The Pentax OptioWp available since April 2004, is an underwater compact digital camera , waterproof to a depth of 1.5 meters. A useful function added is the recovery mode, which enables you to retrieve accidentally deleted images or audio files, as long as no further data has been recorded. The OptioWP measures a slimline 22mm thick, has a 2-inch Lcd monitor, a 3X optical zoom lens, the imaging power of 5.0 effective megapixels, 1 cm macro mode and red-eye compensation function.
The OptioWP enables truly stress-free operation. A key example of this is the unique mode palette function, which allows it to be used for playback mode selection as well as for shooting mode selection by displaying the icons for various modes on the screen at once. Additionally, the OptioWP features a function that displays easy explanations for each function too, and all Playback operations have been carefully reviewed and simplified.
Major features
1. Slim, flat body. With a thin body of just 22mm, the OptioWP can be easily slipped into and out of a pocket or bag. And despite its compact dimensions, its well-designed grip ensures the camera remains safe and stable in the hands when shooting at all times. With a front panel crafted from an aluminum alloy, the camera conveys a sense of accessible sophistication, while the round water ring design and four-way key are every bit as attractive as they are practical.
2. Waterproof performance enables approx. 30 minutes of continuous underwater shooting at a depth of up to 1.5m
Offering JIS Class 8-equivalent waterproof performance, the OptioWP enables the user to shoot continuously for up to approx. 30 minutes underwater at a maximum depth of 1.5m. Such waterproof capability also allows the user to wash the camera with water to rinse away sand and dirt. The perfect companion for watersports, skiing and other outdoor leisure activities, the OptioWP also allows the user to shoot in places that would be too dirty to take other cameras.
3. 3X optical zoom lens and 5.0 effective megapixels. The OptioWP incorporates an optical lens unit specially designed to suit underwater photography. Delivering 6.3-18.9mm 3X optical zooming performance, it provides a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 38-114mm lens in 35mm format. Such zooming power can also be combined with approximate 4X digital zoom, making a maximum zooming power of 12X possible whenever desired. Like all Pentax zoom lenses, the lens of the OptioWP offers excellent imaging performance. It is also composed of 9 groups of 11 elements (3 of which are aspherical lenses) to achieve optimal compensation for aberrations and make the most of the impressive 5.0 effective megapixels.
4. Large, 2.0-inch LCD monitor. Despite its compact and slim body dimensions of 102x51x22mm (WxHxD), the OptioWP features a large, 2.0-inch LCD monitor. Incorporating low-reflection technology and a backlighting system, this Lcd monitor remains extremely easy to view, even when used outdoors on sunny days. The Lcd monitor also features a power saving mode that extends battery life by automatically reducing the intensity of the aforementioned backlighting.
5. Green mode can be set at the push of a button. Green mode fixes all camera settings to a standard combination with a single press of the Green button (with the exception of the zoom setting). This is of particular use should the user become confused with the selection of settings or should the user wish to ask someone else to take a picture. The photographer also has the ability to allocate up to 4* frequently used functions to the Green button as short cuts, providing direct access to exposure compensation and white balance, for example.
6. Mode palette makes it easier to shoot. The OptioWP offers the Mode palette for shooting. This displays icons for shooting modes at once for simplified selection. Proven to be highly popular on other models in the Optio series of digital compact cameras, this mode has been further improved for the OptioWP in terms of user friendliness. Out of a total of 20 icons, the user can select 15 for display at once. 5 of the 15 icons can be replaced with the 5 remaining icons at any time and the user also has the freedom to display their 15 selected icons in the order of their choice. Additionally, the Green button can be pressed in conjunction with the selection of an icon to bring up a text explanation of the function it represents. This makes it easy for the user to understand the roles of different modes without even having to pick up the instruction manual.
7. Mode palette makes playback easier too. The Mode palette of the OptioWP also makes it simple to select playback modes. The palette itself is translucent, so the playback icons are displayed directly over the desired image for easy selection. There’s also a mode explanation function that displays descriptions to assist novice users.
8. Synchronous Sound Record mode records sound prior to and after shooting. Featuring Synchronous Sound Record mode, the OptioWP enables the user to record up to 20 seconds of sound to accompany a still shot, beginning prior to shutter release and finishing after it. This enables the photographer to record memorable moments in a much more special manner.
Note: Upon selecting Synchronous Sound Record mode, the OptioWP starts recording sound before shutter release and stops 10 seconds after the shutter release button is pressed. The OptioWP then attaches the resultant audio file to the still shot.
9. Continuous AF and tracking AF keep moving subjects in focus
In addition to the conventionally available continuous AF, the OptioWP features a new tracking AF function available in Pet and Sport modes. This automatically monitors the movement of a subject within the frame, keeping it sharp and in focus wherever it moves in the shot.
10. Add photo frames during shooting, after recording or even during printing. With the OptioWP, the user can choose to add one of three different pre-installed photo frames to a recorded image. It is also possible to record images specially to suit the photo frame of your choice and photo frames can be added at the time of printing too.
11. Recovery function for erased images. With a newly incorporated recovery function, the OptioWP makes it possible to reclaim images and audio files erased accidentally. This can be done at anytime prior to the recording of new data.
12. Movie editing function. The OptioWP is equipped with a movie editing function that allows the user to edit recorded movies within the camera itself. Furthermore, one frame of a movie can be stored as a still image* or the selected movie can be divided into different frames for storage in separate files. Two movies can also be combined into one.
13. Clock mode. By pressing the OK button for an extended duration while the power is turned off, the OptioWP can be made to display the time on the Lcd monitor. Just like a mobile phone, the clock mode makes the OptioWP handy for confirming the time, anytime and the function is also compatible with the World time function.
