Pentax WG-8 Waterproof Camera Review

John Riley reviews the Pentax WG-8 which is 20 megapixel tough waterproof camera. John provides sample photos, test charts and his verdict for this travel and pocket friendly compact.

Posted: 05/01/2026 - 17:21

Adventure proof, waterproof, shockproof, crushproof and freezeproof, all in one tiny, pocketable package and with a not-too-shabby 20MP sensor as well, what's not to like about the WG-8? This is the top of the line Pentax (previously labelled as Ricoh, before that as Pentax) waterproof compact, part of a quite extensive range of similarly specified cameras. The theme is the same, but the details of the facilities varies. So, armed with a brand new WG-8 we set forth into the wild world seeking rain, hail and snow only to find sun and relative warmth over the Christmas of 2025, but give it time and perhaps we will see some worse weather before it is time to upload this review. In any event, the camera seems great so let's see if the quality of the results matches the promise of the adventures to come.

Features

The WG-8 feels sturdy and solid, weighing in at 241g, as measured. This is obviously not heavy in itself, but feels surprisingly heavy for such a small device, in fact reassuringly so. There is a quoted rating for the degree of resistance to dust and water and the camera is quoted as JIS 6 for dust and JIS 8 for water, or IP68. This means totally sealed against dust and fully immersible in water for a pressure and duration as quoted by the manufacturer, in this case 20 metres depth for up to 2 hours. The camera needs to be completely dry before opening the battery/SD card compartment. It also needs to be checked that there is no contamination or debris on the door seals before the camera is closed up again. 

Dimensions are a trim 118.2 x 65.5 x 33.1mm and the camera slips easily into a pocket or small bag. Our tour starts with the smart front face, in this case a distinct but tasteful lime green. The camera is shaped to give a secure grip. There is a small flash built in, but perhaps more interestingly a bank of six high powered LEDs that surround the lens and provide a macro light. They can be selectively switched off to fine tune the lighting and the brightness can also be adjusted. A macro stand screws into the front and provides a support to use the microscope function. This is an innovative and useful feature.

The lens is a Pentax 5-25mm f/3.5-5.5, giving a “35mm equivalent” of 28-140mm. Optical construction is 11 elements in 9 groups, including 5 aspherical. There is an auto macro function so that when the subject is too close the macro range is automatically engaged. Focusing in the macro range becomes 0.1 – 0.6m. Closer still, the 1cm macro mode is available, focusing from 0.01 – 0.3m. The digital microscope can be used with the macro stand and provides an easy way to photograph small stamps and similar flat subjects. There is a standard filter thread, so, unusually for a compact camera, protective and other filters can be used.

The top plate has the usual shutter release button, the on/off button and the mode dial. Selections include CALS, Green mode, Program mode, Scene mode, microscope mode, two user modes and video mode. There is no option to use Tv or Av modes, which is clearly a limitation, but one that the WG-8 shares with most similar compact cameras.

The camera back has a generously sized 3” TFT LCD monitor with 1040K dots. There are several control buttons, a four way controller and central OK button and all of these follow a recognisable Pentax style. Users of other Pentax cameras will be happily at home. There is also a zoom rocker switch.

The baseplate has a metal tripod bush, sensibly situated towards the centre of the camera. The battery/card compartment is very smooth in operation. The seals are also smooth and look to be very substantial. There is also access here to the USB-C and HDMI Type D connections. The camera may be charged via USB-C, although it may be more convenient to buy a charger and extra batteries. Wireless connectivity is provided by WiFi and Bluetooth, plus compatibility with FlashAir SD cards. The DB-110 battery is rated for 340 shots, so battery life is limited and having extras could be wise.

The camera is rated to operate at 20m depth for up to 2 hours. It may be dropped 2.1m onto a hard surface. The WG-8 is not chemical resistant, but it is part of a wider Pentax/Ricoh family of waterproof compact cameras that includes models with such features. It is freezeproof to -10C. It is also crushproof up to 100kgf.

