[eigelb]

From: Photo Rumors -- Pentax announcement next week: W90 & X90 | Photo Rumors





The Pentax W90 will be the first camera with LED lights around the lens for close-up photography. According to the picture it should have HD video and 5x zoom (ok, I will not comment on the substance in the picture above – I think besides water proof and shock proof this cameras will also be s**t proof).

The second camera will be the Pentax X90 – a 26x super zoom camera with a 12.1MP sensor:





For some reason Pentax pulled out of PMA in the last moment (Canon and Leica are also not part of PMA this year).

Expect those two cameras to be announced on February 24th (+/- 1 day in the US).

[Christopher M.W.T]

The W90 will be used to film the sequel to "Two Girls, One Cup"

[Mike.P®]

Like the idea of LEDs round the lens for macro .. may well get rid of my old Canon 4MP if its any good.

[Jasvox]

The W90 will be used to film the sequel to "Two Girls, One Cup"

That's just so wrong!



Jason

[Mr. B]

I like the LEDs
This and that handsome I-10, way to go, Pentax!

[Christopher M.W.T]

That's just so wrong!



Jason

Oh lighten up :P

Pentax can carve out quite a niche in the sicko/fetish porn production market.

That first photo is just plain disturbing.

So, judging by the picture, the new W90 doubles as a colonoscopy tool. Then again, Pentax is supposed to be big in endoscopy and medical imaging.

[mattdm]

Olympus announces SP-590UZ with 26X zoom: Digital Photography Review

From a year ago. Hmmm.

[Supernaut]

Isn't that the camera that X70 is build on?

[GerryL]

Looks like 3 LED lights around the lens.
If the battery life is as short as the current W80, then the LEDs would suck out more juice out of this making the battery life shorter!

[omega leader]

I really can't help but think that I would much prefer glass that went WIDE not long. Where is the 21mm equivilant?

[Biro]

I really can't help but think that I would much prefer glass that went WIDE not long. Where is the 21mm equivilant?

Well, the X90 starts at 24mm (equivalent), which is probably wide enough for a megazoom point-and-shoot camera. Any wider and the lens probably wouldn't fit on the camera.

The X90 is simply the Pentax version of the more-or-less same camera that's been announced for Nikon, Olympus and (perhaps) Fuji already. I'm not 100% sure who builds them but the consensus seems to be that it's Sanyo. There are slight differences between each brand's camera (such as image-processing algorithms) but they are more alike than they are different.

However, it seems these cameras feature a new back-lit sensor which may go a long way toward reducing noise at high ISOs or in low light. While micro four-thirds and "micro APS-C" have my attention for compact alternatives to DSLRs these days... these megazoom point-and-shoots are still a legitimate option for many people moving up from tiny digicams with 3x lenses. The X90 probably cost Pentax next to nothing to create and at least gives the company a product in that particular niche.

As a point of reference, tests of the X70 seemed to agree that, while it trailed the Canon SX1/SX10 and Panasonic FZ28 just a bit, it was a solid performer in the class - with image quality that beat both the Nikon and Olympus variants. Its primary flaw seemed to be the lack of a diopter adjustment for the EVF.

[Steelski]

From: Photo Rumors -- Pentax announcement next week: W90 & X90 | Photo Rumors





The Pentax W90 will be the first camera with LED lights around the lens for close-up photography. According to the picture it should have HD video and 5x zoom (ok, I will not comment on the substance in the picture above – I think besides water proof and shock proof this cameras will also be s**t proof).

Pentax, there for you when the Sh|t really hits the fan!

Pentax, Some crazy ass sh|t.

Pentax, OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhh SH|T.

Pentax, Sh|t Yeah!!!

Pentax, kicking up a sh|tstorm.

Pentax, never lose your camera when eating again.

[ogl]

is it the same?

[ogl]