Hiking cameras?

PayetteRucker said:
As I said earlier, for waterproof cameras (Canon's customer service blows as well by the way) the Canon D10 has the highest drop rating and also uses a barrel zoom like a typical point and shoot, versus a mirror system that all the other brands use, which drastically reduces image quality (about 10% light transmission per mirror).
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Hey Payette, where did you say this earlier? I looked, even at past threads, and didn't find anything. I'm not trying to be a smartazz. Just looking for more info.

I had not noticed the Pentax doesn't have image stabilization. Good catch.

I do think the image quality of the Canon D10 is better from the reports I've read. FWIW, I'm going shockproof/waterproof because I also want to use this camera on kayaking trips.


Edit: Now this site does mention "Advanced Pixel Track Shake Reduction" (read: digital image stabilization)
http://www.dcresource.com/news/newsitem.php?id=4099

And this one notes...
The 12.1-megapixel camera features a 5x lens, equivalent to 28-140mm, and a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD. While the W90 doesn’t offer mechanical image stabilization, it is equipped with the Pentax Pixel Track Shake Reduction system which promises to digitally minimize the effects of camera shake.
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http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Pentax-Adds-Ultrazoom-X90--Waterproof-W90-21572.htm
 
Here's a couple of those blurbs I was talking about:

I bought an olympus “waterproof and shockproof” camera last summer to take on a rafting trip. First dunk in the water ruined it completely. The Olympus warranty does not cover damage “from liquid” or from “impact”. So much for the representation that these cameras are waterproof and shock proof. Maybe they are to an extent, but Oly doesn’t stand behind them with a guarantee.
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I purchased an Olympus 1030 SW on May 13, 2008. First photo taken 6/28/08, and only 75 photos have been taken with it. Went snorkeling with it on Aug 28, 2008, taking two photos to test it underwater, and another out of the water after snorkeling. They looked good. I had not attempted to take another photo until 9/5/08, when I discovered that the camera turns on, beeps four times, and shuts off. The lens cover remains open and the LCD shows a blurred image before it shuts off. I can only assume the camera has leaked. Never been dropped, never otherwise exposed to any water at all. Battery is fully charged. Then I read the Olyumpus warrantee and was shocked! Shipping to repair center is at customer’s expense. The determination of who is at fault is solely up to Olympus. What is NOT covered is \defects or damage in the Products resulting from wear, tear, misuse, abuse, negligence, sand, liquids, impact,…\ So a shockproof, crushproof, waterproof camera’s warrantee excludes any leak, shock, or those things that the camera supposedly is built to withstand? In checking the blogs for the Olympus 770SW, it appears that the repairs done by Olympus seldom solve the problem, and once out of warrantee, too bad. I don’t like the sound of that. Luckily, I purchased it with a credit card, and am taking it back for full refund at Best Buy or I will contest the CC Charge.
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Source: http://reviews.photographyreview.com/blog/outdoor-waterproof-digital-cameras/2/


Admittedly, I don't know if any of the other companies would be any better, but I haven't seen them called out as much in the reviews and comments I've read.
 
Haven't read the thread, so sorry if this has been posted before, but:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1. I love this thing! I just got it a couple of months ago after breaking two Digital SLRs. Waterproof, and shockproof. I miss the full manual control. but it's light, I don't have to worry about it, and it comes in safety orange. Check one out. Way better than the other waterproof compacts I looked at.
 
I recommend the lower-priced canon powershots. They're pretty reliable, and take great pictures.
 
panasonic-lumix-dmc-ts1.jpg


Under $250, takes 12MP shots, but more importantly, the photos are well balanced and come out nicely. Works underwater and can be dropped. Takes HD video (I get ~30min recording with a 4GB card). Small and light. No externally moving parts. Basically, everything I've ever wanted in a camera for hiking/kayaking/jetskiing.


de71b746.jpg
 
I may pick that Lumix up. The TS-2 is about to come out, so maybe the prices on the TS-1's will dip well below $200.
 
My next camera is a Canon T2i, magnesium armored body, the 70D processor, 18 megapixels, crammed into a compact SLR frame and under 1,000 dollars. Woot, I can't wait. I have my pre-order in, it comes out later this month. I need to get rid of my L100, that camera is a piece of sh**.
 
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