Pentax Releases Next-Gen Adventure Cameras: The Optio WG-2 and Optio WG-2 GPS

Pentax Releases Next-Gen Adventure Cameras: The Optio WG-2 and Optio WG-2 GPS

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Denver, CO—Pentax Ricoh introduced the Optio WG-2 and Optio WG-2 GPS compact cameras—the 13th iteration of their rugged, waterproof (now to 40 feet), dustproof and shock-resistant (to 5 feet) models. The new cameras are built with more durability than before and offer improved image quality in high-sensitivity shooting and Full HD 1080p movie recording.

Foremost in the latest models’ feature set is a new back-illuminated 16 megapixel CMOS sensor and a more powerful imaging engine that performs in high-sensitivity settings, such as night shooting or in poorly illuminated indoor settings. And, the WG-2 models deliver images with less noise than previous models.

The cameras employ a 5x optical zoom lens that covers equivalent focal lengths from 28mm wide angle to 140mm telephoto. With the intelligent zoom function, users may extend the range to 36x to cover the focal length of an equivalent 1008mm super-telephoto lens without compromising image quality.

Other improvements include: Full HD 1080p movie recording (1,920×1,080 pixels) at 30 fps and H.264 compression; waterproof construction to 40 feet; a newly designed GPS module that delivers a shorter time lag before start-up and longer battery life during GPS activation; an optional SportMount chest harness that straps-on the WG-2 for hands-free movie capture; and a digital microscope mode with one additional macro LED (total of six lights) for macro lighting subjects as close as 1 cm. The macro lights can provide other user-friendly non-macro features, such as a self-portrait assist mode, which illuminates the lights when the camera detects a face within the frame, and an LED lighting mode that illuminates the lights to use them as a makeshift flashlight. 

Other WG-2 features include: enhanced crushproof construction to withstands weights up to 220 LBF (pound-force); coldproof abilities to 14º F; a dustproof design; a 3.0-inch high-res LCD with an antireflective coating on its protective cover; an HDMI port to play back high-def images and video on HDTVs; pixel track, digital and movie shake reduction for blur-free images and video; face detection (32 faces) with smile capture and blink detection; pet mode; a handheld night snap mode to produce a single blur-free, composite image from four images of the same scene; an autofocus assist lamp; an extended dynamic range to help bring out extra highlight and shadow detail; and compatibility with Pentax infrared remote controls.

For added creativity, the cameras include 12 digital filters and a digital wide mode to compose an extra-wide-angle picture from two separate photos.

The WG-2 GPS and non-GPS versions are available in several new colors and carabiner straps. Priced at $349.95, the Optio WG-2 comes in a choice of black or red, while the WG-2 GPS, priced at $399.95, is offered in orange or white. The SportMount chest harness retails for $49.95 and should be available late spring or early summer 2012. pentaximaging.com

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