Pentax revisits vintage 110 micro-SLR look

<p><a href="http://www.dpreview.com/news/1001/10012505pentaxoptioi10.asp">The new</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.cameraquest.com/pentx110.htm">The original</a></p>

<p>Nice retro design. 12mp, 5x zoom, 720 video, and most importantly, "this upgraded version is programmed to detect not only human faces, but also the faces of dogs and cats."</p>

<p> </p>

<p>For one glorious moment I thought it really was a digital version of the 110.</p>

<p>an interesting looking body. i once found one of the original bodies at a cash converter. i knew it would not be of any use to me since 110 film is defunct but it was a nice looking body. would new digital users be buying it for nostalgic value or perhaps the buyers were original version's admirers?</p>

<p>The best thing about this camera is that it incorporates SR (and I do believe they've used the same SR badge as on their DSLRs). I've bought 2 compact P&Ss as presents in the past year from other brands simply because Pentax didn't have any models with image stabilisation.</p>

<p>Interesting it should use a CCD and not a CMOS. <a href="http://a.img-dpreview.com/news/1001/pentax/Optio_I-10_White.jpg">Looks cool in white</a> :-)</p>

<p>It is a good looking camera. I will replace my P&S this year and would consider this one, but I'm kind of locked into a Canon, Sony or Oly P&S camera because I want an affordable SCUBA diving housing. Something I doubt Pentax will ever produce. But otherwise it seems to have a decent feature set for a P&S and the style is cool.</p>

<p>It does make me think. 110 film is almost the same size as a 4/3 sensor. A revived digital Pentax 110 system with an off the shelf 4/3 sensor could make a really cool counter part to the new mirror-less micro 4/3 cameras. I wonder if the old Pentax 110 lenses would be up to the task? Could be a really cool system that builds on the Pentax legacy.</p>

<p>Cute! It does bear a striking resemblance to the original... right down to the old-style elongated "PENTAX" nameplate, rather than the current version which is much more narrow looking.</p>

<p>I think we can all agree that it would have been amazing if it actually used interchangeable lenses... sigh...</p>

<p>People are already using old Pentax 110 System glass on m4/3 bodies:</p>

<p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360229279133">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360229279133</a></p>

<p>The sensor in m4/3 digitals is much larger than the sensor in the new Pentax P&S</p>

<p>Embracing retro design is cool, kudos to Pentax !</p>

<p>Check out how tiny the sensor in it is:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/895392-post45.html">http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/895392-post45.html</a></p>

<p>and in its leatherette case from many angles:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/896153-post74.html">http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/896153-post74.html</a></p>

<p>Official press relase and full specs:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.pentax.jp/english/news/2010/201003.html">http://www.pentax.jp/english/news/2010/201003.html</a></p>

<p>Disappointing that it's still using a sensor that small. I guess if they rate it to ISO 6400 maybe ISO 800 is usable? Maybe? Anyway, I'm not seeing a whole lot to distinguish it, I hope it ends up being a package sound enough to get attention based on more than just its looks.</p>

<p>I believe A30/A40 Optio were the last models to wear that SR badge, and they had CCD-shake stabilization...and also bigger 1/1.8 sensors, though they were OK, not superstars...this little sensor may actually do better.</p>

<p>I don't know why none of the pictures show the back/top yet, though I suppose it looks just about like any other Pentax compact.</p>

<p>The specs on dpreview say there's no AF assist lamp, then what's that thing on the right side of its face? I assume the top one is LED AF assist, and bottom is IR receiver...any other explanation?</p>

<p>Also, I think the orange version of the similarly spec'ed (minus SR) <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/news/1001/10012504pentaxoptioh90.asp">H90</a> is pretty handsome too.</p>

<p>To see more than just the front of the camera, go here:</p>

<p>http://www.dcresource.com/news/newsitem.php?id=4060</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Silly label on the back: "<em>Designed by </em> PENTAX". If they had just said "PENTAX", would we have thought it was designed by someone else?</p>

<p>Also, that unlabeled button on the left side (user-perspective)...? Could be an SR preview, this is what a button in that location does with A30.</p>

<p>There is one thing I love about this though--its the old-style "PENTAX" label above the lens, below the flash. Uses a similar typeface that appeared on classic Pentax models through the SF series, until about 1991, when they changed to a blockier, painted-on font on the Z/PZ series. It's kind of a shame they couldn't have put an optical viewfinder in that bulge, even a so-so EVF for better use in bright sunlight...or a hotshoe (though I recognize that the size/weight of all but the smallest hotshoe flashes would be tail wagging the dog).</p>

