 1/400 sec. to 2 sec.; 1/2 sec. to 1 min. in bulb mode.

Viewfinder: Standard/panorama switchable. Actual-image zoom viewfinder with slide-control diopter adjustment (approx. -3.0m^-1 to +1.0m^-1). Viewfinder area :83% (at 3m). Indication: Focus and flash status, panorama-format picture area, close distance compensation frame and AF frame.

External LCD Indication: Exposure counter, battery exhaustion warning, infinity-landscape, Spot AF, red-eye reduction, flash-on, flash-off, slow-speed shutter, bulb. Automatic LED illuminator under low-light situation.

Film Loading: Automatic film loading with first-frame positioning.

Film Winding: Automatic film winding.

Film Rewinding: Automatic film rewinding at end of roll. Automatic stop upon rewind completion. (Mid-roll rewinding possible.)

Film-Speed Setting: Auto film-speed setting with DX-coded film from ISO25 to ISO3200.

Self-Timer: 10-second delay electronic self-timer.

Flash: Built-in auto zoom flash. Automatic discharge under low lighting and backlighting conditions in auto mode. Flash-on and flash-off modes.

Recycling Time: approx. 5 sec. with fresh lithium battery. Dual discharge in red-eye reduction mode.

Remote Control: Infrared wireless remote control. 3-second delay release provided.

Auto Power Cut-Off: Automatic lens retraction to 28mm after approx. 3 minutes of non use. In remote control shooting mode, automatic cut-off after approx. 5 minutes of non use.

Power Source: One 3V lithium battery (CR2 type).

Dimensions & Weight: 111.0 (W) x 59.5 (H) x 41.0 (D)mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.6").
???g (??? oz.) without battery.

ESPIO105SW Date

External LCD Indication: Exposure counter, date indication, zooming button, battery exhaustion warning, infinity-landscape, Spot AF, red-eye reduction, flash-on, flash-off, slow-speed shutter, bulb.

Date Imprinting: Five-mode switchable: "Year-Month-Day", "Month-Day-Year", "Day-Month-Year", "Day-Hour-Minute" and blank.

Dimensions & Weight: 111.0 (W) x59.5 (H)x 41.0 (D)mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.6").
???g (??? oz.) without battery.

Sorry, weight is still missing.
I'll add it as soon as it will be available.