Best Waterproof Cameras Summer 2009

Summer 2009 is now in full swing (at least in the northern hemisphere) which means fun at the beach, lake, river, pool or any other body of water. This also means sand and water which can both kill a camera. If you don't want to have to worry about your camera all day or clean and dry your hands every time you want to take a picture, here are a few of the better durable, waterproof cameras available. Granted these are slightly behind their more delicate brethren, but you can take them anywhere.

1. Canon Powershot D10

Not only is the Powershot D10 waterproof but it is shockproof and freezeproof as well (which makes it perfect for skiing and other winter sports also). The D10 is waterproof up to 33 feet, which pretty much covers any depth you would be swimming without scuba gear, unless you are one of those insane pearl divers. It is also cold resistant (14° - 104°) and shockproof up to 4 feet (a four foot drop). It is a 12.1 megapixel camera with a 3X optical zoom lens and image stabilization. The D10's DIGIC 4 image processor has Face Detection Technology that can track a face moving among subjects and the Face Detection Self-Timer allows the shooter to enter the frame. There is a smart Auto setting that will select the appropriate setting for the shoot from 18 predefined shooting situations. Blink detection alerts the shooter if the subject has closed eyes. The D10 also has a variety of accessories including customized straps and inter-changeable faceplates.

2. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1

The Lumix DMC-TS1 is Panasonic's first rugged camera. It is waterproof up to 3 meters, shockproof up to 1.3 meters (a little over 4 feet) and dustproof. The TS1 is a 12.1 megapixel camera that features a 28mm wide angle (up to 128mm in telephonto) Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens and 4.6x optical zoom plus image stabilization. The TS1 is also one of the only rugged cameras to feature AVCHD Lite HD video recording, which allows almost double the HD recording time compared with the normal Motion JPEG format. It also features a Wind Cut function to cut out most of the background noise while recording. It has a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD, which adjusts brightness depending on the conditions. The TS1 also features Face Detection and Intelligent Auto Mode, which continually checks the light level and adjusts the exposure accordingly. Intelligent scene selection sets the appropriate mode depending on conditions.

3. Pentax Optio W80

Pentax's rugged camera, the Optio W80 is waterproof up to 16 feet, dustproof, shockproof to drops up to 3.5 feet and cold resistant down to 14°. It is a 12.1 megapixel camera with a 5x internal optical zoom (equivalent to 28-140mm). The Optio W80 is capable of recording HD at 30 frames per second and has a shake reduction mode and an underwater movie mode which enhances colors for underwater video recording. It has a "Pixel Track SR mode" which compensates for camera blur and features Auto Picture mode which selects the appropriate settings from 8 possibilities depending on the shooting situation. It also has an advanced facial recognition that can detect up to 32 faces and optimizes the focus in just .03 seconds. It also has Smile detection which automatically releases the shutter as soon as a smile is detected (what about 32 smiles though?) and blink detection which warns the photographer if someone's eyes are closed. It also has 20 different screen filters such as Retro and Toy Camera that can add distinctive effects to your shots. The Optio W80 is not yet available but it can be pre-ordered. It's predecessor the Optio W60 is available.

4. Fuji FinePix Z33WP

The Fuji FinePix Z33WP doesn't have quite as many features as the other cameras on this list, but the price is right at just $150. It is a 10 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom. It is waterproof up to 10 feet. It features Face Recognition and Scene Recognition Auto which will choose from six scenes to optimize the camera's performance based on the shooting conditions. It is capable of shooting VGA movies both above and below water and has 12 in-camera editing features such as miniature, illustration and painting effects. It also has automatic red eye removal. The Z33WP has a 2.7-inch, 230,000 pixel resolution LCD screen.

5. Olympus Stylus Tough 8000

This camera lives up to its name and is definitely the toughest on this list. The Tough 8000 is waterproof to 33 feet, shockproof from falls of up to 6.6 feet which is easily above eye level for most of us and crushproof - it can withstand up to 220 pounds of pressure. It is also shakeproof as it has Dual Image Stabilization which combines mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization for the perfect anti-blur solution. Forgot to mention freezeproof - down to 14°. The Tough 8000 is a 12 megapixel camera with a 3.6x wide-angle optical zoom (28-102mm equivalent in 35mm photography, f3.5-5.0). It has Intelligent Auto which automatically picks the settings to optimize your photo depending on the environment. It offers in-camera editing and has a 2.7 inch HyperCrystal III LCD. One interesting (and probably quite useful) feature is Tap Control. This allows the user to adjust various settings by simply tapping the sides or top of the camera - perfect for when you are wearing bulky gloves.

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