Pentax WG-3 GPS - 16 Megapixel, Waterproof, Dust/Cold/Shock-Proof Digital Camera, Green

2014-02-26T19:00:00

My main reason for purchasing this camera was to mount it via suction cup onto a vehicle moving at up to 70 mph to take pictures of certain areas that were doomed to become housing communities in the near future. I wanted pictures of what the area used to look like because 10 years from now it will only be a memory otherwise. This camera offers a built in intervalometer and GPS, which allowed me to mount it to a car taking a picture every 10 seconds and have GPS coordinates recorded to know exactly where that picture was taken. There is simply no other point and shoot on the market that allows interval timed pictures down to 10 seconds and records GPS, period. The WG-3 is essentially a GoPro for photographers. I own a GoPro Hero 3+black but exclusively use that for video since it sucks on image mode. GoPro images in the highest quality are extremely wide angle fisheye looking and I hate them, and there is no optical zoom so distant objects are not very clear. I will not be reviewing the video quality on the WG-3 because I do not use it and do not care about it, that's why I own the GoPro. I had always viewed at Pentax/Ricoh as cheap cameras but my opinion has completely changed now from owning this camera, here is why. Pros: Image quality – Compared to my Panasonic ZS15 image quality from the WG-3 is very good but things like foliage are clearer when cropping images from the ZS15. With minor adjustments in the saturation, sharpness, etc I have been able to get close to the same coloration the ZS15 provides in Vivid mode and the WG-3 is perfectly capable of taking good landscape photos. The Panasonic is still going to be the camera I carry for hiking or other activities because of the superzoom lens but you could use the WG-3 as your only camera if you do not need a longer zoom. Built in interval timer – This is critically important to me and something few professional reviewers of this camera fail to even mention. Ricoh is the only manufacturer that includes this functionality on their point and shoot cameras with the capability to go as short as 10 seconds between shots. I plan to use this heavily for time lapse photos of landscapes and since the camera is ruggedized it also allows me to place the camera on top of a moving vehicle without worry about rain or impact destroying it. Instead of having to pull over and stop the car to take a picture on a scenic drive (think of Red Rock Canyon scenic loop in Las Vegas for instance) I can just set it to take a picture every 20 seconds and concentrate on driving. Pictures of sunsets on a beach are possible without worry of water splashing destroying it, the possibilities are endless. GPS – Important because I wanted to record exactly where the picture was taken, it is very accurate when viewed on Google Maps or compared to my Delorme GPS. Can purchase a remote – This is important to me because I like the ability to take photos with a remote control. For instance, I could set up the camera outside my tent while camping and use the remote to take a picture of the stars throughout the night without actually walking out to do it. Other cameras on the market like the Panasonic ZS30 force you to use a smart phone as a remote and do not offer separate remote controls for purchase. I am one of the few people who refuses to own a smart phone so the fact that I can buy a remote for this camera is excellent. Plethora of shooting modes available – Just about any shooting mode you can think of is built into the camera. One of my favorites is the digital microscope mode where you can literally lay the camera directly onto what you are photographing with the included macro stand and there are LED lights around the lens that allow close up photographs from 1cm away. Mounts – I have been using an off brand suction cup tripod mount with this camera but Ricoh recently announced that they will be selling GoPro type mounts for the WG camera within the next month. They are going to offer a handlebar mount, suction cup, and adhesive mounts, although due to the high announced cost I will probably just stay with my off brand. Cons: Really I have just one con. You cannot adjust the shutter speed on this camera for pictures of moving water or at night. There is a night mode that works fine but it adjust the shutter speed for you instead of giving control. The newly released WG-4 model does allow shutter speed control but it does not allow it in the interval shooting mode (which could be used for time lapse images of stars at night). If the WG-4 offered shutter control in the interval shooting mode I would recommend that camera instead and upgrade. However, since the shutter mode and some changes to the video mode are the only differences between the WG-4 GPS and WG-3 GPS I am sticking to the WG-3 GPS for now since it costs half as much as the WG-4 GPS currently.

ADAM W.

2013-10-13T21:00:00

This is a great adventure camera. I´ve used it when travelling and it´s great; especially under water, a great feature.

Benne

2013-10-13T21:00:00

Very good device to use it in hiking and bycicle trips as single camera and as additional to DSLR, when you need a tool to fix all the details of your trip with GPS tags. You won't worry about bad weather conditions and could easy take photos in point&shoot manner. IQ is good enough for that size of sensor, and max. aperture is f/2.0, while shutter speed up to 1/4000. IQ is better on wide angle.

Steamroller

2013-09-21T21:00:00

Shoot anywhere anytime, good quality pictures and fun presets. An eye level viewfinder and a normal strap mount would be nice, but a minor complaint. Well built

Mr H.

2013-07-09T21:00:00

pretty decent quality and very rugged. It will serve it's purpose when I go hiking and adventuring.

idaho v.

2013-07-08T21:00:00

Switched to Pentax from Canon d20, which leaks. So far very pleased. No leaks (checked 1 ft depth only). Image quality: focusing is good, colors - good, macro - good. Haven't tried underwater yet.

OLEKSIY M.

2013-06-10T21:00:00

I love the waterproof aspect. Being able to take pictures in the rain without worrying about the camera getting wet is very nice. Great for an active not so delicate lifestyle. GREAT for traveling. Really easy to navigate the option menu. I wish zoom was a little better. Per usual, digital zoom is not clear. If you leave GPS on the battery drains real quick.

JASON K.

2013-06-03T21:00:00

Would have given it 5 stars but I feel it's a bit pricy for not including a memory card. Only complaint cause this camera takes amazing pics with or without a tripod

Gator

2013-06-03T21:00:00

I ordered this for outdoor wilderness trainings and wildland fires. I haven't tried the GPS function for accuracy but impressed at the quality of the pictures. I love the various settings and captured some outdoor shots that looked like I used my SLR camera. Looks to be rugged - hope it stands up to the field test.

thepaintedswan

2013-05-20T21:00:00

I love the versatility of this camera -- great for hiking, biking, and traveling. Definitely read the instruction book first, though -- you'll save yourself a lot of frustration.

KASH62