The Wednesday-launched Pentax’s new rugged digital camera - Pentax Optio W80 - is the most-recent addition to the fairly long list of waterproof and rugged cameras and camcorders released this year! 

To hit the markets in July, the W80 will be available in three colors - Azure Blue, Cardinal Red, and Gunmetal Gray. 

An update to the earlier Pentax offering, Optio W60, the $300-priced Optio W80 is not only waterproof, and dustproof, but also shockproof as well as freeze-proof. The 12-megapixel camera, supporting a 2.5-inch LCD with a 170-degree viewing angle, is safe in up to 16 feet under water for nearly two hours; can withstand a 3.3 feet fall; and remain functional in up to 14 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures.

Like its predecessor, the adventure-proof W80 includes an f/3.5-5.5, 5x internal zoom lens, with a 35mm corresponding range of 28-140mm, and a 230,000 dot. The “Super Protect” coating on the transparent external lens cover of W80 helps keep away grime, water, and fingerprints!

Among other notable features, the new Pentax camera offers a top ISO setting of 1600; a Super Macro mode for close focus up to 1 cm; and can capture 720p AVI video at 30fps with mono sound. The various capture modes of the latest Pentax offering include - Underwater, Underwater Movie, and Surf & Snow.

(Image Source: ubergizmo.com)