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Pentax Ricoh Imaging Canada Announces Pentax WG-3 and WG-3 GPS: Top-of-the-Line Waterproof Digital Compact Cameras

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PENTAX WG-3 and WG-3 GPS:

“Developed as the top-of-the-line models of the rugged, adventure proof PENTAX WG series, the WG-3 and WG-3 GPS offer the series’ best waterproof performance (down to 14 meters underwater) and shock resistance (against a fall from a height of two meters). They also feature a newly designed, large-aperture, four-times optical zoom lens (with the maximum aperture of F2.0 at wide-angle end), a high-sensitivity, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, and a new-generation imaging engine to deliver high-quality, low-noise images — even in the water, at night and indoors where the subject is poorly illuminated. Adding such outstanding features as -10°C cold resistance, dual shake reduction system, Full HD movie recording (1920 x 1080n pixels) and a high-performance, wide-frame 3.0-inch LCD monitor, the WG-3 and WG-3 GPS perform well, even under demanding outdoor conditions, and can capture a wide range of subjects and scenes in beautiful, high-quality images and movies.

The PENTAX WG-3 GPS also features advanced GPS functions to record position data and travel log data onto captured images — along with a pressure/altitude/depth gauge, a digital compass and a wireless recharging system — to facilitate outdoor shooting.”

PRESS RELEASE

PENTAX WG-3 and PENTAX WG-3 GPS

Top-of-the-line waterproof digital compact cameras, featuring underwater shooting to a depth of 14 meters, a large-aperture wide angle zoom lens and dual anti-shake protection


Mississauga, ON – January 29, 2013
PENTAX RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC. is pleased to announce the introduction of the PENTAX WG-3 and PENTAX WG-3 GPS digital compact cameras. In addition to the best waterproof and shock-resistant performance among PENTAX waterproof digital cameras, these new models feature a high-performance, large-aperture zoom lens and a dual shake-reduction system to capture high-quality images both in the water and in the field.

Developed as the top-of-the-line models of the rugged, adventure proof PENTAX WG series, the WG-3 and WG-3 GPS offer the series’ best waterproof performance (down to 14 meters underwater) and shock resistance (against a fall from a height of two meters). They also feature a newly designed, large-aperture, four-times optical zoom lens (with the maximum aperture of F2.0 at wide-angle end), a high-sensitivity, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, and a newgeneration imaging engine to deliver high-quality, low-noise images — even in the water, at night and indoors where the subject is poorly illuminated. Adding such outstanding features as -10°C cold resistance, dual shake reduction system, Full HD movie recording (1920 x 1080n pixels) and a high-performance, wide-frame 3.0-inch LCD monitor, the WG-3 and WG-3 GPS perform well, even under demanding outdoor conditions, and can capture a wide range of subjects and scenes in beautiful, high-quality images and movies.

The PENTAX WG-3 GPS features advanced GPS functions to record position data and travel log data onto captured images — along with a pressure/altitude/depth gauge, a digital compass and a wireless recharging system — to facilitate outdoor shooting.

The WG-3 and WG-3 GPS will be available in Canada March 2013 at an anticipated retail price of $299.99 for the WG-3 and $349.99 for the WG-3 GPS.

Major Features

1. Heavy-duty construction for underwater shooting to 14 meters deep for 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, 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.**** 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 100kgf, 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 fourtimes 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 extends the zoom range to approximately 28.8 times to cover the focal length of an approximately 720mm supertelephoto 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 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 Pixel Track 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. Also available is a High-sensitivity anti-shake mode (Digital SR).

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 using the 1cm Macro focus setting or when the Digital Microscope mode is selected.* With the Macro Lights, you 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 eyecatching 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 source 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 you to capture high-quality, extended movie clips (1920 x 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 using an optional cable.

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

7. Extra-large, high-resolution, wide-frame 3.0-inch LCD monitor
The WG-3 and WG-3 GPS incorporate an extra-large, high-resolution 3.0-inch colour 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 in 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, you 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. A sub-display on the front panel can display time, pressure and altitude.

* Location data recorded at the time of shooting can be confirmed with the use of the accompanying software (Windows version only) or with some third party software, data is included in the EXIF information in the file.

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 Qicompatible 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

PENTAX RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC. is a wholly owned subsidiary of PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD., with headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario. PENTAX RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC. markets digital SLR, hybrid and compact cameras, as well as lenses, camera flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces. PENTAX on the web at
www.pentax.ca

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