First Pentax 645 Digital To Be Unveiled At Tokyo Trade Show

(shown here is one of the three possible body styles)

GOLDEN, CO (March 15, 2005)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced that PENTAX Corporation will unveil the first PENTAX 645 Digital medium-format camera at the Photo Imaging Expo (PIE) from March 17–20, 2005 in Tokyo. This latest PENTAX digital advancement will be showcased under glass at PIE 2005.

The PENTAX 645 Digital camera will offer professional quality digital image reproduction. The camera will also feature:

• A reliable PENTAX 645 AF mount

• Compatibility with existing smc PENTAX 645 interchangeable lenses

• A Kodak developed extra-large CCD image sensor with 18.6 total megapixels.*

In addition to a legendary array of film and digital SLR camera products, PENTAX boasts a proud heritage of delivering professional quality photographic equipment. PENTAX introduced the world’s first multi-mode medium-format film camera in 1984-the PENTAX 645. In 1997, the manufacturer unveiled the PENTAX 645N, which was the world’s first medium-format camera with a high-precision autofocus system at that time. The PENTAX 645 Digital medium-format camera will offer a new digital dimension for medium-format photographers.

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of professional and consumer digital and film cameras, scopes, eyepieces, 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. With corporate headquarters located in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of PENTAX of America, Inc.

Pentax Selects New KODAK KAF-18000CE for Upcoming 645 Digital Camera

Rochester, NY, March 16, 2005 – Eastman Kodak Company once again is leading the market by providing technology that allows professional photographers to capture images with superior resolution without sacrificing the quality demanded by their clients. The company has expanded its image sensor portfolio for medium-format camera manufacturers with announcement of the KODAK KAF-18000CE, a new 18 million pixel image sensor. This sensor, which leverages the same award winning imaging technology that has made Kodak the leading image sensor supplier for medium-format camera manufacturers, has been selected by Pentax Corporation for use in the PENTAX 645 Digital camera now being developed (see yesterday’s related news from Pentax, “First Pentax 645 Digital To Be Unveiled At Tokyo Trade Show”).

The new KAF-18000CE image sensor leverages Kodak’s 9-micron pixel design and color technology for exceptional image quality, sensitivity, dynamic range, and color fidelity. With 18.6 million total pixels, the sensor provides an output resolution of 18 megapixels to capture images with exceptional clarity and detail. New to the KAF-18000CE is a dual-output architecture that enables faster sensor read-out times, allowing camera designers to achieve increased frame rates in their final camera designs. With this unique combination of image quality and speed, the KAF-18000CE provides manufacturers an affordable image sensor that is ideal for landscape, fashion, or wedding photography.

The KAF-18000CE joins two existing KODAK image sensors that are also targeted to the medium-format market:

KAF-16802CE – a 16 million pixel image sensor designed with a 1:1 (square) aspect ratio that is ideal for traditional medium-format photography.

KAF-22000CE – a 22 million pixel image sensor that provides the highest resolution available for the professional photography market, and which has established a new photographic standard for the commercial and studio photography industry.

“We are proud that Pentax has chosen the new KAF-18000CE for use in their upcoming PENTAX 645 Digital camera,” said Chris McNiffe, general manager of Kodak’s Image Sensor Solutions group. “As a leading manufacturer of image sensors for the medium-format market, we are committed to delivering the highest resolution image sensors optimized to meet the demanding image quality requirements of professional photographers. We now offer a variety of sensors for this market, providing camera manufacturers a wide range of imaging solutions to help them meet the varied needs of their end-users.”

The new image sensor is the latest addition to Kodak’s extensive and growing line of image sensors, delivering the core technology that drives the most advanced developments in digital imaging applications. A pioneer in imaging sensors, Kodak develops, manufactures, and markets both CCD and CMOS image sensors for applications ranging from satellite and medical imaging applications to digital cameras and machine vision products.