New Pentax W80 heats up the elementproof compact wars

The elementproof Pentax W60 [reviews], introduced in May 2008, generated some Optio excitement for the first time in a while. Now, piggy-backing on the heat of the K7, Pentax is launching a follow-up, the new Optio W80.

The Pentax W80 in a nutshell
+ coldproof (14 degrees Fahrenheit = -10 degrees Celsius)
+ drop-proof (3 feet)
+ JIS Class 8 waterproof rating
+ JIS Class 6 dustproof rating
+ 12mp 1/2.33" sensor
+ 5X optical zoom lens (28-140mm eq)
+ 1cm SuperMacro
+ Shake reduction (Pixel Track SR)
+ AF assist light (spot beam projector)
+ 20 digital filters
+ face detection of course
+ 2.5" LCD (230K)
+ 30fps 1280x720 video
+ SD/SDHC with D-LI78 LiIon battery (170 CIPA according to DCWatch)
+ initial production output 20,000 units per month (see Pentax Japan below)
+ available in July for $300 in three colors (blue, red, gray)
+ you can pre-order all three colors at Amazon

Further Reading
+ Press release at Imaging Insider
+ More at Yvon's Pentax DSLR blog
+ Gadget-blog view at Engadget
+ DC Resource including front and back pictures
+ Pentax Imaging
+ DC Watch
+ Pentax Japan