Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

The amphibious Pentax OptioWP, released this year on January 4th at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, adds to the Pentax line of small digital cameras for the point-and-shoot user. The major marketing point for the OptioWP is its waterproof abilities - it's capable of shooting in up to five feet of water. As for more traditional specs, the Pentax OptioWP has a 1/2.5-inch 5 MP CCD, 3x optical zoom lens, and can shoot in both still and movie formats, with synchro or autonomous monaural audio recording. Some manual control settings are available (but certainly limited), including Manual Focus, EV Compensation, Flash, and ISO adjustments. This camera is currently retailing online for around $349.95 USD but may be found for less.
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Likes

-Small, sleek body allows for simple transportation
-cool included software – goes well beyond most packaged bundles
-no worries when dropped in water
-well sized 2.0-inch LCD
-preset options for the point-and-shoot user are easy to access and not intimidating

Dislikes

-limited range of manual control options and image control settings such as metering and aperture
-low LCD pixel count of only 85,000 pixels
-poor microphone placement beside the on/off button on the top of the camera body
-slow shutter to exposure time

 

Conclusion
While not intended for the fully manual control market, this sleek and small camera fits perfectly into the pocket of any traveling consumer wherever they go, regardless of rain or snow. This camera can operate free of the bulky and cumbersome add-on protective cases that other manufacturers sell in an attempt to waterproof their cameras. This camera comes with a moderate 1/2.5-inch 5 MP CCD and a 3x optical, 4x digital zoom lens. Its 2.0-inch LCD is large considering the petite and slender overall form of the camera, but the low pixel count of the screen displayed a poor overall image that is difficult to see in daylight, let alone underwater. The OptioWP can record in six still image settings and two movie settings, which offers some shooting versatility to the traveling vacationer. But if having a waterproof camera isn't essential, then this camera doesn't really seem like a sensible option. It is very much suited to its niche market: point-and-shooters who are looking for a smaller camera that can function in waterlogged situations. For these users, this camera is perfect; take it on the road, slip it in a pocket, and don’t worry if it gets left out on the balcony in the rain or gets dropped into the bathtub. It will still come out working and looking great.

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