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Pentax Optio WG-2 / WG-2 GPS

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5 18,661 Sun June 26, 2022
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
80% of reviewers $214.80 6.80
Pentax Optio WG-2 / WG-2 GPS

Pentax Optio WG-2 / WG-2 GPS
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Pentax Optio WG-2 / WG-2 GPS
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Description:
The rugged Pentax Optio WG-2 is the successor to the WG-1. It features a 16 megapixel backlit sensor and a new imaging engine, and will be available in four colors: white, red, orange, and black.

The key features are:
- Water-proof to 12 meters (40 feet)
- Shock-proof designed to withstand drops up to 1.5 meter (5 feet)
- Crush-proof construction, tested to 220 LBF
- Cold-proof to minus 10 degrees C (14 degrees F)
- Dust-proof design
- Digital Microscope mode with 6 LEDs for even macro lighting
- Close focusing 1 cm in digital microscope mode
- HDMI output port for playing back movies and pictures on an HDTV
- Digital shake reduction, also in movie mode
- Auto-focus assist lamp
- Face detection auto-focus (up to 32 faces), smile capture, blink detection
- Optional date stamp inserted on the images (date, time, date and time)
- Compatible with the Pentax remote control F
- Features Pentax' acclaimed auto-picture mode which analyzes the scene and picks the appropriate shooting mode among 16 available
- 12 digital filters
- Digital Wide mode to compose an extra-wide-angle picture (21mm lens eqv. in the 35mm format) from two separate images
- Voice recording
- Wide array of drive modes: One shot, self timer (2s and 10s), continuous, burst, remote control (3s, instant), auto-bracketing
- The model with GPS has an improved GPS function that starts up faster, uses less power, and creates a track log in KML format on the SD card
- 260 still images or 70 minutes of movie recording with the included Li-Ion battery, D-LI92

Camera nameOptio WG-2 / Optio WG-2 GPS
Sensor16 MP (4608 x 3456), 1/2.3 inch CMOS
ISO rangeAuto, 125 - 6400
Image aspect ratio16:9, 4:3, and 1:1
Exposure modesAuto Picture, Program, Night Scene, Digital Microscope, Landscape,
 Flower, Portrait, Underwater, Interval Shooting, Handheld Night Snap,
 Surf and Snow, Kids, Pet, Sport, Candlelight, Fireworks, Night Scene Portrait,
 Text, Food, Digital Wide, Panorama, Green Mode
Exposure compensation+/- 2 EV (1/3EV steps)
Expanded dynamic rangeHighlight and shadow
Light meterMulti-segment, center weight, spot
ShutterMechanical and electronic
Shutter speeds1/4s to 1/2000s. Night scene mode up to 4s
Shutter lag0.015 sec
Shake reductionSoftware based (Digital SR)
Drive modesSingle, continuous, burst, self timer, remote control
Lens5x optical zoom, 5 - 25 mm F3.5 - F5.5 (28 - 140 mm eqv.)
 11 elements (5 aspherical) in 9 groups
Digital zoom7.2x digital zoom for a combined zoom range of 36x
Auto focus9 point contrast detect AF, spot, auto tracking, focus lock
Manual focusInfinity, pan focus, manual focus
Closest focus distanceStandard: 40 cm/1.31 ft (wide), 1 m/1.1 ft (tele)
 Macro: 10 cm/0.33 ft
 Super macro: 5 cm/0.16 ft
FlashBuilt-in: Range up to 5.5m/18 ft (wide angle), 3.5m/11 ft (telephoto)
ViewfinderNo
White balanceAuto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light, Manual setting
Digital filtersTwelve: B&W/Sepia, Toy Camera, Retro, Color, Extract Color, Color Emphasis,
 High Contrast, Starburst, Soft, Fish-eye, Brightness, Miniature
In-camera picture editingYes: Resize, crop, rotate, copy, frame, digital filters
File formatStill: JPG, Movie: MPEG-4 AVC/h.264
MovieFull HD (1920 x 1080) at 30 fps,
 HD (1280 x 720) at 60 and 30 fps,
 VGA (640 x 489) at 30 fps
Movie shake reductionYes, software based
SoundMono
In-camera movie editingYes, herunder save a frame as still and adding a title picture
LCD monitor3 inch, 460,000 dots
PortsUSB2.0, PC/AV, HDMI
Storage mediaSD, SDHC, SDXC, 88 MB built-in
BatteryD-LI92 lithium-ion, optional AC adapter
Battery life260 images, 70 min movie recording, 240 min playback time
Special featuresWater proof to 12 meters/40 feet, shock proof, crush proof,
 digital microscope mode, built-in macro lights, voice memo,
 face detect up to 32 faces,
 smile capture, blink detection, self portrait assist,
 pet detection,
 clock display and alarm
Size (W x H x D)122.5 x 61.5 x 29.5 mm
Weight198 g (with GPS), 194 g (no GPS)

The MSRP is $349, and the version with built-in GPS lists for $399.

