Pentax's Optio W20 waterproof digital camera

Looks like enough people thought the ability to dunk their digital camera in a martini glass was a decent buying incentive that it was in Pentax's best interest to upgrade that W10 to the W20. Their new JIS Class 8 waterproof device can stay submerged up to 5 feet in water for up to 30 minutes, and features a SDHC support, 1600 ISO mode, 3x optical zoom, 1-inch macro mode, 7 megapixel sensor, 2.5-inch display, and an "under $300" asking price (i.e. $299.9999999-infinite). Ships September (i.e. next month, for you slacker types), so if you didn't already have a W10 (or a waterproof case) and were planning on trip far or near to take a dip in the drink, you may want to hold out just a bit longer.

[liquefied @ Aug 7th 2006 7:36PM]

5 feet for 30 minutes sounds more like water-resistant to me. If something's gonna say waterproof on it, it should be to atleast 20ft for as long as you can handle being underwater.

[shirizaki @ Aug 7th 2006 8:29PM]

Then it's a "water resistant" camera. There's a difference. Waterproof cases work for depths more than 5ft. and for longer than 30 min. Of course if there's some "underwater action", this would be perfect. Like, some hot tub action.

[Mark @ Aug 7th 2006 8:38PM]

I have the Olympus Stylus 720 SW and it is a great camera. It takes amazing under water pictures and videos. It is waterproof up to 10 feet. It is also shock proof, Olympus claims it can survive a 5 foot drop, I a bit nervous to test that out. It lists for under $400 (i.e. $399.9999999-infinite) but you can find it for less (Google is your friend). It also has 25 other shooting modes in addition to the 3 under water ones. Check it out if you can't wait until September to release your inner Jacques Cousteau.

[Blog The Internet @ Aug 7th 2006 8:52PM]

Looks like a pretty cool camera to me... I am sure that there are other cameras out there that are better with being submerged under water... but this camera is definately sharp!

[Engadget @ Aug 7th 2006 9:38PM]

This is much nicer than having to buy a bulky expensive waterproof case for my tiny digicam!

[Jaq @ Aug 7th 2006 9:42PM]

$299.999999-infinite is equal to $300, not just under.

Look it up ;)

[liquefied @ Aug 8th 2006 1:19AM]

I think that's kinda the point.^

[booboo @ Aug 8th 2006 6:41AM]

GeeQ. Did you close the batery door and lock it?

I have a WP, which is the 5mp version of the camera. It's awesome. I have a better Fujifilm digicam but I hardly use it. The pentax is so thin you can put it in the pocket and forget it. Waterproof really make your life so much easier.

Rafting, snowboarding, beach etc, it opens up the opportunity infinitely. I am buying a iPod shuffle and a waterproof Ottebox case. How come nobody make a cheap waterproof GSM phone? Nokia should make one base on the 1100!

[Richard Beer @ Aug 8th 2006 7:08AM]

There's plenty of waterproof phones... just check out the Sony Ericsson SO902iWP+

[sredlums @ Aug 8th 2006 7:59AM]

Why is it that every gadget that's water-resistant/waterproof or a bit more rugged then other gadgets are being ridiculed?
I really don't understand (unless ofcourse it is just done in a bad way, which it often is).
The way I see it, ALL gadgets should be water-resistant and rugged by default!
Sure we have all dropped the occasional gadget once or twice, and even if not, knowing something is rugged enough to take some abuse makes everyday handling of it much more care-free. I use my PDA daily and everywhere, and I should not need to handle it as if I could accidently trigger the famous presidential red button anytime when not handling it carefull enough.
As for water-resistency, we don't all live in sunny California, you know. I live in The Netherlands, and here (shockingly as it may be to some) it rains now and then. Mt gadgets should be able to handle that.
Also, especially for a camera, I would think it should be there capturing my life's most interesting and special moments. I don't know about you, but in my life those are mostly not found in perfectly safe and well conditioned places, but while on the beach/in the sea kitesurfing or just walking in the wind, while in the mountains snowboarding or mountainbiking, or in a concert (so yes, the camera should be beer-resistant also!).
I once looked at one of the first sliderphones available here, and when in the 'slide-open' position, you could just completely look at the inards of the phone, totally unprotected. Totally unacceptable for me.

[Evan Brom @ Aug 8th 2006 12:25PM]

They say 5 feet I took mine scuba 0-11M for 30 min and it was just fine, The weak part is the microphone/speaker I wonder if one can block them off to get better resistance. But now I want the 20 over the 10.

[Keith @ Aug 8th 2006 4:37PM]

What is the primary difference between the W10 and the W20? I looked at the W10 today and then found out through the Pentax website that the W20 is going to be released next month.

[Q-Diesel @ Aug 17th 2006 9:21PM]

I've bought 2 Optio WP and the Optio W10 because they are such awesome cameras. The waterproof capability is definitely better than listed though I wouldn't take it scuba diving (but for a snorkeling trip it would be perfect). I had a scuba friend that took it up to 20ft with no problems. I'm a little bummed that I've already got the WP and W10... it'll be hard to convince the g/f that I need the W20 too! Definitely recommend this camera for anybody that likes outdoors events where the camera can get wet or even just get dirty (cause you can just toss it in sink!) I've used it in ocean and the pool and it works just as great.

