Major Features

1. Heavy-duty construction for underwater shooting to 14 meters deep, and up to two continuous hours

   By further enhancing the watertight capability of the camera body, PENTAX has upgraded the WG-3 and WG-3 GPS’s underwater performance to 14 meters, compared to 12 meters for their predecessors, and for up to two hours of continuous operation (equivalent to IPX8 or JIS Class 8 waterproof performance). These cameras are also designed to be highly shock-resistant*, dustproof,** cold-resistant,*** and crushproof.**** All these features make the WG-3 and WG-3 GPS dependable, heavy-duty imaging partners in harsh, demanding outdoor conditions.

   * Measured under PENTAX-original testing standards (from a height of 2.0 meters, onto a surface of 5cm-thick plywood), conforming to Method 516.5-Shock of the MIL-Standard 810Fm.
   ** Measured under PENTAX-original testing standards, equivalent to IPX6 or JIS Class 6.
   *** Measured under PENTAX-original testing standards, in which the camera is proven to withstand temperatures as low as –10°C.
   **** Measured under PENTAX-original testing standards, in which the camera is loaded with weights up to 100 kgf, or kilogram force.

2. 4X optical zoom lens with maximum aperture of F2.0 and 25mm wide-angle coverage

   The newly designed optical zoom lens offers a maximum aperture of F2.0 to capture bright, clear images with minimal noise, even under dimly lit underwater conditions. With its four-times zoom coverage from 4.5mm to 18mm (equivalent to approx. 25mm wide angle to approx. 100mm medium telephoto in the 35mm format), this versatile zoom lens accommodates a wide range of applications — from macro shooting of flowers to wide-angle shooting of spectacular landscapes. The camera’s Intelligent Zoom function also extends the zoom range to approximately 28.8 times to cover the focal length of an approximately 720mm super-telephoto lens (in the 35mm format) to capture extra-high-magnification images without compromising image quality.

3. High-performance, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor

   The WG-3 and WG-3 GPS come equipped with a state-of-the-art, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, which is superior in high-sensitivity and low-noise characteristics to conventional sensors and assures high-speed readout of image data signals. Coupled with a new-generation imaging engine, this image sensor delivers a top sensitivity of ISO 6400 and super-high-resolution images with 16.0 effective megapixels. These models also provide advanced image processing functions made possible by the latest super-resolution technology to assure sharp and clear images. They even offer such innovative features as a Handheld Night Snap mode, which automatically captures four images of the same scene and produces a single blur-free, composite image from them.

4. Dual anti-shake protection for sharp, blur-free images

   The WG-3 and WG-3 GPS’s dual shake reduction system combines an image-sensor-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism with a Digital SR mode to more effectively compensate for the adverse effects of camera shake and subject shake in shake-prone conditions, such as when capturing poorly lit subject with ambient light only, or when shooting sunset scenes.

5. Six LED Macro Lights to assist close-up shooting

   By positioning six LED Macro Lights around the circumference of the lens barrel for macro shooting, the WG-3 and WG-3 GPS provide brighter, more uniform illumination on the subject when the Digital Microscope mode is selected.* With the Macro Lights, the user can clearly see a magnified view of a microscopic world often unnoticeable with the naked eye on the camera’s LCD monitor and effortlessly capture eye-catching images. In order to minimize camera shake and subject shake, the instant illumination enhance function allows for the use of a higher shutter speed by automatically raising the illumination level of the Macro Lights at the moment of shutter release. In addition, the Macro Lights can provide other user-friendly features, such as a Self-Portrait Assist mode to check if the subject’s face is safely captured within the picture frame using the blink of an LED lamp, and a LED lighting mode to use the Macro Lights as a lighting device in the dark.

   * When the Digital Microscope mode is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 2.0 megapixels (at 16:9 proportions).

6. Full HD movie recording for extended shooting of high-quality movies

   The WG-3 and WG-3 GPS provide Full HD movie recording employing the H.264 recording format, allowing the user to capture high-quality, extended movie clips (1920 × 1080 pixels, 16:9 proportions) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. They also feature a high-speed camera function* for slow-motion playback of captured movie clips and a fast-forward movie function** to simplify creative movie techniques. A micro-HDMI terminal (Type D) is also provided on their camera body for simultaneous output of Full HD movie clips and sound to external devices.

   * When this function is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 1280 × 720 pixels).
   ** When this function is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 640 × 360 pixels).

7. Extra-large, high-resolution, wide-frame 3.0-inch LCD monitor

   These WG-series models incorporate an extra-large, high-resolution 3.0-inch color LCD monitor with horizontally extended 16:9 proportions and approximately 460,000 dots. The PENTAX-original AR (Anti-Reflection) coating minimizes annoying glare and reflections to assure a sharp, clear on-screen image even under harsh sunshine, while its wide-view design offers a clear view of the monitor from approximately 170 degrees horizontally and vertically, making it particularly useful in low and high angle shooting.

8. Advanced GPS functions and pressure/altitude/depth gauge to facilitate outdoor shooting (available with the WG-3 GPS only)

   The WG-3 GPS comes equipped with a sophisticated GPS module, which automatically records position data* and travel log data onto captured images and adjusts the built-in clock to local time. Thanks to newly incorporated pressure sensor and digital compass, the user can not only check the pressure, altitude/underwater depth and direction of a shooting location, but also record such data onto captured images for future reference.

   * Location data recorded at the time of shooting can be confirmed with the use of the accompanying software (Windows version only).

9. Wireless recharging (available with the WG-3 GPS only)

   The WG-3 GPS is compatible with the wireless Qi (inductive power standard) recharging system, which automatically recharges the built-in battery simply by placing the camera on a Qi-compatible commercial wireless recharger. Since this system eliminates the need to open and close the battery chamber cover, it greatly reduces the risk of foreign substances such as sand and dust clinging to special water seals installed in the cover.

10. Other features

    1. Sub-display on the front panel to indicate time, pressure and altitude(WG-3 GPS only)
    2. Two remote control receptors (one in front and another on the back) to widen signal coverage
    3. Digital level to check the camera’s horizontal/vertical inclination
    4. Camera case O-CC135 with a belt loop (optional accessory)
    5. O-CC1352 Protector Jacket (optional accessory) to protect the camera from scratches and grime
    6. O-LA135 Lens Adapter (optional accessory) to broaden the wide-angle coverage to 20mm in the 35mm format using the DW-5 RICOH Wide Conversion Lens (now available)
    7. O-ST1352 Float Strap (optional accessory) to prevent the loss of the camera in the water
    8. Auto Picture mode to automatically select the most appropriate shooting mode from 16 different scene modes
    9. Digital Wide mode to compose an extra-wide-angle picture (equivalent to approx. 19mm wide angle in the 35mm format) from two separate images
    10. Carabiner strap (included) for hooking the camera to a backpack or other outdoor gear
    11. 12 digital filters
    12. Image viewing, editing and filing software included: MediaImpression 3.6.2 LE (Windows version compatible with Windows 8) and MediaImpression 2.2 LE (Macintosh version compatible with Mac OS X 10.8)
    13. Compatibility with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards