1. 12.1-megapixel resolution image sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 19-inch prints
2. Coldproof design endures sub-freezing temperatures of 14 degrees Fahrenheit
3. Widescreen, HD movie capture that records resolutions up to 1280 x 720 pixels at full-speed 30fps
4. 2.5-inch LCD monitor; Pixel Track Shake Reduction (SR) ensures sharp images in any lighting condition
5. Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Editorial Review :

The Pentax Optio W80's waterproof design withstands depths of up to 16 feet (5 meters) to protect from rain and spills, as well asallowing full underwater photos and video for up to two hours. On dry land, the rugged,shockproof design protects against drops of up to 3.3 feet to protect the camera from hard useand occasional spills. Also featuring 12.1 megapixels, a 5x internal optical zoom (equivalentto 28-140mm), a slim one-inch body, and a wide angle 28mm lens, the Optio W80 offers anexpanded perspective that is ideal for landscape, group and more confined shots. With a Pentax-developed imaging engine and a high-performance Pentax zoom lens, the OptioW80 delivers brilliant, high-quality images with well-defined details. A Super Protect (SP)coating applied to the mineral crystal cover of the internal zoom lens helps repel water, grimeand finger marks.

Customer Review :

Pics a little grainy but fantastic weatherproofing

Interior pictures tend to be a little grainy and the anti-shake function does not work very well which can lead to fuzzy pictures so not recommended for high quality picture-taking but the camera is weather proof and can take a hell of a beating which makes it perfect for family travel anywhere

Rating :

Great!...and Not So Great!...

I've had this camera 2 weeks now and am not really sure how to review it. It seems to really struggle taking basic photos - I'm talking about kids-sitting-on-couch type stuff. The photos are out of focus, poorly colored, noisey and frankly often unacceptable. I was ready to send it back, but decided to play around a little more and took a video. It was fantastic! Perfect focus, great quality, etc. This didn't seem to make sense, so played around with the settings and was able to get it to take decent pics some of the time - but the strange thing is that in "Auto Pic" mode on the highest quality with the highest MP setting the photos are generally lousy. Go figure. The kids took it in the pool (set to "Underwater") and the photos are GREAT. We tried this both at night and in the daytime with the same results. GREAT UNDERWATER PICS!! They got out of the pool (night) and took some more and most of the pics were terrible. I bought this to use boating and snorkeling and it's not our primary camera for "normal" photography so in that regard I've decided to keep it. I WOULD NOT recommend it as your primary camera since it often has poor quality photos on typical snapshots - but for the hard stuff and underwater stuff the quality is quite good. (Really makes no sense - I know!)

Rating :

Best in a limited field

I need compact, waterproof cameras for kayaking and there aren't many choices. The Optio series has been my go-to camera.

Generally, it fills the bill. The major irritation of this version is that the flash pops up when you turn the camera on, whether it's required or not. Other than that, the case isn't very grippy and I would like a lens window coating that sheds water (if it isn't sunny and windy out, takes a while to clear water droplets). On older models, you simply double tapped the trash button to clear all images. On the 80, you have to navigate through the menu. The autofocus for long zooms doesn't function well.

But, it is almost the only game in town and gets the job done.

Rating :

awesome camera

The camera takes great pictures as long as you have it on the right settings. The battery lasts for a long time which is a major plus for trips. I spent a week in Panama and only charged it once toward the end of the week. The internal zoom works great. The only problem I've had is that sometimes after it's been on for a while it freezes up so i have to pop out the battery to turn it off and on again.

Rating :

Good choice

I bought this for my teen-age daughter who takes her camera everywhere. The underwater pix are so much better than I expected, and it does a good job above water too. She loves the on-board special effects. I love the fact that it's more sturdy than most digital cameras, especially the one with the "eyelid" style powered lens covers and the "pop-out" optic system. Those are usually the first things to break. Everything on the outside is fixed in place.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 12.1 megapixel CCD
2. 720p high-definition video at 30 fps
3. Wide-angle, 5x optical zoom lens (28?140mm equivalent)
4. 2.7" LCD display
5. Art gallery inspired aesthetics with an ultra slim design

Editorial Review :

PENTAX 16501 12.1 Megapixel Optio H90 Digital Camera (Ceramic White)

Customer Review :

The Pentax Optio H90 / a delightful digital point & shoot camera.

The Pentax Optio H90 is my eighth digital camera. I've been shooting digital since 2003 and have owned several Fujifilm and one Samsung. I still own a Fuji 8mp and a Samsung 12mp. This background is so that you know I've purchased and learned to use a number of digicams.