14. Other features.
a) Becomes ready to shoot just 0.6* seconds after the power is turned on.
b) The Red-eye compensation function touches up red eyes in recorded images.
c) Real-time warnings indicate “washed out” and “blacked out” areas.
d) Digital zooming provides up to 4X performance.
e) Macro mode enables shooting from as close as 1cm from the subject.
f) Full-color, black and white and sepia color modes are available for movie shooting.
g) Features SD memory card compatibility and has approximately 10.5MB of built-in memory.
h) Compatible with exclusive, rechargeable lithium ion batteries.
i) Comes complete with ACDSee for Pentax Standard image viewer software.
j) Features DPOF functionality, Exif Print and Print Image Matching III compatibility.
On September 29th 2003 Olympus announced the five megapixel C-5060 Wide Zoom, as the name implies that camera was a step up from the C-5050 Zoom in no small measure because of its wide angle zoom lens. And now on the opening day of PMA 2004 Olympus raises the stakes higher, with their first eight megapixel prosumer level digital camera, the C-8080 Wide Zoom.
But the differences between the C-5060 WZ and the C-8080 WZ are even more significant, Olympus hasn’t just reused an old body and lens and bolted in the new Sony 2/3" eight megapixel CCD, instead they have completely redesigned the body and approached the most important part of any digital camera, the lens, with an eye to quality. Indeed when I asked Olympus about the new lens they stated that it was as of the same quality as the Zuiko lenses made for the E System (the E-1 digital SLR), and to support that it’s made in the same factory.
The C-8080’s lens provides an equivalent 28 to 140 mm equiv. 5x optical zoom with a maximum aperture of F2.4 at wide angle (28 mm equiv.) and F3.5 at telephoto (140 mm equiv.) The lens is made up of 15 elements in 13 groups, 2 of which are spherical and 3 ED.
Startup, sub-one second.
One other item of big news with this camera is speed, despite having a telescoping lens system we have timed startup as just 0.9 seconds if the lens was left at wide angle at power off and around 1.9 seconds if at telephoto. That makes the C-8080 Wide Zoom startup faster than the Sony DSC-F828 (at least if started up at wide angle).
The PT-023 underwater case has been specially customised for the C-8080WZ digital camera. This stylish and durable transparent polycarbonate Olympus housing is for anyone looking to pursue underwater digital photography when diving, snorkeling or surfing and it is also ideal for use during activities that call for ultimate protection from the elements such as skiing, fishing, sailing, or even in certain industrial situations.
A clear and durable polycarbonate case provides an attractive shield for your Olympus digital camera as you explore your underwater surroundings at depths up to 131 feet. A tight O-ring main seal with safety lock, along with stainless steel and nickel-plated brass hardware, help to ensure protection from corrosion for years to come.
The Olympus Digital Underwater Housings give you full control over your camera. Each one features a large, responsive shutter button, precision zoom lever, and durable controls to lend you access to everything your Olympus digital camera has to offer. Waterproof up to a water pressure equivalent to 40m depth.
Sony DSC-U60 Cyber-shot® U Digital Camera.
Capturing summer memories on the beach or at a nightclub just got more fun with the new Cyber-shot® U-60 digital camera. The DSC-U60 has a ruggedized and waterproof design and a rubber body, fully weatherproofed with O-ring seals, making it watertight while submerged to depths of 1.5 m.
Fully weatherproofed with O-ring sealing closures, the new Cyber-shot U60 unit is a digital camera designed to meet the rigors of an active lifestyle. Its unique vertical orientation is designed for one-handed operation and fast start up time -less than a second-ensure that the user remains a part of the activity even when taking a picture.
Adding to that experience, the Cyber-shot U60 model’s buttons are laid out to be easily accessible with the thumb. With a few clicks of the Scene button, users can switch between seven different scene modes, including an underwater setting (noted by a fish icon) to adjust for the blue hue of water and an action setting (noted by a running man icon) to capture fast moving subjects.
For one-step USB photo transfer from the camera to a PC, the camera comes bundled with Sony’s new Image Transfer software -a completely automated, plug-and-play program that offers quick downloading and storing of all digital photos. The Cyber-shot U60AAA" is powered with rechargeable NiMH Batteries.
Designed to be durable yet easy-to-use, the DSC-U60 offers ‘one-handed’ operation, allowing you to capture spontaneous and creative memories, be it at the pool, beach or even underwater. Splash-resistant and waterproof up to 5 feet in depth, the DSC-U60 can be used for any occasion, under any weather conditions. It has a 1/2.7" 2.0 MP (effective) Super HAD™ (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD that provides excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise. The DSC-U60’s vertical angle and fast start-up time ensures that every shot can be captured. With a momentary pre-flash, the camera illuminates the subject and calculates the exposure through the lens directly from the CCD for accurate flash metering. Adjustable flash levels and red-eye reduction insure great flash shots. With 6 scene modes (Soft Snap, Illumination Snap, Twilight, Active Outdoor, Vivid Nature, Underwater), the camera’s parameters are changed to match shooting conditions. The camera features a 1.0-inch Hybrid LCD display that monitors the scene for accurate framing. You can select a 640x480 pixel (VGA) picture size for on-screen viewing and email applications, or a 1632x1224 pixel (UXGA) picture size, great for 5" x 7" photo-quality prints. The Memory Stick® media facilitates easy storage of your snaps and the camera’s USB interface allows digital still images and MPEG1 movies, stored on the Memory Stick® Media, to be easily transferred to your PC.
