Check out Tips+Tricks and get more from your Optio waterproof camera right out of the box!

How to protect your camera:

Prior to taking pictures underwater, make sure that there is no dirt, sand or debris on the waterproof seal of the battery/card cover and check that the cover is securely locked.

Before opening the battery/card cover after using the camera underwater, be sure that your Optio waterproof camera has been wiped dry and there is neither dirt nor sand in or around the battery/card cover.

How to take photos underwater:

Be aware that zoom settings behave differently when underwater because light refracts at the boundary between air (behind the protective glass lens cover) and water. This principle is demonstrated by the bent appearance of an object half dipped into a glass of water. The same zoom setting on land will result in a narrower field of view underwater. To shoot wide angles, you would shoot the subject from a slightly greater distance than you would on land.

PENTAX Optio W60 waterproof cameras are waterproof down to 13 feet for 2 hours.  The Optio W30 waterproof cameras are also waterproof and may be used to take pictures up to a depth of 10 feet for 2 hours.

By setting the Capture mode to Underwater, the Optio waterproof camera will enhance the White balance to accomodate for color shifts underwater.

1. Press the four-way controller while in the capture mode. The Capture Mode Palette appears.
2. Use the four-way controller to select (Underwater).
3. Press the OK button

The Underwater mode is selected and the camera returns to capture status.

Best results can be achieved by using the custom White balance feature.

1. Press the menu button then select White balance by using the four-way controller.
2. Press right arrow with the four way controller to enter the white balance menu then scroll down to the custom white balance icon.
3. When the shutter button is pressed, the camera will automatically adjust the white balance to the current shooting conditions.

"Through torrential rainfall and brilliant summer skies, you'll be able to still snap that priceless photo with the new revealed PENTAX Optio W60."

MOBILE MAGAZINE, May 2008

"This summer, go swimming or snorkeling with your digital camera. PENTAX announced...it's new Optio W60, a 10-megapixel point-in-shoot that is waterproof to a depth of 13 feet. An upgrade to the previous W30 model—designed to handle only 10 feet of water—the W60 will also last for two hours in extreme below-freezing temperatures.  Although it's designed for underwater photography, the W60 shows some impressive specs, too. It features a 5X optical zoom, a 28mm wide-angle lens, and a 2.5-inch LCD screen, and is even dust proof to keep out dirt and sand. Its useful Digital Wide function lets you merge two shots into one image (like stitching on most otherc cameras) within the camera or on a PC, and gives you a 21mm-equivalent shot for an even more encompassing picture."

PCMagazine, May 32008

"Waterproof cameras for beach & pool:  The PENTAX is dust-resistant and has in-camera cropping of still photos."

CONSUMER REPORTS, July 2006

"If you're looking for a camera that needs to be able to take a dunking...the PENTAX Optio W10 is an excellent choice."

digitalcamerareview.com, April 2006

"Splish, splash, take this camera in the bath."

MUSCLE & FITNESS, February 2006

"The sharpest submersible since the great white..."

MENS HEALTH TECH GUIDE, December 2005

"We dunked this little number in a tub of water for 30 minutes and it didn't bat a lens. The WP's rubber-sealed seams allow it to survive submersion to a depth of five feet (and also keep dirt from mucking up the works)....a travelling companion that pulls far more than its meager 4.2 ounce weight."

- CARGO MAGAZINE, September 2005 

"A waterproof camera of this quality, size and weight is irresistible."

- ACTIVE OUTDOORS, August 2005

"A natural for snorkelers and swimmers.

Pressed the trash button by mistake?  No problem.

The recovery function retrieves deleted pictures." 

- LADIES HOME JOURNAL, July 2005