Pentax Optio WP, W10, W20, W30 camera ... Love It or Hate It!

Sat - August 11, 2007

Pentax Optio WP, W10, W20, W30 camera ... Love It or Hate It!

When paddlers are asking questions on paddling.net forum about Pentax Optio Wxx waterproof cameras they can trigger some heated discussions. It happens over and over again. More expensive and less popular Olympus waterproof cameras (Stylus SW 720 and 770 SW) do not grab that much attention. You can get three types of responses:

1. Happy owners

Pentax Optio W cameras are quite popular among paddlers. Many of my paddling or racing friends are using them. You can find a lot of good pictures and video clips on-line. I have started with the original WP model and, currently, I am using W10.

2. Unhappy owners

They are ready to dominate the discussion. Some new owners are really disappointed with the image quality of Pentax Optio to the point that they are returning a new camera. Some paddlers had problems with a leaking camera. I suspect it is often the owner fault (the newest W30 model has automatic lock of battery door), but technical issues also happen.

3. Unhappy non-owners or undecided

They do not like a lack of the optical viewfinder in these and similar compact cameras and are afraid that the LCD is useless in sunny conditions.

Obviously, a small relatively inexpensive, waterproof camera without a viewfinder is not for everything or everybody. People like it or hate it. I wrote several posts about my approach to paddling photography and some tips which may help you to shoot better pictures from a kayak or canoe with Pentax Optio Wxx or similar compact digital cameras:

The lack of an optical viefinder? I am not missing it in this camera. If you free yourself from a viewfinder you may start shooting blind from some unusual angles, submerge the camera, use it as a helmet cam, or mount on a kayak bow, or invent something new.

It is true that I am spending significant time "postprocessing" pictures shot with my Pentax Optio W10 - mostly rotating and cropping. A lot of shots go directly to a digital waste basket.

Originally, I bought Pentax Optio WP to take it to the 2005 Texas Water Safari and I am shooting a lot from tippy racing boats. I wouldn't take any bigger camera for racing. WP was somewhat smaller and lighter than the current W30 model. And, I still enjoy carefully composing each picture in my DSLR camera mounted a tripod. It's just a different kind of photography with Pentax Optio from a kayak or canoe.

The important point is: find a camera you like and not go paddling without it!

If you have any questions concerning paddling photography I would be happy to answer them (or more likely, to respond in the future posts in this blog).

Pentax Optio Wxx cameras at amazon.com: W10, W20, and W30.

If you're new here and like what you read ...
Please subscribe to my blog feed or sign up for free email updates. Thanks for visiting!

Posted at 06:15 AM

paddling with a camera

Sat - August 11, 2007