pentax digital cameras

 

List Price: $219.95
       Price: $180.95
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2 new or used available from $180.95 
Average customer review: (39 customer reviews) 

Product Description

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.

From the Manufacturer

The water and dustproof Optio WS80 is a perfect choice for travel, outdoor activities and families. 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. With waterproof construction that can withstand depths up to five feet (1.5 meters), the Optio WS80 captures underwater photos and video including high resolution, widescreen, HD video up to 720p at a full-speed 30 frames per second.

Optio WS80 Highlights

Exceptional waterproof performance for underwater shooting and adventure
The palm-sized Optio WS80 assures reliable waterproof performance that allows underwater photography up to five feet for up two hours (JIS Class 8 standard). The WS80 also features the Pentax-exclusive, highly water-repellent SP (Super Protect) coating on the protective glass panel that covers the zoom lens. As a result, the Optio WS80 may be rinsed clean with fresh water if it becomes covered with dirt or sand. Coupled with remarkable dustproof capabilities equivalent to JIS Class 6, the Optio WS80 may be used without worry in many different situations where water or dirt is a major concern.

High-quality images delivered by 10.0 effective megapixels
Combining 10.0 effective megapixels with the Pentax-developed imaging engine and high-performance Pentax zoom lens, the Optio WS80 produces brilliant, high-resolution prints with edge-to-edge sharpness even when images are enlarged.

High-performance optical 5x zoom lens
The slim, palm-sized Optio WS80 features an optical 5x zoom lens covering focal lengths from 35mm to 175mm in the 35mm format. The camera offers an Intelligent Zoom function that extends the zoom range up to approximately 28.5x for even tighter zooming in on the subject.

High-quality, widescreen, HD movie recording
The Optio WS80 captures beautiful, flawless HD movie clips at 16:9 aspect ratio (1280 x 720 pixels)* at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. The camera also comes equipped with advanced, user-friendly features designed to facilitate movie recording: the Movie SR (Shake Reduction) mode, which automatically compensates for camera shake during movie shooting; and the Underwater Movie mode, which automatically optimizes color settings for underwater movie shooting.
_{*When the Optio WS80’s AV output terminal is used, movie clips are output as normal image-size data. If the user wishes to play back movie clips at high-definition-TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels), the data must be transferred to a personal computer for playback.}

High-speed Face Detection, with a range of user-friendly features
The Optio WS80’s advanced Face Detection AF & AE function captures 32 faces in sharp focus and perfect exposure in a mere 0.03 seconds. It also accurately detects a subject facing the camera at an angle or with a tilted head. The Optio WS80 offers other user-friendly features, including:

• A Smile Capture mode automatically releases the shutter the moment the camera detects the subject’s smile.
• A Blink Detection function warns the photographer when a subject’s eyes close at the time of shutter release.
• A Small Face filter helps reduce a subject’s face so that it appears smaller in proportion to the body to produce more flattering well-balanced portraits.

Triple anti-shake protection to prevent different types of camera shake

• Pixel Track SR mode : When recording still images, the Optio WS80’s Pixel Track SR (Shake Reduction) mode effectively compensates for camera shake by processing affected images.
• High-Sensitivity SR mode*: When it detects low-lighting conditions in still-image shooting, the Optio WS80 automatically raises its sensitivity to as high as ISO 6400, making it possible to use a higher shutter speed. This effectively minimizes the adverse effects of camera shake and subject motion blur under poor lighting conditions.
• Movie SR mode**: During movie recording, the Optio WS80 prevents blurry images by effectively minimizing annoying camera shake.

_{* When the High-Sensitivity SR mode is selected, the recorded size is fixed to 5M (2592 x 1944 pixels).
** When the Movie SR mode is selected, the angle of view becomes narrower than normal shooting.}

Large 2.7-inch LCD monitor for effortless image viewing
The Optio WS80 features a large 2.7-inch extra bright color LCD monitor so photographers may view on-screen images, menus and mode-settings with ease while shooting and during playback.

Additional Features

• Interval shooting mode, convenient for fixed-point observation of starry skies, flowers and plants
• High-speed 9 point AF system, with Auto-Tracking function, to maintain constant focus on a moving subject
• Auto Picture mode automatically selects one of eight shooting modes for the optimum results in a wide variety of shooting conditions
• A variety of digital filters including Toy Camera and Retro to add distinctive visual effects to recorded images
• Dynamic Range adjustment prevents overexposed and underexposed areas in images
• Digital Wide function creates a panoramic, extra-wide-angle image (equivalent to an image taken with an approx. 25.4mm lens in 35mm format) from two images
• Digital Panorama mode creates a single panoramic picture from as many as three images
• Style Watch function displays the time with pushbutton operation, even when the camera’s power is turned off
• Image recovery function recovers accidentally erased images
• Frame composite function (with 90 frames stored in the camera) shoots or composes images with decorative photo frames

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Customer Reviews

Great little camera, but needs to be "Waterproof"
I ordered this camera to use during water activties on a caribbean cruise. I used it the weekend before on dry land and thought it did a great job - especially shooting "Wide screen" video.

We left for our cruise and took the Pentax on our first beach day. Used it snorkeling (note I stay on the surface and never dive down so the camera would never be more than 3 feet submerged) and took fabulous underwater photos and video. I was very pleased.

When we returned to our cabin, some hours after leaving the water, I took out the battery and put it in the charger and also downloaded the photos & video into my computer. Next morning, however, I took the battery out of the charger and noticed the contacts were all corroded. Looked inside the camera and the same thing.

I managed to get it working and it took photos one more day. Drained the battery during another water-filled day. I could never get the battery to charge again. Sadly, I had no waterproof camera to use during the two remaining water fun days.

Returned the camera to Amazon and will be shopping for something similar but more "Waterproof!"
Great Beach Camera!
Easy to use water proof camera you'll want to take to any water activity. All functions are simple and user friendly. The large picture viewing screen is extra good for older eyes with no glasses. You will not find better for the money. Old NC surfer.
Cheap insurance for your DSLR
Just got it today and here's my 2 cents' worth. It's cheap, [...], a cheaper version of Pentax W80. So please have realistic expectations. Yes, I've read the reviews before I bought it(see [...]). Other sites haven't bothered to review it. The noise and image quality issue is well known, as panned by the reviewers herein. The picture is too soft, too dull. But it fits my strategy. I need an inexpensive splash-proof camera for use while sailing. Getting any picture is better than getting no picture. For better quality shots, I can use a Panasonic TZ5 in a Dicapac waterproof pouch and look real dorky. Near future replacement for the TZ5 for me could be the Sony HX5 or the Panasonic ZS5. For dry conditions, I have a Sony A200 and A300 DSLR at my disposal.

I also have a Pentax Optio W10, bought in 2006. After taking a few comparison shots with these two Pentax cameras, I can confirm that the WS80 is noisier than the W10 at the same ISO 400, but the WS80 still has more resolution, less pixelated than the W10. The extra 4 MP help. The WS80 is also better in some other ways - 5x zoom, cost, 720 movie, and kinda IS? One ergonomic problem I have with the WS80 is that I find it hard to fully depress the shutter button without causing some camera movement. My tweaks on the camera setting: set ISO at 200; crank up the sharpness and contrast in the P mode and do more post editing and add still more contrast. There's a little too much yellow, esp on grass.

If you want something more rugged with better image quality, then spend more money, ~$200+ more for a Panasonic TX1, TX2, Sony TX5 or Pentax W90. (Sorry, Canon looks too toyish and bulky.) For me this is cheap insurance against water damage to the DSLRs. Sailing pictures taken in brighter lights this summer may turn out OK then. Happy shooting!