Pentax Optio WG-1

usability, image quality, portability, performance, price

78% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

usability, image quality, portability, durability, performance

reliability, focus, shutter, low-light, stabilizer

67% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

usability, price

zoom, portability

50% of the reviews on Amazon.ca give this product a positive rating.

Small build for a ruggedized camera. Good low-light performance.

Our first test camera experienced some water damage. Slow recycle times. Dated, complicated interface.

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Sturdy feel, rugged design ; Bright backlight in direct sunlight, viewing angle of 170 ; Face detection excellent, even on faces in photographs and profile shots up to 80 ; Easy to understand, and cartoon like menu icons for preprogrammed exposure...

Weak Flash ; Recessed power button, difficult turning on/off ; Weak macro LED lamps ; Confusion between menu and playback buttons ; Detachable stand is useful for macro shots, but unrealistic to actually have it when you need it, or it could easily be...

The Pentax WG-1 is offer some nice improvements over its predecessors, with tougher "lifeproof" specifications, longer battery life, and additional LED macro lamps. At $349 or less, it offers a good bang for your buck in a competitive market niche....

There are quite a few tough cameras out there with water, dust and ice proofing. The way they look differs immensely. If the other tough cameras are the Starship Enterprise with it's flush seams and silky smooth hull, then the Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS is...

Weatherproof; Rugged; Built-in GPS; 5x zoom in a small size; Fast shutter lag

Excessive noise processing at low ISO; Poor video quality; GPS punishes battery life; Electronic image stabilization only

There's something to be said for a camera like the Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS that can deal with very harsh conditions without any hair-pulling and heartbreak. We've all had the instant of fear when the camera slips out of your hand and hits the ground,...

Accurate color and exposure; lens is sharp across the frame ; Rugged, uniquely styled body is water, dust, shock, crush, and freezeproof (though see my concern below) ; 2.7" LCD display has good outdoor, low light visibility ; Auto Picture mode...

Photos are noisy and have lots of detail smudging, even at ISO 80 ; Some highlight clipping and purple fringing at times (use the D-Range tool for the former) ; Redeye a problem, though removal tool in playback mode works well ; No optical image...

Despite it's fun features and unique design, I was let down by the Optio WG-1's mediocre photo and video quality, almost useless GPS, and lack of image stabilization. In a sea of rugged cameras, this one definitely doesn't float to the top in my...

Rock climbing types will enjoy the woven web fabric strap and carabiner that lets you attach the WG-1 GPS to your backpack or pants loop. On belay? Belay on.

waterproof up to 33 ft;shock proof (drop test 5 ft);GPS system;easy handling, a lot of scene modes;innovative “microscope” mode for extreme macro shots

disappointing results in resolution tests;LCD screen with low resolution

Good survivability, Good image quality, Good AF acquisition time, Program Auto mode offers manual control

Monitor harder than average to see in bright light, ISO noise performance average at best

Tough cam is tough; Great color accuracy

So-so sharpness; Loads of useless editing features

The Pentax Optio WG-1 surprised us in many ways. The camera exceeded our expectations in various imaging tests, particularly color and distortion, while its design and interface occasionally left us shaking our heads. The $349 price tag that Pentax...