Customer Reviews

Pentax Optio WPi 6MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I picked this camera up about a month ago at samys.com (much better price than Amazon) and took it on a week-long trip to the Bahamas. Since I forgot to bring a decent memory card, I was limited to a 256 mb card that I had in the camera, so I took all of my pix at 4mp under the medium quality setting. I found the image quality to be perfectly acceptable and got about 300 pictures and a few very short videos on the card.

Many other people have left great reviews of the camera, so I'll concentrate on the waterproof aspects. I had the camera in the water for an hour or more on each snorkel, typically twice a day, and never had any problems with water getting inside. This is about twice the recommended length of 30 minutes in the water. I don't dive, so never had the camera below 5 feet. I attached a floating key ring (available at any marine store for a couple of dollars) to the strap so that I wouldn't have to worry about letting the camera go and having it sink to the bottom. The camera is light enough that the key ring would actually keep it at the surface--I'd expected that it would simply slow it down on the trip to the bottom. This was a nice bonus, since I could just leave the camera floating while I dove to the bottom to get shells. I'd recommend a closed-cell foam float instead of the hollow plastic kind, as the plastic will eventually fill up with water and lose buoyancy.

In the water, I found the camera quite easy to use, although the buttons could have been a little bigger. The camera seemed to struggle to focus in areas where I was shooting fish from a distance or fish that blended in with the water (like a barracuda), but the pictures came out pretty well at the end. Snorkelers will note that it takes some practice to get a picture of a fish as the camera moves around with the smallest waves and there is just enough shutter delay to make things difficult. I found that by prefocusing (press shutter halfway and hold, with a green box indicating the focused area) and then waiting for the right moment, I got much better results. I couldn't tell a difference in photo quality between the camera's underwater setting and the normal setting. I used the macro setting for some close ups on land and was quite impressed with that.

If you'd like to see some underwater pictures for yourself, here is a link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/turgeon/sets/72057594083368500/ Remember that I used the 4 Mpixel setting and 2 star quality setting to save space.

I rinsed the camera off at the end of each day but did not soak it as recommended and I haven't had any trouble or seen any signs of salt in the battery compartment. Speaking of the battery, I was a little disappointed here. I didn't like that I had to bring a bulky battery charger on my vacation--would much prefer that the camera ran on AAA batteries. I found battery life to be so-so. I could go about one full day, taking lots of pictures, then editing out all the bad ones, shooting videos, and keeping the camera on for hours at a time. But if I didn't charge it that night, it would quickly die on the second day. The battery level indicator is useless--it goes from full to half to dead in a matter of minutes, so keep the battery charged and if you're going to use it a lot, buy a spare. One other note about the battery--since you have to charge it every night (out of the camera), you can't use the camera's alarm clock feature. This was an issue for me, since I don't wear a watch, wasn't able to use my cell phone in the Bahamas, and had planned on using the alarm. The alarm isn't really loud enough to wake a heavy sleeper, by the way.

All in all, this camera does what it sets out to excellently. This is a camera for active people who want to take good quality snapshots while snorkeling, playing in the rain, kayaking, etc. It's not a camera for professional photographers or divers, but it doesn't claim to be.

I've been waiting for a solid weatherproof/waterproof digital camera for quite some time now and finally decided the resolution might be good enough. I'd been sticking with my trusty Yashica T4 Super (non-zoom) which I've shot quite a bit in thunderstorms and other precipitation-heavy conditions and I didn't want to give up that ability just to go digital.

To be upfront with it, the image quality is not the best. It's 6 megapixels, but there's a lot more to quality than having the most pixels. From a pure image quality standpoint, I'd rather have one of Canon's many offerings. Compared side-by-side with a Canon S550 (granted a more expensive camera with more pixels), the Pentax showed noise where the Canon showed weave pattern in a subject's sweater. Also, I'm used to shooting pro-level dSLRs so the difference in image quality was a bit of a surprise. Compared to the T4 film option I'm used to, I think I'm still bringing my film camera for those more difficult situations because there's just more info on the film and the lens is still better on that camera. Also, it lacks an AF-assist light which would really help in dim situations.

However, and this is important, I realize that most of the images I take with this camera are only going to be viewed online or will not be printed larger than 4x6. I have not yet printed images from this camera, but I think for that print size it will probably be fine. For web purposes, it's more than good. The many options in image size is very handy when you know you're going to web with an image. The sunset shots I took out the airplane window, while noisy, still have good gradation from black to white.

