Looking for a Digital Camera That's Nearly Unbreakable?
There are alot of features to consider when purchasing a digital camera. For many however, durability is a critical aspect of any portable electronic device. When you consider the expense of such items, it's no wonder that their longevity and ability to withstand the types of circumstances they are sure to encounter become pivotal characteristics which guide our buying decisions.On this page we will introduce you to one rugged digital camera that may suit your needs perfectly and provide some video demonstrations.
What Does a Rugged Digital Camera Offer?
There are number of common ways a digital camera can be damaged but for a rugged camera with special design features, these risks can be minimized. Here are some of the common risks for cameras:The lens is one of the most critical and costly parts of a digital camera. Damage to the lens can spell the end of the camera due to the cost of replacing it. Much of the damage to the lens of a compact digital camera occurs when the camera isn't in use; when it's tossed into a pocket, a purse, or some other compartment without protection. Automatic lens covers are a first line of defense to thwart the objects and contaminants in the air that threaten a camera lens.
The internal circuitry, sensors, and other parts are vulnerable to shock when dropped on a hard surface. Some cameras are designed to absorb or counteract such impact to greatly reduce such risks.
Moisture can be deadly for the lens as well as the circuitry of a digital camera just as it is for nearly any electronic device. A rugged digital camera however is designed with rubber gaskets, O-rings, and special lens coatings to reduce the chance of water penetrating it and doing it's nasty work. In fact some cameras do this so effectively, they can be used for underwater shooting.
Excessive heat and cold can damage a camera. In addition, shifting from one extreme to the other can create condensation on the lens. A rugged camera however, is built to tolerate extreme cold without difficulty, allowing it to be used in more extreme outdoor climates.
Who Needs a Rugged Digital Camera?
Making the change to a more durable camera can have advantages for many people.Young children love to explore, pushing buttons, and picking up equipment that their parents have lying around. From there, nearly anything can happen and with out a rugged digital camera, breakage is a common occurence.
When you're outside taking pictures you may not want to be limited by a light, intermittent rain, a cold, but beautiful snowy day, or a heavy fog. A waterproof, freeze proof camera can make that possible.
Whether you want to shoot images of the life surrounding a coral reef or the kids playing in the pool, a waterproof camera can capture some great shots beneath the surface.
People who forget to put the cap on to protect their camera lens, people who forget to zip up the pouch they carry their camera in, or people who tend to leave their equipment sitting just anywhere convenient, even if it's right on the edge of the counter in a high traffic spot in the house. Accidents can and do happen; a rugged camera can be the difference between an "oops" and a disaster.
Olympus Stylus 1050SW in Silver
Olympus Stylus 1050SW 10.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)
Amazon Price: $299.95 (as of 12/21/2009)
The Olympus Stylus 1050SW is a very rugged camera. It's a deceptive point and shoot device.. It's small stature (6.1 ounces) doesn't tell the story of it's tough, nearly unbreakable build.
It has an impressive 10.1 megapixel image sensor with 3x optical zoom and digital image stabilization allowing it to create beautiful prints up to 18 x 24 inches. With face detection technology that allows it to track up to 16 faces within a frame, nearly perfect exposure and focus is assured in family photographs. It's Smile Shot feature can also assure you capture happy faces as it detects smiles which triggers three consecutive shots without relying on your reflexes while it's 2.7" LCD display can assure you get the most accurate preview of your shots.
The 1050SW is unique for it's touch sensitive body. That's right, it doesn't merely have a touch sensitive display, but it can be operated via touch nearly anywhere on it's body, making it extremely easy to control even in difficult situations.
This camera also provides an in-camera panorama feature, shadow adjustment to help when shooting in tricky bright daylight conditions, red-eye fix, shadow adjustment editing, and a number of other in-camera editing features such as resizing and saturation adjustments. The Olympus 1050SW also has an LED Illuminator to improve exposure for up close and underwater shots.
Beyond all of these convenient features are characteristics that make this digital camera one of the most durable on the market. The Olympus Stylus 1050SW is viritually shockproof as it can withstand drops of 5 feet without damage. In addition, it's nearly freeze proof as it is designed for use down to 14 degrees Farenheit. In fact, this camera is even waterproof as it can be used underwater at depths down to 10 feet and even includes a preset underwater scene mode. With it's automatic lenscover, the lens is even protected from much of the dust, smudges, and scratches that can occur when the camera is not in use.
