Pentax debuts weatherproof Optio W60

[David Rasnake]

The latest waterproof camera in Pentax's compact Optio series, the Pentax Optio W60, was announced this afternoon.

The new 10 megapixel W60 packs a 5x wide-angle zoom into an ultracompact body measuring only an inch thick. Impressive macro focusing capabilities (with minimum focusing distances down to one centimeter), a 28mm-equivalent wide focal length, and a non-extending design add to the lens's functionality as well as, presumably, its durability.

Designed and tested for use across a range of conditions, the W60 takes the weather resistance of Pentax's Optio W line to new heights (and depths). The fully sealed camera is waterproof down to 13 feet, serving to both protect the camera from rain and snow and allow for completely submerged shooting. Additionally, freezeproofing keeps the camera functioning down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

A 2.5-inch LCD is specially coated to resist glare and provide visibility for shot composition in just about any situation users can throw at it according to Pentax. Video capture is at an impressive 1280x720 (720p HD), and while the W60 lacks optical/mechanical image stabilization, sensitivity runs up to ISO 6400.

Coming in either blue or silver, the W60 should arrive at retail outlets in July with a suggested price of $329.95.

Pentax Optio W60 Specifications:

Sensor	10.0 megapixel, 1/2.3" CCD
Zoom	5x (28-140mm) zoom, f/3.5-5.5
LCD/Viewfinder	2.5", 230K-dot TFT LCD
Sensitivity	ISO 50-6400
Shutter Speed	4-1/1500 seconds
Shooting Modes	Auto Picture, Program, Movie, Underwater Movie, Voice Recording, Digital SR, Frame Composite, Green Mode
Scene Presets	Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Digital Wide Angle, Surf and Snow, Kids, Pet, Half-Length Portrait, Sport, Fireworks, Night Scene Portrait, Text, Food, Digital Panorama, Underwater, Night Scene
White Balance Settings	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual
Metering Modes	Multi, Center, Spot
Focus Modes	Multi AF, Spot AF, Auto Tracking AF, Manual, Macro, Super Macro, Infinity Landscape, Pan Focus
Drive Modes	One Shot, Continuous, High Speed Continuous, Interval, Auto Bracket, Self Timer, Frame Composition
Flash Modes	Auto, Forced On, Red-Eye, Forced Off, Soft
Self Timer Settings	10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off
Memory Formats	SD, SDHC
Internal Memory	36MB
File Formats	JPEG, AVI, Mono WAV
Max. Image Size	3648x2736
Max. Video Size	1280x720, 30 fps
Zoom During Video	Not Specified
Battery	Rechargeable lithium-ion, 205 shots
Connections	USB 2.0, AV output
Additional Features	Waterproof, Freezeproof, Face Detection, Digital Shake Reduction, Pentax Auto Picture Mode

[Kapfan]

W60 Drive Modes:
One Shot, Continuous, High Speed Continuous, Interval, Auto Bracket, Self Timer, Frame Composition

Interval - is it the same as the W30's Interval Shooting mode?

Thanks!

[David Rasnake]

That's my understanding, yes.

dr