Where To Buy: Amazon for $238.99 (28% discount)The best price for the Pentax Optio W90 can be found for sale on Amazon for $238.99. This is a 28% discount on the Pentax Optio W90. Buy it at Amazon.
Pentax Optio W90 Review
Six months after the release of W80, Pentax unveiled their 11th generation waterproof camera which is Pentax Optio W90. Hoya Corporation Pentax Imaging Systems Divisions surely knows their target market very well, thus they have included a lot of features, and so as we may say “upgrades” on their newest cam. So if you are such person who loves outdoor fun, whether you’re planning to go to the beach and get a tan, or track down the dusty safari, or trek on the rocky mountains, then you definitely were the one in mind Pentax created Pentax Optio W90.
So why don’t we have closer look. Let’s start with its portability. Since it’s designed for outdoor, Pentax Optio W90 is small on its size; it’s small as 4.2 x 2.3 x 1.0 in. (107 x 59 x 25 mm). It also has a woven strap complete with a carabineer so you can simply attach it to your bag and focus on your thing. So, if you’re a hiker or mountain climber, taking pictures is relatively easy since it is totally accessible right from your backpack. Also, additional weight is something not to be concerned of since it only weighs 144 gm, which makes it quite convenient to hold and operate. The design is simple though, making Pentax Optio W90 easy to use.
This product is made entirely of good quality plastic so it’s light, and the casing is rubber so you are sure that your investment is safe against shock. Its rubber casing also provides a good grip. In handling the product, you must be careful though not to put your finger on the lens since it is more positioned on the center unlike other compact cams wherein the lens is at the left side, otherwise it may blur the captured image.
The Pentax w90 boasts a 12.1 megapixel sensor and a 5x optical zoom which can range from 28 mm wide-angle to a 140 mm telephoto. The model has a variety of exposure modes such as Green (which is fully automatic) Program, Auto Picture and other scene modes. Auto picture is remarkable since it automatically selects from a subset of scene modes required like Standard, Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Sport, Flower, or Candlelight.
The ISO sensitivity ranges from 80 to a maximum of 1600 either controlled automatically or manually. But you can achieve images under ISO of up to 3,200 or ISO 6,400 by reducing the resolution to 5 mega pixels through manual control, or in the automatic Digital SR mode. White balance includes Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, and Manual.
A 20 x 27 cm print pictures taken in wide-angle mode at low sensitivities turns out to be fine though it lacks precision on its edges. In telephoto mode, both in viewing the image at print or on screen, the lack of sharpness is apparent. The edges are a bit blurred and the center of the image is hazy. Color is oversaturated; this is in response to the appeal of many consumers that prefer brighter-than-life color, especially bright reds, blues and green.
Being ideal for outdoor activities, with the improved rubber casing, Pentax Optio W90 is shock proof and can withstand a fall from a height of 4 feet. It’s not only portable on hiking and trekking, but you can also swim with it, Pentax W90 can be enjoyed not just under the rain, but you can also ensure that moments under water are captured. You can take it to as deep as 20 feet; just make sure that you have the oxygen on with you since it can last for up to 2 hours on that depth. It complies with the IPX8 (or JIS Class 8) waterproofing standard, which is better than its predecessor W80 which you can only take to as deep as 4 feet. You can also enjoy photos captured on a temperature as low as –10°C, a perfect choice indeed for active photographers who would love to shoot in demanding outdoor condition.
With its Digital Zoom, you can take photos of a magnified view of miniscule objects which is one centimeter away, though its macro shooting capability – so you can now capture subjects difficult to see through a naked eye. This is great for nature photography such as veins of a leaf. This has been made possible through its installed three-LED Macro Light on the lens barrel.
Pentax Optio W90 features an upgraded Face Detection AF & AE function which now detects even faces of cats and dogs. This accurately detects up to 32 faces in the image field, in a span of .03 seconds, faces can be captured in sharp focus and optimum exposure.
Specifications:
- 12.1 megapixel
- It’s Rugged, Waterproof, Shockproof, Coldproof
- Digital Microscope mode for capturing small details
- Digital Zoom for up to 6.25X
- Weighs Approx. 144g (4.8oz) if the battery is included
Pros:
- Upgraded waterproof and rugged design
- 1cm Macro Mode for small detail photography
- Good results for a waterproof camera
- Plenty of scene modes and functionality
Cons:
- Storage is only 26MB of internal memory
- Battery life is short( 205 shots)
- No adjustment in the aperture
- Does not support the higher capacity SDXC memory card
- No optical zoom in video
Pentax Optio W90 is great for a person who would love to go out or people on the go, this is also good for travel. The wide angle lens provides photos of a landscape such as mountain, and great for photos underwater, though users may call on for more features such as optical image stabilization. But we may also consider the fact that the images and functionality are better as compared to its predecessors and other brands. With this unit you would not worry taking this one to beaches, mountains, safari and slopes without having to worry of wrecking it or destroying it on the process. It is peace of mind that is worth the investment.
Rating: 3.6 out of 5
Where to Buy It:
Lowest Price: Amazon for $238.99.
Note: This is a 28% off Amazon coupon and one of the best deals for the Pentax Optio W90.
If you're not ready to buy yet, bookmark this page so you can compare prices here and buy it for the lowest price when you are ready to buy this camera.
| Retailer | Price | |
|---|---|---|
 | Amazon | $238.99 (Cheapest Price) |
Prices last updated on: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:03:11 PST
