Exploring the Underwater World with the Pentax Optio W60

The Pentax Optio W60 is a durable compact camera designed for outdoor adventurers, capable of capturing quality photos in extreme environments such as underwater, snow, and dust. This blog post explains the features and benefits of the Pentax Optio W60, and how it can help you capture stunning photos of your aquatic adventures.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Pentax Optio W60 article cover photo

Key Features

Jul 01 2009

Announced

10 megapixels

Resolution

BrandPentax
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight165g
MSRP$329USD

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Overview of the Optio W60

Are you an avid scuba diver, snorkeler or do you simply love spending time by the pool? If so, the Pentax Optio W60 is a camera that you should definitely consider taking with you on your next adventure. The Pentax Optio W60 is a compact camera that is not only easy to carry around, but also built to withstand the harsh conditions of extreme environments. It's waterproof down to 13 feet, dustproof and shock-resistant, allowing you to take it with you almost anywhere your adventures take you. In this post, we'll explore the features and benefits of the Pentax Optio W60 in detail and give you some tips on how to get the most out of your camera while capturing stunning photos of your aquatic adventures.

Pentax Optio W60 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Pentax Optio W60 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Waterproof (up to 13 feet deep)
Shockproof (can withstand a 4 foot drop)
Compact size
Good image quality
Wide-angle lens
Face recognition technology
Macro mode
High ISO sensitivity
Good battery life
Easy-to-use interface

Cons

Not great in low light conditions
Limited zoom capabilities
Small LCD screen
No optical viewfinder
Slow autofocus
Limited video capabilities
No manual controls
Limited customization options
Expensive compared to other compact cameras
Limited availability in stores

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Pentax Optio W60

Weather sealed
Dimensions98 x 56 x 25mm
Weight165g
Thickness25mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Pentax Optio W60 camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Optio W60 is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 2.50" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Pentax Optio W60 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Pentax Optio W60 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Optio W60 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Pentax Optio W60 has a 10MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 10 pixels. Pentax Optio W60 has a native ISO range of 50 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jul 01 2009

Announced

50 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution3648 x 2736 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Pentax Optio W60 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Optio W60 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC card, Internal
Battery Life
Battery ModelD-LI78
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Pentax Optio W60 supports SD/SDHC card, Internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Pentax Optio W60 uses the D-LI78 model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Pentax Optio W60 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Pentax Optio W60 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/1500s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Pentax Optio W60 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Pentax Optio W60?

The Pentax Optio W60 features a CCD sensor

Is the Pentax Optio W60 weather sealed?

Yes the Optio W60 does have weather sealing.

When was the Pentax Optio W60 announced?

The Pentax Optio W60 was announced on Jul 01 2009

Does the Pentax Optio W60 have in-body image stabilization?

No the Optio W60 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Pentax Optio W60?

The Optio W60 has a native ISO range of 50-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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