Pentax has today announced the Optio555 digital camera which is an upgrade to the 550. It is a 5 megapixel, 5X zoom camera which Pentax has maximized the responsiveness of, by reducing lag time so the camera is instantly ready when the power is turned on. The Optio 555 will ship to major camera retailers around the end of October.

Press Release:

PENTAX Expands Five Megapixel Digital Camera Line with Faster, More Responsive Optio555

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 2003--PENTAX U.S.A., Inc. proudly presents the Optio555 5.0 megapixel digital camera.
A successor to the popular Optio550, which recently received an Editor's Choice award from PC Magazine, the Optio555 offers exceptionally compact and light-weight design that is ideal for use anywhere.
PENTAX maximized the responsiveness of the Optio555 including reduced lag time so the camera is instantly ready when the power is turned on. In addition, a single touch of the playback button brings up recorded images and just a touch of the shutter button is all that is required to return to shooting. With enhanced operation capability and maximized responsiveness, the Optio555 allows satisfying shots to be taken with extreme ease. Add a powerful 5X optical zoom (4X digital zoom for a combined 20X total zoom), and the superb clarity of 5.0 effective megapixels, the Optio555 offers extreme versatility with superb detail and accuracy.
PENTAX will preview the Optio555 at the Digital Focus media event on Monday, September 15, at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City during the PC EXPO trade show.
The Optio555 includes an ACDSee(TM) software package designed exclusively for PENTAX Optio digital cameras that includes ACDSee(TM) 5.0. Valued at more than $150, the ACDSee(TM) digital camera software makes it easy to retrieve, view, manage, print, enhance and share your digital photos. The Optio555 will ship with the software in October in plenty of time for the Holiday 2003 buying season.
The Optio555 also features PictBridge(TM) compatibility that eliminates the need for PC connectivity during printing by allowing the camera to be connected directly to a compatible printer. This feature allows direct control over printing and a full range of other functions.

Pentax Optio 555 Specifications