Pentax Optio WG-1 March 2011

Pentax is well-known for its waterproof and shockproof cameras. Its new WG-1 and WG-1 GPS models are the latest additions, and their chunky construction certainly looks the part.

Rugged claims

The list of claims made by Pentax about the WG-1 is impressive. It says that the WG-1 is:

• Waterproof up to 10m
• Shockproof to 1.5m
• Coldproof to -10 degrees Celcius
• Crushproof to 100kg
• Dustproof

Unlike Panasonic and Canon, which use cute or discreet looks for their rugged cameras, the WG-1 looks tough, with plenty of markings on the body boasting of its ability to withstand knocks, scrapes and underwater adventures. The body is aluminium, giving it strength and lightness. Overall, it is comfortable to hold.

At a shade under 150 grams and 2.8cm thick, it's not super-slim, but it's small enough to fit in most pockets.

A nice touch is the inclusion of a carabiner strap. This strap has a hook at the end for attaching the camera to your trousers or a backpack - useful for taking quick snaps when out on a long walk.

To compare other rugged cameras, read our reviews of the Pentax W90, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2 and the Canon PowerShot D10.

Digital microscope mode

The WG-1 has a digital microscope mode that allows you to take clear close-up images. To use it, you attach the supplied macro stand to the lens of the camera - this is easy to do. Turning on the digital microscope mode activates the 5 small LED lights around the lens to illuminate the subject. Putting the camera over the subject using the macro stand as support ensures the camera is steady. One of the biggest challenges of close-up photography is keeping the camera still, and the macro stand does a good job here.

The Pentax WG-1 with carabiner strap

Sensor and optical zoom

The WG-1 has a 14Mp sensor and a pretty standard 5x zoom range (28-140mm). Operating the zoom and other main controls on the back of the camera is straightforward, although some may find the buttons a little on the small side. This may become more of an issue while on the move. The Canon PowerShot D10 has larger, easier to use buttons.

Check out our reviews of all the latest digital cameras.

LCD display 

The WG-1 has a 2.7-inch LCD screen on the back. This is quite small by today's standards, and it's not the brightest we've seen. Like many compacts these days, there's no viewfinder.

GPS geotagging 

The WG-1 and WG-1 GPS are very similar models. The main difference between them is that the GPS version has a geotagging feature. It automatically calculates your position tags your photos so you can show them on a map such as Google Earth or Picasa. The GPS model is available in grey or green, whereas the standard WG-1 comes in black and purple versions.

Pros: Rugged, carabiner strap, digital microscope mode is fun to use and gives good results.

Cons: Small LCD screen, small and fiddly buttons