Pentax Optio W30

Latest - Review and Sample Test Photos at Photography Review (added 02 January ‘08)

Pentax Optio W30 features:

• 7 megapixel
• 3X optical zoom
• Face Recognition Priority AF & AE
• Digital SR (Shake Reduction)
• 2.5-inch LCD
• Shoots at depths of 3 meters for 2 hours
• ISO 3200

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Read More Reviews - (updated 02 January ‘08)

Photography Review
CrunchGear
Digital Camera Info
Pocket-lint
Photography Blog
Popular Photography
Megapixel
Trusted Reviews
Steve’s Digicams
DigitalCameraInfo

Photography Review - 02 January’08 - reviews the Pentax Optio W30 and feels for the outdoor types this camera is could be a practical choice. Here’s a summation of their conclusion -
“While this is not the fasted camera it definitely is a take it everywhere and don’t worry about the weather camera. A lot of cameras in this class require more “thinking” to produce images, not this camera. Pentax has made the W30 a true point-and-shoot, which means even if it’s raining you can pull it out and be assured you’re going to get a decent picture with little or zero fidgeting around.”

CrunchGear - 08 October’07 - reviews the Pentax Optio W30 and thought the camera had a few shortcomings most of which were in the design. Here’s their conclusion -
“If you spend time in any body of water and you’re an avid shooter then take a look at the W30. It’s a JIS Class 8 Waterproof and JIS Class 5 Dustproof camera that takes video (640×480 at 15-or30fps) and records audio in a small little package that takes photos that rival some of the photos I’ve taken with my DSLR. You can even hook up the W30 to your TV to instantly view photos and videos.”

Digital Camera Info - 07/05/2007 - has reviewed the Pentax Optio W30 and they write, “The Pentax W30, simply put, is a fun camera to use. It will likely find a wide audience, eliciting praise from Michael Phelps types to kids wanting to play Mikey from the Goonies. With waterproof, dustproof (and kid-proof) abilities, the Optio W30 functions as an all-around camera that can be transported on land or water. It also includes basic PDA functions such as alarm and calendar. With an array of internal editing, the camera makes it easy to bypass the computer.”

Pocket-lint - 6/12/2007 - has reviewed the Pentax Optio W30 and they write, “Tough, versatile, and easy to use the Pentax Optio W30 offers a neat combination of rugged outdoorsiness along with scene m odes comprehensive enough to provide shooting panache.

Some sluggish AF problems aside, the W30 is well worth looking at if you want a camera that can go anywhere you do, rain, snow, sand shine or swim!”

Photography Blog - 6/11/2007 - has reviewed the Pentax Optio W30 and they write, “The Pentax Optio W30 is a fairly unremarkable camera that succeeds largely due to being water and dust proof, and very easy to use. This is truly a camera that you can take on your next beach holiday, and not have to worry if it gets dropped in the sand or sea. The W30 also makes a great companion for a snorkelling trip, and is generally a hard-wearing camera - if it can survive daily use by the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, then it can survive most things! Pentax have also concentrated on making the Optio W30 very easy-to use, with most aspects of the camera designed to be standard and non-intimidating.”

Popular Photography - 6/8/2007 - has reviewed the Pentax Optio W30 and they write, “Overall, there’s little not to like about this camera. It’s similar to many other shirt-pocket compacts on the market, with the added bonus of going with you into the pool or ocean instead of sitting behind on the beach. So go ahead, jump right in - the Optio W30 will happily go along with you.”

Megapixel - 6/8/2007 - has reviewed the Pentax Optio W30 and here is their conclusion, “Pros: Good to very good image quality - Sensitivity range of 64 to 100 ISO is noise free - Not too much noise up to 400 ISO - Waterproof to 3 m (9.8 ft) - Quick to operate - Internal zoom - Near silent zoom motor allows optical zoom to be used in movie mode - High quality construction Cons: Compression a bit too strong at the highest image quality - Flash a bit weak - Controls stiffer than non-waterproof cameras - Battery should last longer before showing signs of weakening”

Trusted Reviews - 5/14/2007 - has reviewed the Pentax Optio W30 and here is their conclusion, “An improvement over the far-from-shabby W20, the Pentax Optio W30 is an ideal holiday camera, able to survive water, sand, dust and even small children. A well-made and stylish camera, it is as easy to use as any pocket compact and can take a pretty decent picture almost anywhere. Its low-light performance is especially impressive.”

Steve’s Digicams - 4/26/2007 - has reviewed the 7 megapixel Pentax Optio W30 and here is their conclusion, “the Pentax Optio W30 is yet another “Cool” underwater model. It can produce nice photos along with good shooting performance, loads of exposure modes, and lets not forget the added versatility of being able to take pictures underwater! At about $US250 or less, I feel the Optio W30 offers a great value for a camera in this category, and is sure to be a very popular digicam this year.”

DigitalCameraReview - 4/5/2007 - has reviewed the 7 megapixel Pentax Optio W30 and here is their conclusion, “The Pentax Optio W30 offers water enthusiasts a limited underwater digital camera capability and terrestrial users a camera they won’t need to worry about if the environment suddenly turns wet. While the camera does a good job of image capturing when conditions are optimal, its foul-weather capability makes the W30 a viable choice for anyone who needs a compact digital that can shoot in places and conditions that would pose a risk to more typical cameras of this class.”

Sample Test Photos

[Sample Photos at Digital Camera Info]
[Sample Photos at Pocket-lint]
[Sample Photos at Photography Blog]
[Sample Photos at Megapixell]
[Sample Photos at Trusted Reviews]
[Sample Photos at Steve's Digicams]

Specifications

[Official Pentax Specifications]

Owners Manual

[Pentax Optio W30 Owners Manual]

Press Release

PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new PENTAX Optio W30, a compact digital camera designed to be dustproof/waterproof. The waterproof function has been further enhanced so that it is possible to photograph underwater at depths of 3 meters continuously for 2 hours.

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See also: Pentax, Pentax Review Roundups