Major Features

1. Heavy-duty construction for underwater shooting to 10 meters deep, and for up to two hours continuously

   By further enhancing the water-tightness of the camera body, PENTAX has upgraded the Optio WG-1 and Optio WG-1 GPS’s underwater performance to 10 meters (compared to six meters for their predecessor) and for up to two hours of continuous operation (equivalent to IPX8 or JIS Class 8 waterproof performance). The cameras also feature a shock-resistant body design and redesigned internal mechanisms for exceptional shock-resistant capacity*: the cameras can take a fall from a height of 1.5 meters* (1.2 meters for their predecessor) without damaging the body and mechanisms. They even offer remarkable dust-proof performance (equivalent to IP6X or JIS Class 6), exceptional cold-resistant performance for reliable operation at temperatures as low as –10°C and a newly added crushproof construction** to withstand weights up to 100kgf (kilogram-force). All these features make the Optio WG-1 and Optio WG-1 GPS ideal choices for those active photographers who venture out for shooting in demanding outdoor conditions.

   * 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.
   ** Measured under PENTAX-original testing standards.

2. Upgraded Digital Microscope mode for close observation of the microscopic world

   The Optio WG-1 and Optio WG-1 GPS feature an upgraded Digital Microscope mode, providing a magnified view of a microscopic world often unnoticeable with the naked eye on the LCD monitor. They can then capture fine-detailed images of these tiny subjects.*** By increasing the number of LED Macro Lights to five (from three on their predecessor) and positioning them around the circumference of the lens barrel, PENTAX has successfully improved light distribution performance for brighter, more uniform lighting on the subject. They also automatically raises the illumination level of each LED Macro Light at the moment of shutter release. A Macro Stand is also included as a standard accessory to make extended observation effortless even at a minimum distance of one centimeter away from the subject.

   *** When using the Digital Microscope mode, the image size is fixed at 2 megapixels (at 16:9 proportions).

3. Advanced GPS function for a new dimension in digital photography (available with the Optio WG-1 GPS only)

   The Optio WG-1 GPS comes equipped with a new, sophisticated GPS function, which allows the user to record position data when shooting still image and take advantage of various GPS-compatible applications and services provided by the included software**** and such Web sites as Google Maps™. It also corrects the built-in clock automatically to match local time of a particular shooting location. In addition, simply by carrying the camera, it automatically create log data and stores it as a KML-format file onto an SD memory card. Thanks to this log feature, the user can keep accurate track of the movement during outdoor shooting, and display it later on the computer using various online services such as Google Earth™.

   **** This function is available with the Windows version only.

4. Beautiful, high-quality images delivered by newly incorporated super-resolution technology

   In addition to approximately 14 effective megapixels and a state-of-the-art imaging engine, these models incorporate a new, sophisticated imaging process made possible by the latest “super-resolution” image processing technology. This process is designed to optimize the resolution of a recorded image section by section to produce a high-resolution image that is sharper, livelier and more true-to-life than ever before. Thanks to this advanced technology, images captured by these cameras produce beautiful, high-resolution prints with fine details, even when enlarged to poster sizes.

5. New-generation Face Detection function with Self-Portrait Assist mode

   The cameras feature an upgraded Face Detection AF & AE function, which instantly and accurately detects up to 32 faces in the image field, then catches them in sharp focus and optimum exposure in just 0.03 seconds, even when the subjects are standing sideways or their faces are tilted. This latest version also offers a variety of user-friendly features to simplify the process of portrait and snapshot photography and to improve the quality of the images. They include: Small Face filter, to make the subject’s face appear slightly smaller in a captured image than in reality; Smile Capture mode, to automatically release the shutter the instant the subject’s smile is detected; and Blink Detection function, to warn the photographer when the subject’s eyes close at the moment of shutter release. The cameras also feature a unique Self-Portrait Assist mode. When the photographer points the camera at himself/herself, this convenient feature informs the photographer whether the subject’s face is captured safely within the picture frame using the blink of the close-distance warning LED lamp on the camera’s front panel.

6. New-generation Pet mode to automatically detect the faces of dogs and cats

   The cameras feature the latest version of the unique Pet mode, which assists in capturing the faces of dogs and cats more effortlessly and swiftly than ever before. In addition to the automatic detection of pets’ faces, this mode allows the user to pre-register the faces of up to three favorite pets, making it possible to detect them ahead of other pet faces.

7. High-quality, HD-proportioned movie recording

   The cameras capture beautiful, flawless movie clips at 16:9 high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. They also offer a variety of movie editing functions: for instance, still images can be extracted from movie clips, or title images can be added to the beginning and/or end of a movie clip. They even provide an HDMI micro terminal for audio/video signal output.

8. Extra-wide 2.7-inch LCD monitor

   On the back of their compact bodies, the cameras feature a large 2.7-inch high-brightness color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots and horizontally extended 16:9 proportions. The monitor is treated with a special AR (Anti-Reflection) coating to cut the glare of external light and minimize annoying reflections, making it easy to observe the subject, monitor recorded images and view on-screen menus even in bright sunlight.

9. Optical 5X zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage

   Despite their compact dimensions, the cameras come equipped with a high-performance, optical 5X zoom lens, covering focal lengths from 5mm to 25mm (equivalent in the 35mm format to approximately 28mm wide angle to 140mm telephoto). Thanks to this wide zoom range, the cameras can be used for a wide variety of subjects and scenes, from spectacular landscape and group shots to tightly framed snapshots taken from a distance.

10. Triple anti-shake protection to prevent different types of camera shake

    1. Pixel Track SR
       When recording still images, the Pixel Track SR (Shake Reduction) effectively compensates for camera shake by processing affected images.
    2. High-Sensitivity anti-shake mode*****
       When the cameras detect low-lighting conditions in still-image shooting, they automatically raise the sensitivity to as high as ISO 6400, making it possible to use a higher shutter speed. This effectively minimizes the adverse effects of camera shake and subject shake under poor lighting conditions.
    3. Movie SR mode******
       During movie recording, the cameras prevent blurry images by effectively minimizing annoying camera shake through the use of exclusive software.

    ***** When the High-Sensitivity anti-shake mode is selected, the recorded size is fixed to five megapixels (2592 x 1944 pixels).
    ****** When the Movie SR mode is selected, the angle of view becomes narrower than normal shooting.

11. Other features

    1. Carabiner strap included for hooking the camera to a backpack or other outdoor gear
    2. Collage function to compose a single picture from multiple images
    3. Ink Rubbing filter to create a monochromatic, high-contrast image from a recorded image
    4. Auto Picture mode to automatically select one of the 16 shooting modes for the optimum result
    5. 12 digital filters, including a new Miniature filter, to add distinctive visual effects to recorded images
    6. Digital Wide function to compose an extra-wide-angle image (equivalent to an image taken with an approx. 21mm lens in 35mm format) from two images
    7. MediaImpression 3.0 for PENTAX (Windows version) and MediaImpression 2.1 for PENTAX (Macintosh version) image viewing, editing and filing software included (compatible with latest operation systems, such as Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6)
    8. Compatibility with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards
    9. External storage media is compatible with new SDXC memory card in addition to SD/SDHC memory card.*******

    ******* Not compatible with UHS speed class.