Pentax announced their first rugged camera today (the previous Pentax W-series were merely waterproof) and here it is – the Optio W80.

Pentax Optio W80
(Rugged camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 28 – 140 mm (f3.3 – f5.5) 5X optical zoom lens
• Digital ‘pixel tracking’ image stabilization [slaps self on forehead]
• 2.5 inch LCD
• Auto Picture Mode (aka automatic scene mode selection)
• Face, smile and blink detection
• Digital wide combines two pictures into a single 21 mm wide photo
• Dynamic range adjustment
• No manual controls
• HD 720p 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in March for $300
• Comes in your choice of gray, red and blue

Related articles:

• Pentax announces three new cameras
• Pentax’s first super-zoom camera
• Pentax K-x digital SLR announced
• Two new Pentax cameras
• Fujifilm readies new cameras for mid-summer 2009 as well