Are you the adventurous type? Like to be one with the mud? Want to get great underwater snorkle shots? Don't mind getting wet, gritty, dusty, and dirty? These compact waterproof digital cameras are designed for you.
What are the best compact waterproof digital cameras? And why do you need a ruggedized camera, even if you're a landlubber?
The electronics found in most of today's digital cameras are very sensitive: They hate water (even just rain) and dust. They tend to be too fragile to drop, and definitely don't want to be stepped on. But if you like to snorkle, do mountain climbing, skydiving, or other adventurous outdoor activities...or simply want to take your camera with you to the beach or on a camping trip, or get caught in a downpour, the last thing you want to be concerned with is your camera's well-being as it gets dipped, dunked, and jostled.
While there are some pro-end DSLRs that are rugged enough to take a beating, they are also big and heavy. And if you're a serious diver and are willing to make the investment in underwater photography, there are hundreds of underwater camera housings designed to fit nearly any land-lubber camera out there, including DSLRs which would give you the best image quality, but underwater housings can cost hundreds of dollars above the price of the camera. If you are serious about your ourdoor activities but more casual about your picture-taking (or simply need a camera that won't get in the way), you need a smaller, lighter camera.
Fortunately, the list of ruggedized, pocketable cameras that can handle hazardous environments and rough treatment is growing. To make this list, the cameras have to be sealed against water to depths of at least 10 feet; they need to be sealed against dust; they should work at temperatures below freezing; and they should be able to survive being dropped a few feet. Some models are also crushproof and can handle 100 pounds or more of pressure.
While image quality is still typical for compact cameras (that is, not as good as DSLRs), if you stick with the lower ISO settings (under 400) you should be able to bring back good quality images. But if you must boost ISO due to low light, at least you'll have a record that you were there—jumping off the plane, floating near the coral, climbing that cliff, or...well, whatever floats your boat (or camera).
Here's a look at a bunch of cameras that you can bring on your great outdoor adventure without worry. Prices accurate as of March 28, 2012.
Canon PowerShot D20
$350
Summary: This second generation Canon waterproof digital camera is a “fun and funky” 12.1MP camera that features an internal-zoom 3x (38-114mm equivalent) optically-stabilized lens, as well as Smart Auto Exposure Advanced Face Recognition, a 2.5-inch LCD, and a wild accessory kit containing a customized strap, cool face plates, and a carabineer hook inspired by the heavy-duty outdoor users.
Rugged Specs
- Waterproof to depth of 33 feet
- Weather resistant: 10-104 degrees F
- Shockproof up to 4 feet
- Sealed against dust? Yes.
Fujifilm FinePix XP150
$250-280
Summary: Claimed to be the toughest FinePix to date, the Fujifilm FinePix XP150 has a rubberized coating and riveted metal handgrip, sealing it against water, dust, drops and cold, and has a water-repellent lens surface. The XP150, part of the Fujifilm waterproof camera line, features a 14MP sensor, 2.7-inch LCD monitor, 5x optical zoom lens, image stabilization, and the ability to record full 1080p video. Internal GPS (which you can also use to plan you route) displays latitude and longitude in still and video meta tags and a compass displays the direction the camera is pointing. The XP150 also has multi-frame in-camera HDR, the ability to shoot the same scene both with and without flash at the same time, face detection, 360-degree motion panorama, and a very cool Pro Low-Light Mode, which combines 4 high-ISO images into a single, lower-grain image. Available in Orange ($250) or Black ($280).
