Pentax Espio AF Zoom
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| image by Paulo Moreira (Image rights) |
The Espio is a autofocus 35mm compact camera introduced by Pentax in 1992. It is part of the Pentax Espio IQZoom series. A similar version was also called IQZoom 70XL released a couple of years later.
It uses a 35 to 70mm f/4.3 to 8 powered zoom lens comprised of 8 elements in 7 groups. It is able to focus from 0.6m to infinity. A focus confirmation LED is by the viewfinder.
The top center of the camera has a LCD setting screen with exposure counter dominating the display. On the right of the screen are buttons for infinity focus and drive mode. The drive mode button has settings for single frame, self-timer, two shot self timer, two shot tele-wide self timer, constitutive frames, multiple exposure, interval (3 min) and interval (60 min). The left has buttons for flash and red eye. Flash settings include auto, daylight sync, backlight (flash off), bulb (flash off), and bulb-sync.
The film is automatically advanced and rewound. Mid-roll rewind can be done by pressing and hold the drive mode button for 3 seconds. Rewind mode should be indicated on the LCD. Press the shutter release button to start winding. It is compatible with DX coded films from 25 to 3200 ISO. Non-coded film are set at ISO 25. It is powered by a single CR123A battery which last approx 15 rolls. The camera automatically powers off when there is no activity for 3 minutes.
