Pentax intros second-gen, customizable Optio RS1500
updated 08:50 am EDT, Thu March 17, 2011
Pentax Optio RS1500 updates customizable camera
Pentax overnight brought out the second generation of its uncommonly customizable camera line. The Optio RS1500 preserves the swappable faceplates and lens rings to personalize the look but upgrades to keep in step with modern compacts. It shoots with a 14-megapixel sensor and a 4X (27.5-110mm equivalent) lens, though Pentax keeps the price low by using sensitivity alone (up to ISO 6,400) to stabilize the shot.
It can also record 720p video and has a three-inch LCD for previews. Software turns around typical features like face and smile detection, although the camera can shoot a burst of 3.2FPS for 10 frames by dropping to five megapixels.
The RS1500 will be available in April in base colors of either silver or white for $150; either camera ships with 10 faceplates in the box.
