Pentax Ricoh Imaging has released details of its latest ‘Adventure’ camera, the Optio WG-2, which will be offered with and without integrated GPS.

Waterproof to 12 metres (40 feet) and able to withstand drops of 1.5 metres, the Optio WG-2 sports an 8.8 x 6.6 mm back-illuminated 16 megapixel CMOS image sensor and new image processor that delivers improved image quality in low light levels. It has a 5x optical zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent) and 3-inch LCD monitor with 460,000 dots plus an anti-reflective coating on its protective cover.
The Optio WG-2 also supports Full HD 1080p movie recording (1920 x 1080 pixels) at 30 FPS with H.264 compression. An HDMI port (Micro, Type-D) is provided for playing back images and video on HDTVs. Pixel Track, Digital stabilisation and Movie Shake Reduction ensure sharp, blur-free images and video. The new cameras include face detections AF/AE, which can detect up to 32 faces plus Pet Recognition that can detect one face, with three faces pre-registerable.  
A new Digital Microscope mode uses six LEDs surrounding the lens plus a detachable macro focus ring to provide even lighting on subjects as close as 1 cm from the  front of the camera. A tough mineral crystal cover protects internal lens elements, and an easy-to-clean SP coating helps water sheet off the optical surface, minimising blur due to water droplets.
Shooting modes include: Auto Picture, Program, Night Scene, Handheld Night Snap (ISO 125-1600), Movie, Underwater, Underwater Movie, Digital Microscope (2M), Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Interval Shot, Interval Movie, High Speed Movie (VGA, 120 FPS capture, 30 FPS playback), Digital SR, Surf & Snow, Kids, Pet, Sport, Candlelight, Fireworks, Night Scene Portrait, Text, Food, Digital Wide (5M), Digital Panorama (2M per frame), Frame Composite (3M or 2M), Report (1280×960, ISO 125-1600), Green (ISO 125-1600), Voice Recording (via reprogrammable Green button). Auto Picture modes cover the following scene types: Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Standard, Flower, Sport, Candlelight, Blue Sky, Sunset, Text, Group Photo, Pet, Portrait x Blue Sky, Portrait x Sunset, Portrait x Backlight. There are also Custom Image mode settings for Bright, Natural and  Monochrome.
The new camera is being manufactured in red, white and black. A new optional SportMount Chest Harness is available for strapping-on the WG-2 for hands-free carrying.  The Optio WG-2 without GPS is listed at US$349.95  on the Pentax website. Local release date and pricing have still to be provided.