Kenko Tokina Unveils the KC-WP06 Underwater Camera
Kenko Tokina’s new $125 underwater KC-WP06 camera is bringing back the inexpensive point-and-shoot camera. It combines contemporary front-facing LCD technology with traditional features like a 25.5mm equivalent lens and an 8-megapixel sensor.
The retro-styled small camera is designed for use both inside and outside. Apart from the front-facing LCD described above for selfies and a few built-in software capabilities, the camera has modern hardware that would have been cutting edge over twenty years ago.
The Kenko Tokina KC-WP06 has a wide-angle 25.5mm f/2.2 prime lens, which is equivalent to a 35mm camera, in front of a modest 8-megapixel Type 1/3.2 CMOS sensor, which is adequate for HD video capture but far less than the standard found in contemporary smartphones. However, it does offer some weather resistance, and it is rated IP58, which is sufficient for moderate dust protection and water resistance that allows for full submersion up to three meters for up to 30 minutes.
Additionally, the camera has some close-focusing capabilities and can capture images of objects as close as 10 centimeters.
The camera’s front-facing display is a 1.5-inch panel, while the camera’s rear LCD screen spans 2.8 inches across. The camera records JPEG images and MJPEG (AVI) video to microSD cards, and the KC-WP06 can accommodate cards with up to 128GB of storage. It has ISO sensitivity settings of 100, 200, and 400, and shutter speeds as quick as 1/8000 second. Additionally, the camera incorporates electronic stabilization.
From a feature perspective, Kenko Tokina claims underwater photography, timelapse functionality, slow motion video capability, and autofocus that can track moving subjects. A USB 2.0 cable is used to connect the KC-WP06 to a computer and use it as a webcam as well.
Outside of the front-facing LCD, timelapse and stabilization features, and use of a CMOS sensor, the majority of what the KC-WP06 offers looks remarkably similar to what was typical to find in cameras from the early 2000s, such as the Pentax Optio W10 or WP cameras. This is true even though the camera costs 17,490 yen (roughly $125). In other words, it’s not a camera that’s making history.
