Pentax 16 Megapixels Optio WG-2 Waterproof Camera

Pentax announced two cameras to replace last year's WG-1 series - the Pentax WG-2 and WG-2 GPS. Both cameras are pretty-much identical except that one comes with GPS and the other one without. Both cameras are Waterproof up to depths of 40 feet, Shockproof protects camera drop up to 5 feet, Crushproof to withstands weights up to 220 LBF (pound-force), Coldproof to sub-freezing temps of minus 10 degrees C (14 degrees F), and Dustproof design protects the camera from dusty environments.The WG-2 and WG-2 GPS features a new backlit 16 Megpaixels sensor, a wide angle 5x (28-140mm equivalent) internal optical zoom lens, Full HD 1080p movie recording in H.264 format, 3-inch LCD at 460,000 dots with anti-reflective coating, and Pixel Track, Digital, and Movie Shake Reduction to ensure blur-free images and video. It also comes with Fast Face Detection technology including Smile Capture and Blink Detection, and a Handheld Night Snap mode produces a single blur-free image from four images of the same scene. An optional SportMount Chest Harness at $50 allows hands-free Full HD movie capture.

The WG-2 is listed for $349.95 in a choice of Black or Vermillion Red colors, while the WG-2 GPS is listed for $399.95 in Shiny Orange or Gloss White colors. Here's the summary of review by Steve's Digicam:"Our indoor samples show the same high levels of image noise throughout the ISO range, which softens the image. It is incredibly noticeable when looking at the text on the left side as well as in blue areas both from our indoor and outdoor images. By the time you reach ISO 800, all of the sharp lines and details within the image have disappeared. Any settings above that are unacceptable. Assisting with your low-light images is a small, built-in flash unit with a range of up to 18ft. (W) at ISO auto. This range will shrink drastically when the ISO is set to an acceptable level, or if you are shooting underwater. This is something to consider if you will be using the flash often. With the WG-2 in portrait mode, the camera detects and follows any faces within the frame very well. This face detection software also makes it possible for the camera's Smile Capture and Blink Detection modes, helping to make sure your portrait shots are the best possible;  even if you are not ready.

Our sample images came out very nice, with the two faces perfectly in focus and with great exposure. Using the camera's built-in flash for fill, we did not see any redness in the eyes of either of our subjects. If you look closely at the image, you do see the noise again and how it completely takes away the texture from the skin of both subjects.Underwater, the WG-2 offered a very enjoyable experience. Whether you are shooting in a pool or at the beach, the LCD is easy to see most of the time. The camera also handles these situations very well, adjusting for color and light sensitivity when using the preset "underwater" shooting mode. Even face detection worked fairly well, detecting faces underwater; including faces that had goggles on. The only unfortunate issue is the much higher ISO settings, causing a huge increase in noise vs. what the same shot would be out of the water. The Pentax WG-2 allows you to capture full 1080p HD videos at 30fps with sound instead of just still images if the need should arise. It is lacking a dedicated video recording button, meaning you will have to take time to set the camera to movie mode before you can record. Once the camera is in movie mode, you still have a long lag of approx. 1.2 seconds before the camera starts to record after you press the shutter release. Once recording you have a movie limit of up to 25 minutes, no matter what size memory card you are recording to. Our recorded video plays back perfectly on the camera and on an HDTV via HDMI cable. On the computer, the full 1080p movie is a little choppy and the audio is a little off sync.Bottom Line - The Pentax Optio WG-2 is a very hardy digicam, designed to survive anything that you can throw at it - or throw it at. This "lifeproof" camera features a 16-Megapixel imaging sensor, 5x internal optical zoom lens, LED macro ring lights, 3-inch LCD and built-in GPS, giving you a little more than you would find a standard point-n-shoot. While it is stylish and versatile, there is a lot of noise within the images and the battery life is atrocious. With a MSRP of $299.95 USD for the non-GPS model or $349.95 USD, the price falls in line with the other "lifeproof" cameras that we have seen. You might also want to check out the Canon PowerShot D20 or the Panasonic Lumix TS-20 if you're in the market for a lifeproof camera."

