Add a new digital camera to the growing list of waterproof and shockproof cameras designed for outdoor enthusiasts. Casio comes out swinging with the world’s thinnest waterproof and shockproof digital camera. The 12-megapixel Casio EXILIM EX-G1 can be dropped up to seven feet (2.13 meters) and submerged ten feet (3 meters) underwater. The EX-G1 is the newest member of Casio’s rugged “G” line of electronics products, which began in 1983 with the shockproof G-Shock digital watch.
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Rugged Digital Cameras For Backpacking, Cycling, Boating And The Worksite
 
A whole bunch of new waterproof and shockproof digital cameras have become available since the spring of 2008, when this guide was originally published. I decided to update the article so it refers to the most current (as of August 2009) outdoor-friendly point-and-shoot digital cameras. These are cameras that have some level of moisture resistance and/or can take some physical abuse - cameras made for the beach, camping, fishing, skiing, etc. Right now Canon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, and Ricoh all offer at least one camera that fits somewhere in the waterproof, shockproof, outdoor point-and-shoot spectrum.

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Pentax adds to the growing number of outdoor and swimming pool-friendly digital camera with the new Optio WS80. The Pentax Optio WS80 is a 10-megapixel camera with a 5x internal zoom lens, 2.7-inch LCD, 720p HD video and it’s waterproof to a depth of 1.5 meters (approximately 5 feet).
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Today, AgfaPhoto has announced the DC-600uw underwater and outdoor digital camera. The AgfaPhoto DC-600uw features a 2.4 inch display, 6 megapixel resolution, 5x digital zoom, face tracking, up to ISO 1600 sensitivity, the ability to take videos with sound in YouTube format, and water-resistant at depths of up to 10 meters. Read the rest of this entry »

 
Clik Elite was officially introduced to the world at the PMA tradeshow this spring. I was really impressed with the backapcks they had at the show. But I was even more impressed by their genuine interest in what outdoor, action sports photographers like me want. These guys are making the camera packs I’ve been wanting (and requesting) for years. The Clik Elite packs are built for photographers who actually spend time in the backcountry, with an eye for real backcountry needs - hydration, food and clothing storage, and good fit. I need a backpack that allows me to ride, ski or hike comfortably and safely and that can accommodate extra clothing, tools and food as well as my camera gear. Since the majority of my photography is done from skis or a mountain bike, I was anxious to get my hands on a pack to test.
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I’ve been using the Olympus Stylus 1050 SW for a few months now. It’s a 10-megapixel pocket-sized point-and-shoot that’s also waterproof and shockproof, making it a great outdoor camera. It was also the first digital camera to feature Tap Control, which allows you to access a few camera features simply by tapping on the camera. This is supposed to make the camera easier to use for people who are wearing gloves - snowboarders, skiers, cyclists, etc.

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Olympus Stylus 1050 SW Studio Test Images
	ISO 100 Sample >> ISO 200 Sample >> ISO 400 Sample >> ISO 800 Sample >> ISO 1600 Sample >>

Olympus Stylus 1050 SW Pros Waterproof and nearly indestructible Pocket-sized Live histogram Panoramic mode (requires Olympus xD card) Tap Control really works!	Olympus Stylus 1050 SW Cons Sliding cover too easy to open accidentally Tap Control doesn’t access most useful controls Batteries lose power too quickly in the cold Image quality isn’t as good as some other 10-megapixel cameras 38mm wide-angle isn’t really very wide No mechanical image stabilization No optical viewfinder xD memory cards only work with Olympus and Fujifilm compact digital cameras

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It’s been over a year since Pentax introduced the K20D, their current top-of-the-line digital SLR body. Even though they did make a lot of announcements in 2008, my impression has been that things have been a little on the quiet side for Pentax in the past year. They need something big to bring the buzz back. The new 14.6-megapixel Pentax K7 DSLR should do that. Pentax system owners should be very happy and other digital SLR owners might be a little jealous. It may have taken a while for Pentax to produce a new camera. But in July, $1299 will buy you a whole lot of Pentax-badged digital SLR. And yeah - it’s got video.
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Alan Davis and I have mountain biked together, taken pictures together and worked for each other - me as a freelance photographer and writer when he was editor of the now defunct Mountain Biking magazine; and Alan contributed a pro review for the Lowepro Primus AW camera backpack to this site. We see each other a few times a year at mountain bike races and tradeshows and connect regularly via the magic of the Internet and cell phones. One of our regular meetings is the annual Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California. It’s sort of the season-opener for the North America cycling community. It’s also one of the first events of the year where all the cycling photographers get to check in with each other, hang out, compare notes, and talk some sh**. This year I asked Alan if he’d like to share some of the reality of covering an event like the Sea Otter Classic. My mini-interview with photographer Alan Davis follows…
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Canon USA got their first batch of PowerShot D10 waterproof and shockproof digital cameras last week. I timed my request right and got one of the first they sent out. Our D10 review camera is already in the hands of professional photographer Ann Torrence, who will be taking it on a float trip down the Grand Canyon next week. I’m hoping for a great real-world camera test with sweet rafting and canyon photos! Before I handed the D10 over to Ann, I shot a shot box opening video and camera tour, made product shots, and shot controlled studio test photos at all ISO settings.
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I spend a lot of time using and thinking about backpacks. Too much time, really. Well - too much time thinking about them, anyway. Camera backpacks seem to be designed with little thought about the reality of serious outdoor activity. Sure, many of them hold a lot of gear, protect it well, and have reasonably comfortable harness systems. But anyone who spends a lot of time shooting on the trail - especially in the backcountry - knows that water is the top priority. And so far I’ve seen very few dedicated camera backpacks that address the critical need for water when you’re on the trail. Over the years I’ve gone through a lot of dedicated camera packs and big hydration packs. I always end up going back to big hydration backpacks that can carry a DSLR bag and a big zoom in a lens case. But I’m hoping that’s about to change. Let me introduce new camera backpack maker, Clik Elite.
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M-ROCK, a leading manufacturer of high-quality camera bags, backpacks and roller bags, is introducing its new Adventure line of bags for outdoor and adventure photographers or anyone who has a need for a rugged case to hold their cameras, lenses, camcorders and accessories, everywhere they go. In addition, M-ROCK is introducing a series of full-featured Modular System bags that allow users to reduce the weight and bulk of larger bags when not needed, or be attached to larger bags when additional storage is needed.

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Today’s (Final Day) Cheap Holiday Gift For Photographers Is:

Gift Certificates

This is the tenth and last installment of our Cheap Holiday Gifts For Photographers guide. When we think of photography gifts we always think of expensive cameras and lenses. But there are lots of other cool photography-related gift ideas that don’t cost a ton of money. Bookmark this page and check back every day for a new cheap holiday gift idea for your photographer. We’re going to try to keep them all under $50 and some will be under $20.