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FotoNation "Face Tracker" Available In Newest Pentax Camera

Face Tracker Locks Faces in Camera for Perfect Focus & Exposure -- Even in Poor Lighting

February 26, 2007, Galway, Ireland -- FotoNation, (www.fotonation.com), a world-leading embedded imaging and connectivity solutions company for the digital photography industry, announced today that its innovative patent-pending "Face Tracker"™ technology is now available in the newly announced Pentax Optio A30 digital camera. This latest Pentax camera incorporates FotoNation Face Tracker for the "Face Recognition Auto Focus and Auto Exposure" Function, which is automatically activated when using the camera in "Portrait Mode" to assure properly exposed portrait photos every time.

FotoNation Face Tracker detects the location of faces and adjusts focus and exposure accordingly for optimal results. The technology automatically focuses on faces regardless of where they appear in the photo frame. Exposure settings are instantly applied so that faces are never dark, even when taking photos in difficult backlighting.

Especially important for shooting under poor lighting conditions and at night, FotoNation Face Tracker uses a radically new approach to identify and lock onto human faces in a camera's preview image. Face Tracker follows one or multiple faces as they move around within the frame and automatically adjusts focus and exposure before the image is captured, ensuring that skin tones and lighting are reproduced with exceptional accuracy.

"Pentax's newest model reflects the competitive edge that Pentax is maintaining in the industry, and we are delighted to be able to contribute to one of the newest capabilities of their new products," said Eran Steinberg, CEO, FotoNation.

FotoNation Face Tracker is shipping with the Pentax Optio S7 & Optio A20 digital cameras. In addition, FotoNation Red-Eye Detection and Correction technology has been integrated into the Pentax Optio A30, as well as two additional new models from Pentax: the Optio M30 and T30 digital cameras, which were announced in January 2007.

The PENTAX Optio A30 with FotoNation Face Tracker will begin shipping in March. For more information, see www.fotonation.com or http://www.pentax.co.jp/english/

About FotoNation
FotoNation is a world-leading independent provider of embedded imaging and communication solutions for the digital camera industry. The company's extensive portfolio of patented innovations includes in-camera red-eye removal technology, wireless connectivity, and face-recognition software. Over 50 million digital cameras have been shipped with licensed FotoNation Red-Eye detection and correction technology. FotoNation develops innovative solutions, patents, and products to enhance, extend, and simplify the picture taking and sharing experience. Clients include AOL, Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Kodak, Microsoft, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, Sanyo, and Sony, among others.

FotoNation has won numerous awards, including the DIMA 2006 Innovative Product Award and the prestigious 2006 European IST award for its Red-Eye Detection and Correction Technology. The company makes important industry-wide contributions to the advancement of digital imaging. In 2005, FotoNation authored the industry-adopted PTP-IP Specification, which is the basis of the international camera connectivity CIPA-005/2005 standard.

For more information, see http://www.fotonation.com.

About PENTAX Corporation
PENTAX Corporation is an innovative leader in the production of digital and film cameras, lenses, scopes, eyepieces, binoculars, mobile and laser printers and scanners. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. http://www.pentax.co.jp/english/

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