Pentax W90: Rugged camera will survive even more punishment
By
Mike Tomkins
(Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 17:00 EST)
In its second post-PMA show announcement, Pentax has unveiled a refreshed version of its previous Optio W80 digital camera with an even more rugged body - the Pentax Optio W90.
The Pentax W90 can be submerged at depths of up to 20 feet for as long as two hours, and is also dustproof, designed to withstand a drop from four feet, and functions in temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Compared to its predecessor, the Pentax W90 also has a slightly larger LCD display, three new LEDs that provide light for Macro shots, an HDMI output, and a newly available waterproof infrared remote control. It also adds compatibility with Eye-Fi cards, configured through the camera's own menu system. One other point of note is that the D-LI88 battery pack used by the W90 is a change from the previous camera's D-LI78 cell. The Pentax Optio W90 goes on sale from April 2010, priced at around $330. More details can be found in our Pentax W90 preview. | Pentax Optio W90 |  | | General | | Camera Type | Compact | | Manufacturer | Pentax | | Model Number | North America: W90
| | Dimensions | 4.2 x 2.3 x 1.0 in.
(107 x 59 x 25 mm) | | Weight | 5.6 oz (159 g) | | Planned Price | $330 | | Planned Availability | April 2010 | | Image Capture | | Sensor Type | CCD
1/2.3" (approx. 0.44 in. diagonal)
12.39 megapixels (total)
12.10 megapixels (effective) | | Filter Type | RGBG | | Aspect Ratio | 4:3, 16:9 | | Image Dimensions | 4000 x 3000 (12.0 megapixels)
4000 x 2256 (9.0 megapixels)
3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels)
3072 x 1728 (5.3 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
2592 x 1464 (3.8 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
1024 x 768 (0.8 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
| | Capture Speed | Continuous: 1.0 frames per second | | Image Quality | 3 levels | | Image Preview / Review | | Viewfinder | No | | LCD | 2.7 in. diagonal
230,000 dots (approx. 77,000 pixels) | | Playback Zoom | 10.0x max | | Lens | | Lens Type | Pentax zoom lens, 11 elements in 9 groups, 5 aspherical elements
5x optical zoom | | Image Stabilization | Yes | | Focal Length | 5.0 - 25.0mm (actual)
28 - 140mm (35mm equivalent) | | Aperture Range |
f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.5 (tele) - ??? | | Focusing System | 9-point Contrast Detection with face recognition, spot, pan, and auto tracking modes
Has AF assist lamp
Manual focus possible | | Focusing Range | Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 0.4" - 12" (1 cm - 30 cm) | | Exposure | | ISO Sensitivity | Auto (80-1600), Digital SR (80-6400), Manual (80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400), ISO 3200-6400 5MP or 3.8MP | | Shutter Speed | 4 - 1/1500 second | | Exposure Modes | Program | | Metering Modes | Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot | | Exposure Compensation | +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments | | White Balance | Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent , Manual | | Internal Flash | Modes: Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Auto + Redeye, On + Redeye, Soft
Range: 13 ft (wide, auto ISO), 8.2 ft (tele, auto ISO) | | Creative | | Scene Modes | Night Scene, Underwater, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Digital Microscope (2.1M), Digital Wide (5M), Surf & Snow, Digital SR (ISO 3200-6400 5M or 3.8M), Kids, Pet, Sport, Fireworks, Candlelight, Night Scene Portrait, Text, Food, Digital Panorama (2M per frame), Frame Composite (3M or 2.1M), Report | | Digital Zoom | Up to 6.25x; Intelligent Zoom up to 31.3x at VGA | | Self Timer | Yes, 2 or 10 seconds | | Time Lapse | Yes | | Movie Format | AVI (Motion JPEG) with audio | | Storage | | Recording Medium | SD/MMC including SDHC, Built-in | | File System | Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) | | File Format | JPEG (Exif 2.2) | | Connectivity | | Video | High definition: Yes (type unspecified)
Standard definition: Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable | | Computer | USB 2.0 High Speed | | Other | HDMI Out (type D) | | Power | | Battery Type | Lithium-ion rechargeable | | Battery Form Factor | Proprietary D-LI88 | | Product Bundle | | Software | Software S-SW102 (CD ROM) | | Battery / Charger | 1 x Proprietary D-LI88 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger | | Flash Memory | 26.7MB Internal | | Other | | Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant | Yes | | PictBridge Compliant | Yes | | Internal Microphone | Yes | | Internal Speaker | Yes | | Tripod Mount | Yes | | Remote Control | Yes, Optional IR | | Notes | Waterproof to 20 feet, Shockproof to 4 feet, Coldproof to sub-freezing temperatures, Dustproof. 720p HD Movies, HDMI Output, Advanced Pixel-Track Shake Reduction, Optional Infrared Remote. Available in Black and Pistachio Green. | | More Photos |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | |
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Original Source Press Release:
| Pentax Introduces Eleventh Generation Waterproof Optio W90 Digital Camera Built For Adventure Latest Optio Features Unique Macro Photo LED Lighting, Carabiner Strap And Eye-Fi Connectivity GOLDEN, CO (February 24, 2010)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the eleventh generation PENTAX Optio waterproof digital camera built for rugged adventure in every way. The PENTAX Optio W90 offers enhanced waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and coldproof performance and features an inventive Digital Microscope mode with LED lighting to capture small but intriguing subjects. Designed with the look of mountaineering equipment, the Optio W90 kit includes a woven web fabric strap complete with a carabiner to attach the camera to a backpack and other outdoor gear. Adventure photography doesn’t get any better than this. The rugged Optio W90 offers photographic performance, innovative features and style that surpass other outdoor compact digital cameras now available on the market. - Waterproof to 20 feet for reliable underwater photography
- Shockproof to 4 feet withstanding the rigors of extreme use
- Coldproof to sub-freezing temperatures for use in wintery, snowy activities
- 12.1 megapixel sensor and wide angle 5X optical zoom (28-140mm equivalent)
- Digital Microscope mode with LED lens lighting perfectly captures the smallest and closest macro subjects as near as 1cm from the camera
- Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card connectivity for built-in Wi-Fi capability to transfer photos and videos from the camera to a computer or an online sharing site such as Picasaweb, Flickr, Facebook and YouTube (Eye-fi cards sold separately.)
- Large 2.7 inch LCD with 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio that is easy to view in strong light or underwater
- Capture movies in widescreen 720p HD video at 30 frames per second
- An HDMI port plays back beautiful high resolution imges and video on HDTVs
- Advanced Pixel Track Shake Reduction captures blur-free images in any lighting
- Fast Face Detection, Smile Capture, Blink Detection, and processing modes specifically designed for portraiture, and new Pet Recognition captures up to 3 pre-programmed pet faces in memory
- Infrared remote control compatibility with new waterproof Remote Control WP, as well as other PENTAX infrared remotes
- Autofocus assist lamp helps to quickly and accurately focus, even in challenging lighting
Priced at $329.95 USD, the PENTAX Optio W90 will ship in April 2010. A waterproof infared remote control (sold separately) for use with the PENTAX Optio W90 and other infrared compatible Optio models will be available at the same time for $29.95 USD. More information is available here: http://www.pentaximaging.com The PENTAX Optio W90 is available for preorder on: www.pentaxwebstore.com PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of a variety of digital cameras including weather resistant digital SLRs and stylish, compact, waterproof cameras, as well as lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces. For 90 years, PENTAX has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc. # # # |
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