In terms of its core imaging features, the Pentax Optio NB1000 is identical to the RS1000, in all respects except size and weight, which differ due to a change in the camera’s face plate. Where the Pentax RS1000 already has an attention-grabbing design, with interchangeable skins positioned under a removable, transparent faceplate, the NB1000 takes things to an entirely different level.

The entire front panel of the Optio NB1000 is covered in tiny, Lego-like studs, which are compatible with a competing block system from Japan’s Kawada Co. Ltd. Dubbed “Nanoblocks”, these tiny construction blocks can be attached to the front of the Pentax NB1000 in pretty much any pattern, making it one of the most visually customizable cameras we’ve ever seen.

Two body colors are available in Japan — either a monochromatic black and white version, or a two-tone green and black. A small collection of Nanoblocks are included with the camera, with the block colors varying to match the body scheme. The Monotone NB1000 includes black, white, yellow, and red blocks, while the Safari NB1000 comes with black, green, yellow, and brown blocks.

Nanoblocks are not compatible with Lego bricks. The blocks themselves were first marketed in the 1970s and have been known as Brix Blox, Loc Blox, Diabloks, and Disney Build-It blocks. You might have a few in your old toy box – hopefully you didn’t lump ‘em in with your Lego bricks. via TokyoMango

It comes with a 28-110mm equivalent unstabilized lens and is built around a 14.1 megapixel sensor. It offers all this season’s standard compact camera features such as 720p HD movie recording and digital filters such as fish-eye and toy-camera.

Key Features
-Exceptional Picture Quality – the high performance imaging engine combined with the 14 effective megapixels reproduces true-to-life colours and exceptional image resolution.
-Large easy to view 3 inch LCD monitor – large detailed images and menus are easy to use and adjust.
Auto Picture Mode – automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene.
-Automatic Face Detection – detection of up to 32 faces within the image field for sharp focus. Plus the ability to make faces smaller, an automatic shutter release to capture smiles and blink detection to avoid closed eyes.
-High Quality HD proportioned movie recording – comes equipped with the sophisticated Movie Shake Reduction mode which automatically compensates camera shake during filming.
-Digital filters – offers 9 different filters including toy camera, retro and sepia to add visual effects to images.

Sensor
• 14.1 million effective pixels
• 1/2.3″ type CCD

Image sizes
• 4288 x 3216
• 4224 x 2376 (16:9)
• 3073 x 2304
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
• 640 x 480

Sensitivity
• Auto ISO
• 100 − 6400

Lens
• Focal length 4.9−19.6mm
• 28−110mm equivalent (in 35mm terms)
• 6 elements in 5 groups (3 aspherical elements)
• f/3.2−5.9

LCD
• 3.0″
• 230,000 dots

Image format
• JPEG (Exif 2.3)
• DCF 2.0
• DPOF
• PRINT Image Matching III

Movie format
• AVI (Motion JPEG)

Memory
• SD / SDHC
• Approx. 18.4 MB internal

Autofocus
• TTL Contrast detection Autofocus system
• Multi-AF 3 points zone, Spot AF, Auto-tracking AF (anticipating subject movement)

Focus distance
• Normal: 40cm − ∞
• Macro: 15cm − 50cm (W), 25cm − 50cm (T)
• Super Macro: 8cm − 25cm at focal length of 5.8mm

Exposure control
• Multi-segment metering

Shutter speed
• 1/2000th − 1/4sec
• 4 sec in Night Scene mode

Exposure comp.
• ± 2EV (1/3EV steps)

Flash
• Integrated auto flash with Red-eye reduction function
• Flash On and Flash Off modes

Flash range
• 15cm – 4.8m (W, Auto ISO)
• 40cm – 2.6m (T, Auto ISO)

Video
• HD, 720p 30/15fps
• VGA, 640 x 480 30/15fps
• QVGA, 320 x 240 30/15fps
• with video editing and digital stabilization

Battery
• D-LI108 rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
• Approx 210 shots (CIPA standard testing)

Interfaces
• PC / AV (PAL / NTSC)
• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed)

Drive modes
• One-shot
• Self-timer (2 or 10 sec)
• Continuous shooting
• Burst shooting (3.2fps for 10 frames)
• Multi-burst (16 VGA frames at approx 7.5fps saved as single image)

Digital filters
• B&W
• Sepia
• Toy camera
• Retro
• Color
• Soft
• Starburst
• Fish-eye
• Brightness

White balance
• Auto
• Daylight
• Shade
• Tungsten
• Fluorescent
• Manual

Weight (inc battery and card)
• 130g

Dimensions (inc lens)
• 92mm x 56mm x 21mm (3.6″ x 2.2″ x 0.8″)