Although the market in digital cameras is now immense, and has become so in a short period of time, one name that can be relied on for reliability is Pentax. With just two ranges to choose from, the Optio or the SLR range, the consumer finds it easier to find a camera that suits their needs. From the beginning Pentax visibly separated its digital cameras for those who choose a digital camera for professional requirements and novices who just want a point and shoot camera.

For more than five decades since introducing the first Japanese SLR camera, the Asahiflex I, in 1952 Pentax has always been a technological forerunner and important supplier to the worlds camera industry. Pentax's passion and dedication towards the advance of high-quality products has increased over the years and continues to be stronger than ever.

Obsolescence has never been a word in the Pentax vocabulary and, as proof of this, lenses from the very first Asahiflex can still be used, with the use of adaptors on their latest auto focus SLRs. The Company adopted its current name, Pentax Corporation, in 2002. However, this is about to disappear in early 2008, although the brand name Pentax will remain.

Although the company, Asahi Optical Co. was established in 1919, it wasn't until 1923 that they became involved in photographic equipment when they began to manufacture lenses for cine projectors Since then Pentax have been producing precision instruments capable of producing the highest quality results. It wasn't until 1957, however that the Pentax brand name was created and was originally intended for its cameras, but was soon used for all of the companies optical products.

Pentax products are design to cover all consumers' requirements with the Pentax Optio line of cameras designed distinctively for people who are new to using digital technology. They are renowned for their ease of use with very accessible functions yet still offers Pentax quality. These compacts are very simple to learn, lightweight and small.

A sample is The Pentax Optio M40 that is a slim, stylish, metal bodied camera with 8 mega pixels, a 2.5 inch LCD display and 3x optical zoom. With a large number of practical features, the best of which is the super macro focus, it is well equipped to produce excellent photographs. Despite its surprisingly low price this is undeniably more than an entry-level camera and there is very little to distinguish it from higher priced models.

In the same range as the Optio M40 is the Pentax Optio T20 an exceptionally slim compact digital camera with 7 mega pixels, 3x optical zoom and a 3.0-inch touch-screen LCD display. Innovative, with a touch-screen menu system that, combined with excellent picture images, results in a thoroughly remarkable camera. Although considered to be the thinnest camera in its class, the T20 is not short of optical performance, advanced design, and Pentaxs' latest digital technology.

At the higher end of the Pentax range of digital cameras are the SLRs, which are of a very high quality and produce digital photographs that are very detailed. One of the latest SLR models is the Pentax K200D, which comes with 10.2 mega pixels and a large, 2.7-inch wide-view LCD monitor. An ideal camera that can be as simple to use as a point-&-shoot, but is also designed for new digital SLR users. Offers many features to develop creative potential.

Knowledgeable professional photographers or serious amateurs appreciate the Pentax digital cameras and, for newcomers to digital photography, the entry level range is extremely versatile. Pentax produce a camera for all levels of experience.