Any thougts on the Pentex Optio W/10

[DisneyElf]

My sister is looking for a new digital camera - and wants one that can go underwater. She is not looking for a SLR .. and saw this one at Costco and is interested in purchasing.

If you know of other waterproof cameras (up to 5 ') for around $ 300 that you would recommend - let me know .

Thanks

 

[2x_dis_dad]

My parents just got that exact camera. They took it to Hawaii and just got back last night. I can't wait to check out the pictures. I will report back after I have seen them.

 

[DisneyElf]

Thanks I've read some reviews - but knowing someone who has seen in action is better

 

[DisneyElf]

Any reviews ?

 

[idofabric]

I also am looking at this one... along with a few non waterproof Canons. Last year at WDW we were caugth in several heavy rainstorms, and while I might not use the camera for underwater shots, I would like it for the rain! Also I have read that this is the camera that a lot of Desert Storm military members carry as it is the most dust resistance.... The reviews I have read have really been sitting on the fence- not good, not bad...
Hope some one out there owns one and lets us know NOW! I need to buy a new camera today or Fri morning at the latest! We leave Fri at noonish.

 

[2x_dis_dad]

I just saw my parents pictures. It took great pictures outside during the day. Inside or at night not so good. Probably was a user error though. They didnt take under water, but it performed great in the rain. They really liked the camera. It was smaill enough my dad could carry it in the cargo pocket in his shorts. I thnk my parents payed about $180 for theirs at circuit city.

 

[captaincrash]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Pentax/pentax_optiow10.asp

above link is not a review - but on line prices say it's $245 to 275 - I would not buy from the absolute lowest priced seller at 232.

 

[idofabric]

I still like this camera.... but DH isn't so thrilled. And I also like the Canon SD 450 and SD 550... and the A 550(I think!) At this point we leave for WDW tomorrow, but I won't have a camera. I have spent so much time the last few days looking online, and in stores, that I have a ton of stuff to do, like pack! At least it has made the last week fly by!
Still a little concerned about a few things with the Pentax.... it doesn't have a lens cover. It is 3x optical, but the len doesn't go in and out... I don't care , DH does! And picture quality , inside, and some night. And the noise level above ISO 200... And I can get that info online. How ever, I can't find out how fast I can shoot photos! I might have missed it, but the canons have an almost 2 frames per second in burst/contin. mode. Even the sales rep. couldn't find how fast the Pentax W10 will shoot...

On the 5th hand... it is WATERPROOF! and I think that might make a big difference on how much I shoot photos!

 

[captaincrash]

Costco is open until 8:30PM - go buy it.

Keep the receipt and box. If on returning home you truly are unhappy then return it. Just try not to abuse it until you know it's a keeper. Costco has a very relaxed return policy - even after ONE YEAR (or more). My neighbor is a Costco store manager and he himself has returned a big screen TV to Costco. SO - guess what - 3 years ago I bought a 60" projection big screen HD TV sort of spontaneously to get the mail in deal for a surround sound system. And at 6 months I noticed some wierd artifacts in the icture - plus the 3 guns kept drifting out of alignment. Usually - the guns should self colimate - but this Philips had MANUAL colimation! SO every few weeks I had to readjust the guns over a field of about 100 individually adjusted tri color crosses! It was maddening. And the artifacts were truly defects. At 9 months I started investigating ow to return it. At 12 months I was ready to return it in fustration - ut had not selected a replacement yet. At 15 months (roughly) I settled on an Epson 62" Living Station 3 micro LCD projection panel system. It comes with a Dye Sublimation printer in the HDTV cabinet and CD burner in addition to the usual computer and memory card input plugs. It was the worlds' first convergence HDTV. Technically, it was the ultimate HDTV for a digital photography enthusiast.

Plus - I got a really good deal - plus a spare bulb for up to 20,000 hours of use before I should need another bulb.

So - go out and get the Pentax - and take lots of beautiful photos to prove the concept you've embraced!

Waterproof and Lifeproof - Yet Elegant
PENTAX perfects waterproof and lifeproof digital for those who seek adventure indoors and out. The Optio W10 sets the latest PENTAX standard for waterproof digital with 6.0 megapixels and a reflection-free LCD that offers optimal viewing in outdoor settings. This little beauty features JIS Class 8 waterproof and JIS Class 5 dustproof ratings.

JIS Class 8 Waterproof and Class 5 Dustproof performance allows underwater photography and video. Rinse away sand and dirt with ease.



6.0 megapixel CCD and 3X PENTAX optical zoom lens offer excellent image quality from 0.36 inch macro shots to expansive landscapes.



115,000 pixel 2.5 inch low reflection LCD monitor remains easy to view, even on sunny days. Power saving mode extends battery life.



High performance 0.6 second start-up and 0.05 second shutter lag make getting the action shots effortless.



Ultra-fast 9-point Autofocus features Tracking AF. Portrait mode combines Face priority AF with Face priority auto-exposure for perfect results.



High-quality extended movie captures QuickTime motion JPEG (640 x 480) at 30fps with anti-shake and a range of built-in editing functions.

 

[manning]

I like that .05 second shutter lag time.