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I am getting a lot of questions from readers of this blog concerning waterproof cameras and camcorders, camera mounts and paddling photography. I am trying to answer them directly or with the aid of new posts. I apologize for questions which remain without answer.
Please keep in mind that my personal experience with digital cameras is limited to Pentax Optio W-line (WP, W10, W30) and Canon DLSR cameras (10D, 40D). My first digital camera was Canon Powershot S40 in a waterpoof case. I also own Canon Optura Xi camcorder and a bullet cam, but I haven't used them much since starting to play with Pentax Optio cameras.
Jeff Potter from Out Your Backdoor sent me some questions concerning Pentax Optio W30 camera.
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I note a complaint is that it doesn't have a lens-cover---that seems odd---do you find it to be a problem? I carry cams in packs and such and it seems like it would get scratched.
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I don't have a problem with this, but I usually carry my camera in a small neoprene pouch attached to my life jacket, so the camera is quite well protected. I use the same or similar camera pouch for backpacking and other outdoor activities. Olympus Stylus SW has a sliding lens door at least on some models. Some owners are concerned that this door may be sensitive to dust and dirt.
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Does the waterproof aspect translate somewhat to dustproofing or even shockproofing?
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I am sure that waterproof means also dustproof. I have never had any problems with leaks or dust in my three Pentax Optio models. I suspect that many cases of a leaking camera are resulting from changing battery or memory card in a dusty or sandy environment when door seals can get dirty.
Pentax doesn't advertise their cameras as shockproof as Olympus does, but their construction is pretty sturdy. When paddling my racing kayaks I am often dropping the camera from an eye level to a sprayskirt. Sometimes, it is hitting a kayak deck ...
My first Optio WP has survived a pretty tough test. During 2006 WaterTribe Florida Ultimate Challenge I got a ride with the Coast Guard on the Florida Bay. They picked up my Sea Wind canoe, loaded on a deck of their power boat, and run full speed through 2+ foot chop. There was a lot of vibration and jumping over waves. My camera got out of its pouch, and bounced at the bottom of my canoe during that crazy run. It is still working!
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How is the movie mode? I'd like to do more video work.
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I like movie options in Pentax Optio W10/W20/W30: 15 or 30 fps, 320x240 or 640x480 pixels. I can shoot in movie mode until your memory card is full. In contrast, Olympus Stylus SW have more limited video capabilities. Even with their newest model, SW 1030, you can record the 640x480 video only for 10 seconds.
Most of my recent video clips avialbale on-line were shot with the older W10 model. The W30 is still waiting for its paddling movie debut.
Rambo, an outrigger canoe paddler from Australia, claims that GoPro Digital Hero 3 camera shoots much better video than his Pentax Optio W30 and he is using Pentax only for still pictures. In turn, Hero is shooting lousy pictures. Nothing is perfect.
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I just had 2 stories published in glossy color outdoor magazines, using a dozen pics taken with my old 1mp micro Sony cam. They printed at 4x5". So perhaps the worry about quality is much ado about nothing. Maybe they're all good enough for typical work. Or, maybe there are scary image quality differences I need to know about?
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I have published a couple of pictures from Optio WP and W10 inside magazines like Adventure Sports and Ducks Unlimited. I am also happy with 8x10" prints from these cameras. I don't see any major problems with image quality. There are complains about performance of Pentax Optio in low light conditions and indoors. I don't really shoot pictures indoors, but I don't have problems with shooting around sunset.
On the other hand, Pentax pictures contain more digital noise than pictures shot with DSLR cameras (even my old Canon EOD 10d). I have started to sell my pictures through microstock agencies. It would be difficult, though not impossible, to satisfy technical quality requirements with Pentax shots there.
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I ride bikes a lot and don't always need waterproofing ...
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Well, here is a tough decision. Waterproof cameras like Pentax Optio W or Olympus Stylus SW are results of some compromises. You can find more options, more interesting features, better zoom lenses, higher image quality in regular point-and-shoot cameras.
Pentax Optio WP has made a revolution in my kayak photography. I am shooting much more pictures than in the case of film cameras or Canon PowerShot which traveled in a waterproof housing or waterproof Otter box. The camera is always ready. I can shoot any time in any paddling conditions. I have discovered some new approaches including video and time lapse pictures from a camera mounted on a kayak deck or helmet, shots from a partially submerged camera, etc. I will continue to experiment.
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