I brought my Pentax W10 in October 2006. I used the camera for surf water photography about a handful of times. Water leaked through the seal, got the battery wet and basically destroyed the camera. I sent off to Pentax for repair and they basically replyed saying it was my own fault and I did not lock the seal. When I started getting a bit irate about this because I made sure the seal was locked they then phoned me back to say the warrenty was invalid because I brought it from ebay and I had no proff that camera was brand new when brought. Be warned!!!

I absolutely loved this camera! It worked very well under water and i had no problems with it leaking or anything. It was an awesome little camera to have for camping and hiking. All my friends who were trying to take pictures had to put away their cameras as soon as it started to drizzle but i kept taking pictures and it worked amazingly! The last camera I had was ruined by the rain so i bought this one and it is the best camera I have ever owned. It was recently stolen along with my bag so I am buying almost the same camera (pentax optio w20) just for a little bit more megapixels. Its an amazing little camera and i would recommend it to anyone!

I love this camera because it takes great pictures, is easy to use, durable and small! After years of carrying many types of digital cameras for both work and pleasure, I decided to try this camera because it also had a great low price. I now carry this with me everywhere and never worry about damage, dust, humidity water, etc. I just put it in my pocket and go! I work in the jungle, vacation on the beach, spend a fair time in the water or rain! It takes lovely photos and is so easy to use, I have never read the manual! Only one negative observation. If you zoom the camera while taking pictures in the movie modes, you will get loud motor noise in your final movie. However, the movie mode works great except for this one caveat! In a difficult light situation, trying a number of the predefined exposure settings, which is so easy to do, usually finds you a solution. Again, I love this camera and so do the people who work around me because two have bought the newer version of this camera and also rave about it!

I take this kayaking with me all the time. Pictures are very good. Sets up and shoots quicker than any of my previous digital cameras. The only thing is NO VIEWFINDER when using in bright sunlight.

Upon recommendation from a professional colleague, we recently purchased the Pentax Optio W10 for our digital art course in order to use in the shallow end of the campus swimming pool for observation of light reflectance. Immediately after our purchase, my colleague had to return her own personal W10 for repair. She noted that others in her group were having problems with this model. As I am extremely careful with my equipment, I was not too alarmed. However, this past week, after our 3rd use of the camera, it too became unusable. The colors were pixilated, in green and magenta, and after the camera was dry, when I opened the battery compartment, there was indeed moisture. Now the camera does not function, the monitor is fogged, as though water had entered the body. I must repeat that we only submerged the camera slightly below the surface, much less than the 1.5 meters advertised, and that we are very careful with our equipment.

I am returning this model as it is under warranty. asking that Pentax look into these defects that many of us have noted. We are eagerly awaiting their response.

don't know why i did not get one earlier

Pentax has a professional lens system flush mounted in a waterproof digital camera. ISO 800 shutter speed.. Wow..! You will not need a view finder. Even in Mexico's brightest sun, I was able to see the display no problem. It has a filtered directional screen for that purpose. Great icons in the menus make this camera easy to navigate. Simple design, simply excellent. Stop wasting your time and just get one.

I had the camera for less than a week and the shutter release and zoom control went out. I sent it into to Pentax service and they claimed the warrantee was violated because sand got into the battery compartment. There was nothing wrong with the battery or power when I sent it in. Plus the thing is supposed to be sand and water proof. They don't do a lot to convince you that they just violated the warantee because they used cheap parts and they want to stick you with the cost of repair.

Outside the water the camera performs ok. Underwater photos suck unless you're shooting in a clear well-lit swimming pool. The big thing is it doen't perform as advertised — water and sand resistent and they will rip you off if their cheap components break and claim you invalidated your warantee. Pentax does not stand by their products. Buyer beware.

Makes no sense, when a camera seemingly made especially for WATER & SUN where one should expect problems and there is with glare on the screen when trying to take pictures especially looking at the screen from either side not from straight on, you would think they could have a view finder to look through, but NO ??? Otherwise good little camera !!!