The Pentax WG-10 is an entry-level waterproof camera, that's also freezeproof, crushproof and shockproof. Daniel Bell reviews.
Posted: 17/05/2013 - 11:28
Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The WG-10 is Pentax' latest entry-level camera designed for outdoor and underwater use - it's waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and crushproof. It has a 14 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, is available in black and red and costs around £140.00.
Pentax WG-10 Features
Key Features
- 14 megapixel CCD sensor
- 5x optical zoom lens (35mm equiv: 28-140mm)
- Pixel Track SR mechanism
- 2.7 inch 230k dot LCD screen
- Waterproof to 10m, shockproof to 1.5m, freezeproof to -10°C and crushproof to 100kg
- 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
- ISO 80-6400
- 1cm minimum focusing distance with 5 LED lights
- 2.3 fps continuous shooting
- Available in red or black
Pentax WG-10 Handling
The Pentax WG-10 is rubberised on the outside and has an unusual shape, all of which makes it easy to grip, even in cold, wet conditions. This entry level model doesn't have the dual locking system for the memory card and battery as featured on the WG-3. A plastic ring is supplied with the camera which acts as a support for using the digital microscope mode.
On top of the camera you'll find the on / off switch and the shutter release. On the back there are two buttons for adjusting the optical zoom, the lens is housed internally within the camera. Other buttons include playback, face detection, menu, green and a d-pad which is used for cycling through the menus and also gives access to the self-timer, flash, focus and shooting modes.
The 2.7 inch screen is bright and clear and has a modest resolution at 230k dots. It has an anti-reflection coating to minimise glare and reflections. The menu system is well laid out and easy to use.
| Shutter Response | 0.1 secs | |
| Wide - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.25 secs | |
| Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.3 secs | |
| Switch on Time to Taking a Photo | 2.0 secs | |
| Shot to Shot without Flash | 2.2 secs | |
| Shot to Shot with Flash | 3.1 secs | |
| Continuous Shooting | 0.9 fps | |
| Burst Shooting | 2.3 fps |
Continuous shooting records in full 14 megapixel resolution, with burst mode limited to 5 megapixels.
Pentax WG-10 Performance
Pentax WG-10 Sample Photos
Sample Photos - Images tend to be well exposed with good colour reproduction. Portraits show red-eye when using the flash, but you're able to remove this in playback. The Digital Microscope allows for very impressive macro shots. If you want to images with a higher dynamic range, you can select options to increase details in the highlights and the shadows.
Pentax WG-10 Lens test images
Lens Performance - Images have a decent level of detail at both ends of the lens, although they are a little softer around the edges and in the corners. Purple fringing isn't too much of an issue in contrasting areas. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of just 1cm, so it's possible to take impressive macro shots.
Pentax WG-10 ISO test images
ISO Noise Performance - Noise is low at ISO 80 and 100, with only a slight increase at ISO 200. Images become a little soft at ISO 400 with image detail reduced at ISO 800. More detail is lost at ISO 1600, with a very soft image produced. Image quality is poor at the highest settings of ISO 3200 and 6400, with image size limited to just 5 megapixels.
Pentax WG-10 White-balance test images
White Balance Performance - Under the incandescent lights, the auto white balance (AWB) has an orange cast, with the incandescent preset taking a much better picture. Under the fluorescent lights, the AWB performs well, with a colour cast when using the fluorescent preset.
Panorama | 1/320 sec | f/4.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 80
Panorama mode - The WG-10 stitches three shots together in panorama mode. There are some stitching issues, but it's hardly noticeable when sharing on the web.
Pentax WG-10 Digital filters
Digital Filters - The image tones can be used during recording, the rest of the filters above have been added using the editing options available in playback.
Video - Below is a video recorded at 720p HD. Quality is OK. You're not able to use optical zoom during recording.
Value For Money
The Pentax WG-10 is available for £140. Recommended waterproof cameras include the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5, available for £295, the Nikon Coolpix AW110, available for £270 and the Canon Powershot D20, available for £260. For more waterproof cameras, have a look at the Top 10 Best Waterproof Cameras. If you are on a budget, the Olympus Tough cameras score well in our reviews, such as the TG-620 and TG-320.
Pentax WG-10 Verdict
The Pentax WG-10 offers decent picture quality at a reasonable price a waterproof camera. There are better waterproof cameras available, but if you're on a limited budget, or the camera is for a child, you can't go wrong. You can create unique pictures with the Digital Microscope mode, as well has the range of digital filters available for editing pictures in playback.
Pentax WG-10 Pros
- Good value for money
- Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and crushproof
- Digital Microscope mode
- Decent image quality
- Wide range of filters for editing pictures
Pentax WG-10 Cons
- Only 720p HD video
- Small, low resolution screen
- Just one lock for battery / memory card slot
Pentax WG-10 Specifications
| Manufacturer | Pentax | |
| Lens | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 - f/5.5 | |
| 35mm equivalent | 28mm - 140mm | |
| Optical Zoom | 5x | |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Pixels | 14Mp (Megapixels) | |
| Pixels (W) | 4228 | |
| Pixels (H) | 3216 | |
| Sensor Type | CCD | |
| Sensor Size | 1/2.3 inch | |
| Sensor Size (width) | No Data | |
| Sensor Size (height) | No Data | |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3 16:9 |
|
| LCD Monitor | ||
| LCD Monitor | 2.7in | |
| Screen resolution | 230k dots | |
| Touch Screen | No | |
| Focusing | ||
| Min Focus | 1cm | |
| Focusing modes | Autofocus |
|
| Exposure Control | ||
| Shutter speeds shortest | 1/1500sec | |
| Shutter speeds longest | 1/4sec | |
| Bulb mode | No Data | |
| Exp modes | Program Scene modes A |
|
| Metering | Centre-weighted - Average Multi Pattern Spot |
|
| ISO sensitivity | 80 - 6400 | |
| White balance | Auto Manual Outdoors/Daylight Incandescent Fluorescent Shade |
|
| Exposure Comp | +/-2 | |
| Shooting Options | ||
| Continuous shooting | 0.7fps | |
| Video | ||
| Movie mode | Yes | |
| Video Resolution | 1280x720 HD 720p |
|
| Video FPS | 30 | |
| Stereo Sound | No | |
| Optical Zoom with Video | No | |
| Other Features | ||
| Image Stabilisation | Yes | |
| Interface | ||
| HDMI | Yes | |
| USB | USB 2 | |
| Wi-Fi | No | |
| Storage | ||
| Card Type | SD SDHC SDXC |
|
| File Type | JPG |
|
| Power Source | ||
| Battery Type | Rechargeable D-LI92 Lithium-Ion battery | |
| Battery Life (CIPA rating) | 260shots | |
| Box Contents | ||
| Box Contents | USB cable, Li-ion battery, Battery charger, AC plug cord, Strap, Macro stand and Software | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 163g | |
| Width | 115.5mm | |
| Height | 58.5mm | |
| Depth | 28.5mm | |
Members gallery photos using: PENTAX WG-10
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