The Optio H90 is a wonderful little camera. It has great product design and is easy to hold and use. It has the softest shutter of any camera I've ever owned and that is a plus. The controls are very well laid out. It's internal menus are the easiest, most logical and well thought out of any I've ever looked at or used. There is surprising depth to what this camera can do. My favorite feature is what Pentax calls "Memory." This function allows you to set and have the camera remember, each time you turn it on, an extensive list of settings. The coolest of these items is the ability to zoom the camera to any focal length and have the H90 recall it. So if between the 28 - 140mm (35 equivalent) focal lengths you'd like to maybe start around a 50mm lens equivalent, you can do it. There is also a "Green Button" that allows you to take your favorite variable function and bring it out of the menu and onto the green button. I use mine to bracket exposures.

The photos are of very good quality, but perhaps just a bit soft in low light. Pentax has a post shot stabilization system, Pixel Track SR, that actually works quite well. There is a slight delay when it functions, but no more so that other cameras "fix" computations. The menu and mode functions offer an enormous variety of settings. The "OK" button sets what information you can see on the LCD screen. You just push it to see more or less information. The Optio H90 comes is three color varieties, I got the silver and ceramic white job, a very clean looking product. The screen is quite good, even in bright sunlight, but you will probably want to brighten it some to shoot is direct sun. The camera doesn't have an automatic brightness mode. It's very reasonably priced, as well.

Of course, it's not perfect. I wish it had a bit more battery life, it's about average for its class I would say. In the review mode the lens does not retract. I wish it would, in order to protect against accidental touching of the lens or possible damage. The camera batteries don't charge in the camera. That would be nice, too. I bought a $6 SD/USB reader and upload photos to my Macs using it, thereby saving a bit of battery life.

My conclusion is that the Pentax Optio is a great camera for beginners through advanced amateur photographers. It is a camera you'll want to keep on your person at all times. The H90 delivers quality images in a huge varietiy of shooting situations. I've taken great macro photos as well as scenics with it. I recommend it to anyone looking for a reasonably priced and very capable digital camera.

Rating :

Cool camera & a good value

This is a very appealing little camera. For about $120 there are features not found in much more expensive cameras, plus the design is clean with upbeat colors. It's also the lightest camera I've ever owned; it weighs less than my phone.

A few nice things I want to mention:

- Flash photos look great, with beautiful color and exposure. I'm constantly surprised by how well it does. I have a $1,200 camera whose built-in flash can't match it without careful attention to settings. For the H90, just put it on auto and shoot away.

- It corrects distortion automatically, so curved walls and doorways shot at wide angle will look straight. Unfortunately the correction is not live, so you see the distortion when framing, then the corrected image on the LCD right after the shot (which can be weird).

- It corrects for purple fringing and chromatic aberration, which if you're not familiar with the terms, means that the blue/red/purple/yellow lines you see around highlights in most digital photos is cleaned up, so the images look more like film in that respect.

- It corrects for highlights and shadows to help prevent blowout in high-contrast scenes.

- Amazingly, it has pixel mapping. If you get a white or colored dot in every photo (a dead pixel) you can run this feature and the camera will "map" it out, essentially repairing it. Very few cameras have this; usually, you have to send it to the manufacturer to have this problem fixed.

- The LCD is actually crisp and very nice.

At this price, there are downsides of course. The main problem is image noise. The sensor is so tiny that at any setting above ISO 200 photos begin looking like sandpaper, losing detail. This is a concern for me, so I keep the ISO as low as possible at all times. In program mode this is limited to 160, but in auto mode you can go down to 80 (which is strange, this should be the opposite). Having to do this causes another problem: since the camera has no true image stabilization, it becomes very tough to get sharp photos in low light, or even in shady areas. I manage to get around this with some careful hand holding and bracing against various objects, something I mastered during years of Canon Elph ownership from 2001-2005. Sometimes this actually leads to more interesting photos, but sometimes you just can't get the shot.

Still, I have a lot of fun with the H90. It's a pleasure to use and I enjoy the challenge of squeezing the best photos I can out of it.

Rating :

Pentax Perfect

Camera arrived as scheduled. Very nice unit, well made, everything included ready to go!
Easy to use, with all the expected and advertised features. Pentax offers a great value for all photo buffs. Compact, light weight, good quality excellent optics.
g

Rating :

1. 12.1 megapixel CCD
2. 720p high-definition video at 30 fps
3. Wide-angle, 5x optical zoom lens (28?140mm equivalent)
4. 2.7" LCD display
5. Art gallery inspired aesthetics with an ultra slim design

Editorial Review :

PENTAX 16522 12.1 Megapixel Optio H90 Digital Camera (Matte Black)

Customer Review :

