Pentax Optio W80 Review - The Ultimate Waterproof Camera!

The Pentax Optio W80 is a versatile and rugged camera that is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. It's waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof, making it the perfect companion for your next adventure. In this review, we'll take a close look at its features, performance, and design to help you decide if it's the right camera for you.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Pentax Optio W80 article cover photo

Key Features

Jun 25 2009

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandPentax
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight156g
MSRP$299USD

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Pentax Optio W60 thumbnail

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Overview of the Optio W80

Are you looking for a camera that can survive any adventure? The Pentax Optio W80 might be just what you need. This rugged camera is designed to withstand extreme conditions, making it the ideal companion for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. With its waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof construction, you can take it with you wherever you go without worrying about damage. But is it more than just a tough camera? In this review, we'll find out if the Pentax Optio W80 is a capable performer that can deliver the image quality you expect from a digital camera.

Pentax Optio W80 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Pentax Optio W80 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 16 feet)
Shockproof (can withstand drops up to 3.3 feet)
Wide-angle lens (5x zoom)
Image stabilization
Good battery life
Compact and portable
Auto-focus and face detection
Easy to use

Cons

Low image quality in low light conditions
Slow autofocus
No manual control options
Limited ISO range
No HD video recording
Small LCD screen
Limited aperture range
No Wi-Fi connectivity.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Pentax Optio W80

Weather sealed
Dimensions100 x 56 x 25mm
Weight156g
Thickness25mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Pentax Optio W80 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 W80 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 W80 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 W80 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Optio W80 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Pentax Optio W80 has a 12MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Pentax Optio W80 has a native ISO range of 64 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jun 25 2009

Announced

64 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4000 x 3000 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 W80 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 W80 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 W80 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 W80 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 W80 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 W80 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 W80 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 W80?

The Pentax Optio W80 features a CCD sensor

Is the Pentax Optio W80 weather sealed?

Yes the Optio W80 does have weather sealing.

When was the Pentax Optio W80 announced?

The Pentax Optio W80 was announced on Jun 25 2009

Does the Pentax Optio W80 have in-body image stabilization?

No the Optio W80 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 W80?

The Optio W80 has a native ISO range of 64-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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