Waterproof Waterproof, Compact
February, 2010
Pentax Optio W90

Pentax OptioW90

Summary Pentax W90

Prices Price
Camera only $373
all W90 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #8 of 17 Among similar cameras #13 of 24
details details
Specifications Key specs
Zoom Help 5x Screen size Help 2.7"
Aperture Help f/3.5 Screen resolution Help 230k dots
Wide angle Help 28 mm Movie format Help 720p @ 30fps
see all specifications
Pentax Optio W90Pentax Optio W90

Replacement

Pentax has replaced the Optio W90 with the WG-1.

Pentax Optio WG-1
Pentax Optio WG-1 announced February, 2011
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO
Lowest price Cheaper

Compare the new Pentax WG-1 vs the W90

Pros

The Pentax W90 vs other recent waterproof cameras

Light sensitivity Very good maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO
Macro focus Good macro Help
1 cm

Cons

The Pentax W90 vs other recent waterproof cameras

Weather sealed No weather sealing Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Sensor type Sensor type Help
CCD
Announced Old Help
February, 2010
Light sensitivity (boost) Lacks boost light sensitivity Help
None
Lowest price Expensive Help
$372.63
Movie format HD movies Help
720p @ 30fps
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Touch screen No touch screen Help
More buttons
GPS No GPS Help
Missing geo-tagging

Appearance

front photo of the Pentax Optio W90back photo of the Pentax Optio W90angle photo of the Pentax Optio W90

Discussion What do you think about the Pentax Optio W90?

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Showing 2 comments

TMagic (2:07 PM, August 06, 2010)
I had the Panasonic TS1 which I was very happy with (except for the body [front] metal case was soft and as a result slightly dented in my pocket) The picture quality and video always got great feedback. I had to return (under warrantee) the camera to the Panasonic Service Center because a spec inside the camera made its way to the lens... I shipped it out and in about three weeks I received and brand new camera (TS2) what a surprise... While the camera had the spec and during it's time at the service center I have been wondering about switching to the Pantex W90 as I love the look and it seems to look like it would carry better in my pocket when rock climbing; the metal case on the TS1 also got a few scratches from rock contact. Also like the harder plastic around the camera. But now after reading all the reviews I'm thinking on just sticking with the TS2 as it is more rugged (though it does not look like it) and the image stabilization was a big concern when I originally purchased the camera... wish the Pantex W90 had this feature then I would jump on it quite fast.
 
Saltyseagull (6:55 PM, August 02, 2010)
really wish it had image stabilization, and could shoot faster at low light. It tends to just lower the ISO even when it has the chance to shoot at a higher shutter speed. So it almost always has some blur without flash in anything but bright light conditions. For underwater shooting this a very bad combo, since you can never be perfectly still while swimming. And flash tends to ruin most underwater shots by highlighting any particles in the water and therefore being an extremely noisey photo anyway. (Unless your flash is well away from camera) I have tried compensating for this by taking it off auto iso, and forcing it to shoot faster, but I am still thinking of exchanging it for the Panasonic TS2 with image stabilization. Disappointing, and I hate to do it since the macro features are so great, and the user interface is so easy to use. The TS2 has good macro, but not as good as this one. Don't know why camera companies can't seem to get the underwater-point-and-shoot point! that point is of course, to shoot underwater, and in low light conditions that result from being underwater. It must be fast, and shouldn't even be adjusting down to 80 iso in auto mode for underwater. More like 800 or don't bother. Here's hoping they get it right eventually. Happy shooting!