Rugged Specs
- Waterproof to depth of 33 feet
- Shockproof against drops up to 6 feet
- Coldproof down to 14 degrees F
- Dust- and sand-proof
- Water-repellenant lens coating
Nikon AW 100
$295
Summary: The Nikon AW 100, Nikon's first ruggedized compact camera, features a 16MP CMOS sensor, built-in GPS, a 3-inch, 460k dot monitor and a control layout that lets you operate the camera while wearing gloves. What a smart idea for a camera that can be used at 14 degrees! In addition to shooting stills it can capture full HD in 1080p mode. It has a variety of playback filter effects, 20 scene modes, a built-in map that associates the shooting location with the pictures you've shot, has an internal periscoping 5x optical zoom lens that starts at 28mm, close focusing down to 1cm, and an ISO range of 125-3200. Available in blue INKAW100BL, black INKAW100B, and Orange INKAW100OR
Rugged Specs:
- Waterproof to depth of 33 feet
- Shock-proof against drops of up to 5 feet
- Freeze-proof down to 14 degrees farenheight
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-810
$350
Summary: The latest generation of Olympus underwater camera series which is one of the longest-running lines of rugged cameras, the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-810 is built like a tank but benefits from some unique Olympus under-the-hood fun stuff—especially its Magic Filters, which let you emulate Pop Art, Pinhole, fisheye, soft-focus, drawing, watercolor, sparkle and punk effects. You can shoot sweep panoramas and 3D images that can be viewed on compatible TVs or laptops. There's a generous 3-inch LCD with 920k dot resolution, a 5x optical zoom that starts at 28mm, macro focus down to 1.2 inches, GPS for geotagging your photos wherever your adventures take you, and a 14MP CCD sensor.
Rugged Specs
- Waterproof to depth of 33 feet.
- Temperature range: down to 14 degrees F
- Shockproof to 6.6 feet
- Sealed against dust? Yes
- Crushproof; can withstand up to 220 pounds of pressure
Panasonic DMC-TS4
$360-400
Summary: Featuring a Leica 4.6x zoom lens that starts at 28mm (35mm equivalent, the Panasonic DMC TS4 is a ruggedized camera designed for active outdoor use. In addition to GPS, it has a compass, altimeter and barometer to record altitude, barometric pressure and orientation (the barometer also indicates how deep you're diving). Other fatures include 1080p HD video in AVCHD format, an LED light for low-light video recording, macro focusing down to about 3 inches, ISO range 100-6400, and a modest 2.7-inch, 230k dot resolution LCD monitor. Available in blue, black, orange, silver.
Rugged Specs
- Waterproof to 33 feet
- Shockproof to drops of approximately 6 feet
- Dustproof to IPX8 and IP6X standards
- Freezeproof operates to 14 degrees F
Pentax Optio WG-2
$350-400
Summary: Pentax has been making rugged cameras longer than any other camera maker, and their experience building the Pentax underwater camera line has been poured into the WG-2, its 13th generation rugged camera. In addition to being waterproof, shockproof, crushproof and coldproof, the camera offers a 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens surrounded by an array of LED lights designed to illuminate close subjects. That's great for both underwater and on-land macro photography, and the camera lets you get to within half an inch of your subject in macro mode. The slightly larger-than-average 1/2.3" 16MP sensor means better image quality. There's a 3-inch LCD montor, 720p HD video capture, 88MB of internal memory, and an ISO range of 125-6400. Available in Red, Black, Orange, and White. There's a $50 price difference, depending on the color so shop carefully!
Rugged Specs
- Waterproof to depth of 40 feet
- Shockproof from drops up to 5 feet
- Crushproof (220 LbF pound-force)
- Coldproof to -10 degrees C (14 degrees F)
- Sealed against dust
Sony Cyber-shot DSCTX200V
$500
Summary: The Sony DSC-TX200V does not look like the kind of camera you can take into a pool or snorkeling. The latest entry in the Sony underwater camera lineup's polished, minimalist glass exterior is fashionable, but misleading: This 18MP camera is waterproof down to 16 feet and dustproof. The back is dominated by a 3-inch touchscreen LCD, its internal periscoping optical zoom lens has a 28-140mm 35mm equivalent zoom range. It focuses as close as about an inch away, has 16 scene modes, an amazingly fast 10fps burst rate at full resolution, 3D sweep panorama and regular sweep panorama, a variety of picture effects, an ISO range of 64-12800 (although given the small sensor size we recommend sticking to the lower speeds) and the ability to record full 1080p HD videos at 60p. Available in Silver, Red, or Violet.
Rugged Specs
- Waterproof to 16 feet
- Dustproof
