Pentax has bolstered its ever-expanding Optio range with two new models, in the shape of the V10 and A40, with the latter claiming to produce ?images to rival those taken on digital SLRs?.

The V10 is the first in the ?V? series of Optio compacts, and possesses most features associated with mid-range, or ?standard class?, compacts currently on the market. The 8MP V10 couples a 3x optical zoom with a large 3in LCD screen inside a slim 19mm body weighing just 140g.

Headlines are grabbed, however, by the 12MP Optio A40, and more specifically the ?images to rival those taken on a digital SLR? tag. The A40 incorporates a new 1/1.7in CCD sensor, smc PENTAX lens and three types of anti-shake. A new Dynamic Range Adjustment function is also present, preventing blown out highlights or over-shadowing by correcting tones within the image.

Expect to see both compact in stores from November, with guide prices of £149 for the V10 and £219 for the A40.

For more information, visit www.pentax.co.uk