Pentax Optio V20 ultracompact announced

Pentax has announced a mild update to its thin and stylish Optio V10 ultracompact today – the Pentax Optio V20.

The new V20 shares its predecessor's 8 megapixel sensor and 3 inch, 230K dot LCD. The primary physical tech upgrade seems to be the lens: whereas the V10 had a 3x unit, the V20 sports a 5x version with an equivalent range of 36-180mm.

In the process, however, the new model gives up some of the original Optio V's trademark slimness – measuring around 23mm (.9 inches) thick, as opposed to the V10's 19mm dimension.

In addition to the face recognition functions that graced the V10, the V20 also boasts Smile Capture and Blink Detection technologies, which prohibit the shutter from firing until subjects and smiling and alert the photographer if a subject's eyes are closed. Red-eye compensation technology, courtesy of FotoNation, is also included.

Maximum ISO increases from 3200 to 6400 on the V20, available via the new Optio's digital image stabilization mode. Unfortunately, there's still no accompanying optical/mechanical image stabilization in the latest Optio V camera, which, given the expansion of interest in and implementation of this technology in the last few months, seems more and more like a serious oversight.

The Optio V20 is scheduled for May retail delivery, with an MSRP of $279.95.

Pentax Optio V20 Specifications: