PENTAX Optio WG2 and Optio WG2-GPS The Ultimate Rugged Outdoor Camera

08/02/12

PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY LTD. is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX Optio WG2 and PENTAX Optio WG2-GPS digital compact cameras. The waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant build of these two new cameras, offer users a heav-duty camera that is ideal for shooting outdoors.

Equipped with the latest back-illuminated CMOS image sensor and a state-of-the-art imaging engine, the Optio WG2 and Optio WG2-GPS are ideal for shooting in poor light, delivering clearer and sharper images with minimised noise.

The cameras are packed with a range of features including 16 megapixels and high-resolution Full HD movie recording (1920 x 1080 pixels). Built with a new wide, high-resolution LCD monitor images are easy to view, even in bright sunlight. Additionally, the cameras offer outstanding underwater shooting capability at a depth of up to 12 metres and perform superbly in demanding outdoor conditions as they can withstand a drop of 1.5 metres, cold to -10°C and a weight up to 100kgf.

The PENTAX Optio WG2-GPS comes equipped with a newly designed GPS module that offers some crucial improvements over its predecessor.

The OPTIO WG2 and WG2-GPS will be available from March 2012 at RRPS of £299.99 and £349.99 respectively

Major Features

1. Heavy-duty construction for underwater shooting up to a depth of 12 metres
By further enhancing the water tightness of the camera body, PENTAX has upgraded the underwater performance of the Optio WG2 and Optio WG2-GPS to 12 metres, for up to two hours of continuous operation (equivalent to IPX8 or JIS Class 8 waterproof performance). These cameras are also designed to be highly shock-resistant (from a height of 1.5 metres) *, dustproof**, cold-resistant (down to -10°C)***, and crushproof (with a weight up to 100 kgf)****. All these features make the Optio WG2 and Optio WG2-GPS the ideal imaging partners in challenging outdoor shooting conditions.

2. New back-illuminated CMOS image sensor for high-quality images
The Optio WG2 and Optio WG2-GPS are equipped with the latest back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, which offers much lower noise even when the camera is set to higher sensitivities. With the combination of a top sensitivity of ISO 6400, 16 megapixels, and a new imaging engine, they deliver super-high resolution images every time. The Optio WG2 and WG2-GPS also feature the new Handheld Night Snap mode, which allows users to capture four images of the same scene in one push of a button, which automatically produces a single blur-free, composite image.

3. Full HD movie recording
The Optio WG2 and Optio WG2-GPS offer Full HD movie recording with the H.264 recording format, allowing users to capture high-quality, extended movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. They also feature a high-speed camera function***** for slow-motion playback of captured movie clips, and an interval movie function to simplify advanced movie-recording techniques. A micro-HDMI terminal (Type D) is also provided on the camera body allowing output of Full HD movie clips and sound to external devices.

4. Extra-large, high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD monitor
The new Optio WG2 and Optio WG2-GPS feature a new extra-large, high-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor with 16:9 dimensions and 460,000 dots. The AR (Anti-Reflection) coating minimises glare and reflections to deliver a sharp, clear on-screen image even in bright sunshine, while the wide-view design offers a clear view of the monitor from approximately 170 degrees horizontally and vertically, making it particularly useful in low and high angle shooting.

5. Digital Microscope mode with six LED macro lights
By positioning six LED macro lights around the circumference of the lens barrel, the Optio WG2 and Optio WG2-GPS provide brighter illumination for macro shooting when the Digital Microscope mode is selected.****** The macro lights provide the user with a clear and magnified view on the LCD monitor. The instant illumination enhance function, which automatically raises the illumination level of the LED Macro Lights at the moment of the shutter release, has also been upgraded to minimise camera shake. Additionally, the macro lights provide a Self-Portrait Assist mode to ensure the subject’s face is safely captured within the picture frame using the blink of an LED lamp, and a new LED lighting mode which allows users to use the Macro Lights as a torch in the dark.

6. Advanced GPS function (available with the Optio WG2-GPS only)
The Optio WG2-GPS comes equipped with an upgraded GPS module. Not only does it shorten the time lag before the start of GPS operation, but it also greatly extends the operating life of the function. This automatically creates log data and stores it as a KML-format file onto an SD memory card. The Optio WG2-GPS allows the user to record their position data when shooting still images. They can also take advantage of various GPS-compatible applications and services provided by the included software******* and such websites as Google Maps™. The GPS function also corrects the built-in clock automatically to match the local time of the shooting location. Thanks to the GPS function, the user can keep an accurate record of their movement during outdoor shooting and display it later on the computer using various online services such as Google Earth™.

7. 5X optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage
The new Optio WG2 and Optio WG2-GPS feature a high-performance 5X optical zoom lens covering focal lengths equivalent to 28mm wide angle to 140mm telephoto in the 35mm format. Thanks to this versatile zoom lens, the cameras can capture beautiful pictures, from spectacular landscapes to family/group shots in a confined space.

8. Other features

Carabiner strap included
Protector neoprene case (available as an optional accessory) to protect the camera body from scratches and dirt
Comes with two remote-control receptors which allow the user to send the remote signal either from the front or back of the camera
A Macro Stand is also included to make extended observation effortless even at a minimum distance of one centimetre away from the subject
High-speed Face Detection function to capture up to 32 faces in approx. 0.03 seconds, and Smile Capture function
Instant startup with the playback mode by pressing and holding the playback button
Auto Picture mode to automatically select the most appropriate shooting mode from 16 different scene modes
12 digital filters
Digital Wide mode to compose an extra-wide-angle picture (equivalent to 21mm wide angle in the 35mm format) from two separate images
Image viewing, editing and filing software included: MediaImpression 3.5 for PENTAX (Windows version compatible with Windows 7) and MediaImpression 2.1 for PENTAX (Macintosh version compatible with Mac OS X 10.7)
Compatibility with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards

* Measured under PENTAX-original testing standards (from a height of 1.5 meters, onto a surface of 5cm-thick plywood), conforming to the Method 516.5-Shock of the MIL-Standard 810F, to show the stable operations.
** Measured under PENTAX-original testing standards, equivalent to IPX6 or JIS Class 6.
*** Measured under PENTAX-original testing standards, with which the camera is proven to withstand temperatures as low as -10°C to show the stable operations.
**** Measured under PENTAX-original testing standards, in which the camera is put under a pressure of up to 100 kgf, or kilogram-force to show the stable operations.
***** When this function is selected, the recorded size is fixed at VGA (640 x 480 pixels).
****** When the Digital Microscope mode is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 2 MP (at 16:9 proportions).
******* This function is available with the Windows version only.

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