Hey! You should know that Pentax has released a newer version of this product: the Pentax Optio W90.
Pentax Optio W20
Editor's Review
The W20 is old as digital cameras go. Check out a newer model, like the W90. Here's what we had to say about the W20 when it was released in August 2006:
The Pentax Optio W20 is a resilient compact digital camera, able to withstand tough conditions and still provide high-quality digital photos. The W20 is graded "Class 8 Waterproof" and "Class 5 Dustproof." To understand what those terms mean a little better, you can click here. Essentially, it means the this camera is one tough cookie. The 9-point auto focus ensures quick and accurate photos, with Face Priority AF enabling the W20 to zero in on people's faces exceptionally well.
Editor's Review
The W20 is old as digital cameras go. Check out a newer model, like the W90. Here's what we had to say about the W20 when it was released in August 2006:
The Pentax Optio W20 is a resilient compact digital camera, able to withstand tough conditions and still provide high-quality digital photos. The W20 is graded "Class 8 Waterproof" and "Class 5 Dustproof." To understand what those terms mean a little better, you can click here. Essentially, it means the this camera is one tough cookie. The 9-point auto focus ensures quick and accurate photos, with Face Priority AF enabling the W20 to zero in on people's faces exceptionally well.
Specifications
- 7 megapixel sensor
- 3x optical zoom
- JIS Class 8 Waterproof, Class 5 Dustproof
- JPEG file format
- 2.5-inch LCD
- Lithium-ion battery
- Part Number: OPTIOW20
- UPC: 027075121577
- Release Date: Aug 22, 2006
Shop for W20 Accessories
Pentax Optio W20 Comments & Questions (write your own!)
monoprice.com/products/prod...
No need to lose the moment because you relied on one card one when several can solve that problem. At the very least, you want to get more than one of whatever size you settle on.
One last thing. Cards have different speeds. The faster a card is, the quicker it'll save the photo and cycle to be ready for another shot. In the end, your camera is only going to be as fast as it's slowest link in the chain. So check for speed when you purchase a card.
Tactically, I think the 4GB card has an advantage only if you are shooting video and don't want to "run out of film".
The other topic with SD cards is always speed of write which now comes as Class 2, Class 4 and Class 6. Class 2 is generally fine except for cameras shooting video at 60fps or 30fps @ wide screen (16:9) which needs Class 4 typically. Class 6 is for RAW and continuous or burst modes.
Larry
Get a case. IKELITE ( ikelite.com/ ) is where you want to start. But there's a few DIY ( web.media.mit.edu/~tim/pix/... ) options out there. But beware, you do it wrong, you brick the camera. And your warranty wont' cover it.
BTW, I noticed that you haven't marked any replies as the "best answer." Are you still looking for an answer? If so, I recommend you re-submit it on digitalcamera-hq.com so it will have a better chance of being noticed. These days it looks like most questions are being answered within a few days. Good luck!
10 minutes
By the time I owned this camera for 6 months, the waterproofing was no longer working well; after using it underwater (e.g. public pools) it would form condensation on the inside of the lens and the LCD screen. I tried drying it out with various methods, and it would be good for a month until it went back underwater again. 9 months after owning it, and shortly after another fogging session, it died. From what I have read here and elsewhere, the waterproofing of this camera is garbage, and that is certainly my experience. I sent it back to Pentax, who had it for 3 months (!) before replacing it with a W30. I have not had a chance to use it yet (I just got it today), but the mechanisms and overall design seem better, and it's rated for a longer period underwater.
In general, I loved the features of this camera. The interval shoot mode was great, an it took pretty good pictures for its price. I have always bought and used Canon digicams, and I still have one that I carry around with me everywhere, but this one definitely has a special niche in my collection. If the waterproofing holds better with the W30, I'm sure that it will continue to do so. If not, then it's probably the last Pentax I buy.
