Pentax Optio WS80 10MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Internal Optical Zoom and 2.7-inch LCD (Black and Orange)
by Pentax
Our Price: $499.00
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Category: Digital Camera
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: PentaxModel: WS80 Black & Orange
Color: Black & Orange
Product features:
- 10.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 19-inch prints
- Waterproof performance allows underwater photography up to five feet
- 5x optical zoom; Intelligent Zoom function extends the zoom range up to approximately 28.5x
- Widescreen HD movie recording at 30fps
- Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
- Adobe Photoshop CS5 Upgrade [Old Version]
- Serif PhotoPlus X3
- Aperture 3
- Manfrotto 7302YB M-Y Tripod with Ball - Replaces 725B
- Pixelmator [Old Version]
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Pentax Optio WS80 10MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Internal Optical Zoom and 2.7-inch LCD (Black and Orange)
Customer Review: Nice little camera, noisy picture quality....
Summary: 2 Stars
Some background so you know where this review is coming from...
I'm a semi-pro photographer, which means I've sold some work (mainly those kind of high-end greeting cards you buy that come wrapped in individual cellophane, "nature" images..) but don't make enough money off it to quit my day job.
I've been through many cameras in my life. In film, started with Canon SLR's (AE-1, then A-1), switched to Nikon 20 years ago (FM2, multiple N8008 bodies), have also owned medium format (Rolleicord, Yashica, Mamiya 645..) Current outfit is much simplified - a Nikon D80 digital SLR with a bunch of lenses...
Have also owned lots of digital point and shoots - from the Sony Mavica (remember saving to floppy disc?) through some Sonys and Canons.
My latest Canon point-and-shoot (the one my wife uses) died recently, and since we live near the beach and have a pool (and three small children who shoot pictures) I thought I'd get something waterproof as well as small. Did not want to spend a lot of money on that - I have enough money in cameras, thank you very much - and it looked like the Pentax fit the bill.
Oops.
Although the Pentax seems like it might be a good camera for some people, for me picture quality is paramount. If the camera doesn't take good pictures, you might as well not take them.
Pentax did a good job with exposure (with and without flash) but despite the megapixel count the final image was always "noisy" - a grainy-looking effect, noticeable without an extreme amount of magnification. I tested this under every condition I could think of - bright sunlight, shade, indoors with flash, and with the camera at every setting (ISO and picture size) that I could think of. Same result.
I did NOT test the underwater capabilities of it. Given that it could not produce acceptable pictures for me above water and I was going to return it (which I did) I didn't want to risk having something happen to it in the water.
Now... one might think "that's just the way small cameras are" but I've tested multiple "non-underwater" cameras in the same price range and they take MUCH better pictures. For example, I've replaced this with a Canon SD780IS and it's flawless...
So... again, the picture quality is not AWFUL, I'm sure if your only purpose is to post pictures on Flickr or print 4x6's (or 5 x 7's, maybe) most normal people would not be able to see what I'm talking about, but if you're a somewhat fanatical photographer I can't recommend this one.
Perhaps it's a side effect of the underwater nature of it, I've seen similar reviews that suggest if you go to a higher end UW camera the picture quality gets better, but for me I was not willing to spend twice as much to find out - we'll just have to keep the kids away from our Canon at the beach and pool.
Again, if you're looking for an inexpensive camera that's supposed to be waterproof and aren't too picky about picture quality (if camera phone pictures look good to you!) then this might be the one, but not for me...
More Pentax Optio WS80 10MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Internal Optical Zoom and 2.7-inch LCD (Black and Orange) reviews:
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
Description of Pentax Optio WS80 10MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Internal Optical Zoom and 2.7-inch LCD (Black and Orange)
The water and dustproof Optio WS80 is a perfect choice for families, travel, and outdoor activities. Featuring a 10 megapixel CCD and a 5X internal optical zoom housed in a slim, palm-sized body that is less than an inch thick, the Optio WS80 has a large 2.7 inch LCD with 230,000 dot resolution for easy composition. Capture images up to five feet underwater or shoot HD video up to 720p at a full-speed 30 frames per second. Available in bold, fun colors, the WS80 features Fast Face Detection, Smile Capture, Shake Reduction, and an Auto Picture for more beautiful images in any setting.Digital Cameras
Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
Bestsellers in Digital Cameras
Sony DSCF505V Cybershot 2.6MP Digital CameraSony; Digital Camera
Best price: $429.99
Price in other shops:
KB Gear JamCam 0.3MP Digital Camera, SilverKB Gear; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Minolta Dimage 2300 2.3MP Digital Camera KitKonica Minolta; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Kodak DC5000 2MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical ZoomDigital Camera
Leica Minilux 35mm CameraLeica; Digital Camera
Best price: $1,995.99
Pretec DC-520 0.3MP Digital Camera, ChampagnePreTec; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Sony MVCFD85 1.2MP Mavica Digital Camera with 3x Optical ZoomSony; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon PowerShot S10 2MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical ZoomCanon; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Sony DSC-F55 Cyber-shot 2MP Digital CameraSony; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Vivitar Vivicam 2750 0.3MP Digital CameraVivitar; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops: