Pentax W80
Pentax W80
1
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Pentax W80
Editor's Review
The Pentax W80 holds up the bottom end of the all-weather, waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof marketplace. It's certainly tough, but the image quality just doesn't stack up to that of its outdoorsy competitors like the Olympus TOUGH 8000. You'll be better off skipping this camera.
Specifications
- 12.1 megapixels
- 5x optical zoom, 28mm wide-angle lens
- HD movie mode (1280 x 720, 30fps)
- Waterproof to 16 feet
- Shockproof to 3.3 feet
- Can endure temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit
- 2.5-inch LCD display
- Secure Digital memory storage
- Part Number: CNETOPTIOW80RED
- UPC: 0027075154780
- Release Date: Jul 01, 2009
Shop for W80 Accessories
Pentax W80 Comments & Questions (write your own!)
VERY GOOD (nikos — 07/07/2012)
AFTER 2 years of use, both underwater (spearfishing) and normal use, I'm sattisfied. The underwater photos and videos are just perfect. The only downside of this pentax is the battery and the night shots. Other thatn that, I TOTALLY recommend it.
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Great Camera (Tom — 05/24/2011)
I love this camera. Great hi-def film and amazing macro photo / video capability!
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WORST INVESTMENT EVER :( (I HATE PENTAX — 11/10/2010)
DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not only does the Pentax w80 completely suck, the customer service is just as horrible.
I have experienced nothing but problems with this camera since day one, and what makes it even worse is that Pentax is unwilling to help. They continuously tell me to send in the camera or "troubleshoot" with them over the phone, but neither of these suggestions have made my camera work the way that it is advertised. They need to realize that it is not the user who is messing up the pictures, it is THEIR product.
A word to the wise; save up a little extra money and get a waterproof/dustproof camera that can actually perform and live up to the name that advertisements have made for it.
So, unless you are a fan of 95% of the images you take being distorted, having fuzzy pictures, a less than efficient flash, and an overall horrible experience with your camera, STAY AWAY FROM PENTX.
I recommend Olympus...their cameras are actually worth $200.
reply to this comment
I have experienced nothing but problems with this camera since day one, and what makes it even worse is that Pentax is unwilling to help. They continuously tell me to send in the camera or "troubleshoot" with them over the phone, but neither of these suggestions have made my camera work the way that it is advertised. They need to realize that it is not the user who is messing up the pictures, it is THEIR product.
A word to the wise; save up a little extra money and get a waterproof/dustproof camera that can actually perform and live up to the name that advertisements have made for it.
So, unless you are a fan of 95% of the images you take being distorted, having fuzzy pictures, a less than efficient flash, and an overall horrible experience with your camera, STAY AWAY FROM PENTX.
I recommend Olympus...their cameras are actually worth $200.
Great product ! - read and follow instructions before complaining :) (Verena — 11/10/2012)
This Camera takes great pictures and adjusts almost everything even a shaky hand!
you just need to pick the right mode for your environment. So please don't give this product a bad review because you don't know how to take pictures. Buy a cheap one instead this one is for smart ones and professionals! Great Value for a great price had it for 5 years now.... love it so much that i consider getting a second one!
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you just need to pick the right mode for your environment. So please don't give this product a bad review because you don't know how to take pictures. Buy a cheap one instead this one is for smart ones and professionals! Great Value for a great price had it for 5 years now.... love it so much that i consider getting a second one!
Iraqi Photography (Chris — 11/09/2010)
I got this camera about a month ago mostly because of the shock-, dust- and water-proof feature. It tends to get dusty and "shocking" here in Iraq. So far, this camera has performed well about my expectation as far as taking good pictures and surviving a harsh lifestyle. Definitely a solid camera.
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forget the benchmark software and spend some time with this one. You'll see. ((Patrick L) independant graphic artist — 03/10/2010)
If we were comparing multi thousand dollar state of the art devices to ascertain which had come closest to perfection that would be different. but 2 or 3 hundred dollars for a point and shoot class camera.? You could spend allot more money and get a lot less of an artist tool.
I purchased a Pentax Optio W80 as a replacement for my no longer working Nikon Cool pix E 950. The Pentax images are a little soft "sometimes", but can easily be sharpened in post proc. It produces respectable quality sharp smooth HD Video even in very low light. The histogram is awesome. The only gripe I have is it doesn't have full aperture priority or full shutter priority settings. so it can be difficult, but not impossible to say, intentionally blur water movement. Depth of field can be controlled by manual focus points. Between spot metering - selecting a mid tone, and using the histogram I can meter and correctly expose for anything. This camera can be brain dead point n shoot with good results, or it has excellent manual control to capture strong artistic expression in the original image. Use a light weight easily portable tripod. and be willing to admit that you may need to learn and practice. even if you are a pro. don't let the title go to your head. This is a very user friendly camera. Weighs next to nothing and fits in any pocket. Ive had 2 Canons and 3 very hi end Nikons. Each Camera has it's own character. knowing how to use what's merely good often produces equal or sometimes even better results than having the absolute best equipment. If your really good with your Nikon D.S.L.R. but cant use a Fuji, Olympus, Pentax or even a Kodak to the full extent of what that machine can do? It's kinda like claiming you're a truck driver but can't drive a stick shift. The Pentax Optio W 80 is a very powerful tool if you take the time and learn how to use it. "Be Interesting"
reply to this comment
I purchased a Pentax Optio W80 as a replacement for my no longer working Nikon Cool pix E 950. The Pentax images are a little soft "sometimes", but can easily be sharpened in post proc. It produces respectable quality sharp smooth HD Video even in very low light. The histogram is awesome. The only gripe I have is it doesn't have full aperture priority or full shutter priority settings. so it can be difficult, but not impossible to say, intentionally blur water movement. Depth of field can be controlled by manual focus points. Between spot metering - selecting a mid tone, and using the histogram I can meter and correctly expose for anything. This camera can be brain dead point n shoot with good results, or it has excellent manual control to capture strong artistic expression in the original image. Use a light weight easily portable tripod. and be willing to admit that you may need to learn and practice. even if you are a pro. don't let the title go to your head. This is a very user friendly camera. Weighs next to nothing and fits in any pocket. Ive had 2 Canons and 3 very hi end Nikons. Each Camera has it's own character. knowing how to use what's merely good often produces equal or sometimes even better results than having the absolute best equipment. If your really good with your Nikon D.S.L.R. but cant use a Fuji, Olympus, Pentax or even a Kodak to the full extent of what that machine can do? It's kinda like claiming you're a truck driver but can't drive a stick shift. The Pentax Optio W 80 is a very powerful tool if you take the time and learn how to use it. "Be Interesting"
forget the benchmark software and spend some time with this one. You'll see. ((Patrick L) independant graphic artist — 03/10/2010)
If we were comparing multi thousand dollar state of the art devices to ascertain which had come closest to perfection that would be different. but 2 or 3 hundred dollars for a point and shoot class camera.? You could spend allot more money and get a lot less of an artist tool.