Getting back to the reason I bought this camera in the first place, I'm very pleased with its ability to function in wet conditions. I haven't taken it underwater yet, but I did shoot video with it while snowboarding and found out my skills definitely go down while trying to shoot video. But the camera kept going after being dunked in snow repeatedly. It was also snowing/raining so there was more than dry powder to deal with. The buttons, while small, are spaced far enough apart that I could activate them with gloves on. The screen was plenty big and legible from oblique angles while heading downhill with goggles on. Be aware, however, that the battery is physically not very big and therefore low temps have a noticable affect on battery life.

One of the best features is the green button- it can be changed to access up to four different options/settings. I use mine for 1.exposure compensation; 2. white balance; 3. ISO setting; and 4. green (dummy) mode. So easy to set up and very useful if you still want some manual overrides (since there's no actual manual or priority modes, just different program modes). Without the green button, using the exposure compensation requires going into the menus and changing it but not seeing results until it's set- with the green button, it operates like every other camera, ie allowing you to see the changes as you make them.

Basically, foul weather functionality was the priority and I was pleasantly surprised by the easy and customizable interface (you can change the order of the program modes and the camera remembers certain custom settings, too). I was not impressed with the image quality and it's not replacing my film p+s or dSLRs anytime soon, but it's good for what I need it to do which is largely surviving being on the outside of my backpack or in my pocket in the rain, snow and dirt and still be ready to take a decent image when I turn it on.

This is one of the best purchases I've ever made. I absolutely love this camera. It is nice and small, super easy to use, and waterproof! Unlike other reviews that I've read here, I have taken it underwater. My whole life is water, so in only a few days of owning it it's been under plenty of times. It holds up like a champ!

I also really like the features it has. It has a good zoom, lots of programmed settings, movie mode, high speed shutter, and the green button which allows you to be using one mode and hit one button to be in another pre-set mode. I think that the quality and features are comparable with a lot of cameras that cost as much or more, and it's waterproof.

Beginning with images shot through the window of the puddle jumper aircraft while flying, and extending to the underwater shots of fish and a sea turtle that I've placed in the gallery, I've been impressed with the Pentax OptioWPi. The underwater capability is GREAT for casual snorkelers like myself. (I snorkel once or twice a year on trips and have no desire to mess with a larger camera in a waterproof case.) Care was easy - mine lives in a sunglasses case. I rinsed with bottled water after each dip in the sea, and soaked the 10 minutes suggested by the instruction manual when I charged the battery. I took about 400 images on a week long trip and did a lot of editing and reviewing, and the battery needed to be charged twice. A second battery to rotate would be nice, but is not entirely necessary.

Yes, the viewfinder can be difficult to see especially when you're sitting in direct sun. I found that I could pull my hat down on my forehead, and then shade the viewfinder with another hat for best results. And finally, the ACDSee software that comes with the camera is terrific at enhancing images; better, in fact, in a side by side test than the photo kiosk at a local chain pharmacy. A sliding locking mechanism on the wrist strap would also be nice, since the camera doesn't float. If you're paranoid, you can probably rig something up with duct tape before snorkeling.

If you don't need the waterproof feature, you can probably find a better deal in a different camera. But if you fish, snorkel, beach bum, boat, etc. you'll appreciate this camera.

I get great pictures with this camera and am wondering if reviewers below have failed to set their cameras to the highest picture quality setting. The camera does not come from the factory set at highest quality probably so you can take more pictures without SD card. I do agree about having problems seeing screen when very sunny out and have order folding screen shade to solve this problem. Another reviewer complained about low light level picture results well I have to say you should have read your instruction manual because it has a low light setting that works great with the aid of a tripod. Besides I have yet to own a pocket digital that rivals all the features and picture quality of this camera and can take the abuse of water and sand. If you like outdoor activities that may reek havok on a normal pocket shooter that this camera is for you. I do hope that PENTAX adds a viewfinder window to their next version though.

Read the specs and this seems like the perfect camera for any outdoor sports enthusiast. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

The biggest problem is that the LCD is useless in many outdoor situations. Since there is no optical viewfinder, this is a huge problem. Skiing in bright light - forget it. Skiing in flat light - forget that too. Whitewater - also guess and shoot. Trying to shoot mountain biking friends in the woods - good luck. I can't count the number of shots I lost this year because I had to guess where to shoot since the LCD was no use at all. And the shutter lag that seemed to crop up "in the field" did not help. Many, many frames with half a person or no person visible. At least I was not paying for film!

