Pentax Optio WG-1 Review

Why is the Pentax Optio WG-1 Camera Model Arguably the Most Rugged Camera Available?

I love to take pictures while I am on crazy excursions; among them white water kayaking and rock climbing. I need a camera that is as rugged as the activities I do; so I had to try out the Pentax Optio WG-1 after viewing a couple of online ads about it. After asking some friends that have the same interests as I do, and trying it out a couple of times I decided to try it out.

I now own a Pentax Optio WG-1 digital camera, and it is perfect for what I need. I will attempt to list both pros and cons of the camera, in order to help others determine if it is for them.

First of all, the Pentax Optio WG-1 looks and feels like a sports camera, kind of like Oakley shades look like they are meant for an adventurer. The camera looks COOL. The outer casing is made of hardened plastic and glass, with curves that make it seem more muscular and rugged. It looks like something you want to take on a sports trip to take sports pictures.

It was very important that the camera I have be waterproof, and the Pentax Optio WG-1 is to 10 meters. It is also shock proof to 1.5 meters, although I have not had a chance to test this (I dropped the camera in the water while canoeing so I can say firsthand that the waterproofing claim is true).

The Pentax Optio WG-1 is a 14 megapixel beast, which along with its proprietary image processor, takes some of the sharpest action shots and pictures that I have personally been able to record. It is equipped with a 5X zoom, which is equivalent to 28-140mm for you 35mm guys and girls. There are 4:3, 16:9, and 1:1 aspect ratios to choose from, and you can also shoot in lower resolution.

I’ve tried underwater movies with the Pentax Optio WG-1 with mixed results. In the daytime, everything is fine. It seems to lose a bit of quality underwater using the Night Scene setting. However, it makes up for this with the macro capabilities it has, allowing you to focus up to 1 cm away from an object. You can easily light the subject with the circle of LEDs around the lens.

Panoramic mode allows you to use a ghost image to help line up multiple images to stitch them together in camera. Not the best I’ve seen, but adequate. The basic photoshopping features such as red eye remove, resize and crop are easy to use and of the highest quality. It also has some fun add on effects for you comic photographers.

I absolutely love the glareless glass on the back of the Pentax’s 2.7in, 230k-dot LCD monitor. This is hardly the sharpest preview monitor in the game, but having no glare more than makes up for it. You never know where you are going to capture that great shot, and being able to preview it without a whole lot of annoying glare is quite convenient. Autofocus is fast; however, steady hands are necessary to use the Pentax when zooming. It is jumpy and hard to frame subjects when zooming in. The “Pixel Track Shake Reduction” offers some anti shake protection, but it is not the best.

Overall, the Pentax Optio WG-1 is a great value for the money. Some features are not top quality, but others more than make up for it. You can get some great shots and videos once you learn its nuances.

-by Khris

Basic Overview:

This Pentax Optio WG-1 has made our list for best compact cameras because its one of the most durable compact cameras on the market. If you’re a high adventure person then you will love the Pentax Optio WG-1. The upgraded designs on the Optio WG-1 were similar to the W90, an upgrade from its predecessor the W80; and like these two previous cameras, it does not lack durability. Pentax has outdone them selves again by making the WG-1 even tougher and more durable with a few more added accessories.

The Optio WG-1 has many new innovative designs allowing this camera to handle just about any situation it is faced with. When looking at the physical specifications of the WG-1 it measures out at (W x H x D): 4.5 x 2.3 x 1.1”, Weighing approximately 5 oz without the battery. Made out of reinforced polycarbonate plastic with aluminum accents, it is constructed for the durability everyone wants in a high adventure camera. The design of the WG-1 protects against dust when you find yourself in some dryer, sandy climates. The camera can also be completely waterproof when submerged up to 33 feet deep, an amazing feature for those who want to capture a great underwater experience. For your snow filled winter activities the WG-1 is also cold proof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a few unfortunate occasions where you accidentally drop your camera, the shockproof design will allow you to feel worry free for at least a five foot drop. The also camera features a new crush proof design, allowing the camera to withstand 220 pounds of pressure; a quite impressive accomplishment.

The WG-1 features a 14 MP sensor with a 5 X zoom, (28-140mm equivalent) lens so that you receive detailed images far or near to you. The 2.7” LCD with anti-reflective coating and a 16:9 wide-screen ratio, allows easy views underwater or in a brightly lighted areas. For your on the move quick pictures, you will appreciate the advanced track shake reduction along with the auto focus assist lamp to catch the shot with ease and clarity.

One of the more popular features for this camera is the HD video recording at 30 frames per second with a mode for underwater movie shooting accompanied with an HDMI port; so that you may replay your memories over and over again with crystal clear pictures. The various modes such as “Fast Face Detection” technology, “Smile Capture”, “Blink Detection”, and the new generation “Pet Detection”, allows you to capture crystal clear vivid faces anywhere from people to pets with quick and easy precision. The WG-1 comes capable to support SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards as well as an Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card connectivity; for built-in Wi-Fi capability to transfer photos and videos from the camera to a computer or an online sharing site.

The Pentax Optio WG-1 is one of the best compact digital cameras for photography that you can own. This camera comes highly recommended. I hope you enjoy capturing memories with this camera as much as the thousands of others who have raved about this camera.

The Pentax Optio WG-1 Highlights:

Waterproof
•Waterproof up to 33ft; perfect for shots while submerged.
Dustproof
•This design protects against dry dusty climates.
Coldproof
•Protection for temperatures of minus 10 degrees C (14 degrees F).
Crushproof
•Protection for up to 220 pounds of pressure.
Shockproof
•5ft fall cushion.

14 MP with 5 X Zoom
•You will not miss out on valuable details.
2.7″ LCD anti reflective coating, with 16:9 wide-screen ratio
•For quick and easy views of video and photos.
HD video recording/HDMI port
•Do not miss out on clear videos and crystal clear playbacks.
Smile Capture
•Shutter is automatically released as soon as smile is detected.
Blink Detection
•Warns photographer if subjects eyes close the moment of shutter release.
New generation pet detection
•Automatically detects the faces of dogs or cats.