Advice please for rugged compact

[andrewcollier]

This post is on behalf of a friend of mine whose son is shortly off to Africa for 12 months and has asked for advice on a compact.

I said the worst risk to any camera is probably dropping, seconded by rain/sand or falling in water, so something very rugged and waterproof is needed. I think I saw such a camera advertised, but I cant remember the brand. He is sensible enough to put price as a secondary issue, prefering to get the model most suitiable.

Does any body have any experience of any model with these features?

Thanks for any ideas.

[ziggy53]

When my son was heading to Iraq (Marine) I purchased a Fuji F40fd and a DiCaPac waterproof case. The combination worked pretty well.

I got the information to purchase from this thread:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=73205

[Cuong]

Check out the Olympus Stylus SW (http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital_sw.asp) series. They're shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof, and come in different colors.

Cuong

[Grainbelt]

Pentax and Olympus both make rugged models.

I take an older olympus stylus with me on dirt bike trips, and got around this issue by purchasing a very small, bright yellow pelican case.

It is visible
It floats
it is water and shockproof if sized properly.

When I'm slipping and sliding thru a water crossing on a 400lb bike, the last thing I'm thinking about is a camera. :deal

[swintonphoto]

Olympus SW series.