Maximum CPU Review Site

The Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS is offered as a convenient point-and-shoot camera with the added features of an onboard GPS receiver for seamless geotagging, and a ruggedized design. With a 14 Megapixel sensor, 720p video recording, built-in macro light, and 5x zoom, the camera does not lack special features. While I am familiar with the Pentax K5, the flagship D-SLR, this is the first Pentax point-and-shoot I have used extensively.

Packaging, Included Items

The camera is packaged in a dense carboard box full of goodies. Along with the camera and requisite documentation, there is a floatation strap and carabineer. A lens hood and charger round out the contents of the box.

The included manual is very detailed, well-written, and includes details about every feature of the camera. It should not be discarded but rather reviewed before using the device.

General Use

Simply powering on the unit revealed a simple enough interface to begin taking pictures immediately on the automatic setting. The on-time is nearly instant (less than a second) and there is no noticeable shutter lag. Focusing is contrast-based, and can be slow in low-light situations. An amber light automatically illuminates to assist the camera’s focus-detection system. Zoom is limited to 5x, which is suitable for most point-and-shoot applications.

The camera is comfortable, in no small part to the ruggedized rubber coating. The screen is colorful and bright even in sunlight, although the pixel density is on par with my iPhone 3G. The screen appears to be covered in a scratch-resistant glass that has only picked up a few surface blemishes in my month of rather abusive testing. It is a small camera, and extremely thin. This understandably limits the available zoom. The lens does actuate, but is behind a front element of scratch-resistant glass build in to the body of the camera. A set of five diffuse white LEDs surrounds the lens as a macro light, and a 4mm plastic ring can be snapped on around the lens to add additional protection and prevent glare.

Rugged Construction, GPS

The camera boasts the ability to withstand drops of up to 5 feet, temperatures as low as 14 degrees F, crushproof to 100kg, and waterproof to 33 feet. All of the controls are weather-sealed, and the battery/communications ports are gasketed and lock in to place.

I have dropped the camera from shoulder height (approximately 5 feet) numerous times and, while I was nervous each time, the camera still functions perfectly. The screen sustained a blemish due to a scratch on concrete, though.

I submerged the camera in my sink, and it operated underwater. Feeling brave, I left it at the bottom of a five-gallon bucket (full) overnight – it still works.

To simulate 100kg of force, I stood on the camera while carrying enough weight to reach 100kg. I was very impressed that it held my body and additional weight sturdily.

Finally, I left it in the freezer overnight after adjusting the thermostat to be approximately 15 degrees. Bottles of water helped maintain the target temperature. Surprisingly, right out of the freezer, the camera functioned beautifully (if not frosty).

The GPS chip is an added feature that will automatically add location metadata to the jpg files produced by the camera. I found that, when activated, the GPS system “locked in” after 10-20 seconds with an unobstructed view of the sky. In lightly wooded areas, up to a minute may pass without a signal, but it always acquired a location.

Advanced Photography

The WG-1 offers a wide variety of scene settings, and a number of custom modes. From the “mode” menu, 24 different scenes and shooting modes are available. Apart from the typical night, snow, and fireworks modes that have become customary, users will spend most of their time in the Auto and Program modes. Inside the Program shooting setting, the user has the most flexibility to define shooting parameters. There is no manual mode.

I primarily used the Program mode and set the central directional pad to control flash, zoom modes, and self-timer (drive) settings.

Despite the myriad of different shooting modes, there is little confusion in the simply-structured pictographic menu.

Picture Quality and Performance

Picture quality is on par with other point-and-shoot cameras. Low-light performance is acceptable through ISO 400, but falls off sharply thereafter. The onboard flash is sufficiently bright, but very harsh and directional. The camera’s performance is typical and expected. The focus here is clearly on the rugged design and overall usability.

Conclusion

The Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS is a reliable, easy-to-use camera that offers a solid solution for simple picture-taking in environments that demand ruggedized equipment. The picture quality is not stellar, but is typical for point-and-shoot cameras. I can see this product being very useful in situations where fieldwork documentation is needed. Work crews can easily pick up the use of this camera while effectively abusing it without fear of damage. This camera would make a fine addition to a purse or other bag where it could take a beating.

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