The new 10 megapixel Pentax Optio WS80 features a 5x internally contained zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD, and pocket-sized construction. Slim and visually striking, the plastic-cased the WS80 comes in “his-and-hers” two-tone color options: orange on black, or purple on white.
Exceptional waterproof performance for worry-free underwater shooting
Despite its compact, palm-sized body, the Optio WS80 assures reliable waterproof performance conforming to IPX 8 (or JIS Class 8 ) standards, allowing underwater photography at a depth of 1.5 meters for up to two hours continuously. It also features the PENTAX-exclusive, highly water-repellent SP (Super Protect) coating on the protective glass element installed at the front end of the zoom lens. As a result, the Optio WS80 can be simply rinsed clean with fresh water if it becomes covered with dirt or sand. Coupled with remarkable dustproof capabilities equivalent to JIS Class 6, the Optio WS80 can be used without worry in many different situations where water or dirt can be a major concern, including water and winter sports.
BK camera house sales the Pentax Optio WS80
High-speed Face Recognition, with a range of user-friendly features
The Optio WS80′s advanced Face Recognition AF & AE function comes in handy for casual shooting of people. This user-friendly function not only captures 32 faces in sharp focus and perfect exposure in a mere 0.03 seconds, but can even accurately detect a subject standing diagonally to the camera, or one with a tilted head. The Optio WS80 also offers other user-friendly features, including: the Small Face filter, which makes the subject’s face appear smaller in proportion to the body than it actually is, to produce attractive, well-balanced portraits; the Smile Capture mode, which automatically releases the shutter the moment the camera detects the subject’s smile; and the Blink Detection function, which warns the photographer when the subject’s eyes close at the time of shutter release.
High-performance optical 5X zoom lens
Despite its compact dimensions, the Optio WS80 features an optical 5X zoom lens covering focal lengths from 35mm to 175mm in the 35mm format. It also offers the Intelligent Zoom function, which extends the zoom range up to approximately 28.5 times for even tighter zooming in on the subject.
Trusted Reviews reviews the Pentax Optio WS80 and writes:
“The WS80 is a relatively low cost camera that is built to survive an active lifestyle. It is easy to use, extremely light and compact, and the excellent AF system works well in low light. Image quality could be better, but at least it will survive to take a photo in situations where other similarly-priced cameras cannot.”
Photographyblog writes:
“The prime reason that you should consider the WS80 is its budget price – £230 / $250 is not too much to ask for an easy-to-use camera that should survive most family holidays, with even cheaper online bargains sweetening the deal. Image quality may not be that great, but the ability to use the Pentax Optio W80 in a range of different environments with the minimum of fuss make it worth considering none-the-less.”
What Digital Camera writes:
“The WS80 is a relatively low cost camera that is built to survive an active lifestyle. It is easy to use, extremely light and compact, and works well in low light. Image quality could be better, but at least it will survive to take a photo in situations where other similarly-priced cameras cannot.”
PCW.uk writes:
“Good value small digital camera – image quality is average but high-definition video is a bonus”
ITReviews writes:
“If you need a tough little compact digital for that scuba holiday or a bit of snowboarding, then this upgrade from Pentax is certainly rugged enough, but for the price the overall quality of the images – except those taken underwater – is unexpectedly disappointing.”
PCMag writes:
“the W80 can capture beautiful images, but our Lab tests, using Imatest, revealed a few issues. During our initial tests, the W80 was able to produce decent results, capturing an average of 1816 lines per picture height in the center of the lens, which means images are fairly sharp.”
CNET.uk writes:
“Putting aside the lens issue, the Pentax Optio W80’s picture quality is still pretty average, and its over-reliance on its menu system makes it a drag to use. Enhancements to the design mean the W80 can now tough it out with the best of its rivals, like the 8000, D10 and FT1, but the build and finish still don’t quite feel in the same league.”
RegHardware writes:
“if you’re looking for a camera to use in the great outdoors and, in particular, underwater then the Optio W80 is a good choice when it comes to standing up against the elements. You can use this camera on a beach, up a mountain or below water, safe on the knowledge that the Optio W80 will come to no harm, provided you don’t do anything silly. A pity though, that the resulting images may not look so robust.”