<p>I wonder if there is anything special about the Eye-Fi compatibility/integration? Possibly cano configured on the camera LCD?</p>

<p>I don't know what the street prices will be but you're paying quite a bit for the CCD-shift SR and leatherette front panel on the I-10; MSRP is $300 vs. only $179 for the otherwise rather similar (and still smart-looking) H90. I suspect H90 doesn't have the IR receiver either.</p>

<p>Andrew, I echo many of your sentiments. When I saw the "Designed by Pentax" on the back, I thought it sort of diminished the looks of the camera a bit. I mean, wouldn't the average person be quite certain that Pentax designed this camera, without needing it spelled out for them? Even though the camera isn't manufactured by Pentax (which is probably something that only we Pentax enthusiasts would be aware of), I think it's pretty safe to assume that Pentax designed it. We don't need a label to tell us that.</p>

<p>I was thinking the same thing about the faux prism bulge where the flash is -- would've been the perfect place for an EVF and would've continued with the SLR-style theme.</p>

<p>I really love the old-style Pentax nameplate. I also like the version used on the K100D, K10D, and earlier cameras; I am <em>not</em> a fan of the new, narrow version used on the K20D and newer cameras.</p>

<p>I'm actually sort of surprised that Pentax did this. Coming out with cute retro-inspired cameras is something that Olympus has a long history of doing, but Pentax not so much.</p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>"Also, that unlabeled button on the left side (user-perspective)...? Could be an SR preview, this is what a button in that location does with A30." </em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Are we sure that's a button and not just an added bit of texture to make the camera a bit easier to hold?</p>

<p>It looks neat, but I think they should have continued to play on their strength of backward lens compatibility and made it an interchangeable lens system that could take the old Pentax 110 lenses.</p>

<p>Sensor's evidently a lot bigger than Canon g11...plus the zoom's faster. <br>

If the (presumed) digital viewfinder beats Oly/Panasonic m 4/3 it ought to be a killer, even with the smaller sensor.</p>

<p>John, I'm not sure if you're talking about the same camera the rest of us are talking about...? The G11 has a 1/1.7" sensor, which is physically larger than the 1/2.3" sensor in the Pentax. The Pentax has no viewfinder, just an LCD screen. The G11's lens is 2.8-4.5, making it faster than the 3.5-5.9 lens on the Pentax.</p>

<p>Competition for the Pentax RETRO P&S?</p>

<p>Note Panny P&S has a FAST f2.0-f2.8 aperture and bigger sensor and video of course, but its $99 more than Pentax.</p>

<p>Hmmmm.... Leica Logo lens versus Pentax Logo lens</p>

<p>Which One Would Ned Buy ????</p>

<p>;^)</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/573593-REG/Panasonic_DMC_LX3S_Lumix_DMC_LX3_Digital_Camera.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/573593-REG/Panasonic_DMC_LX3S_Lumix_DMC_LX3_Digital_Camera.html</a></p>

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<p>Uh yeah, I'm pretty sure it's no contest... the LX3 would win in every category except cuteness.</p>

<p>I think we're kind of missing the point on this little camera. It's just a mid-pack point and shoot. That's how it's priced, that fits the sensor and it's feature set. Granted you might consider it the high end for Pentax P&S camera's. But technology wise it's not a big deal. It does look like a reasonable feature set for it's price point and the style is cool.</p>

<p>My earlier comments were more of a what if... Wondering if there was enough with the old Auto 110 SLR system that could be resurrected as a mirrorless micro 4/3 counter part. My guess is no, but it was a fun thought based on the similar size of 110 film and 4/3 sensors; nothing to do with this camera.</p>

<p>Still I'm glad they made this point and shoot, style sells and it seems Pentax is getting that. These little camera's are pretty much commodity items. Honestly there is little to differentiate them performance wise at a similar price point so style is a big plus to bump profits. I hope they do well with it. What I'd really like to see is Pentax back on some store shelves in North Texas; interesting products like this and the KX will hopefully help make that a reality again. I have yet to put my hands on a K7.</p>

<p>RD Dowling and others...right about sensor and speed. Careless of me.<br>

I don't think "cuteness" has as much value as sensor size and optics, so Pentax strikes out unless the viewfinder is fabulous , which isn't likely. And it needs RAW.</p>

<p>The catchet of the E-Pen and GF1 is that they are for amatuers trying to look like professionals trying to look like amatuers. But at least they can deliver IQ superior to mid-range point and shoots, which gives them some credibility.<br>

Frankly I'd be embarrassed to carry a camera that attracted attention for its looks if it failed to deliver superior IQ - and judging from its feature set that is what this one will do.</p>