Pentax Optio W80 Above 10 Megapixel

Pentax Optio W80 Above 10 Megapixel 

DESCRIPTION

Adventurous meets clumsy in the 12 megapixel, waterproof, coldproof and now shockproof Optio W80. Dunk it, freeze it, drop it, and it will keep coming back for more. Waterproof design withstands depths up to 16 feet (5 meters) to protect from rain and spills, as well as allowing full underwater photos and video. Rugged Shockproof design protects against drops of 3.3 feet, ensuring the camera is protected from hard use and the occasional “spills” on dry land. Coldproof design allows the camera to be used in sub-zero temperatures of -10° Celsius (14° Fahrenheit), ideal for cold weather activities such as skiing and snowmobiling. 12.1 Megapixels for detailed images that can be printed in large sizes. 5X internal optical zoom in a slim 1 inch body is equivalent to 28-140mm. Wide angle 28mm lens gives an expanded perspective to images, ideal for indoor, landscape, or group shots. 2.5 inch LCD monitor features anti-reflective coating, making it easy to view, even in bright sunlight.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-3 of 3  
[Oct 22, 2010]
dan p
Intermediate

Strength:

waterproof, tough, wide angle lens (28mm equivalent), compact, easy to use.

A nice touch is the programmable quick access button so you can easily access the menu functions you most use. eg E.V.A compensation.

Simple video editing in camera - shorten a film down to the bit with the action rather than having to keep the 5 mins of filming waiting for your mate to come over a jump. if you don't want to blow the pictures up really big you can film an action sequence and then select a single frame as a picture.

Weakness:

grainy photos in really low light. (eg late evening landscapes)
no lens cover - just clear plastic, i still haven't managed to scratch mine and didn't have a case for a long time so has never been a problem, just a worry.

Great camera, and easy to use.

Used is sailing, surfing (overhead and pretty heavy in indo), snorkelling, mountain biking, rock climbing.

Image quality not as good as in other standard point and shoots but plenty good enough, except without flash in low light.

basically i wanted a really tough camera that i didn't have to worry about and it was exactly that.

5 stars for value as was a bit pricey when i brought it but now available at about half that (while stocks last).

Customer Service

no problems so don't know.

Similar Products Used:

quick goes on olympus mju and the new sony
a selection of other point and shoots by canon and pentax.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 02, 2010]
Ron Kruger
Professional

Strength:

12+ MP. Pocket size. Waterproof. Rugged. Good IQ after processing in ACDsee.

Weakness:

LCD is a little hard to see, especially under water, and impossible unless flat in front of you. Tilt it just a little, and you're just guessing at composition. Do not like the delay between shutter depression and shutter release.

I don't usually do this, but based on the negative reviews I've seen about the Optio W80, some balance is in order.
I think the problem is the W80 is not a simple P&S. It contains a great many options for such a simple thing, and it is necessary to know something about photography to get the most out of it. Set it wrong for what you're wanting to do, and your results will be poor. Also, images straight from the camera are lacking, but with the ACDsee software that comes with it, you can get very good IQ simply by hitting 'Auto Exposure." If you know something about PP, you can get what was to me--surprising results. I've already had a few underwater shots from this camera published and think I may even some day get a cover from it. It's a whole other world and light situation under water, and I admit I'm still learning. At 12+ MP, it has enough info for considerable enlargement.
I use it in a pinch above water, too, and have held a 52mm polorizing filter flat over the lens for good results.
It, of course, doesn't produce the images, or have the latitude, of my standard camera, but I wasn't expecting that. It is, after all, a P&S, but I strongly suspect those so unhappy with it simply don't know a lot about photography. If Pentax made a mistake with this camera, it is putting too much in it for the target market.

Customer Service

No experience. Hope I never need it.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Feb 28, 2010]
woodburner
Intermediate

Strength:

It looks nice!

Weakness:

Everything else.

AVOID THIS CAMARA!

Despite being returned for repair the W80 is not capable of producing anything other than VERY POOR QUALITY images!

Having talked at length to other owners who have reported exactly the same problems with the W80 I can only say that there are serious problems with this model!

I and other owners have contacted trading standards with a view to getting our money refunded!

Customer Service

Helpful and sympathetic but they cannot do anything with a flawed product!

Similar Products Used:

Wp 10 Brilliant!

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
Showing 1-3 of 3  

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