Sept. 3, 2003--The innovative manufacturer that introduced a popular digital camera tucked inside a breath mint tin has introduced a second generation PENTAX U.S.A., Inc. announced the launch of the Optio S4. Sporting the tiny dimensions and light weight of its predecessor, the Optio S4 boasts a hefty 4.23 effective megapixels, a 3X zoom lens, and a variety of features including a large, easy-to-use manual control playback button.

PENTAX U.S.A., Inc. will preview the tiny but powerful digital camera at the Digital Focus media event on Monday, September 15, at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City during the PC EXPO trade show.

How does PENTAX continue to load so much into such a small space? The Optio S4 features an innovative Sliding Lens system that allows the camera's powerful 3X zoom lens to move up and away so the retracted lens is completely flush with the camera body. This novel system protects the lens and helps reduce the size.

Despite the size, the Optio S4 boasts all the features found on other Optio digital cameras: a movie mode with sound playback, a voice recording memo for attaching 30 second memos to select images, a well-placed 1.6 monitor, and approximately 11MB of built-in memory. All these features and more are made even more accessible through a larger, well-placed manual control playback button on the Optio S4.

The Optio S4 includes an ACDSee(TM) software package designed exclusively for PENTAX Optio digital cameras that includes ACDSee(TM) 5.0. Valued at more than $150, ACDSee(TM) digital camera software makes it easy to retrieve, view, manage, print, enhance and share your digital photos. The Optio S4 will ship with the software in October in plenty of time for the Holiday 2003 buying season.

PENTAX U.S.A., Inc. is an innovative leader in the production of digital and film cameras, binoculars, lenses, mobile printers, scanners and internet cameras. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. PENTAX U.S.A., Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of PENTAX CORPORATION.

Note to Editors: News release available for download at: http://www.pentaxusa.com/news/news_current.cfm