Key Features

• 1/2.3” 20MP CMOS Backlit sensor
• ISO 125-6400
• Shutter 1/4s – 1/4000s
• Built in flash 0.2-5.5m/0.66-18 feet
• Waterproof to 20m depth, IP68, JIS Class 8
• Dustproof JIS Class 6
• Shockproof to 2.1m drop
• Crushproof to 100kgf
• Operates to -10C
• 5-25mm Pentax lens, equivalent to 28-140mm
• Wide converter lens available, equivalent to 22mm
• Pixel tracking SR
• 11 elements in 9 groups (5 Aspherical)
• Focus Stacking
• Microscope function
• Auto close up
• TFT LCD 3” 1040k dots, AR coating
• GPS/Digital compass
• Media: SD, SDXC, FlashAir
• JPEG capture only
• Connectivity: USB-C, HDMI Type D
• Battery DB-110 Lithium, 340 shots, 260m playback
• USB-C charging possible
• 4K video
• Webcam function

WG Range Comparison

Small cameras can be quite tricky to handle, so it is good to find that the WG-8 has well spaced controls and a good solid grip. The buttons are firm and positive to operate, so there is no danger of accidental operation. There is the one omission of a Tv or Av setting on the mode dial, so either the simple green setting or the P setting are the only exposure options. This reviewer's opinion is that it is a fair price to pay for the overall excellent handling qualities that make shooting images in all sorts of conditions possible.

The WG-8 is the top of the line for the Pentax range of adventure proof compacts. For those with specific requirements for construction sites the CALS mode produces images of 1MP and ** quality, suitable for submission to local authorities. For further construction, medical and disaster area use, the Ricoh G900 variants are the place to look, but these are outside of normal photographic supply chains and are also considerably more expensive.

Compact cameras with small sensors do of course show vast amounts of depth of field, probably an advantage for general use. If we dip into the Scene Modes then there are some digitally created options that can cover most special situations, such as portraits, flower portraits, HDR and many more. Of course, some will be disappointed that there is no provision for RAW capture. Those who shoot in JPEG will have no such qualms, and of course the benefit is that scene modes can be applied to cater for special circumstances and this does save bulk and complexity of operation. 

However, the main thrust of the camera is its ability to be thrown around and generally abused with impunity, and the very impressive water and dust proofing. Be it the weather, the beach or the sea the WG-8 could be the perfect photographic companion.

Performance

Lens Performance – Whilst Imatest is not practical for compact cameras, the overall appearance of images is obviously sharp, bright and contrasty, with minimal flare. The sensor is very small, so lower ISO values will yield the sharpest results.

CA is present as purple fringing , especially at the edges, but it does depend very much on the subject matter as to whether this is obtrusive or not. There are software solutions that will help if needs be.

Bokeh is not something that we look to with such a small sensor, in any event there being plenty of depth of field, thus making out of focus backgrounds hard to achieve. However, those backgrounds do come out quite well, perhaps not a bokeh master but creditable enough for a small camera.

Pentax WG-8 Waterproof Camera Sample Photos

Flare is not generally a problem, but include bright light sources in the image field and a mass of flare effects can be generated. Coupled with high ISO settings this can be a bit messy, but at more reasonable levels the flare control is actually very good.

Distortion is also well controlled, even close up, so the macro setting can be used with confidence. Any residual distortion can of course be handled in software.

Overall, a very creditable performance with pleasingly crisp results.

ISO Performance – The sensor is small, the pixel count is a relatively high 20MP and this does show in the noise performance. Best results are at ISO 125 and ISO 200, which are both clean and sharp. There is a very slight drop in sharpness at ISO 400, but noise control is still fine and the results are fully usable. ISO 800 shows a further drop in sharpness, still acceptable and still keeping noise levels under control. ISO 1600 is noisy and the integrity of the darker boxes on the test chart is becoming lost. ISO 3200 is becoming “feathery” on edges and is really only for emergency use. ISO 6400 has little merit, losing sharpness in a morass of noise. There is a limit to what can be expected, but the WG-8 is above average and acquits itself well.