MY RECOMMENDATION: regardless of < 30 minutes or > 30 minutes, don't buy this camera, new or used. The W30 might be a better option, or the Olympus models are supposedly more waterproof (at least to higher depths / pressures) and are also shockproof. I'd buy one myself if they'd switch to a more standard memory format, such as SD.
Andrew
Congrats on all the cool travel locations! As for the camera working in low light situations, the ISO 1600 setting and dropping it down to the wides aperture (f/3.3) will help in low light situations. It will also capture the motion at a luau better. I'm not sure it will be enough though. The flash range on the camera is about 16 feet, so if you can get that close to the stage, you should be ok. They usually light the stages up decently as well (I lived on Oahu for a little over 2 years), so you just might be ok. Good luck and happy shooting.
Andrew
As a general rule, digital cameras and water really, really, really do not mix. It's good that you're preparing for the eventuality of the camera falling into the water, but you want to be very careful about how you do it. Unfortunately, most of the purpose-built underwater housings for digital cameras are specifically designed to keep the camera from floating when it's in the water (you know, so you can shoot underwater without struggling to keep the camera from floating away). I suppose your best plan would be to find some type of watertight container that's significantly larger than the camera, and hope that the air contained within will keep it buoyant. I don't really know of any devices built especially for this purpose.
Good luck!
Those <a href="otterbox.com/products/otter... Boxes</a> do look kind of cool, though.
I have my own kayaking company and use this camera all the time. Check out my photo album site at naturalescapes.ca/ (hit the Photo Gallery button). I attach the camera to my life jacket and as it is designed to float me, the camera is safe as can be. I have a small pocket on the chest of my jacket and it even has a clip to secure the camera lanyard to and it is then able to be used to take photos any time I want or need to. Happy Paddling!
I have the Optio WP and just purchased the Optio W20, I found a neoprene floating key chain at a sporting goods store that floats the camera. Also Swarski (spelling???) sells a neoprene strap that floats the binoculars they sell, its kind of costly around $50 but could be worth the price. I was going to purchase one of theses straps for my camera but found the key chain first.
Key Chain Description- Blue Neoprene about 3in by 1in and 1/2 in thick with CHISCO written on both sides, I found mine at Sportsmans Warehouse.
you can buy them at www.chisco.com
Otherwise it is just a time loading difference not too noticable as you go down in megabytes.
Good luck.
You definitely don't want to take the SLR to the pool (I know I wouldn't). Both of these cameras are excellent candidates for the wet conditions. I've outlined their major differences below in the same order you have them listed above.
-Megapixels: 7 VS 7.1
You won't see a real difference between these two here.
-Image Stabilization: no VS yes
This can help in low light situations
-AutoFocus: 9 point VS spot
The 9 point autofocus can help in taking faster, more responsive photos
-The <a href="digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... 720SW</a> comes with 28 different shooting modes, which can be useful in a myriad of situations.
-Measurements: 4.2 x 2.1 x 0.9 inches VS 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.78 inches
All in all, the <a href="digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... 720SW</a> seems to be a better choice if you want to spend the money on it. With the smaller size and image stabilization, I would choose it over the 9 point AF of the <a href="digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... W20</a>. Good luck and happy shooting.
Andrew
Never heard of it
Talk about hedging your bets
Instead of the Nikon S7c ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ), you might try an all-weather camera ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). The Pentax W20 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) is JIS Class 8 Waterproof and Class 5 Dustproof (explainations here ( opticsplanet.net/water-proo... )). It will keep out decent amounts of dust, sand, and water and keep going. The 7 megapixels will also render great resolution for your photos. Good luck and happy shooting.
Andrew
I would say your best bet is on of these four cameras ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). The Pentax W20 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) will probably be the easiest to find though. It is JIS Class 8 Waterproof and Class 5 Dustproof. Explanation of these ratings can be found here ( opticsplanet.net/water-proo... ). Good luck and happy shooting.
