Today, Pentax announced the Optio W90, the eleventh generation Pentax Optio waterproof, rugged digital camera. Not only is the Optio W90 waterproof to 20 feet, it’s also shockproof to 4 feet, coldproof to sub-freezing temperatures, and is dustproof.
Pentax Optio W90 Hands-On Preview And Video >>
The Optio W90 features 12.1-megapixels, a 2.7 inch LCD with 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, a wide angle 5X optical zoom (28-140mm equivalent), Digital Microscope mode with LED lighting, Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card connectivity for built-in Wi-Fi capability, an HDMI port, 720p HD video recording, Advanced Pixel Track Shake Reduction, Face Detection, Smile Capture, Blink Detection, Pet Detection, Autofocus assist lamp, and Infrared remote control compatibility with new waterproof Remote Control WP.
The Pentax Optio W90 will be available April 2010 for $329.95. The waterproof infared remote control for use with the Pentax Optio W90 and other infrared compatible Optio models will be available at the same time for $29.95.
Pentax Optio W90 Hands-On Preview And Video >>
Pentax Optio W90 Waterproof Digital Camera Press Release >>
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wheres the viewfinder? ha ha my comment submit code reads ” camera wannabes”
There’s no optical viewfinder. Optical viewfinders are becoming very uncommon and there are no waterproof cameras that have them. I do think it would be nice to have one. But the reality is, most people would rather have a larger LCD display. I’ve also heard good optical viewfinders are expensive to manufacture so camera companies are probably happy just making bigger LCDs.
You should have made a screen shot of that Captcha validation code
I wouldn’t be worried about not having an optical view finder. I currently use a camera with out one now. It was odd at first, but once you get used to it, it’s not bad at all. In fact, I really like not having one. As long as the LCD screen is bright enough to see in all light conditions it shouldn’t be a problem.
I am really excited for this to come out.
It’s next to impossible to get tight panning action shots without an optical viewfinder. They are definitely a rarety now. But as a mountain biker, skier and outdoor photographer, I feel its my responsibility to keep pointing out that cameras with just an LCD display are compromised for action photos.
Wow, just purchased the W90, and am going to return it!. I bought this camera based on looks, touchy-feely appeal, options with the camera and this one offered a 2 year manufacture warranty (as opposed to 1 year with most).
I used the camera on a camping trip and both the pictures and video, in and out of the water, were fantastic! I changed the settings all around and the camera performed as it’s advertised. BUT, using the camera indoors, or with ‘low’ light produces grainy, poor quality pictures and video. I tried to change the setting around, but the quality was still lacking.
On a sunny day, outside – camera takes GREAT pictures and video. Go inside on that same day, in a well lit room, the quality soon fades.
Roddy-
Thanks for the comment. I thjnk you need to adjust your expectations about point-and-shoot digital cameras – especially the waterproof ones. If you read my Outdoor & Waterproof Camera Guide you’ll see that I say all waterproof cameras have compromised image quality. And in low light, that is going to be even more of a problem. If you like the features, feel and outdoor photo quality of the W90, I recommend you keep it. Or – go to a non-waterproof camera. Really, any point-and-shoot is going to have mediocre quality in low light. That’s one of the reasons people spend the big money on digital SLRs.
I’m looking at the pentax optio w90 as a waterproof camera for my trip to Bali. I like the look of it, and I like the strap for secure attachment to a bag or belt loop, since I have some concern about theft on my trip, but I was reading the instruction manual off the official website and it warned against taking the camera into humid climates and warm water which would obviously be a problem in a place like Bali. So my question is should I be worried about this? Or are they just being over cautious. And if I should be worried, do you have any suggestions for a waterproof camera that would hold up better in a humid environment?