The Pentax Optio WG-II, a rugged compact digital camera built for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers in tough environments, is a compact comeback I am seriously falling for after a recent GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) purchase. This highly durable and waterproof camera for outdoor use, launched alongside its GPS-enabled sibling, the Pentax Optio WG-II GPS, is waterproof up to 12 meters, shockproof from drops of up to 1.5 meters, freeze-proof down to –10 °C, and crushproof against 100 kg of pressure.
The camera features a 16-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor, a 5x optical zoom (28-140mm equivalent) lens, Full HD 1080p video recording, a 460,000-dot 3-inch LCD display with AR (Anti Reflection) coating, and six built-in LED macro lights surrounding the lens for 1cm macro close-ups.
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The camera has 88.2MB (approx.) of built-in memory, images are stored on SD/SDHC cards, and run on a Lithium-Ion battery with a CIPA-rated battery life of 260 shots (said to be higher in real life).
On the front which looks more like a gadget from a Batman movie, a showcases an extensive display of stylistic details, sloping and serrated edges, and industrial-style faceplate screws, are the camera flash, microphone, speaker, Remote Control receiver, Self Timer/Focus Assist LED, and a ring of 6 bulbs around the lens for the 'digital macro' mode.
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The back plane, which is almost taken up completely by the 3-inch LCD, is a vertical arrangement of the function buttons, including the Zoom Rocker, the Playback button, the Joystick Pad with a central OK button, the Menu and Face Detection buttons, with the Green/Delete button, and the Remote Control receiver lining up the lower end of the arrangement.
On the Joystick pad, the Top Arrow accesses Drive Mode functions, the Left Arrow is for Flash Mode control, the Right Arrow sets the camera for Focus Mode functions, while the Down Arrow accesses the Exposure Mode selection, which includes options for Auto Picture, Program, Night Scene, Handheld & Night Snap, Movie, Underwater, Underwater Movie, ... Digital Wide, Panorama, Frame Composite, and Report.
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The Power On/Off switch and the Shutter Release button are on the right of the top plane, while on the right is a small hump designated for the GPS antenna.
A standard feature of the camera is the Macro Stand, an accessory fitted to the front of the camera to reduce camera shake while shooting in Digital Microscope mode.
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The camera also features PC/AV and HDMI terminals on the left shoulder, with the battery chamber cover and tripod socket aligned on the bottom plane.
The Green/Delete button, when pressed in normal shooting mode, will revert the camera to the 'Program Auto' shooting mode, where you can manually change settings for flash, exposure compensation, white balance, and focus mode.
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Images, as tested, are sharp, crisp, and clear, though lacking somewhat the aura and characteristics reminiscent of images from my other Optio collectible, the Optio W90, an earlier release fitted with a 12MP CCD sensor.
My only trivial with the camera, if any, is the tight-fit carabiner strap, which I had removed and set aside for safekeeping, as it is more of an awkward nuisance rather than a functional attachment when you are holding the camera for framing and capturing images. For ease of use, I had the camera fitted with an Ultra Pod Stand, which is a more appropriate attachment for setting the camera up on hard surfaces or holding the camera for a steadier posture with hand-held shots.
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