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Introduction
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01.Physical Tour
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02.Color and Resolution
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03.Noise and Video
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04.Speed and Timing
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05.Components
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06.Design / Layout
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07.Modes
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08.Control Options
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09.Image Parameters
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10.Connectivity / Extras
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11.Overall Impressions
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12.Conclusion
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13.Sample Photos
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14.Specs / Ratings
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15.Comments
Pentax Optio W60
This review is organized into 15 pages
Next: Page 1
Physical Tour
Section The Good The Bad
Tour
Sharp-looking waterproof camera small enough for your pocket
Battery/memory/port door feels flimsy
Testing/Performance
Decent resolution and manual noise scores
Meltdown on auto noise test, mediocre speed and responsiveness
Components
Better-than-expected flash, 5x zoom with no external lens movement
No protection against the elements for lens
Design/Layout
Feels secure in the hand, sophisticated look for rugged camera
Buttons tough to push, not enough buttons to access some key functions directly
Modes
Three different auto modes lots of useful custom, lots of useful custom image presets
Stores at higher compression setting than necessary by default
Control Options
Good macro focus options, manual focus available
Lack of manual exposure controls makes handling challenging shooting situations difficult
Image Parameters
Nice selection of fun in-camera editing options...
... though precise image editing controls are lacking
Connectivity/Extras
Strong software provided for PC and Mac
Proprietary cables for USB and video
The Pentax Optio W60 is meant to be your foul-weather photographic friend, oblivious to water (whether a splash or a full-on immersion) and freezing cold. You wouldn't know it at a glance, though - the 10-megapixel W60 is as sleekly styled and pocketable as any non-ruggedized compact camera. You do pay a premium price for weatherproofing, though, at $329.95. After running the camera through our complete suite of lab and field testing, we like it for snowboarders and poolside pleasures, but the lack of manual controls and slow shooting performance are concerns. As for ruggedness, we recently reviewed the Olympus contender in the laugh-at-the-elements category, the 1030 SW, which is built tougher (including the ability to function at 33-foot depths, versus 13 feet for the W60), but costs more ($399.99) and is also bulkier. We compare the Pentax W60 head-to-head with the 1030 SW and several other compact models in the following review.
Shop for the Pentax Optio W60
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