Pentax has introduced the new Optio M30 ? a budget priced 7 megapixel compact that comes equipped with a newly introduced auto-macro function. Auto-macro determines the distance from the subject, and even while in the normal focus mode, automatically switches the focus range to macro mode for shooting down to 10cm.

The camera also features Face Recognition AF & AE that automatically detects, focuses and exposes for faces, regardless of where the people appear in the frame. An Auto Picture mode, meanwhile, enables the camera to automatically determine the shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Program modes and choose the optimum settings for each subject.

Further features include a 3x optical zoom lens with a focal range of 38-114mm (35mm equivilent) and 30fps movie recording at a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. The M30 is also newly equipped with Movie SR (Shake Reduction), which automatically corrects camera shake.

Features at a glance
(1) Auto-tracking AF continuously focusing on a moving subject
(2) Compatible with SDHC memory cards, in addition to conventional SD memory cards
(3) World time function for 75 cities (28 time zones) worldwide
(4) Calendar Display function allows image retrieval based on capture date
(5) Mode Palette provides quick access to 15 shooting modes and 13 playback modes
(6) Soft flash function avoids overexposure during close-up flash photography
(7) Super-Macro mode allows close-up photography as near as 5 cm
(8) Digital zooming provides up to 4X magnification
(9) Approximately 21.9 MB of built-in memory
(10) FotoNation’s red-eye correction function for flash shots
(11) Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX image viewer/image management software
(12) Supports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III

The Optio M30 will hit UK stores in February with a retail price of £139.99. Full details are available at www.pentax.co.uk

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