Product Description

Take your underwater images to a new depth. With an enhanced waterproof design, the compact Optio W30 performance capacity has more than doubled and now allows photographers to capture images underwater up to 10 feet for 2 hours. The generous 2.5-inch LCD monitor offers an LCD Bright Mode that can adjust the brightness of the screen as necessary for improved viewing in the sunlight. Ever the perfect camera for capturing adventure in the outdoors, the Optio W30 also features both Digital and Movie SR modes to reduce blur in both image and video capture. The Optio W30 also features the Face Recognition function and Macro Photography mode to allow image capture at under half an inch for stunning close-ups of photography subjects such as flowers, insects, jewelry and much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1429 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Pentax
• Model: 19271
• Released on: 2007-03-22
• Dimensions: 1.00" h x 2.50" w x 4.00" l, 1.00 pounds
• Memory: 22MB
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 7.1-megapixel CCD and 3x Pentax optical zoom lens
• Enhanced waterproof construction allows the W30 to be submerged down to ten feet for up to two hours
• 2.5-inch low-reflection LCD monitor; all-new Bright mode
• Ultra-fast 9-point auto focus; Portrait mode utilizes Face Priority AF for perfect results
• High-quality extended movie captures QuickTime motion JPEG at 30fps; built-in editing functions

Manufacturer Description
With an enhanced waterproof design, the Optio W30 performance capacity has more than doubled and now allows photographers to capture images underwater up to 10 feet for 2 hours. The generous 2.5-inch LCD monitor offers an LCD Bright mode that can adjust the brightness of the screen as necessary for improved viewing in the sunlight. Ever the perfect camera for capturing adventure in the outdoors, the Optio W30 also features both Digital and Movie SR modes to reduce blur in both image and video capture. The Optio W30 also features the Face Recognition function and Macro Photography mode to allow image capture at under half an inch for stunning close-ups of photography subjects such as flowers, insects, jewelry and much more.

Optio W30 Highlights

Enhanced waterproof function With an enhanced design, the Optio W30 waterproof performance capacity has more than doubled and now allows photographers to capture images underwater up to 10 feet for 2 hours. Improved construction of the camera incorporates metal front and back covers for added durability. Protective glass on the lens is treated with a Super Protect (SP) coating, developed exclusively by Pentax for superior water repellency. In addition to a JIS Class 8 waterproof standard, the Optio W30 features JIS Class 5 dustproof standard that protects the camera even more in outdoor settings.

3x optical zoom lens and 7.1 megapixels deliver outstanding pictures The Optio W30 includes a 3x optical zoom lens that covers focal lengths from 6.3 to 18.9 mm (equivalent to 38 to 114 mm for 35mm film) and features a refraction lens system so the lens never protrudes from the camera while zooming. By harnessing the full power of the 7.1 effective megapixels, the Optio W30 produces extremely high-quality prints with crisp detail even when the photo is greatly enlarged.

Bright, new LCD monitor is easy-to-view The Optio W30 is equipped with a high-intensity 2.5-inch LCD monitor with an LCD Bright mode that adjusts the brightness of the screen, making it easy-to-view even outdoors in strong sunlight. An Anti-Reflection (AR) coating on the monitor helps make the screen even more visible outdoors.

Face Recognition AF and AE mode The Optio W30 is equipped with a "Face Recognition AF and AE" function* that automatically detects and focuses on faces, regardless of where the people appear in the photo frame. In addition, optimal exposure settings are automatically conducted so that the areas with faces are not darkened even if there is backlighting.
_{*Available when the shooting mode is "Portrait" and the camera is directed at people from the front.}

Digital Shake Reduction (SR) The Digital SR mode helps reduce camera shake and subject blur in still photography by adjusting sensitivity automatically to as high as the sensitivity of ISO 3200, to match the brightness of the subject. This enables photography with fast shutter speeds.

High-quality movies with Shake Reduction function The Optio W30 captures smooth, high-quality movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, which is comparable to movies taken with a camcorder. The Optio W30 also features Movie SR mode*, which automatically corrects camera shake, and an Interval Shooting mode that records images during each specified time interval as a movie for more creative options.
_{*Using the "Movie SR" function results in a narrower field of view than that during normal video recording.}

Macro photography The Optio W30 can focus on objects at just under half an inch away for stunning close-up photography of subjects such as flowers, insects, or jewelry.

Auto Picture mode automatically determines best settings for shooting conditions The Auto Picture mode helps the Optio W30 automatically determine the best shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Program modes and choose the optimum settings for each subject. This Pentax original function makes photography a breeze for beginners since it eliminates the necessity of making a number of individual settings.

Other Features

• New auto-lock mechanism automatically locks the battery cover when closed.
• Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject
• Compatible with new SDHC memory cards, in addition to conventional SD memory cards
• mode Palette provides quick access to 25 shooting modes and 15 playback modes
• Image Recovery function lets you retrieve accidentally erased pictures
• Soft flash function avoids overexposure during close-up flash photography
• Digital zooming provides up to 4x magnification
• Digital Filter function that lets you enjoy editing photographed images
• FotoNation's red-eye correction function for correcting red eye after shooting, which occurs easily when photographing with flash
• Approximately 21.9 MB of built-in memory
• Includes the ACDSee for Pentax image viewer/image management software
• Supports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III

Customer Reviews

Disappointing Image Quality
This camera was purchased for snapshots at the beach and around the pool, and fortunately it lives up to the waterproof claim. Unfortunately the image quality is disappointing.
Auto focus is slow and inaccurate - expect lots of blurry pics and missed shots (especially of fast moving subjects like kids or fish.)
Exposure controls offer many options, none of which seem to work very well. Expect lots of blown highlights and dark shadows.
Low light performance is very lacking. Images are very grainy at high ISO in available light. Images are prone to "purple fringe" artifacts.
The flash is also inadequate. If the subject is close enough to be within range the flash is likely to blow out highlights.
The battery charger requires a separate power cord - a very bulky design. The camera is compact, but you'll need a big case to fit the charger and cords in.
Watch the latches for opening the battery/card and AV/power ports. They are easy to open accidentally - a disaster if it happens under water. I place a piece of electrical tape over them to keep them secure.
If you plan to use this for snorkeling, be aware - the bright shinny finish looks just like an injured mackrel to that barricuda behind you.
In summary, this camera is just ok for snapshots around the pool or a day at the beach, but don't expect any great image quality. At 7 MP you can make some nice enlargements, but you probably will not want to.

Rugged!
I pre-ordered this camera over a year ago. It is still great. I have a Canon SLR and didnt want to ruin it with the watersports that we do. This was the perfect option. The only issue I have is taking underwater pictures, at times I cant see what I'm trying to take a picutre of. (probably user failure!)Most times, I just aim in that direction and hope for the best. My camera has been in fresh water springs, Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, pools and always with me while kayaking. I've never had any leaking, sand issues, etc.

Good camera- some things better left for an SLR
I'm a wildlife/wetland ecologist who also does some photography on the side. When I heard about this camera, I was very excited to get one and try it out. Overall, it takes nice quality photos, if you can get the autofocus to cooperate with you. My best photos with this camera are in sunlight. There have been some good indoor photos, but overall, outside is much better. The waterproofing is FABULOUS. It takes pretty good photos in clear water and surprisingly good photos in slightly murky water. I've taken it places where I wouldn't dare take my Cannon XTI and was pleased with the quality of the photos I took. I think it's a little overpriced for the photos you get, but overall, it's a great investment as a second point and shoot to a fancy SLR.