I purchased a Pentax Optio W80 as a replacement for my no longer working Nikon Cool pix E 950. The Pentax images are a little soft "sometimes", but can easily be sharpened in post proc. It produces respectable quality sharp smooth HD Video even in very low light. The histogram is awesome. The only gripe I have is it doesn't have full aperture priority or full shutter priority settings. so it can be difficult, but not impossible to say, intentionally blur water movement. Depth of field can be controlled by manual focus points. Between spot metering - selecting a mid tone, and using the histogram I can meter and correctly expose for anything. This camera can be brain dead point n shoot with good results, or it has excellent manual control to capture strong artistic expression in the original image. Use a light weight easily portable tripod. and be willing to admit that you may need to learn and practice. even if you are a pro. don't let the title go to your head. This is a very user friendly camera. Weighs next to nothing and fits in any pocket. Ive had 2 Canons and 3 very hi end Nikons. Each Camera has it's own character. knowing how to use what's merely good often produces equal or sometimes even better results than having the absolute best equipment. If your really good with your Nikon D.S.L.R. but cant use a Fuji, Olympus, Pentax or even a Kodak to the full extent of what that machine can do? It's kinda like claiming you're a truck driver but can't drive a stick shift. The Pentax Optio W 80 is a very powerful tool if you take the time and learn how to use it. "Be Interesting"
reply to this comment
I purchased a Pentax Optio W80 as a replacement for my no longer working Nikon Cool pix E 950. The Pentax images are a little soft "sometimes", but can easily be sharpened in post proc. It produces respectable quality sharp smooth HD Video even in very low light. The histogram is awesome. The only gripe I have is it doesn't have full aperture priority or full shutter priority settings. so it can be difficult, but not impossible to say, intentionally blur water movement. Depth of field can be controlled by manual focus points. Between spot metering - selecting a mid tone, and using the histogram I can meter and correctly expose for anything. This camera can be brain dead point n shoot with good results, or it has excellent manual control to capture strong artistic expression in the original image. Use a light weight easily portable tripod. and be willing to admit that you may need to learn and practice. even if you are a pro. don't let the title go to your head. This is a very user friendly camera. Weighs next to nothing and fits in any pocket. Ive had 2 Canons and 3 very hi end Nikons. Each Camera has it's own character. knowing how to use what's merely good often produces equal or sometimes even better results than having the absolute best equipment. If your really good with your Nikon D.S.L.R. but cant use a Fuji, Olympus, Pentax or even a Kodak to the full extent of what that machine can do? It's kinda like claiming you're a truck driver but can't drive a stick shift. The Pentax Optio W 80 is a very powerful tool if you take the time and learn how to use it. "Be Interesting"
How good is it at photographing documents? (robbojg — 10/13/2009)
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by James DeRuvo (10/14/2009)
As good as just about any camera. The key is keeping it still and properly lighting it. There's a stand you can build here ( redferret.net/?p=13721 ), designed for the iPhone, which you can perhaps apply to a digi cam.
But to be honest, if you're photographing documents, a scanner is probably your best bet.
reply to this comment
But to be honest, if you're photographing documents, a scanner is probably your best bet.
Pentax W80 Reviews
Pentax W80 Reviews by Digital Camera-HQ Users
- 1.0 out of 5
DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA
(Extreme — 12/07/2010)
This camera is junk. Horrible indoor pictures and the first time I took it into the water, it filled up with water. Customer service is impossible to get a hold of and when you actually do, they are rude. Stay away from the camera and this company in general!!!
- 1.0 out of 5
WORST CAMERA I HAVE EVER OWNED
(Amy Manning — 11/10/2010)
The Pentax w80 is a complete WASTE OF MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have had this camera for six months, and I have been dealing with problems since day one.
A word to the wise; DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!!!!!!!!!
Advertisements may say that this is a top notch camera, but believe me, it is not.
The picture quality is horrible. 95% of the images I snap are distorted, fuzzy and have horrible lighting. I thought that this camera was 12.1 megapixels....I think not!
The shutter speed is less than average no matter what setting I have the camera on.
I have continuously tried to relay my frustrations with the w80 to Pentax, and they have been an even bigger pain. They just keep telling me to send in my camera or troubleshoot with them over the phone (I have done both of these) and even though neither of them help, they have no other suggestions.
I hope that you take my experience into consideration before buying this product. This camera has ruined countless numbers of memories for me, my family, and my friends...don't let it happen to you.
DO NOT BUY THE PENTAX W80!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
