Pentax Optio W30 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Pentax's W range welcomes a replacement to the W20 model, with its main feature being its waterproof and dustproof capabilities

Pros: Waterproof, Ease of use, Noise control

Cons: Average performance, Design

Verdict: Pentax's W30 has its merits but is only an ideal choice if you are looking for a waterproof camera

Review summary: The Pentax Optio W30 is a completely waterproof digital camera. The number of digital cameras that can be submerged in water without an external shell can be counted on one hand, and the W30 is listed among that lucky crowd. It has 7.1 megapixels, a ...

Review summary: The Pentax Optio W30 is a completely waterproof digital camera. The number of digital cameras that can be submerged in water without an external shell can be counted on one hand, and the W30 is listed among that lucky crowd. It has 7.1 megapixels, a ...

Verdict: The W30 can go underwater as deep as 10 feet for as long as two hours. This is deep enough for most snorkeling trips, but scuba divers will need a sturdier camera. This Pentax has a consumer price tag and is designed for casual beachgoers and swimmers ...

Review summary: The Pentax Optio W30 is part of a growing line of weather- and dust-resistant cameras geared for active point-and-shooters. It is the fifth in Pentax's W-series, a line of waterproof cameras. The 7.1-megapixel camera comes in a swimmer's body, which ...

Pros: - Waterproof, dustproof - Attractive Design - Handles noise reasonably well at ISO 800 and under - Sturdy locking battery and port compartments - Built-in image recovery - Plenty of options for almost every setting - Good price for a waterproof ...

Cons: - Poor LCD resolution - Inaccurate, undersaturated colors - Limited dynamic range over ISO 400 - Lots of barrel distortion at wider focal lengths - Low light auto focus (no assist lamp) - Color fringing - Slow burst - Complicated menu system ...

Verdict: The Pentax W30, simply put, is a fun camera to use. It will likely find a wide audience, eliciting praise from Michael Phelps types to kids wanting to play Mikey from the Goonies. With waterproof, dustproof (and kid-proof) abilities, the Optio W30 ...

Pros: Waterproof to 3-metres, excellent metering and colour balance, good build and feature set, image quality, low noise at low ISO, SP (anti-drip) lens coating

Cons: Slow tracking AF, anti-reflective screen (still) difficult to use in direct sunlight, no optical viewfinder, slow response, sharpness issues

Verdict: It's pocketable and simple to use but not without some flaws