Pentax Imaging Company today announced two new compact digital cameras: the slim Optio M40 and the entry-level Optio E40. Both offer 8-megapixel sensors, 3X optical zoom, as well as face recognition and digital shake reduction. The Optio M40 features a lens with a focal range equiva-lent to a 35mm with a 36-to-108mm, while the E40 has a focal range of 37.5-to-112.5mm.

The Optio M40 features an ultra-slim aluminum alloy body that's less than 7/10 inch thick. It has a nice size 2.5-inch TFT Color LCD. Geared toward the truly entry-level user, the Optio E40, which also features face recognition tech-nology and digital shake reduction, includes a Green mode which basically sets up the shot for you. With one press of a button, the camera will adjust the exposure, sensitivity, white balance, and other settings according to the shooting environment.

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