Andrew
I noticed that your question hasn't been responded to yet. Are you still looking for an answer? If so, I recommend you re-submit it on www.DigitalCamera-HQ.com, so it will have a better chance of being noticed. These days it looks like most questions are being answered within a few days. Good luck!
I don't want to take professional grade picks but it would be nice to blow up a view nice landscape prints if i fluke a view good ones.
Also any advice on battery life would be appreciate if im away from power for weeks.
There are two ways to go about this. One is to find a camera with a rapid "recovery" time after each picture. I'm not sure what price range you're looking for or what other features you need, but as far as good recovery time goes one to look at is the Sony Cybershot T10 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ), which has a between-shots time of about 1.6 seconds. The Cybershot T30 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) has the same recovery time but is more expensive.
Both of these cameras also do well with shutter lag time (the time between when you push the button and when the shot actually fires), which will also help you... they both clock in with around half a second of shutter lag, which is also definitely on the fast side in comparison to most cameras.
Keep in mind that if you're using flash the recovery time between photos will slow down considerably- that is pretty much universal no matter what camera you're using.
The other way to address your situation is to look for a camera with a good "continuous shooting mode," or "burst mode," which is a mode you can set the camera to so that it fires many shots in quick succession automatically, without you having to push the button each time. After the series of shots is over the camera will have to take a minute to process them, but this rapid-fire shooting is excellent for taking pictures of fast events like you described.
For good burst mode, the Canon EOS 20D ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) has gotten excellent reviews (it's on the pricey side though), and the Pentax Optio W20 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) is a cheaper alternative that offers two burst modes. It averages anywhere from 1.3 to 3 frames per second depending on how high you set the resolution.
I hope that helps!
Message was edited by: camera?
Pentax Optio W20 Reviews
Pentax Optio W20 Reviews by Digital Camera-HQ Users
- 5.0 out of 5
the pentax optio w20 has been with me where ever i go!!I never leave without it.It takes tons of pics and u can also edit them on the camera.Its a great selection.
- 1.0 out of 5
Camera has design or manufacturing defect that allows SD card/battery door to open in the water. Didn't discover this until camera was 15 months old. Pentax did not acknowledge flaw, but offered to repair the camera for $186.
This is my 4th Pentax camera and 2nd underwater Pentax camera. Will think hard before buying Pentax again.
Would recommend purcahsing "skin" as this may keep door from opening underwater.
- 4.0 out of 5
Either some peopel got bad samples or they really didn't use the camera properly in the water, because that is the best quality of this camera. I've had mine for almost a year. Taken it around the world. Have tkane it into waterfalls, jumped off boats with it, snorkelled for 2 HOURS with it, crashed into big waves in the Ocean with it....exceeded its recommended water usage countless times.
I expected to break it by now, but its still going strong. Had a few droplets of water around the waterproof seal a couple times, after extended use, but a simple wipe and we're good to go.
Aside from the waterproofness, there arer minor image taking issues - such as occasional focus issues and poor performance under twilight conditions.
Still recommend it!
- 1.0 out of 5
I Bought this camera for my wife to use . Unfortunately I used it in the water with the latch set correctly and it did not stay sealed in 2 feet of water. When sent to Pentax for warranty repair it was sent back unrepairable and no reimbursement or replacement was made. This is the last Pentax I'll buy, not because it didn't work as advertised, but because the company does not warranty their product, even if it says they do in the packaging.
- 1.0 out of 5
Don't waste your time or money.
Bought this camera for its waterproof and shockproof feature. It is slender, sleek, and looks good. Expososed it to water 3x. Camera failed!
Mailed it to Pentax (Colorado) and was given conflicting information. Two people said we fixed it and shipped it to you. Two people said it was returned to us and we checked it out again. One person said the post office returned it and it is beyond economic repair. Camera seal was intact, but water got into it! Bogus.
Don't waste your time or money.
- 1.0 out of 5
I recently purchased this camera to take on vacation to Tahiti. Imagine my horror when not five minutes in the water snorkeling at the surface the camera died. I looked at the view finder and the camera was filled with water.
