Pentax Optio WG-2 Pro Reviews

The Pentax Optio WG2 and WG2-GPS are waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant compact cameras which can be used at a depth of up to 12 metres, withstand a drop of 1.5 metres, cold to -10°C and a weight up to 100kg. The WG2 and WG2-GPS feature a 16 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, Full HD movie recording, a 5x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage, a 3 inch high-resolution LCD monitor with 460K dots, and six built-in LED macro lights. The Optio WG2-GPS additionally comes equipped with an upgraded GPS module and is the model that we tested for this review. The Pentax WG2 and WG2-GPS officially cost £299.99 / $299.95 and £349.99 / $349.95 respectively.

When the WG-1 was released last year we were impressed with Pentax's first rugged digital camera, although we don't think much has changed with this upgrade. The sensor has been upgraded from 14 megapixels to 16, with the LCD screen now 3 inch, up from 2.7 inch. Issues we would have like to have seen addressed are the poor noise performance above ISO 200, poor tripod socket and optical zoom when recording videos, although it is good to see that videos are now full 1080p HD. If you are looking for your first rugged camera, the WG-2 offers good image quality and a couple of unique features, if you are a current WG-1 user, you'd be better off keeping your cash in your wallet.

The GPS-equipped Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS features a striking design that avoids the standard rugged camera look and feel. It can keep image noise under control at higher ISOs, but is hampered by a lens that isn't as sharp as others in its class.

If you're looking for top-notch photos, with the option of getting wet too, then you'll find that buying a cover for a better compact camera will garner you the best results. However, there is still a lot going for the Pentax Optio WG-2. With the exception of the somewhat slow capture, some of the results we've achieved have been impressive and the underwater results are really good, perfect for those looking for holiday snaps without the hassle. The design may instantly turn people off, however. To some extent it is practical, like the central lens, but in others awkward, like the small controls. Like so many things, considering how you are likely to use the WG-2 will aid you in your decision. For us, we found that we prefer a more regular design, like that from Fuji or Panasonic. Overall, if you're in the market for a waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof camera, it's certainly worth considering, but you might want something slightly less quirky and with slightly faster capture. Thanks to Hampton Pool for letting us shoot in its open air pool, if you're in the area, it's well worth a visit.

For the most part with rugged cameras, photo quality and shooting performance take a back seat to making the camera durable. The Pentax Optio WG-2 offers a lot of protection without having to sacrifice much on either of those things.