Steves Digicams writes:
“The Pentax Optio W80 is an incredibly versatile compact digicam, with the ability to go and operate in conditions that only a few other cameras can. Featuring a 12-Megapixel imaging sensor, 5x optical zoom lens, and 720p HD movie mode, this camera comes loaded with great features. Performance is very good, while image quality suffers a bit due to the amount of noise present in our photos.”
Key Features:
• 10 Megapixel CCD for detailed images, large print sizes, and cropping flexibility.
• 5x internal optical zoom housed in a slim body less than an inch thick is ideal for vacations or every day adventures.
• Large 2.7 inch LCD with 230,000 dot resolution for easy composition and playback of still images and video.
• Waterproof construction can withstand depths up to 5 feet (1.5 meters), protecting against rain, snow, sand, spills, and allowing full underwater photos and video.
• Capture high resolution, widescreen, HD video up to 720p at a full-speed 30 frames per second.
• Fast Face Detection technology sees up to 32 faces in as little as 3 one-hundredths of a second for easy portrait photography.
• Smile Capture automatically takes the pictures when your subject smiles, and Blink Detection alerts you if your subject’s eyes are closed during the exposure.
• PENTAX Shake Reduction (SR) technology features Pixel Track SR, Digital SR, and Movie SR, stabilizing your images and video for beautiful, blur-free results.
• PENTAX Auto Picture mode automatically selects from 8 shooting modes for beautiful images in any setting.
• Sensitivity up to ISO 6400 boosts shutter speeds to freeze subject movement for blur-free images even in low lighting.
• Fashionable yet functional design is available in 2 bold color options: black with orange, and white with purple.
Specifications:
General:
Dimensions: 3.8 x 2.1 x 0.8 in. (97 x 53 x 20 mm)
Weight: 4.2 oz (119 g)
Image Capture:
Sensor Type: 1/2.3″ CCD; 12.39 megapixels (total), 12.10 megapixels (effective)
Filter Type: RGBG
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions:
4000 x 3000 (12.0 megapixels)
3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
1024 x 768 (0.8 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Capture Speed Continuous: 0.9 frames per second for 3 frames
Image Preview / Review:
Viewfinder: No
LCD: 2.7″, 230,000 pixels
Playback Zoom: 10.0x max
Lens:
Lens Type: Pentax Zoom; 7 elements, 6 groups, 3 aspheric; 4x optical zoom
Image Stabilization: Yes
Focal Length: 4.9 – 19.6mm (actual); 28 – 110mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range: f/2.6 (W) to f/5.8 (T)
Focusing System: Contrast Detection; 9 point AF, Spot AF, Auto Tracking AF
Focusing Range:
Normal: 16″ – infinity (40 cm – infinity)
Macro: 4.1″ – 20″ (10 cm – 50 cm)
Exposure:
ISO Sensitivity: Auto (64 – 800), Digital SR (64 – 6400), 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Shutter Speed: 4 – 1/1000 second
Exposure Modes: Program
Metering Modes: TTL Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance: Image Sensor – Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual, Manual
Internal Flash:
Modes: Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Auto + Redeye, On + Redeye, Soft
Range: : Approx 15’ (wide, auto ISO), 6.9’ (tele, auto ISO)
Creative:
Scene Modes: Auto Picture (Standard, Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Sport, Flower, Candlelight), Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Half-Length Portrait (3M), Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Surf & Snow, Sport, Kids, Pet, Food, Fireworks, Frame Composite, Party, Natural Skin Tone…
Digital Zoom: Up to approx. 6.3X
Self Timer: Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) with audio
Storage:
Recording Medium: SD/MMC, Built-in
File System: FAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity:
Video: Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer: USB 2.0 High Speed
Other: DC-Input
Power:
Battery Type: Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form: Factor Proprietary D-LI88
Product Bundle:
Software: Software CD-ROM S-SW87
Battery / Charger: 1 x Proprietary D-LI88 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory: 33.6MB Internal
Other Features:
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant: Yes
PictBridge Compliant: Yes
Internal Microphone: Yes
Internal Speaker: Yes
Tripod Mount: Yes Close