Pentax Optio H90

I read a mediocre review on this camera and I have to strongly disagree with the reviewer. Having had several Canon point and shoots I was looking for a small camera that would take very nice pictures and had high definition video. I also wanted a camera that was very small. Knowing that no small point and shoot could take the place of a DSLR I expected some compromises.
The H90 is a new camera and was introduced only in January 2010. Before buying it I could find no reviews on the internet by any consumer who had actually bought and used the camera. All I could find were press releases that repeated the company description of the camera features.
Since buying this camera I have taken many pictures and videos under various conditions. The clarity and color of the photos I am getting is truly amazing. This includes landscapes, portraits and suprisingly to me macro and super macro shots (which I haven't seen on other compact cameras). I have taken close ups of insects, flowers and other objects that could be in a professional photo journal. The shooting modes and other features are easily and quickly changed by intuitive screen icons. With a 4GB SDHC card there is plenty of memory for pictures and videos. The simple rectangular shape makes it a camera you can slide comfortably into your shirt or coat pocket. The camera housing feels solid. Playback to a TV or computer is very easy. Battery life is good but I suggest you carry a charged spare if you plan on a full day of picture taking.
For a small pocket camera the Optio H90 is an incredible feat of engineering. Pentax has been around a long time but isn't carried in many stores. My roomate in the 70's had a Pentax and swore by it but I hadn't paid much attention to the brand. I was attracted to this particular camera by the number of features for the price. For $180 I feel like I have gotten one of the best deals ever on a camera. I have never owned a Pentax before but this little camera has impressed me to the point that I will make my next DSLR purchase from Pentax. And by the way, the owner's manual is extensive and is only written in English. It is refreshing to have something to hold in your hand to read and that is comprehesnive.
I am putting a few of the photos in the image gallery for all to see. These pictures were taken at a state park while I was really just experimenting with and getting used to the camera. I have not put my best pictures in the gallery because I intend to copyright them. I am amazed when I look at these photos. They rival pictures I have taken with my old Canon SLR using some very expensive lenses.
This is a great little camera and well worth the price.


Rating :

Not bad, but not a keeper

This is a darn cute camera and it's a great price, however a camera should be more than that... it should take good pictures -- unfortunately, this one does not.

I bought this camera after reading a few online reviews -- to replace an ailing Samsung NV10 which has terrible video quality and a sensor cursed with noise. While not a primary function, sometimes, it's nice to shoot a video now and again. The Pentax does excel here -- the video isn't HD-quality, but it's large enough and the sound quality is decent (whereas the Samsung was neither).

However, in a picture-to-picture comparison, the ailing 10MP Samsung sensor/lens is far better/sharper than the Pentax at 12MP. The Pentax pictures -- at any resolution and in any mode -- seemed to have a strange "soften" filter applied... to the point that they were painful to view full-size. The images just weren't sharp -- inside, outside, anywhere. I'll try to attach images in the "customer's image" area for viewing.

So, long story short... this one's going back to Amazon and I'll be looking at ponying up for a better, more expensive camera... The Pentax has its place, just not in my pocket.

Rating :

1. Pentax Optio W90 12.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Zoom
2. Features 16 Gigabyte SDHC Secure Digital Memory Card
3. D-LI88 Rechargeable Lithium ion Replacement Battery
4. Well Padded Digital Camera Carrying Case with Pockets and Strap
5. Flexible Legged Mini Table Tripod

Editorial Review :

Adventure photography doesn't get any better than this. The rugged Optio W90 offers photographic performance, innovative features and style that surpass other outdoor compact digital cameras now available on the market. * Waterproof to 20 feet for reliable underwater photography * Shockproof to 4 feet withstanding the rigors of extreme use * Coldproof to sub-freezing temperatures for use in wintery, snowy activities * 12.1 megapixel sensor and wide angle 5x optical zoom (28-140mm equivalent) * Digital Microscope mode with LED lens lighting perfectly captures the smallest and closest macro subjects as near as 1cm from the camera * 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 such as Picasaweb, Flickr, Facebook and YouTube. (Eye-fi cards sold separately.) * Large 2.7-inch LCD with 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio that is easy to view in strong light or underwater * Capture movies in widescreen 720p HD video at 30 frames per second An HDMI port plays back beautiful high-resolution imges and video on HDTVs * Advanced Pixel Track Shake Reduction captures blur-free images in any lighting Fast Face Detection, Smile Capture, Blink Detection, and processing modes specifically designed for portraiture, and new Pet Recognition captures up to 3 pre-programmed pet faces in memory * Infrared remote control compatibility with new waterproof Remote Control WP, as well as other Pentax infrared remotes * Autofocus assist lamp helps to quickly and accurately focus, even in challenging lighting.
++PLUS++ 16GB Deluxe Accessory Kit: 16 Gigabyte SDHC Secure Digital Memory Card - Secure Digital USB Card Reader - Memory Card Wallet - D-LI88 Rechargeable Replacement Battery - Camera Case w/Pockets & Strap - Lens Care & Cleaning Kit - LCD Screen Protectors - Flexible Mini Tripod - BONUS!! Floating Foam Camera Strap - FREE 25 Quality Prints.

