Waterproof, crushproof, cold resistant and very compact. Buy the pentax Neoprene case to go with it - it hardly adds any bulk and gives good protection and fast access. It's a very liberating experience to have a carry-anywhere camera that can be used in all conditions. My picture of the inside of a working dishwasher has caused some interest, but eqyually well I've shot images from the street floor covered in water, driving rain, and when doing camera club talks pop the camera into a bowl of water to make the point. The W90 is more waterproof than I am, but snorkling and modest diving would allso be possible. Not for me though, I'll stick to using the camera freely in the wettest of conditions on land! The lens is excellent at close and middle distances, there are plenty of shooting options, and the auto macro setting is very useful. The camera will select macro mode if we get too close for standard AF. Quality at macro distances is superb. My W90 is the rather nice green version, so it looks good as well.

Infinity is not the best area of performance for the lens. It's much better at morer modest distances, but given its take-anywhere uses, this is probably not an unreasonable compromise. The flat glass cover for the lens also needs to be kept scrupulously clean, so in the very long term it gets more cleaning than camera lenses normally would. No scratches after 18 months or so, but eventually it may take its toll. This would be equally true of any waterproof camera.

I always wanted a camera that I could literally take and use anywhere. The Pentax W90 fits the bill very nicely. And indeed it does go everywhere with me. I reviewed it for ePHOTOzine and liked it so much that I bought one. If you want a tough camewra that you won't worry about to carry in your jacket pocket, one that will withstand the kids jumping on it, one that you can use in rain, sleet, snow, ice and even underwater, this is it. If you want excellent results for medium range (groups of people) down to macro and super macro (1cm) distances, this is it. If you want A3 landscape prints for exhibition, this is not it, stick to the DSLR.

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Many compact cameras, mostly not waterproof. For quality results, my favourite alternative would be the Olympus XZ-1, but that isn't waterproof.

Macro

Noise

I purchased the Pentax W90 mainly for it's Macro picture taking abilities. I love taking macro pictures! With the Microscope mode I am able to get within 1 inch of a subject and take an incredible picture. I also love taking pictures underwater in the ocean. This is where I ran in to problems with the Pentax W90. I had to return my first 2 Pentax W90 cameras due to malfunctioning after being inserted in to the water; inserted meaning just breaking the surface of the water. But as they say, three times is a charm, right? In this case, yes it was. The 3rd Pentax W90 that I received has lasted 2 years now.
I have not been satisfied with the picture quality in low light scenarios. This is where the Pentax W90 has disappointed me more times than I not.
I am currently researching a rugged point and shoot cameras that offers better image quality. I do plan on returning to my Pentax W90 for those extreme Macro shots that I adore.

Customer Service

Excellent! Received replacement cameras rather quick after malfunctions.

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Olympus Tough

Lightweight, convenient for pictures while kayaking, canoeing or just hiking in the rain.The zoom works well and the macro mode works very well.

Difficulty controlling the focus spot, flash is useless on the water. Should only be used down to 2-3 feet and not for long periods of time.

I had this camera for about 2 years for using on my kayak. The picture quality is not as good as non-waterproof cameras, but if you take your time you can get some high quality shots. The macro mode produced some of the best results. I had used it several times in depths down to about 3 feet without a problem, but when I took it down to about 8 feet the seal succumbed, water leaked in, and that was it for the camera. It often focuses on the water in front of the subject, which is why you need to take your time and watch the focus spot indicator. The flash is almost useless on the water, as the light bounces back into the lens and makes the shot a bright blur 90% of the time. It performed nicely when I visited Niagra Falls and didn't have to worry about the camera getting wet under the falls.

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Pentax W30

Nice look.
Easy to carry.

Very fragile.
Is not realy waterproof.

I bought the camera last year. Used it for a long time, but not under water. The first time I used it under water it stopped working. The water came in by the power switch. I bought another, and the first time that the camera fell, the it's broke the lcd. I get so angry that i dind't think 2 times and threw the camera on the wall. I will never buy another pentax again.

Customer Service

I didnt tried it because I live in Brasil

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Sony DSC-W310

macro and macro 1mm pics
security : the belt strap that bring is very secure
very fast shooting
camera body is corrugated and rough avoids slipping from your hands when are wet
very fast picture playback
can go 20 ft deep
zoom 5x
shock proof 4ft

very low quality in pictures and video in any light conditions
camera lens is always exposed
and as explained in the manual they cant "garantee the waterproof after a hit or fall to the camera" so much for shock proof

i bought this one saturday and return it sunday i was very dissapointed with the image quality when i took interior pictures it doesnt matter what setting was the camera the were blur and also grainy and ironicly one of the settings is for blur avoiding i also tried in the sports setting and same issue the i took a video and turned all the lights in my house and it was all grainy it looked like a old tv with bad signal next morning i went out and took some video and pics with natural light and the poor quality of the suposed hd video still the same i have to say that in macro pics is excellent

i really dont recomended its to much money to pay for the low quality received

Customer Service

returned next day at the store with no problem

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olympus 1030 sw
olympus 6000