[shaunotter @ Aug 18th 2006 4:16PM]

I take my slightly older OptioWPi down Class III whitewater runs frequently -- it just sits in my partially open, very wet open-mesh PFD (lifevest) pocket -- it has an orange foam float on the wrist cord, just in case. I've gotten stuck in a small "keeper hole" and had to curl up like a canon ball to sink down to green water to escape and it was fine, and have flipped multiple times at Class III+ and wild Hell Hole on the Trinity in Calif., and it was fine. Just don't go getting Maytagged in ocean surf -- that'd be a whole lot more pressure. I'm going to get the W10 or W20 soon for better movie mode resolution.
I wish other manufacturers would come out with competition for Pentax in the P&S digi waterproof range -- Olympus ones are very similar, but rated for lesser conditons. I'd like to see ones with faster burst shooting, a little longer lens, more manual control.

[mjkboston @ Aug 21st 2006 11:18PM]

The W20 looks like a winner. I am returning an Nikon S2 even though I'm a "Nikon" guy - it is marketed as being "splash proof" which doesn't really mean much other than having a gasket on the battery compartment and a rubber cover for the docking connector. My main gripe was lousy picture quality though I also want a camera I can take skiing, cycling, hiking or boating and not have to worry about it.

MJK

[J @ Sep 21st 2006 8:00PM]

I LOVE my W10. Took it into the ocean for MUCH longer than 30 mins and it held out fine. It was probably under water for 40% of our whole day. Did have it in no more than 5 feet of water though. Love the quality of the pictures, and the underwater video is amazing! I had researched the olympus water/shock proof camera and couldn't stop coming across bad reviews about picture quality. I was a little upset since I love Olympus but then I found the pentax. LOVE IT! Only wish now that I can get the W20!

[Marek @ Nov 21st 2006 5:37PM]

Pentax Optio W20 is a perfect paddling camera. Most of pictures and many video clips on my paddling pages (http://photokayaker.fit2paddle.com/) were shot with the original Pentax Optio WP and the next model W10. I upgraded to W10 for its video capabilities.

[d @ Nov 25th 2006 9:50PM]

i have a w10 im using a 4gb card in it i love it is any one using a 8gb card in the w10 camera?

[[e-mail] @ Feb 5th 2007 4:33PM]

I received a W20 as a gift from a pro fotographer friend ... I have taken it sailing on a beach catamaran during a 300 mile off shors race where it was subjected to constant spray with salt water , then in Dec. 2006 I took it to Ixtapa and went snorkeling to 20 feet several times during the day taking stills and a 3 min video. I think it's truly an amazing little camera and have already recomended it to most of my friends

[GeeQ @ Jul 7th 2007 2:15PM]

Dont trust pentax. We had/have the W10. It broke. Pentax refused to repair/replace/refund... their reason... it was water damage. The camera was used ONCE. At a birthday party, with a kiddie (ie, 3 foot deep) pool

[d @ Oct 26th 2006 5:53PM]

are you shure that you locked the SD/Bat door?
just befor going into the water?

[kathy @ Jul 31st 2007 9:41PM]

7-31-07
I bought my son the w20 for navy boot camp graduation. He is stationed now in Pensacola fl. He has taken amazing pictures while snorkeling. Then it stopped working. We sent it to Pentax (warranted) called 3 weeks later to ck on whereabouts, only to find out they shipped it back unrepaired. They said they tested all the seals and the damage to the camera is greater than the cost of the camera so they wouldn't replace it or repair it because of their alleged 'seal test'. My son swears he always locked the battery door and knows it was locked because when it wouldn't work, he double checked it. I am very upset with Pentax, calling us basically liars and we have to believe a test they say they did and we never saw! We have calls into the president. This isn't right. We were considering the W30 too! Not now.

[Antti Roos @ Sep 9th 2007 5:48PM]

My sister got a W20 for her 15th birthday. we have been taking it to the pool ever since,about 4/5ft.
yesterday, the screen stopped working suddenly. i took it out of the pool, opened the Bat door, there was some drops of water even on the side of the battery, dont know if it was my dripping. but i left it buried in my towel for a few minutes(cam and Bat)
now both work fine. I trust Pentax.

People,, Check that your battery is inserted correctly, you have to try both ways if it doesnt respond. And,, lock the doors and Submerge.
I love all the features in this camera. nice one.

[Turbos4audi @ Nov 26th 2007 3:37PM]

I have the Optio Wpi (their first waterproof camera) and I just ordered the W20. I assure you it is a waterPROOF camera. I have pushed the limits of this camera and it takes it. I wouldn't have any other waterproof compact. And as for Pentax, I cracked the screen on my Wpi because I keep in in the side pocket on my Carhartts (it fits perfectly and doesn't fall out) and I hit it on something. They offered to fix it for $57 or send me the part for $40. I got the part and swapped it out myself. The camera still takes amazing pics even though it looks like it has been through hell. YOU HAVE TO LOCK THE DOOR. Get in the habit of checking it before going in the water.

A fun thing to do: I do this at restaurants because there are lots of people but there are plenty of places this would work. Ask someone to take your groups picture when you pass them your camera accidentally drop it in a class of water. Their reaction is priceless. I have done that off a dock too.

Get a Wxx they all rock!