Introduced in 1/2013, the Pentax WG-3 is a
new outdoors camera. The latest model is able to resist water down to 14m and
its new lens owns a maximum aperture of f/2.0. Model with the built-in GPS is available
in purple and green and costs about $488. Model without GPS is available in
orange and black with the price of $435.
The
Pentax WG-3 is a new outdoors camera
Features
The Pentax WG-3 is the owner of a 16 MP
back-illuminated CMOS sensor as well as a 4x optical zoom lens, which is a 35mm
equivalent of 25-100mm. Its lens aperture is f/2.0 wide at wide-angle end to
ensure the maximum level of light to reach the sensor, ideal for shooting
underwater. In order to minimize camera shake, a sensor shift SR is given
(shake reduction).
Being an outdoor camera, it is capable of
water-resistance up to 14mm underwater, shock-proof to 2m, freeze-proof to
-10°C and dustproof. Around the surface of the lens barrel are six LED macro
lights to support macro shooting.
Time
display screen on the camera’s body
When shooting, the camera’s auto picture
mode will automatically decide the most suitable settings for the detected
scene. Some other modes of this camera are HDR, digital microscope, time lapse
and many more. After finish shooting, your images can be edited in the playback
mode by using a great number of filters. To keep your photo straight, it gives
a digital spirit level too.
Videos are recorded at the full 1080p HD
mode at 30fps. Using the optical zoom during recording videos is possible and
you can also record at a very high speed of 120fps. WG-3 can be connected to
HDTV for playback via HDMI.
Full
view of the Pentax WG-3
Main
features
·
16 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor
·
4x optical zoom f/2.0-4.9 lens (35mm equivalent
of 25-100mm)
·
Sensor shift SR (Shake Reduction)
·
3 inch 16:9 wide 460k dot LCD screen
·
Waterproof to 14m
·
Shockproof to 2m
·
Freezeproof to –10°C
·
Crushproof to 100Kgf
·
Dustproof
·
Six LED macro lights
·
Built-in GPS
·
Full 1080p HD video recording
·
ISO 125 - 6400
·
1cm minimum focusing distance
The
3 inch 460k dot LCD screen
Handling
Covered by a rubber coat, the Pentax WG-3
GPS has a unique shape, all of which contributes to the easy grip, even in
cold, wet conditions. To minimize the probability of opening the battery/
memory card slot by mistake underwater, the camera has an open/ close switch
and another one which works as a lock.
Coming with the camera is a plastic ring
which is used to support the use of digital microscope mode. At the front side
of the camera comes a small screen which displays the time and looks just like
a digital watch.
The
260 shot battery
The on/off switch and the shutter release
can be found on the top of the camera. One the back, you will find the W and T
buttons which are used for controlling the optical zoom, and the lens is placed
inside the camera. Other buttons that can be seen are movie record, playback,
menu, green and a d-pad which is used for wandering through the menus as well
as adjusting the timer, flash, focus and shooting modes.
The screen is very bright and clear. Its
resolution belongs to the top class with 460k dot. The menu system is well
organized and easy to use. The battery life is estimated at 260 shots according
to the result of CIPA and will decrease a lot if the GPS is activated
frequently.
We took some photos to check the
responsiveness of the cameras, from switch on to first shot, shot to shot,
focusing speed, etc. We also take some shots and then take the average to ensure
the accuracy and consistency of the results, making them easier to compare with
other cameras.
·
Shutter Response: 0.125 sec
·
Wide - Focus / Shutter Response: 0.25 sec
·
Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response: 0.4 sec
·
Switch on Time to Taking a Photo: 2.2 sec
·
Shot to Shot without Flash: 1.3 sec
·
Shot to Shot with Flash: 3.4 sec
·
Continuous Shooting: 1.4 fps
·
Burst Shooting: 12.3 fps
The continuous shooting records in the 16MP
resolution, burst shooting is limited between 4 or 5MP.
