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Get a waterproof-camera bundle for $99.99 shipped

Perfect for days at the pool or beach, the waterproof Pentax WS80 can shoot photos and videos up to five feet underwater.

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Rick Broida
For less than $100 you get a waterproof camera, a carrying case, a floaty thing, and a 2GB memory card. Willoughby's

Seemed like it would never happen, but the weather's finally warm enough to start hitting the pool, the beach, and other outdoor venues. Alas, most cameras are too delicate to endure contact with surf and sand. So if you plan to take pictures, you'll need a waterproof model.

Camera outfitter Willoughby's has a Pentax waterproof-camera bundle that's just for CNET readers: A Pentax Optio WS80 10-megapixel camera, Pentax carrying case, floating wrist strap, and 2GB SD card, all for $99.99 shipped.

The WS80 has fairly standard specs, including a 2.7-inch LCD, a 5X optical zoom, and the option of shooting 720p video at 30 frames per second. It incorporates face- and smile-detection technology and uses shake reduction to help snap blur-free images.

But the big deal, of course, is the camera's waterproof design, which can withstand sand, snow, and up to five feet of water--meaning you can snap underwater photos! Full specs are available on Pentax's WS80 product page.

I haven't found many reviews of the WS80, but I imagine it's a decent enough point-and-shoot for outdoor activities. And the extras, while not worth more than $10-15 combined, are definitely worth having. So hit the beach, leave your primary camera behind, and let this one get dunked, splashed, and knocked around without worry.

Bonus deal: If you're willing to tell the world (or at least your friends) that you "like" Toyota, you can get a free MP3 download from Amazon. Follow the instructions listed over at Dealnews.