I had to purchase another camera on board the cruise ship. I purchased an Olympus 720 SW. This camera has worked great with no problems.
Please reconsider when looking at the Pentax. The camera is terrible in the water. I am currently trying to get the camera replaced with Pentax. So far they have said it will be replaced immediately so I will let you know if they give me any grief.
- 1.0 out of 5
After many years of SLRs, I switched to a pocket digital a few years ago. I had the ancestor to this camera - the Pentax WR33, for several years, and LOVED it. Fit in my pocket, and I took it travelling, skiing, boating, family events, indoors, outdoors, everywhere, and it took great sharp very good quality pictures every time. But I started thinking it was immune to rpough treatment, abused it once too many times, and had to get a replacement.
WHY Pentax thinks the W20 camera is any kind of advance is beyond me. It's absolutely useless without a view finder, pictures are terrible quality, it reverts to ISO of 400 every time its turned off....I have yet to get a decent picture out of it. If you want a waterproof camera, shouldn't it be obvious you'd use it outside? Of Course! But the LCD CAN NOT BE SEEN outside!!!!
I've sadly come to realize I may as well have flushed $275 down the toilet.
SAVE YOUR MONEY AND STAY AWAY FROM THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE!!!
- 1.0 out of 5
The product itself sounds great, but the first time i used it was on the beach & it broke. I found water droplets in the battery compartment & pentax wont replace or fix this brand new camera. Im pretty suprised as i've always considered pentax to be a reputable company. I'll be more careful with my money next time.
- 5.0 out of 5
own one sine november 2006 over 3000 photos included 500 under sea water and work perfect
- 1.0 out of 5
The title says it all.
FIRST use was at the beach on vacation and it died. I had carefully followed all directions in the manual... but after drying it off and looking it over, I found small droplets of water in the battery compartment. Obviously, the seal leaked. Looked a little closer, and one corner of the seal was not glued-down properly to the battery door... sent the cam back to Pentax, and SURPRISE, they claim impact damage (a small crack in the case)
I never saw a crack... the cam is BRAND NEW.
Either way, whether it was a seal failure or a crack, the cam is supposed to be waterproof and it is NOT. Also, Pentax refuses to stand behind this product. Looks like I just flushed 300 dollars down the toilet.
Buyer beware, very, very risky purchase. I wouldn't buy anything from Pentax EVER again.
- 5.0 out of 5
I have had Sony, Olympus, Cannon, etc. I have never owned a Pentax. I took a chance on this camera when it first came out and there were no reviews yet on the net. I am very pleased with the camera. Here are my highlights that I like about it.
- No moving parts! Most of my other cameras have broken due to moving lenses or Len's covers (under normal use). This camera will last along time if treated well.
- Great Video. The video on this camera rivals all the other cameras I have used. I would use this video for family video all day long. You can also take a picture at the same time you are Videoing. Its great!
- Waterproof (good for about 10 feet) Just make sure you keep the camera clean and battery lid locked!
- High speed pictures and sport pictures. Now I can get the pictures of my kids when I want instead of taking a picture and waiting 20 seconds for a picture. The sport and high speed picture works great.
- Very easy to use and great price.
- Many, many more features.
By far the best overall travel camera on the market. Owe... and it is light!
- Dennis www.binos.com
- 1.0 out of 5
I bought the 5megapixel version of this camera.. I was just amazed with its waterproof feature that I chose to buy this camera.. but I got disappointed when I finally tried it underwater (about less than one meter from the surface). Carefully following all instructions for taking underwater pictures, I took some underwater pictures of my sister for about 10 to 15 minutes, I got out from the water and when I was about to view the pictures that I've taken, the camera stopped working. I went to the service center to have it repaired, and when I finally have it back, small spots were seen in the LCD (when turned on). I returned it to have it fixed again, but when I had it back again, the spots were still there.. so disappointing..
