Rugged point and shoot cameras, 2012 edition

[haven]

The action sports market is big enough that several camera manufacturers now offer models aimed at this audience. Key features include internal zoom lens, waterproof to swimming depth, dust proof, and shock proof.

Here are a few models to consider. This year, all seem to offer 1080p video as well as still photo capability.

Sony TX-20, $325
5x Zeiss lens, 16 MP CMOS sensor, 3" touchscreen LED, Aperture range f3.5-4.6

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4, $400
4.6x Leica lens, 12MP sensor, 2.7" LCD, GPS, Compass, Altitude, Barometer

Pentax Optio WG-2, $350
5x zoom, 16 MP sensor, 3" LCD, GPS

Olympus TG-820 iHS, $300
5x zoom, 3" high res LCD, 12MP CMOS sensor, can withstand 6.6 ft fall

Nikon Coolpix AW100, $300
5x zoom, 16 MP sensor, 3" LCD, withstands 5 ft drop, GPS, compass

Fujifilm Finepix XP150, $250
5x zoom, 14.4 MP CMOS sensor, 2.7" LCD, motion panorama, GPS, compass

Canon Powershot D20, $350
5x zoom, 3" LCD, 12 MP sensor, GPS

These are flagship models. You'll find models with lower specs for less money.

 

[benedmonson]

I just bought the Nikon AW100 this week from KEH.com for $245. It is a Nikon Refurbished that showed up looking like brand new. So far I like it and will be taking it to EXPO and beyond for a long summer trip. I hope it performs up to snuff as I really need a camera with these specs.
I will be using it for fly fishing, knocking around camp plus just being in my pocket for that quick social media type shot.


Benjie Edmonson
Dir. Of Marketing
Equipt Expedition Outfitters
www.equipt1.com

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[haven]

Best Buy leaked information about a new active sports model from Olympus. It's called the Olympus TG-1 iHS, cost $399. The extra cash gives you a f2.0 aperture lens and an OLED screen.

More here
http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/02/olympus-tg-1-ihs-tough-leaks-out-at-best-buy/

The leaked ad is here
http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...=7&id=1218635019350+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

 

[haven]

The Olympus TG-1 iHS is looking like a winner.

First, it has a conventional lens, rather than the "buried in the body with a 45* angle mirror" approach used by most other rugged camera makers. The lens offers fast f2.0 speed at at the wide end of its aperture range, unusual for a camera in this segment. The conventional lens allows the use of optional lens converters. Fisheye and tele lens converters have been announced. Both are waterproof to 40 feet, just like the camera.

Second, the TG-1 iHS uses a CMOS sensor, and the same TruPic VI processor that Olympus uses in its current PEN Micro 4/3 cameras. This means faster auto focus, and shutter speeds as fast as 1/2000 of a second. The camera can shoot image stabilized 1080p video.

Third, the camera has GPS, compass and altimeter functions, plus a log of your photo locations that can overlay a Google Earth view of your travels. The TG-1 iHS is water, shock and dust resistant; crush proof to 220 lb; and works in a wide range of temperatures.

The Olympus TG-1 iHS will be available in June for about $400.

 

[haven]

Fujifilm has announced a companion to the XP150, called the Finepix XP170. The new camera includes the ability to transfer photos via WiFi.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/05/08/Fujifilm-launches-XP-170-rugged-waterproof-camera-with-wifi