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Pentax's waterproof Optio W80 reviewed: tough as nails, 'so-so' image quality

by Darren Murph posted Sep 21st 2009 at 10:12AM

We've always heard that life was full of compromises, and evidently Pentax made a few when it decided to build its toughest, most rugged point-and-shoot camera of all time. On paper, the Optio W80 looked mighty promising, but in practice, the all-important image quality was found to fall short. Over at PhotographyBLOG, critics found that the camera could withstand "virtually anything" within reason, and while the 5x optical zoom and HD movie mode were both appreciated, most everything else was at least somewhat disappointing. The anti-shake system was found to simply slow the camera down, and the image quality was hamstrung by excessive noise at all ISO levels -- even 100. Feel free to peek the full review down in the read link, but make sure to keep your expectations in check.

Pentax debuts waterproof Optio WS80 alongside P80 and E80 point-and-shoots

by Darren Murph posted Aug 5th 2009 at 6:00PM

Not turned on by Pentax's recently released Optio W80? How's about a colorful variant for $50 less? This fine evening, the waterproof Optio WS80 is being unveiled alongside two other entirely less enchanting point-and-shoots. The $249.95 WS80 (shown above) looks about as natural as a waterproof camera can, arriving this September in "his-and-her designs" with a 10 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, a sub-1-inch thick body, 2.7-inch LCD and the ability to withstand depths of up to five feet (lackluster, we know). Still, the ability to snag underwater video at 720p is a real boon, and there's even face detection, shake reduction and sensitivity modes as high as ISO 6400.

As for the other guys, the Optio P80 gets things going with a 12.1 megapixel CCD, 2.7-inch LCD, 720p (30fps) movie mode, face detection, shake reduction, a 4x wide-angle optical zoom lens (equivalent to 27.5 - 110mm focal length) and support for AA batteries. It's expected to ship this September for $199.95 in black, pearl and mint hues. Finally, the low-end E80 is pretty much the same as the P80 save for its 10 megapixel sensor, 15fps 720p movie mode and 3x optical zoom lens with a focal length equivalent to 32 - 96mm. It should also ship in September for $129.95. Check the full releases and specification sheets after the break... if you dare.

Gallery: Pentax debuts waterproof Optio WS80 alongside P80 and E80

Continue reading Pentax debuts waterproof Optio WS80 alongside P80 and E80 point-and-shoots

Pentax's Optio W80 point-and-shoot shrugs off water, haters

by Darren Murph posted Jun 24th 2009 at 6:00PM

While Canon's PowerShot D10 has been hogging the spotlight in the waterproof point-and-shoot arena, Pentax is dropping in a formidable opponent this evening with the Optio W80. Said shooter measures in at just one inch thick and features a 12.1 megapixel sensor, a 5x internal optical zoom, a wide-angle 28mm lens and a SuperProtect coating that helps repel water, grime and finger marks from the len's crystal cover. The chassis is built to handle submersion in water up to 16 feet deep, not to mention extreme cold, dust and drops of one meter or less. There's also a 2.5-inch rear LCD, a 720p movie mode, face detection and shake reduction. It's slated to ship next month for $299.95; now you've just got to decide between Cardinal Red, Azure Blue and Gunmetal Gray. Tough call, right? The full release is just past the break.

Gallery: Pentax's Optio W80 point-and-shoot shugs off water, haters

Continue reading Pentax's Optio W80 point-and-shoot shrugs off water, haters

Pentax Optio E75 compact is perfect for capturing giraffes in the air or water

by Tim Stevens posted May 15th 2009 at 9:50AM

In the cutthroat world of compact cameras it takes a certain something special to stand out -- and we're not entirely sure that Pentax's new Optio E75 has it. The 10.2 megapixel shooter offers a CCD sensor with an ISO range of 80 - 1600 tucked behind a perfectly average 3X, 32 - 96mm equivalent, non-stabilized zoom. It has room for a 2.7-inch screen, shoots video in good 'ol VGA, has all the de rigueur face and smile detection modes, and will cost €120 (about $160) when it drops in Europe this July. No word on a domestic release, but perhaps we'll find out more next week.