Image quality is disappointing for a 6 megapixel camera. Color and resolution are fine under ideal conditions, but get outdoors in a less then perfect situation and things fall apart. Shots get blurry and color is poor. Using the digital zoom just multiplies your problems.

The only reason I rated the camera as highly as I did is that it is compact and waterproof. You really can just shove it in a ski jacket pocket or life jacket pouch and not worry about it. Just grab it and shoot. No worries about water, cold, etc. There is some real value to this. Just don't be surprised when your pictures look like they were taken with a "point and shoot" style camera.

If you can live without a waterproof camera, and want want good photgraphic results, look at other cameras.

I've had this camera for about 5 months now and it works great. Can be a true point-and-shoot camera if you want it to be with simple functions, but has a host of other functions with a bit more menu navigation. Short power up time (about 2 sec) but lags a bit on picture capture (again about 2 sec from button press). The 2" LCD screen is clear with sufficient brightness. Movie quality is fair as is movie sound (for a camera anyway). Have taken it snorkelling to 7 ft breifly as well as 1-3 ft for 20 minutes in salt water as well as having beer repeatedly spilled on it and so far is cleaning up well. I never purposely test the durability of any $200+ item, but so far it is holding up well to normal use, including underwater as above. Many of the pictures turned out as good or better than those taken on film, and pictures thought lost to poor white balance or that were too dark were all cleaned up nicely with a digital photo editor to produce very nice 4x6s. Haven't tried larger but with that size (shot in best quality quality at 6 megapixels) I can't detect the slightest hint that it was from a digital like I could my 3.1 megapixel. Will hold 41 pictures per 128MB at that quality. Drop down to highest compression at 3 megapixels and get 223 per 128MB. Has its own rechargable battery, lasts about 30 minutes. I bought another one, not wanting to get stuck without power, but it powers up and down so well, I rarely run it down.

Don't bother with the silicon sleeve for extra-protection. I think it was in theory a good accessory, especially for people like me who will likely take it into some rough places, fishing, rafting, snorkelling, etc, but I have missed quite a few good shots when the cover didn't match up with the buttons or left one depressed and I was left trying to figure out why the zoom isn;t working or the shutter won't depress.
TAKE NOTE PENTAX--- I would much rather see a waterproof case that would allow you to take to deeper depth. I would feel much safer with a water proof camera in a water proof case as reviews for other water proof cases suggested leaking ruined their $400 non-waterproof camera. I couldn't see a little leak as an issue with this camera and Pentax wouldn't be bad-mouthed like Cannon is for ruining hundred dollar cameras when they produce finecky waterproof housing.

I bought this camera to take on vacation in Costa Rica. I was going to be white water rafting and sea kayaking and wanted to be able to take pictures. This camera worked great! I used it in the dry parts of the trip also. It's small and easy to use. I would highly recommend this camera for any active traveler.

So far the WPi has taken great photos, even under water, starting with coffee mugs in my kitchen sink and with the last underwater photo taken off Union Island in the Caribean. It works. It takes wonderfully well-saturated photos. I don't have to worry about it getting wet. So far it deserves 5 stars.

Now for the minus two stars. It doesn't have an eyepiece viewfinder and the viewing screen is nearly impossible to see in bright sunlight... you know, like the light near water. Taking photos in bright light is pure guesswork.

Maybe I shouldn't be giving the camera such low marks. The low marks should go to anyone who tells you that the screen is bright enough to be viewable outdoors in bright sunlight. It just ain't so.

The trend that so many point-and-shoot are following of not including an eyepiece viewfinder on a camera is just dumb.
If you don't need the waterproof feature of the camera, I would look at Canons, or Casio, because they still include eyepiece viewfinders. If you have your heart set on a waterproof camera (good for only 5 feet for 30 minutes, mind you), then I recommend the Pentax WPi. It takes very nice photos, even out of the water, and sometimes you can even see what you're taking pictures of, when it isn't too bright out.

I'm considering purchasing one of the Delkin folding screen shades to see if that helps. My concern there is that it won't be so water/weather proof and will rust. Wish me luck.

Update: I did purchase the screen shade, but it didn't help much. I still hate taking pictures with it outside on a sunlit day, but I love it as a small camera I can use indoors or "darker" days. It is small and fits comfortably in a pocket. I still wish the camera companies would discontinue the trend of leaving off the eyepiece viewer.

A great little camera. 6x gives it pretty good resolution for a small camera. The battery life is good and additional batteries are not expensive. The one thing lacking is an optical viewfinder. The LCD screen is very hard to use in bright light.