PENTAX OPTIO WPi: THE (almost) PERFECT WATERPROOF CAMERA Jerry Wylie Kayak Instructor & Photographer
Stop struggling with waterproof camera boxes, fumbling around and missing that Orca off your bow, or worrying about losing your camera in the drink. The nice folks at Pentax have produced a kayakerfriendly camera that you can hang around your neck or stuff into your PFD. This little gem is as close to the perfect waterproof camera as you can find.
An optional plastic skin makes the camera easier to hold when wet and protects it from damage and dirt. One of the few things it lacks is a cap to keep water spots off the lens. Also no viewfinder, which can be handy when, as with most digitals, the 2 LED monitor gets washed out in bright sunlight. But these are very minor deficiencies. You can carry the WPi inside your PFD with the lens against your clothing to keep it clean. With the 15 long cord around your neck, just give it a tug and its ready to shoot in about 3 seconds. Although the suggested retail price is $350, internet bargains are as low as $200. But check to be sure this includes all necessary accessories (battery, charger, cables, and software). Rememberyou cant take photos if you dont bring your camera or if youre too worried about water damage to take it out of its box. So go get this camera and then go get wetand submit your great photos for an ACK cover.
QUICK FACTS Pros: (all major) Fully submersible Compact size 6 megapixels Easy to use Cons: (all minor) No lens cap No viewfinder Price: $350 MSRP
Exactly how waterproof is it? Its rated to 5 for 30 minutes and you can actually take pictures underwater. At 4 x 2 x 7/8 its about the size of a candy bar or cell phone. And of course its fully automatic and has all the usual bells & whistles, including 3X optical zoom, video mode, and even sound recording. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is the size of a matchbook (I recommend getting an extra battery for about $30).

Technical Data

Type CCD Digital compact camera with zoom lens and built-in ash 6.36 Megapixel total 6.0 Megapixel effective 1/2.5 Interline-transfer CCD with primary colour lter 6.3 18.9mm/3.(38 114mm in 35mm format) 11 elements in 9 groups (3 aspherical lens elements) 4x digital zoom 3 x 10 Bit Photo: JPEG (Exif 2.2), DCF, DPOF, PIM III 2816 x x x Resolutions of 2560 x 1920, 2304 x 1728, 2048 x 1536 and 1024 x 768 pixels are also available Movie: MOV (QuickTime Motion JPEG) with sound 320 x 240: 15fps., 30fps. 160 x 120: 15fps., 30fps. Sound: WAV (PCM, mono) All capacity data with 256MB memory card (available separately) Memory Monitor Focus SD-Card and approx. 10.5MB internal memory 2.0 TFT screen, 115K pixels 9 Point TTL contrast detection AF system, selectable between Landscape mode (), focus tracking with moving subjects, Spot AF and Manual focus Normal range: 0.4m Macro range: 0.01 0,6m Manual focus: 0.01m Pan focus: 1m (Wide angle) 5m (Tele) Programmed automatic, Picture modes: Nightscene, Portrait, Panorama, Flowers, Beach, Sport, Children, Underwater TTL Multi-Field Metering Exposure Compensation: 2 EV (1/3 EV steps) Sensitivity: Automatic, Manual selectable (ISO 80, 160, 320, 400, 800) Programmed AE electronic shutter 1/2000 4sec. Accessories (optional) Digital Filters Drive Modes Black & White, Sepia, Red, Pink, Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Soft, Brightness Single shot, Series (Standard, High-speed modes), Self-timer (2 or 10sec.), Video and Sound recording (1sec. to maximum memory capacity ) Automatic ash in poor lighting in Auto modes, manual On and Off, pre-ash for Red-eye reduction Automatic or manual, Daylight, Shade, Incadescent, Neon 12 languages, inc. D, GB, F, E, I World time for 70 cities, 28 time zones, reminder function, clock function while camera is off, picture editing functions: enlargement, cropping, Red-eye correction, image rotation, voice notation added to image Li-Ion battery D-LI8 or AC Adapter (available separately) 102 x 51 x 22mm (W x H x D) 120g (without battery or card) 135g (operational) PC: Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP Mac: OS 9.2 or higher with QuickTime 6.0 USB, AV output (NTSC/PAL, mono) AV Cable I-AVC7 USB Cable I-USB7 Software S-SW30 Li-Ion battery D-LI8 Battery charger D-BC8 Strap O-ST20 Leather Case Neoprene Case AC Adapter Kit K-AC8E Battery Charging Kit K-BC8E Code Code Code Code No. No. No. No. 39143 39151
Decades of technical innovations to the highest standard.
With innovative and outstanding products PENTAX makes every effort to contribute to the precious moments in daily life. To consumers this means performance and simplicity combined with the professionals standards of reliability, precision and quality. The corporate slogan for your precious moments underlines this philosophy and commitment to quality. PENTAX is known world-wide for technologically advanced products in diverse business elds including imaging systems (photo/optics), medical instruments such as video and bre endoscopes, industrial products for monitoring and surveying, spectacle lenses, mobile printers and internet cameras. For years PENTAX has been a leading product innovator. In the photo range for example: 1952 the rst Japanese 35mm SLR camera. 1986: the worlds rst zoom compact camera. 1997: the rst medium format interchangeable lens Autofocus SLR. 2001: the smallest 4.0 megapixel digital camera. 2002: the worlds rst binocular with integrated digital camera and TFT screen. 2003: the patented Sliding Lens-System, allowing for a 3x optical zoom lens to be accommodated in a digital camera measuring a mere 2cm thick. The innovation of 2005: The Optio WP, the rst digital compact camera that is suitable for under water usage to a depth of 1.5m.

