As you may remember, I bought this camera in April, shortly thereafter I realized the out of focus pictures I was getting were not my fault. I sent the camera in and Pentax replaced the ‘guts’ of the focus feature. It was not long before I again realized, it was taking blurry pictures, again. Again I sent it back in, and once again, all new ‘guts’ and fantastic return service. Got it back today and took about 50 pictures. All came out sharp.
I suppose all of this could be taken as a negative, but that is not my intention. Sure, it;s supposed to work right out of the box, but poop happens. I know several folks who use the W-30 and love them. Me too. Iv’e just had a run of bad luck.
Would you consider it hijacking your thread to remind folks that there is a fine camera that is a dependable alternative to the Pentax Optio series ??
If not, don’t forget the Olympus Stylus 850SW and other models in that line. Trouble free for over six months and well over a thousand pics, using several of the modes and features, from macro and zoom to various scene modes and rapid fire, flash, underwater, etc. etc.
If so, blame flybinder 'cause he’s the one that recommended the camera to me.
Not to say that some folks aren’t doing some great things with Pentax Optios. Just that there is a viable alternative.
John
P.S. Paul - if you’re reading this, thanks again for the recommendation.
I own 2 Nikons, a D40x and a point and shoot which I can’t remember the model and I am to lazy to go get it right now. I am about ready to purchase another. I can’t make up my mind though. I want the D300 but really the D90 will do what I want and costs quite a bit less. Oh, and no problems with the ones I already own and I have shot hundreds of pictures with both.
The pics in these slideshows were taken with an Olympus Stylus 850SW and have been posted on the Fishing Reports Forum.
From the South Fork of the Snake - something a little different.
Another one from the South Fork - again with a different look.
From the Central Mountains - Idaho. A hike into Kane Lake.
Another one from the Central Mountains. A camping trip to Merriam Lake at the base of Mt. Idaho.
If nothing else, the Olympus does get around. I suspect in the hands of a really good photographer, it would do more than get around. But being waterproof to 10’, shockproof from 6’ and freezeproof to 14F, it is pretty much a go anywhere, do anything camera, and the pics ain’t all that bad.
Don’t get me wrong - I’ve got nothing against the Pentax Optio and have seen better pics taken with a Pentax Optio 10, most recently some taken by 7x that just blew me away. I suspect that is more 7x’s photographic skills than the camera ??
Just an alternative, and a camera that has served me quite well since I got it last May.
Picked up an Optio online for 99.00 and so far I amazed at the features and quality for the price…it was, I was told about 1/2 price…just got it and expect good things if I really learn to use it.
I have the older Olympus Stylus 70 (7 something) SW. I’ve had it for about 18 months and have drug it fishing all over the place. It works, takes decent photos, I’ve tested the waterproof features by taking some under water photos and even dropped it in the creek once. It just keeps on ticking.
I’ve heard good things about the Pentax too. I just had a really bad experience with a 35mm Pentax and have had no bad experiences with Olympus cameras.
I finally ponied up and bought a waterproof after dropping one Nikon and one Canon in the river. I bought the Olympus Stylus sw850. Love it!! Nice pictures and very convenient and compact to carry. Now when ole not-so-nimble fingers gets it out to document God’s paintbrush ( take that as fall scenery or brook trout), I don’t worry if it goes in the drink. Just wipe it off and cast again.
Had 3 Sony DCS W-XX cameras. While they take fantastic and very quick pictures(for a digital), the motors that extend the lens(or the mechanism) tend to get get bound up easily, forcing them not to work at all. I will not buy another.
I’ll be picking up an Olympus 1030 SW soon. I need something super durable and the reviews of the Optio W series seem less than stellar WRT to waterproof-ness (if you will). Though I found the Optio W30 at Ritz for $150 on clearance…and I like the fact that they take sD cards as opposed to the xD format of the Oly’s.
FWIW The 1030 SW versus the 1050 SW: the 1030 is waterproof to a greater depth (30’) and shockproof from 10’. The 1050 is the standard 10’ depth waterproof and 6’ shockproof. Both are freezeproof to 14 deg F as mentioned previously.
I’ve lost two P&S’s to drownings in the past 3 years so I need something that can handle my ham-handedness.
Perhaps my questions to the guy at Pentax here.
“This is the second time I’m sending this in, you guys having problems with these?”
“Not really. The main one it people not closing them right and getting water in them. Mostly surfing guys etc.”
“Any big difference in the ‘W’ series. I mean from the W-1 to the W-10?”
To that he said there was not a whole lot, just minor things, but, for the most part they have been pretty trouble free.
I like the fact (on ANY camera) that the lens does NOT move in and out. Far too many things can go wrong when they do.
When your W-30 starts taking out of focus pictures, is every picture out of focus or just some of them?
I have a W-10 and it sometimes seems like it takes some out of focus pictures but ususally I have a fish in one hand and the camera in the other so not sure if it’s me or the camera.
I have had the same camera for 2 years. I’ve used it fishing, hunting, while raining, snowing, at the water slide park taking movies while going down the slide and hitting the water and under water, under water while snorkeling in salt water then wash it off in the swimming pool and never had a problem. Great camera IMHO.
Happy Trails,
Dean
I like the fact (on ANY camera) that the lens does NOT move in and out.
I like that too on my Olympus, … that and the fact that it’s one of the first cameras I ever had where the manual says in the “Care” section, … to clean off the exterieur, … rince it under the tap while fonctionning the on/off to make the lense guard open and close !!! (or something to that effect)
Oh,… and Normand, … I would sure try to go 30 ft to get it back !!!
