Pentax OptioWP Digital Camera Review

Value (6.5)
With the number of features, presets, and control options available, plus the waterproof exterior, the user of this camera gets a lot of features for under four hundred dollars. Other camera manufacturers sell optional accessory cases to waterproof cameras, but this camera allows for shooting in poor weather situations as well as wholly submerged. The nicely sized LCD screen and image effect settings all add onto the value of this camera, making it as a strong candidate for the traveling consumer who is searching for a smaller bodied camera to capture all their adventures. However, if it is not appealing for its underwater capabilities, as a straight-up point-and-shoot model, it is heavily overpriced.

Comparisons
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 - This camera by Panasonic retails for $299.95 and is not waterproof. However, it is slender and portable like the Pentax, and comes equipped with a comparable 5 MP CCD. It has a larger 6x optical zoom range and the ability to capture images in six still image formats and two video image formats. It can record WAV files of up to ten seconds with images. It has a few manual control options available such as ISO, but like the Pentax, it relies heavily on the preset mode options for its users. It has a 2-inch LCD screen and is partially able to achieve its slender frame and small size due to the lack of an optical viewfinder.

Olympus Stylus 500 – The Stylus line is marketed as "weatherproof," which Olympus claims can take a downpour or a couple splashes from the pool. The 5-megapixel Olympus Stylus 500 has all the makings of a decent digital camera: 21 shooting modes, 3x optical zoom, and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. However, the 1.5 fps burst mode isn’t terribly impressive in this 3.9 x 2.2 x 1.2-inch digital camera. There are 2 preset underwater modes, which users can operate with the optional underwater housing. Sure, the housing costs an extra $250, but it can go to depths of 131 feet. The Stylus 500 retails for the same $349.99 as the WP.

Canon PowerShot A95 – This 5-megapixel digital camera has a 3x optical zoom and is a little thicker than the WP with 4 x 2.5 x 1.4-inch measurements. The A95 is one of Canon’s most popular cameras with 14 shooting modes and full offering of manual control. This model has a smaller 1.8-inch LCD screen that can fold out of the camera and rotate in a camcorder-like fashion. Unfortunately, this can’t be toyed with much when the optional underwater housing is on. The housing, which takes the camera to depths of 130 feet, is available for an extra $240 on top of the camera’s $399 retail price tag. The Canon A95 also has a designated Print/Share button, making direct printing easier.

Pentax Optio43WR – This camera was announced more than a year ago, but is conceptually similar to the OptioWP. Pentax’s 4-megapixel digital camera advertises itself as water resistant (thus, the WR), but can be submerged in water up to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. This camera has square-like measurements of 3.2 x 3 x 1.2 inches and houses a smaller 1/2.7-inch CCD. The Optio43WR also has a smaller 2.8x optical zoom lens and a smaller 1.6-inch LCD screen – however, the screen has the same 85,000 pixel count. This model has an optical viewfinder available and the same retail price of $350, but can be found currently for about $300 online.

Nikon Coolpix 5900 – Joining the ranks of 5-megapixel, 3x optical zoom digital cameras this year, the Coolpix 5900 also retails for $349.95. While the actual camera body is not waterproof, an optional housing can take the camera safely to 130 feet. This does add another $250 to the overall price, but will take divers much deeper than the OptioWP’s 5 feet. This Nikon is automatically oriented like the Pentax with its 16 scene modes, but has a far better VGA-quality movie mode. While both cameras have the same pixel count, the Nikon model has a larger 1/1.8-inch CCD. A 2-inch LCD screen rounds out the list of features and makes the 5900 similar in style to the OptioWP.

Who It's For
Point-and-Shooters - This camera is definitely a great choice for the point-and-shoot user who is looking for a camera that is functional in a variety of conditions and which has preset options that cover nearly every situation.

Budget Consumers - The budget consumer may find that the amphibious design and limited control options makes the overall price of this camera too high.

Gadget Freaks - For the gadget freak who wants an underwater point-and-shoot camera to impress friends and foes, the Pentax OptioWP is a contender, but after the initial push, there really isn’t much else to pull out.

Manual Control Freaks - The manual control options that are available on this camera are accessible and functional, but those controls not manually operable may fall short of the demands made by this type of consumer.

Pros/Serious Hobbyists - There really wouldn't be a reason for the pro or serious hobbyist to pick up this camera, except for novelty vacationing purposes.