Comments on: Pentax Optio – (insert curse here)

By: gnarlydog

gnarlydog — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:19:35 +0000

I am not an owner of Pentax waterproof camera but I have used Olympus for some years now.
While I did have some issues with one Olympus model (namely the 1030SW) it got replaced under warranty.
I have compiled a longterm test on some waterproof Olympus cameras here: http://gnarlydognews.blogspot.com/2009/11/compact-waterproof-cameras-long-term.html

And for those that say that compact waterproof cameras can’t take a decent image, I say: “a good tradesman does not blame his tools”.
Short of being cocky, I believe my images taken mostly with Olympus waterpoof cameras are above average. You be the judge: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnarlydog/sets/72157600524255302/

By: Edge

Edge — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:17:49 +0000

I’ve had excellent luck with Pentax. My first was a WR33 that my wife used up until this winter. She replaced it with a new Panasonic (she loves it). After two seasons with the WR33 I upgraded to a WP which is still in use. The screen cracked after I dropped the keel of a an Explorer HV on it during a rescue in heavy seas. In fall 2008, I picked up a WP 60 which I’ve been very happy with.

By: derrick

derrick — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 11:20:24 +0000

Hey Roger, you’ll have to tell us how your new camera deals with water on the lens…

By: Roger

Roger — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:59:07 +0000

I bought a new Pentax and sent it back after taking some test shots. Total junk. I couldn’t live with the photo quality when it was new, let alone after getting it wet and such.

I now have a Panasonic Lumix (waterproof) and I love it. Sorry Derek – no dust cover though.

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:44:49 +0000

Don’t know the Pentax – I have an Olympus Stylus 790 SW (no, they don’t make that particular model any more) that has seen me through fresh and salt water, rock, sand, the dropsies, ski trips, etc etc. The only thing that killed it was husband taking it diving on a Belize trip and (I think) probably exceeding the max depth limit. Because it was well past warranty, I paid the “maximum repair fee” (still significantly less than a new camera!) and got it fixed. I got it BECAUSE it has a lens cover (and, as mentioned, I tend to drop things). I’m not sure if the newer models of this camera have performed as well as this particular one has for me, but I can certainly recommend this one as a waterproof point-and-shoot.