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Pentax 16.28 Megapixels K-01 Mirrorless Review

Pentax announced the K-01 compact system mirrorless camera with a Pentax K lens mount and a 16.28 Megapixels, APS-C sized CMOS sensor. Designed in collaboration with Marc Newson, the Pentax K-01 features sensor-shift shake reduction, a dust removal mechanism, 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots, continuous shooting at 5fps, 19 digital filters and full HD video capture at either 24, 25 or 30 fps in H.264 compression format.The K-01 also features a new "PRIME M" imaging engine to assure first-rate movie recording performance in a digital interchangeable lens camera. The K-01 offers a sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, or to ISO 25600 when expanded using a custom function. 

The High Dynamic Range mode allows users to select one of three exposure increments as well as the level of effect, while an automatic position adjustment function assures precise alignment of three images. Also introduced is a new K mount "pancake" lens, the smc Pentax-DA 40mm f/2.8 XS, which is billed as the world's thinnest interchangeable lens. Available in black, white and Newson's signature yellow colors, the K-01 features the designer's autograph logo stamp on the bottom of each camera. It is available for $749.95 body only or $899.95 with the DA 40mm f/2.8 XS. Here's the summary of review by DigitalCameraInfo, giving the camera a rating of 8.1 out of 10:"Is it unique...or odd? Futuristic...or toyish? Bold...or blind? Whatever the case, if you find yourself attracted to the K-01 based solely on its forward-thinking exterior design, then you'll be happy to know that underneath it all is a rather excellent camera. Dreamed up by legendary industrial designer Marc Newson, Pentax's latest mirrorless camera bucks nearly every imaging trend. It's thick, heavy, and looks quite unlike every other system camera out there.

We can hardly blame Pentax for refusing to fire conventional weapons in the war of mirrorless cameras, especially as new offerings from Nikon, Sony, and presumably Canon sometime in the future, reach the already-saturated market. The K-01 is therefore a gimmick, in the truest sense of the word. We are neither qualified to, nor interested in commenting on the aesthetic design at any sophisticated level, other than to say the body is bulky and difficult to handle. Beyond this, regarded purely as a device for taking pictures, the K-01 succeeds on almost every level. Resolution of detail is the camera's greatest strength. Thanks to an excellent APS-C image sensor, plus the very high quality kit lens, the K-01 achieved the second-best sharpness scores we've ever recorded. Speaking of the kit lens, it's a marvel of engineering: a 40mm pancake, no wider in entirety than your thumb, and equipped with a smooth mechanical manual focus ring. Remarkably, you'll find a Pentax "K" lens mount on the camera, meaning the K-01 is compatible with just about every lens Pentax has ever produced. The K-01 is also very useful in dim lighting conditions, thanks largely to its low noise levels.

Even with noise reduction turned completely off, image noise did not become distracting until ISO 6400, though artifacting quickly spiked from there. In fact autofocus is likely to be the limiting factor for low light, not noise, though the system rarely misses.Video recording is also pretty respectable. Clips aren't the smoothest we've seen, since the footage maxes out at 30 frames per second, however sharpness is decent and compression artifacts are absent. Best of all, only the tiniest bit of ambient light is required to shoot a properly exposed video, such as during dusk or inside a dim bar. The lack of any viewfinder was disappointing, though the rear 3-inch LCD monitor is responsive enough for accurate framing and focusing. We've already mentioned the handling difficulties that result from this experimental body design, and also found ourselves confused by parts of the button layout as well. The customizable green button, for example, is so far out of reach that it's effectively useless. Continuous shooting speed isn't quite as advertised either. Pentax claims 6 frames per second is possible, but we clocked the K-01 at only 5.2. These issues will all be natural improvements should we ever see a K-02 someday. We met the Pentax K-01 with skepticism, but ultimately stood corrected. Fans of the aesthetic will be more than satisfied with performance under the hood. The capabilities of this camera are on equal footing with Pentax's top consumer DSLR, the K-5, and with a $900 MSRP, we'd actually consider the K-01 a decent deal. If you appreciate this model's design, or can at least put up with it, the K-01 comes highly recommended."

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