Pentax's first Espio compact — 35-70mm f/4.3-8 power zoom, infrared-era AF, multi-mode LCD, 1992
The Pentax Espio AF Zoom was the model that opened Pentax's Espio line of autofocus 35mm zoom compacts in 1992, the series sold as IQZoom in the United States. Camera-wiki notes a similar later version was sold as the IQZoom 70XL. Unusually for the series, it starts at a true 35mm wide angle rather than the 38mm that became standard on later Espio models.
The lens is a powered 35-70mm f/4.3-8 zoom of 8 elements in 7 groups, focusing from 0.6m to infinity with a focus-confirmation LED by the finder. A top-plate LCD controls an extensive drive menu: single frame, self-timer, two-shot self-timer, continuous frames, multiple exposure and 3- or 60-minute interval shooting. Flash modes include auto, daylight sync, backlight off, bulb and bulb-sync. It reads DX-coded film from ISO 25 to 3200 (non-DX film defaults to ISO 25) and runs on one CR123A lithium cell rated for roughly 15 rolls.
The wide feature set — multiple exposure, intervalometer and bulb-sync are rare in point-and-shoots — makes it more flexible than most 90s zoom compacts, and the 35mm wide end suits street and travel shooters better than later 38mm-start Espios. The slow f/8 tele end leans on flash or fast film indoors.
Being fully electronic, it will not fire at all without a healthy CR123A, so test power-up, zoom travel and rewind before buying. Check the top LCD for missing segments or bleed, confirm the flash charges within a few seconds, and inspect the film-door light seals. Mid-roll rewind is via a three-second hold of the drive button — a useful function worth testing on film.