[Via Engadget Spanish]

Pentax Optio E70L plays 'spot the difference' with E70, loses

by Ross Miller posted Feb 2nd 2009 at 11:24AM

If the 10 megapixel Optio E70 was just a wee bit off from what you wanted, Pentax has introduced the E70L, a camera whose differences with its predecessor are astoundingly minimal. That added 'L' gives you an extra 0.1 megapixel, a tighter ISO range (80-6400 versus 64-6400), a more square body, a slightly varied button layout, and a less colorful exterior. Both still sport the 3x optical zoom, 2.4-inch LCD, shake reduction, face recognition, smile detection, and a hunger for AA batteries. Look for this one next month for about £100 ($142).

[Via Engadget Spanish]

Pentax's Optio P70 and E70 digicams won't break banks, hearts, or kneecaps

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jan 6th 2009 at 2:31AM

Pentax is kicking its CES festivities into medium gear with a pair of cheapo point-and-shoot digicams that we expect will be a tipping point to a great avalanche of affordable shooters. The $199.95 Optio P70 features a 12-megapixel sensor, can capture 720p video at 15 FPS, ISO from 64 to an astounding 6400 (though only at 5-megapixels), has a 4x zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD display, and comes in silver, white, or red. The E70, meanwhile, sports a 10-megapixel sensor, a 2.4-inch display, 3x zoom, but delivers the same staggering ISO range as the P70 for a slightly more affordable $129.95. Both models feature "Pixel Track Shake Reduction" and face-detection, will be available in February, and have put at least one editor to sleep.

Pentax rolls out another yawner: the 10MP M60 point-and-shoot

by Darren Murph posted Jul 29th 2008 at 1:45PM

If the E60 had you dozing last night, you'll be conked out in no time by the time you finish reading this. Pentax is at it again, proving that point-and-shoot cameras can still be boring this day and age. The M60 tries to be fancy with a 10-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, "approximately 36.5MB of built-in memory," movie / panorama modes, a variety of scene modes and smile detection capabilities to boot. Expect this one to arrive late next month in blue, pink and silver for around £90 ($179).

[Via PhotographyPress]

Pentax Optio E60's 10 megapixels are easy on the wallet

by Paul Miller posted Jul 28th 2008 at 7:10PM

In strict megapixel to dollar terms, the new Optio E60 from Pentax is a real steal, at a mere $140 for its absurd 10 megapixels. Of course, there's more to the story. The 3x zoom and lack of optical image stabilization -- "High Sensitivity Digital Shake Reduction" is little comfort -- won't be winning you any "best candid shot of whatever we did last night" awards, but there are some decent automatic perks like face recognition and a "Green" settings mode for absolute novices that should keep you from getting booted out of your Flickr pool. The E60, which is powered by AA batteries, will be available in October.

Pentax kicks out the waterproof Optio W60

by Nilay Patel posted May 22nd 2008 at 6:00PM

Pentax has been cranking out waterproof Optio point-and-shoots for a while now, and the company's latest, the W60, doesn't really break from the company's successful basic formula. The 10 megapixel shooter packs a 2.5-inch LCD, 5x optical zoom that doesn't ever extend out from the main camera body, 720p movie mode, ISO 6400 sensitivity and face, smile, and blink detection. Oh, and it works in depths up to 13 feet in temperatures of just 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and is JIS Class 5 certified against dust and sand. You know, just in case. Should be out in July for $329 in both blue and silver.

Pentax introduces 8MP Optio V20 point-and-shoot

by Darren Murph posted Mar 17th 2008 at 10:45PM

Not quite able to squeeze into a size 2 chassis before PMA, Pentax's Optio V20 now has the runway all to itself. This 8-megapixel point-and-shoot isn't anything spectacular, but the 5x optical zoom is a nice complement to the 3-inch LCD monitor, face recognition, blink detection, USB 2.0 connectivity, video out and VGA movie mode. You'll also find a SD / SDHC expansion slot in case 52MB of built-in memory just isn't enough, and the rechargeable Li-ion is said to be good for around 200 clicks on a full charge. On board? Start pinching those pennies now, as this one will set you back $279.95 when it runs aground in May.

