Steve's Digicams got ahold of Pentax's
Optio WPi
waterproof shooter and they seem to like the unit, a follow-up to the
Optio WP from early last year.
Both cameras have a lot in common, most notably their waterproof builds, which allow for around 30 minutes of hanging
with the fishes at up to 5 feet underwater. The WPi does add one of those all important megapixels, bringing the count
to six, but the 3x optical zoom and 2.0-inch LCD screen are the same old news, which didn't seem to bother the
reviewer, who noted that the LCD worked well indoors and out, and the zoom was smooth and low on distortion. Overall
the camera gets a thumbs up, especially for its $300 price, since the pictures are decent indoors and out, the camera
is comfortable and reasonably fast, and of course since it doesn't mind getting dropped in the drink.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David @ Jan 24th 2006 12:17PM
Does it come w/ a fisheye lens?
Joe @ Jan 24th 2006 1:27PM
Have had the WP since July, and it's been really great to me. Goes fly fishing with me constantly, and gets purty fish pictures above and below. I'd like a bit more delay before the digital zoom kicks in, but other than that, I love it. I imagine the WPi will be quite fine...
JCA @ Jan 24th 2006 4:04PM
So I get the fact that you can't take it beneath a certain depth due to increasing water pressures....and 30 feet seems a respectable number. But why the crap is there a time limit on how long you can keep it under water? Do the pictures come out all wrinkled? Please tell me that's why.....it would be a much better reason than saying "Oh we made this sweet ass waterproof camera BUT it will self destruct if you keep our waterproof camera under the water for too long".
happy gilmore @ Jan 24th 2006 5:08PM
kiss my bass!!!
Derek @ Jan 24th 2006 6:40PM
First off I love this camera. It goes with me up to the mountain every weekend for, as good as gets, pictures without the worry of destroying the camera. Upon inspection of the physical construction I'd have to say the 30 minute timelimit is there in case water does eventually seep into the cracks and past the rubber seals.
Patrick @ Jan 24th 2006 11:09PM
I've had the wpi for about 2 months now, it goes with me EVERYWHERE... one of the most enjoyable features of the camera is "accidentally" dropping it into a pitcher of beer at the pub and seeing everyone's jaws drop in horror - then i laugh at them and take pics of their reactions.
great looking pics, durable, fast, effective & a great party trick ;)
Pat @ Dec 7th 2007 7:26PM
Can you really use this camera in salt water without a special protective housing? I'm usually in the water about 45 minutes -- has anybody tried keeping it submerged longer? (Maybe it's just a super-conservative limit to make sure they don't get a lot of returns during the warranty period.)