Pentax 2008 Annual Report Download - page 26

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endoscopes that permit viewing of lesion depth, high-powered
endomicroscopes that can resolve even cellular nuclei, and other
products utilizing sophisticated viewing technologies, as well as
treatment tools for use with endoscopes.
Endoscopes are advancing from merely allowing examination
to actually letting doctors see the diseased areas. Medicine is also
evolving to a stage where abnormal parts can be diagnosed and
treated without open surgery, although this shift has only just
begun. Pentax remains committed to contributing to medical
progress by developing unique products through its proprietary
technology.
Prosthetic ceramic fillers highly regarded for use in
orthopedics, brain surgery and dentistry
A number of new ceramic products are selling well, on ringing
praise from medical fronts in Japan. These include biocompatible
ceramic products APACERAM and BIOPEX-R, which are used as
prosthetic fillers for defective parts of bones and following
operations in such fields as orthopedics and brain surgery, and
BONETITE, which is used to fill bone defects in tooth sockets and
those resulting from periodontal diseases. Used in biotech drug
purification and isolation, the bulking agent CHT ceramic
hydroxyapatite (chromatography media) is employed in many
biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes around the world.
As the medical field looks forward to sizable growth and a
diversification of needs, the Company strives to build up groups of
products truly sought after by customers and aggressively
promotes global operations, while refining its unique technologies
to outshine its rivals.
As the global market for digital cameras continues to expand,
demand for digital SLR cameras is enjoying particularly rapid
growth, mainly among high amateur customers in developed
countries. At the same time, despite a greater number of units
shipped globally, difficulty in product differentiation and other
factors have intensified price competition on compact digital
cameras.
In this environment,
the Company is funneling
resources into the
development and design
of digital SLR cameras and
interchangeable lenses,
for which demand is
expected to increase. In compact digital cameras, we are also
working to streamline our lineup of product models, enhance
regional sales strategies and reduce costs.
Product releases during the fiscal year included the March
2008 launch of the PENTAX K20D as the successor to the PENTAX
K10D (released in November 2006) that earned three major global
awards for digital SLR cameras. The K20D features a newly released
built-in CMOS sensor and high-definition images that stand out
from the crowd with an effective resolution of 14.6 megapixels, as
well as shake reduction, a dust removal system and other
performance refinements on the K10D. As a product that fully
satisfies both high amateurs and professional photographers, the
K20D has recorded solid sales since its launch. With its
high-definition expression and exhaustive attention to image
quality, the K20D is lauded as “a camera born to capture nature
and scenery” by photography lovers and professionals alike.
We are working to enrich our lineup of interchangeable lenses
and accessories, including a production capacity increase at our
plant in Vietnam in the fiscal year under review. We continue to
concentrate on developing distinctive lenses that enable a
broader range of visual expression.
Furthermore, to enhance users’ enjoyment of the “image
culture” born out of using photographs as a form of
communication, the Company supports every aspect of
customers’ camera use by providing a variety of services, including
the Internet portal site Pentax+ [Plus] (helpful information on
cameras and photography, as well as online albums).
Pentax retains the creative spirit of manufacturing in its
ongoing efforts to develop products and services customers seek.
Pentax
Imaging Systems Business
Ramping up sales promotions targeting high
amateurs, centering on digital SLR cameras
New Ceramics
Experience new-generation
digital photography!
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