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Digital camera review (Pentax Optio WP/WPi) , we actually used this camera!
Summary: The Pentax Optio WP/WPi digital camera is a favorite of one of our panel of users. "I took it everywhere," said Rick. "The beach, the pool, I even shot video clips of my kids coming down the water slide and going under the water," he continued.
Pentax is presently notifying retailers that the WP is no longer in production and is in limited supply. The WPis are now available nationwide.
New digital cameras are introduced into the
marketplace daily. Manufacturers present camera models that are
updated, improved and megapixelized for your convenience.
At PORTRAITSECRETS,
we keep an eye on the marketplace. As useful new products catch our
eye, we tell you about them. Our feeling is that cameras are tools,
used to advantage by creative people. So, we seek out the good tools,
use them and get the word to you. Yes, we actually use the cameras!  | | The Pentax Optio WP (WPi) is a multi-purposed digital camera that is great to use everywhere, including the swimming pool. Photo by Pentax |
The Pentax Optio WP/WPi digital camera is a
favorite of one of our panel of users. "I took it everywhere,"
said Rick. "The beach, the pool, I even shot video clips of my
kids coming down the water slide and going under the water," he
continued.
Rick, a vice president at Provident Camera in
Cincinnati, could have taken another camera with more features, but the
Pentax WP (water-resistant), offered the features he needed without
sacrificing resulution. The 5 megapixel CCD, 6 megapixels in the
updated Wpi model, provided plenty of information that allowed quality
enlargements.  | | In a black and white print, converted from color, the detail shows in the self-portrait under four feet of water using the built-in flash. |
The pocket-sized Optio WP (WPi) at 4 inches wide, 2 inches
high and just less than one inch thick weighs only 4.2 ounces. A Class
8 underwater rating assures perfromance at depths no greater than 5
feet. That proved perfect for Rick poolside and even in the water. That
waterproofing would also be useful for outdoor winter sports liking
skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.
Rick liked the rubber gasket system located behind a
locking door panel that housed the camera's SD memory card and docking
ports for USB and video connection. "It seemed like a good design to put in
areas that require frequent access. It has a real locking
latch to prevent accidental opening and the gasket seal was tight after
repeated use," observed Rick.
The SD Memory Card was a plus for Rick. "It inserts
easily into the slot and it benefits the casual user who might
otherwise improperly insert a Flash Memory Card that uses a 30-pin
connector, common to many compact digital cameras. Casual users can bend pin connector cards if they are
improperly inserted, said Rick. I see that all of the time, with users
that are in a hurry. Kids that use a camera with a pin connector card
can get frustrated and force the card into a camera. Then the damage is
done," Rick explained.
The Optio WP (Wpi) has an 11 element 3x optical
zoom lens.  | | Poolside portraits at play have vibrant color and exceptional clarity. |
The f3.3-4 lens is an optical 3x zoom that gives you an
effective 35mm SLR focal length from 38 mm to 114. The
internal zoom is sealed and contributes to the compact nature of the
camera. These focal lengths are great for
snapshots and even portraits!
The nine-point auto focus system allows focusing from infinity down to
15.7 inches. In the macro mode, the lens focuses from 1-60cm.
A 2-inch color LCD display on the back of the camera
allows image review and menus setting adjustments. The easy to read
menu is a real plus for the casual user. The menu commands are
displayed in user-friendly terminology.
Shooting modes include landscape, portrait mode,
museum, surf/snow, self-portrait, pet, food, panorama assist, flower,
night scene, underwater, sports mode and candlelight.  | | Underwater snapshots of kids at play with the Pentax Optio WP. |
In the candlelight setting, the ISO is automatically
calculated along with the white balance. That setting gives you
the option to capture a moment without the intrusive flash. This mode
enables a photographer to take quality photos when no flash is allowed
such as in a museum or at a school play. Be sure to steady the camera
when shooting in low light
situations.
With a shutter speed range from 4 seconds to
1/2000th of a second, the camera can fully utilize the multiple shooting
modes easily selected from the shooting menu.
A great feature is the array of flash settings from
fill flash, direct flash and even a "soft flash" setting that is
wonderfully designed for portraits.
Rick detailed his delight with the "soft-flash"
feature. "In my business of of photo finishing, I see all kinds
of problems that photographers create for themselves. Overexposure due
to the misuse and misunderstanding of flash is the number one problem."
" You can't add detail to blown out highlights in
the digital world. This "soft flash" feature is a tool that helps any
user be a better photographer. That's key for me, said Rick.
The Optio WP (WPi) features several flash modes
including TTL, that enables even lighting on both subject and
background.
Equipped with a continuous shooting mode that keeps
the focus active, a user can overcome the problem of digital delay. Digital delay is a
source of frustration where the photographer depresses the shutter
release and the iimage capture is delayed, while the focus, aperature and
shutter speed are calculated. Too often, the "perfect moment" has
passed and the photograph is less than you expected.
The auto powersave mode, is an effort to conserve
battery power provided by a rechargable Li-ion battery. The camera
display darkens when the camera is motionless for just a few seconds.
It quickly brightens and is ready to shoot when the motion sensor is
activated.
On the downside, the sealed lens ring has a tendency
to retain water that can leave spots on the lens cover. Those spots can
be seen in photos after they are printed. It is important to keep the
lens cover clean or even to dip it in water to remove the residue while
shooting.
Rick, a PORTRAITSECRETS
reviewer couldn't find many negatives with the Optio WP. He tested it
on his friends and family while vacationing at one of north America's
top vacation destinations. On a 1-10(best) scale, Rick gave it a nine.
The Pentax Optio WP sells for under $250.
The Wpi model sells for under $350.
Some of the camera features include...
* Compact and water-resistant camera body
* Fast boot-up and minimal shutter lag time
* 5.0-megapixel imager and a 3x optical zoom lens
* 2.0-inch color LCD monitor
* 20 Shooting modes
* Voice Recorder and Voice Memo features
* Metering and white balance in automatic and manual modes
* Video mode 320x240 (30fps/15fps) w/audio, length limited only by available memory
* Built-in flash with Auto, Fill and Red-eye Reduction modes
* ISO speeds: 50, 100, 200, 400
* USB Mass Storage compatible for PC and Mac OS
* 10.5MB of memory + SD or MultiMedia memory cards
* World Time function displays the time in 62 cities
* Powered by rechargeable Li-ion battery
* Audio-Video Out for connection and replay on TV
* PictBridge compatible for direct printing
* Compatible with MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000, MS Windows ME,
MS Windows 98, MS Windows 98 SE, Apple Mac OS 9.2 or later
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Good photographs begin with good light. In the digital photography world, the quality of light corresponds to the quality of the photograph. The dramatic light of the early morning and late afternoon can raise the quality of your images. In poorly lit situations use supplemental lighting from the camera's flash in the fill-flash mode.
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Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
Dear PS,
Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
On the cheap in Oregon
Dear On the cheap,
Yes! If you plan to take creative steps in dealing with your images, photoshop and the lastest Creative Suite 2 are simply the best and most efficients image handling programs available. Is it "worth it" to you, that depends on what you hope to achieve with your images. I would suggest the Elements version of photoshop as an entry level position. Better yet, check a local computer store or even the Apple Store an invest a little time in attending a couple of their tutorial classes for a "test drive" of the program. Then you'll be better informed before you spend your money.
Thanks for your question,
Michael at PS
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