There are two lines of compact waterproof digital cameras which may be a great companion for paddling or any other outdoor activity in wet environment:
- Pentax Optio WP/WPi/W10/W20
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Olympus Stylus SW 720/725
The original Pentax Optio WP was introduced at the beginning of 2005 followed by the improved model WPi, and a year later by a redesigned W10. Most pictures and a lot of movies on my paddling pages are shot with Optio WP and Optio W10. I bought Optio WP as soon as it was available specifically for Texas Water Safari, a 260 mile nonstop paddling race. I upgraded to W10 model for its improved video capabilities.
Olympus Stylus SW 720 was introduced at the beginning of 2006. The next model SW 725 announced in August is not available on US market.
Pentax Optio W20 and Olympus Stylus SW 720 are both compact digital cameras with the very similar if not identical features (see specifications below). They are both great for paddling or other wet activities. There are some differences between them, but the choice is mostly dictated by a personal preference or previous experience with a given brand.
- Waterproofness
Optio W20 can be used underwater for 30 minutes up to 5 feet depth. Olympus is rated for 1 hour up to 10 feet depth, so it may be more suitable for snorkeling, but these differences are not significant for a paddler. I believe that Olympus offer an optional waterproof case for its camera for a more serious diving.
Olympus SW 720 is advertised as a shockproof. I am not sure if I would have courage to test that feature. In fact, a reader of my blog reported in her comment that the camera had not survived an accidental drop to a kitchen floor.
- Image quality
Both cameras are rated in the same class concerning image quality - good, but not among the best regular point and shoot cameras. See, e.g., my my post
Review of 10 Compact Digital Cameras from BeHardware - In Search for a Perfect Paddler's Camera.
Optio is known for great close-up and macro shots and a poorer image quality at tele zoom range. It's macro focus range is just 1 cm (7 cm for Olympus).
- Movies
I am interested in shooting video clips from my paddling trips and racing. Both cameras offer the same maximum movie resolution, 640x480 pixels, but Olympus is capable of shooting only 15 frames per second while Optio provides 30 fps. For me it is the only drawback of SW 720 which I can figure out from studying technical specifications without testing the camera in the field.
- Price
Olympus Stylus SW 720 is more expensive than Pentax Optio W20. The current price from amazon.com with free shipping is $317.14 for Olympus and $262.95 for Pentax.
You are welcome to compare prices in my digital camera shop: Olympus Stylus SW 720 and Pentax Optio W20.
- Popularity
Pentax Optio line is more popular, especially, among paddlers. You can find more reviews, comments or tips for Pentax cameras. Naturally, I am biased towards the Pentax cameras.
I am sharing my experiences on paddling and shooting with Pentax Optio cameras in this blog. Please send me any comments or questions about kayak photography. I can try to answer them directly or explore them in the future posts.
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Olympus offers also a line of all-weather cameras which can survive occasional splashes or rain and are more suitable for paddling than regular cameras. Some examples with different features and price:
|
Model
|
Olympus Stylus SW 720
|
Pentax Optio W20
|
| |
|
|
| Resolution |
7.40 Mpixel |
7.20 Mpixel |
| Maximum resolution |
3072x2304 |
3072 x 2304 |
| Minimum resolution |
640 x 480 |
640 x 480 |
| Sensor size |
1/2.3-inch |
1/2.5-inch |
| Sensor type |
CCD |
CCD |
| Optical zoom |
Yes |
Yes |
| Zoom wide (mm) |
38mm |
38mm |
| Zoom tele (mm) |
114mm |
114mm |
| Digital zoom |
Yes |
Yes |
| Auto focus |
Yes |
Yes |
| Manual focus |
Yes |
Yes |
| Focus range (cm) |
50 |
40 |
| Macro focus range (cm) |
7cm |
1cm |
| ISO ratings |
auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 |
auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 |
| Aperture priority |
No |
No |
| Minimum aperture wide |
f5.0 |
f3.3 |
| Maximum aperture wide |
Unknown |
Unknown |
| Minimum aperture tele |
f4 |
f4.0 |
| Maximum aperture tele |
Unknown |
Unknown |
| Shutter priority |
No |
No |
| Minimum shutter |
4 |
4 |
| Maximum shutter |
1/1000 |
1/2000 |
| Sequence (FPS) |
1.1 |
Unknown |
| Build-in flash |
Yes |
Yes |
| External flash |
No |
No |
| Exposure compensation |
--2EV - +2EV
with 1/3 steps |
-2EV - +2EV
with 1/3EV steps |
| Video function |
Yes |
Yes |
| Video sound |
Yes |
Yes |
| Maximum video resolution |
640x480 |
640x480 |
| Minimum video resolution |
160x120 |
320x240 |
| Frames per second (fps) |
15fps |
30fps |
| Voice recording |
No |
Yes |
| Optical Viewfinder |
No |
No |
| Electronic Viewfinder |
No |
No |
| LCD display |
Yes |
Yes |
| LCD size |
2.5-inch |
2.5-inch |
| LCD Resolution (pixels) |
115,000 pixels |
115,000 pixels |
| Self-timer |
Yes |
Yes |
| USB |
USB 2.0 |
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed |
| Video Out |
Yes |
Yes |
| Firewire |
No |
No |
| Bluetooth |
No |
No |
| Weight |
149g. |
150g. |
| Sizes |
91x58.7x19.8mm |
107x55x23mm |
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Check Price
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Olympus Stylus SW 720
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Pentax Optio W20
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Related posts:
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Pentax Optio W20
Olympus Stylus SW 720
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weatherproof camera
all weather camera
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