The Olympus Stylus 1050SW stores images on either XD Picture Cards or microSD cards and comes in a variety of colors. (see other options below)
Olympus Stylus 1050SW in Blue, Black, or Champagne
Olympus Stylus 1050SW 10.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Blue)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
Olympus Stylus 1050SW 10.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Black)
Amazon Price: $369.99 (as of 12/22/2009)
Olympus Stylus 1050SW 10.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Champagne)
Amazon Price: $289.95 (as of 12/22/2009)
Olympus Stylus 1050SW Complete Kits
Casio EX-G1
Casio Exilim EX-G1 12.1 MP Slim-line Endurance Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Red)
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/22/2009)
This rugged Casio is available in red and black. It's a 12.1 megapixel camera with a 1/2.3" CCD sensor. It features a 2.5" display, built in flash, 3x optical zoom, and a movie mode that let's you capture widescreen 848x480 JPEG movies. It's maximum aperture range is F/3.9-5.4 and has a focal range of 6.66mm to 19.98mm. ISO can be adjusted from 100 to 3200.
It's a very durable little camera as well. It's dustproof and can also function in water at depths up to 9-10 feet for 60 continuous minutes, can survive temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and will withstand a drop of 7 feet. It lens is multicoated to allow it to repel water and prevent light reflection as well. (You can learn more about the features that make it sturdy by clicking on the image) Other features include intelligent autofocus, interval shooting, muli-image capture, mist removal and more.
Canon Powershot D10
Canon PowerShot D10 12.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD
Amazon Price: $289.99 (as of 12/22/2009)
The Canon Powershot D10 can operate at depths of up to 33 feet or less and can tolerate a reasonable drop of around 4 feet. In addition this rugged camera is dustproof and doesn't have a problem at temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It's a 12.1 megapixel camera with 3x optical image stabilized zoom.
It offers 19 shooting modes and 16 special scene modes as well as face detection, blink detection, red eye correction and much more.
Learn more about this camera or it's pricing by clicking on the image.
Olympus Stylus 8000
Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 12 MP Digital Camera with 3.6x Wide Angle Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/22/2009)
Another tough customer from Olymus this Stylus 8000 also offers Tap control for easy handling and dual image stabilization. It can shrug off a drop from well over 6 feet, ignore temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and will operate at a depth of 33 feet in water.
This rugged camera offers a 12 megapixel sensor, 2.7" LCD display, and 3.6x wide-angle optical dual image stabilized zoom.
Get pricing and details by clicking the image. (Also available in Silver)
Pentax Optio W80
Pentax Optio W80 Waterproof 12.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Triple Shake Reduction Optical Zoom and 2.5 inch LCD (Cardinal Red)
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/22/2009)
Pentax also offers a more rugged digital camera. The Optio W80 is a 12.1 megapixel camera that offers a 5x optical zoom lens covering focal lengths from 28mm wide angle to 140mm telephoto and a large 2.5" LCD screen. It features automatic face detection for up to 32 faces and 8 shooting modes to help even beginners capture great looking shots.
Users can also capture high-definition movie clips at 16:9 TV proportions at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. It offers shake reduction technology and an underwater movie mode.
This camera has a waterproof design which can function at depths of up to 16 feet. It's also built to absorb a shock and can tolerate a drop of up to 3.3 feet, as well as dust and cold temperatures.
The 2009 Pentax Optio WS80
Pentax Optio WS80 10MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Internal Optical Zoom and 2.7-inch LCD (Black and Orange)
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/22/2009)
Pentax Optio WS80 10MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Internal Optical Zoom and 2.7-inch LCD (White and Purple)
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/22/2009)
Camera Tripods
A Rugged Digital Camera: Did you find what you wanted? Let us know!
If you didn't find the digital camera that you need, be sure to visit our home electronics store.
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- bbug bbug Dec 20, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
- a rugged digital is what I need. I fall and drop everything.
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- ClassyGals ClassyGals Dec 8, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
- Awesome, I didn't know they made rugged digital cameras. Thanks for sharing. 5 *
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- elad elad Jun 12, 2009 @ 12:22 pm
- well written lens very informative, lots of great information!
please check out "get snappy with a great waterproof camera"
could do with some constructive feedback!
thanks in advance.......
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- Joffy Joffy Apr 6, 2009 @ 5:58 pm
- that's pretty awesome! very well written lens too.
might well worth a look.
ive just started mine, long way to go:
Camera Digital Lenses
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- nickoz nickoz Mar 16, 2009 @ 5:25 pm | in reply to JaguarJulie
- That's hilarious Jaguar Julie - a GPS in camera so you can FIND it!! What a great idea.
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- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Dec 7, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
- Is there a YouTube that shows how rugged this digital camera is? That would help to convince me. ;) Or, how about one with a built in gps -- so when hubby misplaces it, you can find it.
Introduction: Chadmill.
What Does a Rugged Digital Camera Offer: toyfoto. (no derivative work allowed)
Who Needs a Rugged Digital Camera: Larsz.
This page is listed at Isle of Squid.
by mulberry
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