Pentax Optio W10 6 Megapixel Compact Camera

Not all it's cracked up to be.

Strengths: Compact easy to transport, good underwater photos, easy to use modes.

Weakness: Blurry above water shots, in almost every mode, seals don't function well, warranty service is a fight to get any repairs done.

I was extremely excited to hear about the release of a waterproof digital camera. So I snagged one and, while it worked, it was okay. Tried shooting in several modes and many of the photos came out blurry, even in sport mode. It reports a waterproof rating of 3 feet for 30 minutes, perfect for vacations and snorkeling etc...or so I thought. It worked about 3 times underwater, on the 3rd day of...
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I was extremely excited to hear about the release of a waterproof digital camera. So I snagged one and, while it worked, it was okay. Tried shooting in several modes and many of the photos came out blurry, even in sport mode. It reports a waterproof rating of 3 feet for 30 minutes, perfect for vacations and snorkeling etc...or so I thought. It worked about 3 times underwater, on the 3rd day of snorkeling I was in the water for less than 15 minutes before it filled with water and died. Attempted to send in for warranty repair, which was refused even though all protocols were followed, the company is denying responsibility for thier product. Perhaps it would be best to wait for a few generations of product so that the company can work the bugs out, or wait for a company with a better customer service record to come out with a similar product, because if it breaks, expect a battle to get it repaired.

By kingbill76 - Apr 26, 2007

Good compact camera

Strengths: Versatile, good movie quality, easy to use menus that my kids can figure out quickly. Fits in a pocket yet can be used un rainy conditions and wet snow weather.

Weakness: Lens protection is poor, no image stabilisation thus the digital zoom can give fuzzy pictures.

I recommend buying a small camera bag to protect the lens. Not sure how long the underwater abilities will last for, but for picture taking in rainy weather it should be good for quite a while. I like taking evening pictures and sometimes miss the image stabilizer of my Nikon D50 lens. But overall, I can carry this little gem all around and use it in all weather conditions. I love it, it keeps my...
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I recommend buying a small camera bag to protect the lens. Not sure how long the underwater abilities will last for, but for picture taking in rainy weather it should be good for quite a while. I like taking evening pictures and sometimes miss the image stabilizer of my Nikon D50 lens. But overall, I can carry this little gem all around and use it in all weather conditions. I love it, it keeps my teens away from my more expensive model.

By smoplop - Dec 23, 2006

I love this camera and I recomend...

Strengths: taking night pictures, sunsets, underwater, bugs, and flowers.

Weakness: you have to be verry still to take good pictures.

I love this camera and I recomend it to other byers. Its light weight and is easy to use. It charges fast and gives high quality pictures. I love to take it under water.

By jeanduncan - Aug 17, 2006

Good Features Even Before Waterproofness

Strengths: Macro ability, LCD screen quality, waterproof

Weakness: No lense cap/cover, small optical zoom

I bought this camera with a willingness to sacrifice picture quality for the waterproof feature. When I started snapping photos I was pleasantly surprised. My parents have a Canon Elph digital and it seems to be taking around the same quality of pictures. I've really been impressed with the macro abilities. The lens will capture a very clear image an inch away from an object. The color seems...
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I bought this camera with a willingness to sacrifice picture quality for the waterproof feature. When I started snapping photos I was pleasantly surprised. My parents have a Canon Elph digital and it seems to be taking around the same quality of pictures. I've really been impressed with the macro abilities. The lens will capture a very clear image an inch away from an object. The color seems accurate. Low light captures are pretty good if your object will stay still. I've enjoyed the LCD screen size and brightness. I haven't missed the lack of a view finder, yet. Yesterday I went to a beach with it. I took some action shots of a dog fetching a ball in the water that I wouldn't have been so willing to try for if it wasn't waterproof. When I wasn't snapping photos, I put in in the zippered back pocket of my swim trunks and swam
around. It was great. I got a fair amount of sand on it, but it all just washed right off. I've tried some short clips with the video, but having fully tested the capabilities of that. The video seemed smooth due to the 30 frames per second. I'm unsure about the sound quality. I've found the icon menus nice to navigate. The functions seem straight forward and logically laid out. I haven't referred to the manual much except when I first got it. It isn't needed for any of the normal, everyday functions of the camera. There are a couple of features that I wouldn't have known were there, though, if I hadn't of looked at it. Like retrieving accidentally deleted images. The one major complaint I have is the lack of a lens cover. There's a slightly raised bezel and the glass is recessed into the camera body a bit, but a fingerprint still finds it's way onto the lens every so often. I'm also concerned that I'll accidentally put it in my pocket with my keys and it'll end up with a significant scratch. The other downside is the lack of optical zoom ability. But I think that's to be expected for a camera of this type. I was hesitant to buy and skeptical when I turned it on for the first time, but I've found that there's a lot to love and little to hate. The pros strongly outway the cons. I would certainly recommend for someone who wants a put in your pocket, point and shoot camera with a lot of good features. Oh yeah, and it's waterproof!

By griceprabber - Jul 11, 2006

This camera is great

Strengths: Takes all around great pictures

Weakness: No view finder

I've had 3 different Nikon digital cameras and I still own a Nikon 5700 but since I got this camera it's all I need. I have not got to use it under water yet but it takes great pictures in all conditions. I let it fix red eye inside the camera and it does a great job. For the price this is the best camera I've ever owned. From what I've seen the people that are writing bad reviews may need to...
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I've had 3 different Nikon digital cameras and I still own a Nikon 5700 but since I got this camera it's all I need. I have not got to use it under water yet but it takes great pictures in all conditions. I let it fix red eye inside the camera and it does a great job. For the price this is the best camera I've ever owned. From what I've seen the people that are writing bad reviews may need to read their instruction book. If I lost this one I would buy another just like it. A+++

update :I took some underwater pictures, they are super(all I hoped for.) The underwater movies were even better.

By rwakins53 - Apr 21, 2006