Pentax has announced the launch of a new compact camera ahead of CES 2007 in America next week. The Optio E30 will offer 7.1 effective megapixels for exceptional high-resolution photography.

The camera features a 2.4-inch LCD monitor, a 3X optical zoom, and 11MB of built-in memory.

The Optio E30 features a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 36-108mm lens in 35mm format. This zooming power may be combined with 4X digital zoom to achieve a total of 12X zoom capability.

Power is provided by AA batteries rather a rechargeable one and Pentax are quoting that the camera can capture up to approximately 200 photos with alkaline batteries or 760 shots with lithium AA batteries.

The camera also records movies at sizes up to 640 x 480 pixels.

The Optio E30 is compatible with the ImageLink printing system, and with PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III

The PENTAX Optio E30 will be available in February 2007 for US $149.99, however no word as yet on a UK launch or price.

Design and Specifications are subject to change without notice.