[Via CNET]

Hands-on with Pentax's new Optio lineup

by Steven Kim posted Jan 31st 2008 at 4:16PM

There doesn't seem to be a lot of excitement when Pentax releases new cameras in its Optio range -- do you people only love them for their DSLRs? -- but nonetheless, we gave them the same hands-on treatment that everyone else gets. Below you'll find the new S12, E50, and M50 in all their seemingly-unpopular glory, despite the fact that they seemed like fairly stylish, solidly-built products to us. Still with us? Great, we've got a lot of multi-colored point-and-shoot action in store for you.

Gallery: Hands-on with Pentax's new Optio lineup

Pentax intros compact Optio M50 digital camera

by Donald Melanson posted Jan 23rd 2008 at 5:01PM

If those high-end Pentax DSLRs aren't your thing, then perhaps the company's just-announced Optio M50 will be more to your (and your bank account's) liking. Available in your choice of silver, blue or pink, this one boasts 8 megapixels and a slightly better than usual 5x optical zoom, along with a 2.5-inch LCD, ISO shooting modes all the way up to ISO 6400, and increasingly common features like face recognition and smile capture. Look for it to hit in March with a list price of $230 and be sure to hit up the gallery below for a closer look at the camera in each of the available colors.

Gallery: Pentax Optio M50

Pentax fleshes out Optio line with S12 and E50 compacts

by Darren Murph posted Jan 23rd 2008 at 5:01PM

Two more for ya from Pentax -- the pocketable S12 and E50, which we're going to dig right into if that's okay with the crowd. The former features a 12-megapixel sensor, VGA movie mode, 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, face recognition, 5-point autofocus, 21MB of internal storage space, support for SD / SDHC cards, USB 2.0 connectivity, video out (NTSC and PAL), PictBridge functionality and ISO up to 3,200. As for the E50, it trims down to an 8.1-megapixel CCD sensor, 2.4-inch LCD, 3-point autofocus system, 9.5MB of built-in memory and an ISO limit of 1,600, but most everything else mimics its aforementioned sibling. Catch 'em both this March for $279.95 and $149.95, respectively, and just in case you were curious to the whereabouts of the oh-so-similar A40, we're told that it's finally set to hit the streets next month for $299.95.

Gallery: Pentax Optio S12 and E50

Pentax Optio Z10 gets reviewed

by Donald Melanson posted Nov 19th 2007 at 11:19AM

Pentax's Optio Z10 digital camera has been out for a little while now, but it just recently landed into the hand of the folks at Photography Blog, who've now given the cam their usual review treatment. From the looks of it, however, this one appears to be a decidedly mixed bag, with the camera winning some points for its 7x optical zoom (despite its pocketable size), but leaving them rather unimpressed overall. Most significantly, they say the image quality is "severely hampered by noise," a problem that apparently crops up even at ISO 200, and becomes a "pixellated mess" by ISO 3200. The so-called "digital shake reduction" also appears to be about as useful as a digital zoom, and the face recognition feature doesn't seem to have fared much better either. On the upside, the camera's focusing is reportedly "fast and accurate," even in low-light conditions, and there is that 7x zoom. Unless that's your top priority, however, it seems like you can probably do better elsewhere.

Matsushita battery plant fire delays Pentax cam

by Evan Blass posted Oct 24th 2007 at 10:48AM

Not content with simply destroying our laptops and cellphones, those evil little lithium ion packs have just escalated the human-battery conflict once again by sacrificing many of their number to lay waste to an entire building. Actually, it's not clear what started the fire at Matsushita's Li-ion plant in western Japan on September 30th, although we suspect a cadre of malcontents decided to self-detonate after taking a cue from their comrades at Sony. What is clear is that an unnamed Pentax digital camera -- probably one of the recently-announced Optios -- will be delayed because of the fire, with its launch being pushed from next month to February of next year. Hitting us in the gadget, right where it hurts: smart move, clever foes, smart move.