Customer Review :

No review yet

1. 10.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 19-inch prints
2. Waterproof performance allows underwater photography up to five feet
3. 5x optical zoom; Intelligent Zoom function extends the zoom range up to approximately 28.5x
4. Widescreen HD movie recording at 30fps
5. Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Editorial Review :

The water and dustproof Optio WS80 is a perfect choice for families, travel, and outdoor activities. Featuring a 10 megapixel CCD and a 5X internal optical zoom housed in a slim, palm-sized body that is less than an inch thick, the Optio WS80 has a large 2.7 inch LCD with 230,000 dot resolution for easy composition. Capture images up to five feet underwater or shoot HD video up to 720p at a full-speed 30 frames per second. Available in bold, fun colors, the WS80 features Fast Face Detection, Smile Capture, Shake Reduction, and an Auto Picture for more beautiful images in any setting.

Customer Review :

Amazing value

Amazing value. Family currently uses four other cameras, three Kodaks (one a point and shoot) and a Canon. Bought this as a take along for outdoor activities, have no complaints about portability, durability or picture quality. Nearest comparable camera was over twice the price.

Rating :

Pretty sweet!

i got this camera a couple of months ago and i love it! the only issue i have with it it that it can only go 5 feet underwater which is pretty wimpy!
i love all of the different settings programed on the camera. also the video recourding lasts only about 7-10 seconds. i would recommend this camera to someone looking to take pictures just in a swimming pool, not to a diver who would like to take deep underwater pictures.

Rating :

Nice little camera, noisy picture quality....

Some background so you know where this review is coming from...

I'm a semi-pro photographer, which means I've sold some work (mainly those kind of high-end greeting cards you buy that come wrapped in individual cellophane, "nature" images..) but don't make enough money off it to quit my day job.

I've been through many cameras in my life. In film, started with Canon SLR's (AE-1, then A-1), switched to Nikon 20 years ago (FM2, multiple N8008 bodies), have also owned medium format (Rolleicord, Yashica, Mamiya 645..) Current outfit is much simplified - a Nikon D80 digital SLR with a bunch of lenses...

Have also owned lots of digital point and shoots - from the Sony Mavica (remember saving to floppy disc?) through some Sonys and Canons.

My latest Canon point-and-shoot (the one my wife uses) died recently, and since we live near the beach and have a pool (and three small children who shoot pictures) I thought I'd get something waterproof as well as small. Did not want to spend a lot of money on that - I have enough money in cameras, thank you very much - and it looked like the Pentax fit the bill.

Oops.

Although the Pentax seems like it might be a good camera for some people, for me picture quality is paramount. If the camera doesn't take good pictures, you might as well not take them.

Pentax did a good job with exposure (with and without flash) but despite the megapixel count the final image was always "noisy" - a grainy-looking effect, noticeable without an extreme amount of magnification. I tested this under every condition I could think of - bright sunlight, shade, indoors with flash, and with the camera at every setting (ISO and picture size) that I could think of. Same result.

I did NOT test the underwater capabilities of it. Given that it could not produce acceptable pictures for me above water and I was going to return it (which I did) I didn't want to risk having something happen to it in the water.

Now... one might think "that's just the way small cameras are" but I've tested multiple "non-underwater" cameras in the same price range and they take MUCH better pictures. For example, I've replaced this with a Canon SD780IS and it's flawless...

So... again, the picture quality is not AWFUL, I'm sure if your only purpose is to post pictures on Flickr or print 4x6's (or 5 x 7's, maybe) most normal people would not be able to see what I'm talking about, but if you're a somewhat fanatical photographer I can't recommend this one.

Perhaps it's a side effect of the underwater nature of it, I've seen similar reviews that suggest if you go to a higher end UW camera the picture quality gets better, but for me I was not willing to spend twice as much to find out - we'll just have to keep the kids away from our Canon at the beach and pool.

Again, if you're looking for an inexpensive camera that's supposed to be waterproof and aren't too picky about picture quality (if camera phone pictures look good to you!) then this might be the one, but not for me...



Rating :

Great Camera!

This camera is truely amazing. For the price it is great! We went on a 7 day cruise and I took it snorkling for hours everyday. It took amazing pictures, was waterproof as stated and it is so small and portable. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone!

Rating :

Nice compact camera

I really like it. It's quite small and light. Picture quality is is normal inside the building but really nice outside. I can't compare it with Canon or Sony (high quality, but heavy and expensive cameras).... But if you're looking for small, slim, 10 MP camera for less than 200$ (it's really waterproof)... I can't suggest anything else.

Rating :

More reviews...