Flash White Balance Menu Languages Special Functions
PENTAX Optio WPi Fishing for compliments.
Colour Depth File Formats/ Resolution Best Better Good
Power Sources Dimensions Weight System Requirements Connectivity Standard Accessories
Exposure Modes Metering Method Exposure

Japan Europe

PENTAX Corporation 2-36-9, Maeno-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 174-8639, JAPAN PENTAX Europe GmbH Julius-Vosseler-Strae 104, 22527 Hamburg, GERMANY www.pentax-community.com, www.pentax.de PENTAX U.K. Ltd., Pentax House, Heron Drive, Langley, Slough, Berks, SL3 8PN, UNITED KINGDOM, ww.pentax.co.uk PENTAX Canada Inc., 1770 Argentia Road, Mississauga, ON L5N 3S7, CANADA, www.pentax.ca

Shutter

United Kingdom Canada
The manufacturer reserves the right to changes in technology, design, equipment and scope of supply without advance notice. As of August 2005

Leather Case Optio WPi

Neoprene Case Optio WPi

AP013801/FOM 01092005

PENTAX Optio WPi The ideal companion for Pitons, Snowboards or Snorkels.
Experience and photograph all the elements of nature water, snow, or sand. Youll be perfectly equipped with the PENTAX Optio WPi for carefree photo adventures.
Discover a new world: below the surface of the water.
A change in perspective can show you a completely new aspect. What does the beach look like from the viewpoint of a seal? Try it out yourself you can shoot photos in the water with the Optio WPi. Get perfect pictures wherever you go: the roaring cascades of a waterfall, the wild waves on the beach, the drenching sprays of white-water rafting. Water presents no challenge for the Optio WPi. It works under water up to a depth of 1.5m an absolute dream for snorkelling, swimming or diving. Adventurers need the right equipment. Although the Optio WPi is only 22mm thick, it is optimised for extra action. The body is ergonomic and durable. The operation simple. And you wont have to miss that wild scene just because of dirt or dust: the Optio WPi can simply be rinsed off under owing water.
Waterproof to a depth of 1.5m, 6.0 megapixel resolution, optical 3x zoom with interior focusing. The Optio WPi sets the standard for excellence in technology. Designed for your pleasure. > 6.0 megapixel resolution Stylish, durable and ready for anything.
What design promises, technology fulls. Perfection. With a resolution of 6.0 megapixels the Optio WPi is state of the art and provides razorsharp pictures. The large 2.0 TFT screen with 115K pixels presents images and videos more brilliantly than ever. Have you ever captured spectacular photographs in the snow when the powdered snow whirls up and enhances the dynamics of the scene? In these instances speed triumphs. For quick snaps the Optio WPi is ready for action in only 0.6sec. The continuous autofocus assures perfect focus automatically. And with an extremely fast continuous shooting capability, you can shoot at 3fps. for a rapid sequence up to 3 shots. And the numerous Picture modes and automatic features are easily and quickly selectable. Get yourself ready for outdoor action not just for outdoor photography. Get ready with the Optio WPi and youll capture the scenes that nobody else even saw.

> Waterproof to a depth of 1.5m and dustproof to IP58 standard > Large, bright 2.0 TFT screen with backlighting > 3x optical zoom plus 4x digital zoom > Extensive functions for picture and or lm editing > Simple operation with numerous Picture modes and Automatic functions