Yutaka Yamanaka, a grandson of the Japanese lens maker’s founder, Shigeru Yamanaka, calls for a more diverse, transparent board to help prevent “failures” such as the $1 billion purchase of PENTAX Corp.

Yamanaka, 33, owns less than 1 percent of Hoya’s outstanding shares, with 51 percent owned by overseas shareholders such as JPMorgan Chase & Co., Capital Research & Management Co. and Deutsche Bank AG. On May 11, Yamanaka submitted a 15-point shareholder proposal (unheard of at a Japanese company) which includes calls for disclosure of individual directors’ pay, limits on concurrent board membership, and an end to cumulative voting (which lets shareholders withhold votes from some nominees in order to cast multiple votes for others). He claimes that Hoya’s 2007 acquisition of camera and endoscope maker Pentax to expand its medical care business was “overpriced.”

Read the whole article at: Bloomberg.

Pentax Optio W90

“The images [look] better [than] what we’re used to expect from models that major on toughness.”

We’ve added another Pentax Optio W90 [QuickPrice Check] Preview to our Reviews Matrix.

PhotographyBLOG has posted their review of the Pentax Optio W80, a tough ultra compact digital camera with 12.1MP resolution (1/2.3-in. CCD), 5x wide-angle optical zoom (28-140mm equiv.), Pixel Track Shake Reduction, 2.7-in. LCD (230k-dot), waterproof down to 20 ft, shockproof to a 1.2m (4 ft) drop, freezeproof down to -10°C, dustproof, and HD movie 720p 1280 x 720 @ 30fps.

You can read the full Pentax W90 Review at: PhotographyBLOG.

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Pentax Optio H90

“Its boxy retro looks [...] are oddly comforting… users can really just point and shoot for usable results.”

We’ve added another Pentax Optio H90 [QuickPrice Check] Review to our Reviews Matrix.

PhotographyBLOG has posted their review of the Pentax Optio H90, an ultra compact digital camera with 12.1MP resolution (1/2.3-in. CCD), 5x wide-angle optical zoom (28-140mm equiv.), Pixel Track Shake Reduction, 2.7-in. LCD (230k-dot), Face Detection, Smile Capture, Blink Detection, Auto Picture mode, and HD 720p Movie 1280 x 720 @ 30fps.

You can read the full Pentax Optio H90 Review at: PhotographyBLOG.

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Pentax Optio W90

We’ve added another Pentax Optio W90 [QuickPrice Check] Preview to our Reviews Matrix.

PhotographyReview has posted their preview of the Pentax Optio W80, a tough ultra compact digital camera with 12.1MP resolution (1/2.3-in. CCD), 5x wide-angle optical zoom (28-140mm equiv.), Pixel Track Shake Reduction, 2.7-in. LCD (230k-dot), waterproof down to 20 ft, shockproof to a 1.2m (4 ft) drop, freezeproof down to -10°C, dustproof, and HD movie 720p 1280 x 720 @ 30fps.

You can read the full Pentax W90 Preview and watch the Video at: PhotographyReview.

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Pentax Optio I-10

“As it stands the I-10 is a cool looking camera, saddled with average performance and costly price tag.”

We’ve added a new Pentax Optio I10 [QuickPrice Check] Review to our Reviews Matrix.

NeutralDay has published their review of the Pentax Optio I-10, an ultra compact with a distinct retro styling to look like a 110 film SLR. The Optio I-10 features 12.1MP resolution, 5x wide-angle optical zoom (28-140mm equiv.), Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Auto Picture mode, D-Range, Face Detection, Creative Digital Filters, Digital Wide, Digital Panorama, Eye-Fi connected, and HD Movie 1280×720 @ 30fps.

You can read the full Pentax Optio I-10 Review at: NeutralDay.

Bernard Languiller has interviewed Pentax Product Planning executive Yasuyuki Maekawa at CP+.

Read the interview at: Luminous Landscape.

Pentax K-x

“The Pentax Kx has enormous value, thanks to its remarkable image and print quality, fine build, and class-leading burst speed, all combining to make one impressive digital SLR camera.”

We’ve added a new Pentax K-x DSLR [Specs] Review to our Reviews Matrix.

Imaging Resource has just published their review of the Pentax K-x DSLR, with 12.4MP resolution (on a 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS image sensor), Shake Reduction sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 2.7-in. LCD (230K dots), 11 Point Wide Angle Focus (but no AF points in viewfinder), PASM, Auto Picture mode, Scene modes, Creative Processing and Filter Modes, 30-1/6000 sec. plus Bulb, Dust Removal, HDR Image Capture (captures 3 bracketed images and blends them in-camera), RAW, optical viewfinder with 96% frame coverage, Live View with Contrast Detect, Phase difference and Face Detection AF, Continuous Shooting 4.7fps, built-in flash, Wireless flash support, and HD Movie (1280 x 720 @ 24fps). The Pentax K-x uses the SD/SDHC memory card and is powered by 4 AA batteries.

You can read the full Pentax K-x Review at: Imaging Resource.

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Pentax K-x

“The Pentax K-x is an impressive entry-level digital SLR.”

We’ve added a new Pentax K-x DSLR [Specs] Review to our Reviews Matrix.

DCRP (dcresource) has just published their review of the Pentax K-x DSLR, with 12.4MP resolution (on a 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS image sensor), Shake Reduction sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 2.7-in. LCD (230K dots), 11 Point Wide Angle Focus (but no AF points in viewfinder), PASM, Auto Picture mode, Scene modes, Creative Processing and Filter Modes, 30-1/6000 sec. plus Bulb, Dust Removal, HDR Image Capture (captures 3 bracketed images and blends them in-camera), RAW, optical viewfinder with 96% frame coverage, Live View with Contrast Detect, Phase difference and Face Detection AF, Continuous Shooting 4.7fps, built-in flash, Wireless flash support, and HD Movie (1280 x 720 @ 24fps). The Pentax K-x uses the SD/SDHC memory card and is powered by 4 AA batteries.

You can read the full Pentax K-x Review at: DCRP (dcresource).

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Pentax Optio W90

PENTAX INTRODUCES ELEVENTH GENERATION WATERPROOF OPTIO W90 DIGITAL CAMERA BUILT FOR ADVENTURE

Latest Optio Features Unique Macro Photo LED Lighting, Carabiner Strap And Eye-Fi Connectivity

GOLDEN, CO (February 24, 2010)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the eleventh generation PENTAX Optio waterproof digital camera built for rugged adventure in every way. The PENTAX Optio W90 offers enhanced waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and coldproof performance and features an inventive Digital Microscope mode with LED lighting to capture small but intriguing subjects. Designed with the look of mountaineering equipment, the Optio W90 kit includes a woven web fabric strap complete with a carabiner to attach the camera to a backpack and other outdoor gear.

Read the whole Press Release »