Pentax WG-8 Waterproof Camera ISO Test Images

White Balance – There is a good choice of white balance presets, AWB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Daylight Colour, Fluorescent Daylight White, Fluorescent Cool White, Fluorescent Warm White, Tungsten, Ring Light and Manual. Interestingly, there is no Underwater and this is covered instead by a Scene Mode setting that automatically sets all the required parameters. The white balance presets provided offer excellent results.

Pentax WG-8 Waterproof Camera White-balance Test Images

Digital Filters – There are two distinct groups that may be described as Digital Filters. Image Tone covers Bright, Natural, Vibrant, Slide Film and Monochrome, a limited but effective selection. Selecting Scene Mode and then pressing the Menu button reveals a large number of options, HDR, Handheld Night Snap, Night Scene, Underwater, Underwater Movie, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Digital SR, Interval Shooting, Interval Movie, High Speed Movie, Surf and Snow, Kids, Pet, Sport, Fireworks and DOF Composite. There is a fine array of potential in there and most eventualities are catered for.

Pentax WG-8 Waterproof Camera Digital Filters

Video – Movie options are 4K 30p, FHD 30p, HD 60p and HD 30p, a limited spec but effective for short note-taking video shooting. 

Value for Money

There are a number of waterproof compacts available, most of them from Pentax/Ricoh with one from OM System. 

The Pentax range has been summarised above and is priced as follows:

• Pentax WG-8, £399, currently on offer at £341.10
• Pentax WG-90, £379, currently on offer at £329
• Pentax WG-1000, £229
• Ricoh G900 II, $799
• Ricoh G900SE II, $899

The Ricoh variants are distributed via Industrial supply lines rather than photographic dealers. USA Ricoh prices are quoted for interest only.

• OM System TG-7, £449, currently on offer at £399

The choice is there from the low cost WG-1000 to the top of the line WG-8, which at current offer prices looks quite a bargain.

Verdict

There is something in these options for everyone. All will give that beach/sea/adventure freedom. The lowest cost WG-1000 will also give chemical resistance, and various chemical cleaning agents are listed by Pentax. If the photographer is into this sort of territory then Ricoh have industrial models that are intended for building sites, famine relief and disaster areas as well as government projects. Various security levels are provided by these and they fall outside of our usual remit. They are mentioned for completeness and out of general interest.

The top of the line WG-8 includes all of the same high end features, but without the chemical resistance and added security. It really has a myriad of useful features and a level of sophistication that makes it more than just a compact camera. However, there is no escaping that tiny sensor and there are limitations. Fortunately those limitations are not apparent at ISO values up to perhaps ISO 400 or even ISO 800, so image quality is very good indeed and the camera is a perfect go-anywhere in any conditions companion.

It will sit happily in my jacket pocket and be available everywhere I go, delivering images that are totally usable for the general record of what is going on. It is Highly Recommended.

Plus Member drofmit drofmit

61 posts
16 years
Touraine du Sud,
[Indre-et-Loire],
France

Posted 07/02/2026 - 23:33 Link

John, I've been distracted for a while and only just seen this... I have it's predecessor... the WG6 (Ricoh)
The spec is exactly the same, so I won't be upgrading yet... especially not a green one that might get lost in all the moss we have here.
The camera is actually far, far better than it appears on paper... every field scientist should buy one!
Firstly the ring flash is adjustable through 9 levels and you can select All, Left, Right, Top or Bottom LEDs... so it is more than just a flat light.
Secondly, because of the 37mm filter thread... you can install a 49 or 52mm step up ring, so you can fit other things in front like a lens cap without loosing the benefit of the distance ring [they are almost the same] As mine is carried in my "every Frenchman's Man Bag" almost all the time... the dust cap is very necessary. There's more I could write, but it is Midnight 30 and Status Horizontalis calls........................

Never be afraid to talk about your techniques...
"Give a thousand photographers...
the same camera, lens and scene...
and you'll always get a thousand different takes!!"
Anon.

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