A discussion about this new camera can be found in our news section.
Megapixels: 16 MP CMOS sensor with primary color filter
ISO Range: Full HD 1080p at 30 fps, 720p at 30 and 60 fps, VGA at 30 fps, Interval movie function
Weight: With battery and SD card: 193 g (6.8 oz) without GPS, 198 g (7 oz) with GPS
FPS: 5x optical, 5 - 25mm (28 to 140mm eqv.) F3.5-5.5, 11 elements, SP Coating
LCD: 3 inch, 480,000 dots (HVGA)
In Production: No
In-Depth Review: Read our Pentax Optio WG-2 / WG-2 GPS in-depth review!
Price History:



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Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-5 of 5
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: May, 2011
Location: Richmond, Virginia USA
Posts: 2,900
Review Date: September 26, 2012 Not Recommended | Price: $300.00 | Rating: 1 

 
Pros: small, compact
Cons: stopped working after 2 weeks
New or Used: New   

not sure how to rate it...it died after 2 weeks of use and had to be sent to pentax to repair... Although OK at first the camera stopped shooting at shutter speeds above 125 in any of the modes. I had bought the camera for action shots so this made it useless for my intended purposes. pentax received it in 9-17-2012 and haven't heard a word...for the short period of time that it did work i was impressed...may need to modify after we get it back...glad i got the 3 year squaretrade warranty because i have a feeling we may need it

as of Nov 8, 2012 the camera is still with pentax...they say they are waiting on a backordered part...pentax has had it longer than we have...their service SUCKS!! very frustrated and disappointed... 7 weeks and no idea when we will receive it...i am soooo unhappy with their service department and wish we had never bought this camera and am wondering the same about pentax in general... they don't seem to care about keeping customers happy...between my husband and myself we have 3 k5s, 2 da 60-250, da 50-135, da 200, da 300, fa 70, fa 31, fa 50, dfa 100, fa100, fa 28, etc etc ...you may be seeing these in the market place soon...each day i get more angry

Nov 9, 2012 finally talked to Pentax supervisor. Despite what I was told earlier that after 5 weeks Pentax would replace the camera if the part didnt arrive in 5 weeks the super told me that he had to check on the part status before sending a new camea. Needless to say I was very unhappy but Pentax refused me to let me talk to his superviso so there was little I could do. That ws Friday and he said he would call me Monday.

Tuesday Nov 13, 2012. No call on Monday as promised from supervisor so I called Tuesday and the super told me they were sending me a new camera. Later that day he called back and said a parts shipment came in and they would wait to see if part was in it before sending a new camera GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Nov 14, 2012 the super called and said part was not received so a camerta would be sent. A NEW CAMERA ARRIVE NOV 16, 2012, ALMOST 9 WEEKS FROM THE DATE PENTAX RECEIVED MY OLD CAMERA. Needless to say I am busy trying out the new camera to make sure it is Ok and will add more later.
   
New Member

Registered: August, 2018
Posts: 2
Review Date: June 26, 2022 Recommended | Price: $25.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Size, all weather use, zoom and micro capability.
Cons: Image quality
New or Used: Used   

I really like this camera because of its small size, zoom and micro capability. It can be used in all weather conditions. The image quality is good considering the small sensor. In the final analysis Pentax WG-2 is a great camera for the intended use.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: May, 2008
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Posts: 972
Review Date: September 12, 2014 Recommended | Price: $289.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: fast operation, ruggedness, good optics, great LCD screen
Cons: noisy images, not centered tripod thread, slow lens
New or Used: New   

Bought it as an all weather, waterproof and "no worries" camera as a replacement for my trusty WPi. Compared to it, the biggest difference is the LCD screen which is huge compare to that on the WPi.

In fact is more rugged and designed to withstand deeper water, higher drops, lower temps and greater punish than the WPi, but the WPi at 6 Mpix produces smoother images than the WG-II even at 16 Mpix, under similar conditions.

Image quality on the WG-II is a bit too noisy for my taste. Nothing that a fast noise filter cannot correct under Corel Photo Paint or Photoshop, but I still believe (and grew up) playing by the slide film rules, which demanded to "get it right out of the camera: no post-processing involved".

Besides the noisy images, my only other complaint is the tripod thread, located to one side of the body's bottom. I got a nice "mini" gorillapod which makes the perfect companion for this (or any small p&s), but having the tripod socked at a camera's corner, means sometimes the camera weight unbalances the whole thing making if difficult to wrap the gorillapod to something and having it "stay" still for a while.

Its an overall good camera. It is perfect for traveling light without thinking about rain, mud, sand or dust conditions (placed you will think twice before taking your DSLR). Highly recommended
   
Junior Member

Registered: July, 2012
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 42
Review Date: August 31, 2013 Recommended | Price: $210.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: macro, microscope, rugged, small, filters
Cons: image quality @ wide angle
New or Used: New   

I received this as a gift from the kids, (the non GPS version). It's a bit of a conundrum, as the image quality on wide angle shots and when blown up are pretty poor when compared to normal compact cameras. This I believe is due in part to the protective cover over the lens, which gives poor edge performance; However,

When up close or in Macro the iQ is fine. The microscope function is a must for those needing to capture fine details like coins, stamps, small detail writing or bar codes etc or scientific people and even Police scene of crime staff.

I have had no issues with water proofing and its stood some basic snorkeling. I have taken some good underwater shots and video's at the great barrier reef in Australia.

A very handy piece of equipment for families at the beach, outdoor enthusiasts, people who need microscopic details, such as scientists and collectors. The close focus is sensational and the front mounted LED's work great. So, for what it's best at, it's a great camera, thinking your going to get high quality blow up landscapes, think again........it is what it is and it does a great job in that realm.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: October, 2011
Location: Red Oak, TX
Posts: 462
Review Date: February 3, 2013 Recommended | Price: $250.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Complete weatherPROOFING, rugged, small
Cons: jpeg only, tripod mount location
New or Used: New   

My dad bought this camera for me at Christmas, and I have to say, it is excellent to have in your pocket(literally). This is the best P/S I've ever owned, the ruggedness is a huge plus.
I just recently took some nice pics at the lake, but up until that point I had just been playing with the camera's possibilities(waterproofing mainly) I was actually trying to get the camera to fail, ie: letting it soak for a while, and I even sent it for a ride in the washing machine...with the video recording. It's a boring video, but it proved I couldn't kill this thing.
My only request would be DNG or at least TIFF support, but for a P/S the JPEG quality is still pretty good.
I would definitely recommend this for adventures, or even as a daily carryaround.
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