Pentax Optio W60 Digital Camera Review

Value (7.00)
The value question here is all about the waterproofing. If that's not a high priority for you, there are no other compelling reasons to spend $330 for the W60. And if you're doing any serious diving or expect to beat up your camera in substantial ways, we'd be inclined to spend the extra $70 and go with the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW. However, the W60 is well designed for family fun at the pool, the beach, and in the snow, and the weather resistance doesn't result in a bulky camera, so it can comfortably do double duty as your day-in, day-out point and shoot.

Comparisons

Nikon Coolpix P5100 – The Nikon sells for nearly the same price as the W60 and, while it offers a less extensive zoom capability (3.5x versus 5x), it delivers all the manual controls a serious photographer wants in a compact camera, in contrast to the highly automated W60. Screen size is the same, and portability is comparable. The Nikon did outscore the W60 in several lab tests, notably in color accuracy and low light performance, but when it comes to resolution and dynamic range the two are neck and neck.

Olympus Stylus 1030 SW – When it comes to image quality, the Pentax W60 holds a noteworthy edge over the more expensive ($399.99) Olympus in several key categories, including color accuracy and image noise. Neither has the manual controls we'd like to see in a camera in this price range, or the image stabilization feature to help deal with action shooting in challenging environments. If you're looking for a truly rugged camera, though,  the 1030 SW has a decided edge over the less robust Pentax.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8– This is a very inexpensive model, at just $180, and comes in at 8 megapixels versus the Pentax 10-megapixel spec. It does offer a 5x zoom, though, optical image stabilization and the manual exposure controls the Pentax sorely lacks. Bottom line: if waterproofing isn't high on your agenda, you can find a much less expensive camera with superior controls and decent image quality.

Samsung NV40 – Pricier than the Panasonic at $280, this 10-megapixel Samsung  delivered exceptional results in several key performance tests, including resolution and dynamic range, and even produced very good video. Our main concern, though, was the peculiar controls scheme, which involves brushing your fingers along rows of buttons to move an on-screen highlight. The Pentax is much simpler to use, and the extra weatherproofing doesn't result in much of a price difference compared to this model.