Pentax UK has named the digital compact cameras it has been forced to withdraw from sale in Europe as a result of new EU legislation.
A spokesman revealed to AP that the models to be taken out of sale will be the Optio S60, Optio S5Z, Optio S55, Optio S30, Optio S45 and Optio S4i.
The cameras are affected by the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2004 which will come into effect on 1 July.
The company now admits that the rules have completely halted production of Pentax?s medium-format film-based 645NII and 67II cameras.
Pentax claims that the cameras fall foul of a new EU law restricting the use of certain substances such as lead. These are considered harmful to the environment when disposed of.
In a similar move, Hasselblad recently blamed the discontinuation of its XPan system on the rule, saying it prevents the use of lead solder in circuit boards.
