These cameras take photography where others can't...
Article rating: 9.13
Cameras and water usually don't mix. The fastest way to void your warranty and run up a costly repair bill is to dunk your digital camera. And it doesn't take much water to turn your expensive picture-taker into trash-a few well-placed drops can be lethal. That used to mean that shooting snapshots while walking in the rain was not an option.
But for spring of 2009, all of that has changed. Canon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax all have introduced new all-weather, underwater cameras that defy the elements and get the shots that others can't.
These are all true underwater cameras, but they are much more. All are waterproof, dust resistant and just begging to be used in the rain or snow. If you have a pool or frequent the beach you can snap pictures without worrying about your camera getting wet or damaged by sand. But even if you don't go near the water, you'll enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that you're covered if you're ever caught in a sudden cloudburst.
Pentax pioneered the category of waterproof cameras, and has been offering weather-safe models for years. Their latest entry, the Optio W60, is a strong candidate for "best of breed"because it offers the most complete set of popular and useful features. Its 5X zoom (longest in the class) begins at true 28mm wideangle and extends to 140mm. It's a non-extending zoom, so the W60 maintains its svelte 1-inch thickness at all times. At 4.4 ounces it's one of the lightest in the group, too, and the ISO range tops out at a robust ISO 6400. The Pentax Optio W60 is useable to depths of 13 feet, which makes it ideally suited for snorkeling, the backyard pool, canoeing or skiing.
Pentax Optio W60
The lowest priced entry in this group, and also the lightest and thinnest, is the Fujifilm Z33. Checking in at 0.8-inches thick and lighter than a Quarter Pound Hamburger (a scant 3.9-ounces) the Z33 can be submerged to 9 feet and comes in three attractive, youthful colors. It has a 3X zoom and provides 10-megapixels of resolution. It will easily slip into a pocket or backpack but sports a large 2.7-inch LCD for easy composition and playback.
Fujifilm Z33
Fujifilm Z33
Canon's new PowerShot D10 is the heavyweight of the bunch, but delivers heavy-duty specifications to justify the ounces. It's also arguably the most cosmetically attractive design-sort of resembles a one-man submarine,but aesthetics are really a matter of taste. I like it. If you're going to do some serious diving you'll appreciate the depth rating of 33 feet. The PowerShot D10 is freeze-proof, shock-proof (okay, within reason) and dust proof. It also offers 12.1-megapixel resolution and a versatile 35-105mm zoom.
Canon Powershot D10(Front and back)
Another strong contender for all-round champ is the Panasonic Lumix TS1. It's a 12.1-megapixel beauty with a 4.6X (28-128mm) zoom lens and large 2.7-inch LCD. At 5.8-ounces it;s a middleweight, and it is not the smallest; but its smooth, flat shape makes it nonetheless easy to pack and carry. It also offers one of the most advanced video modes you find on any compact digital camera-in fact, the TS1 records AVCHD Lite HD video which permits almost double the recording time in HD quality compared with conventional formats. The TS1 also features Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio to match the high-quality motion images. The TS1 is waterproof to a depth of 10-feet, shockproof from falls up to 5 feet, and dust-proof. It's available in three colors, including a very trendy orange.
Panasonic Lumix TS1
Olympus is no stranger to splash-proof technology and been in the all-weather camera business for a long time. Their aptly-named Stylus Tough 8000 dives to depths of 33 feet and delivers 12-megapixel resolution. It will withstand a 6.6 foot fall, freezing temperatures to -10º C., and cheerfully endures up to 220 pounds of pressure-which means chubby uncle Charlie can sit on it without casualty. Add a 2.7 inch LCD and a 28-102mm zoom and it's a very versatile package. So there is your summer lineup. Think rain, think pool-think beach and boating. Skiing, too. And never miss another shot because your camera couldn't handle the weather.