- 4.0 out of 5
This camera is something I have come to love. Although, my opinion may be a little biased due to the fact that its the first digital point and shoot I have owned, I feel it compares exceptionally to many of my friends and siblings. I bought this camera because I needed one that would withstand high levels of humidity (many cameras can fail or short circuit due to humidity). I have had no problems with it what so ever. It is an easy camera to navigate and takes excellent pictures. I plan on using it during a long stay in tropical weather for the next few years, and when I get home, I will probably end up buying another camera that I feel could potentially take better pictures (technology just keeps getting better and I really want a digital SLR), but will always keep this one for hiking, boating, scuba diving and other adventurous activities that I wouldn't take an expensive camera, or where its too bulky to do so. It takes EXCELLENT underwater pictures in clear water. The underwater movies in the "underwater movie" mode are the best i've seen. If the water is a little murky and you dont change the settings for the camera not to flash... your picture is gone as it lights up the murk. Other than that, all underwater pictures have been great.
I have noticed two things that are somewhat irritating. The flash tends to overpower some photos. There is a setting, however, to force the camera to take a "soft flash" and this has almost always fixed it when I think it might take too strong of a flash as it has sometimes done. My other big pet peeve is if you are recording a movie and zoom in or out optically while doing so, when you go back and play the movie, you can audibly hear the zoom mechanically moving. Very annoying. Perhaps only my camera does this. I need to take it back to where I bought it and see if this can be fixed, but if it is a widespread problem, very very poor planning on the configuration of the camera by Pentax.
I wouldn't let either of these things stop me from buying the camera even if I knew about them before hand, however. Such a rugged, sturdy, and durable camera as this just can't be beat for the quality of photos it takes. I'm very impressed and have recommended it to some other friends who will also be spending time in tropical/humid weather.
- 5.0 out of 5
Great little camera so far. Auto settings work great and take good pictures. Good fishing camera. It sounds like their Service is lacking, this is my first Pentax. Hopefully they stand behind their product when and if the time comes.
- 2.0 out of 5
really loved the camera for the ability to take it skiing windsurfingt etc, until it stopped working for no apparent reason. Service blamed impact damage and wanted as much to repair as to re buy. I was shocked that they did not stand behind their product until I saw several internet postings of similar episodes. Like the others there was no impact damage, I believe the camera probably leaks and their waterproof claim is bogus and they know it. The quality of the images is only so so compared to other cameras I have used, the hook for this camera being its sealed rugged construction NOT.
- 1.0 out of 5
I wanted a water resistant camera, and the reviews seemed to indicate this was the one to buy.
I did a side by side comparison between it and my 4-5 year old Canon 4 megapixel. Indoors with flash. Outdoors in shade. Outdoors in sun. Various ISO settings, and a couple of other modifications. The Canon won every time.
The Pentax had poor color rendition, less color saturation, and was many times fuzzier than the Canon. And this was on the Pentax's best resolution setting. The flash over exposed every time, and washed out the picture and colors.
I also disliked the idiot-proof 'scene' classifications, but which allow no versatility and minimal override. e.g. 'Sports' = a faster shutter speed, etc., but you don't get to specify what speed.
I was so dissatisfied with it that I returned it the next day.
- 5.0 out of 5
I bought the Pentax Optio W20 while on vacation in the caribbean. I was looking for an underwater camera and found this 7MP pocket sized wonder that was capable of anything and everything. It has a rechargable lithium ion battery, a flash, zoom and uses SD cards like the ones I use in my large digital SLR cameras. Best of all it is waterproof and is about the size of a deck of cards! I love this camera! The photos are fabulous.
- 5.0 out of 5
This little gigiant exceded my expectations in all aspects. Took it on a trip to Taganga (jungle), Colombia, and the camera����s capabilities impressed everybody. Keep getting advice from others on not to ruin the camera by getting it underwater. Camera is tought, easy to use, magnificent pictures (land and underwater), and very small and easy to carry. Wish I can take it at least 25 feeet underwater. Excellent price for the quality you get.
