Sand and water get everywhere. Anyone who has vacationed at the beach knows that. Also, not surprising is that these are the two worst possible things to get into electronics, since a single drop of water or grain of sand can quickly cause absurd amounts of damage. Enter the tough camera and its flexing muscles, demonstrating that not only is a little water not a problem—you can try to crush it, go diving, or even drop it and it will keep on clicking. Here are five of the best rugged options currently available.
1. Canon IVY REC
I’m going to start with something fun, and something very well suited for kids interested in photography: the Canon IVY REC Outdoor Camera. It comes in three different colors (Avocado, Dragonfruit, and Riptide) and has a unique carabiner-style design that makes it super easy to carry. The cool thing about the carabiner shape is that the opening is designed to function as a viewfinder for a very enjoyable and simply shooting experience. As for its tough credentials, the IVY REC is waterproof to 6.6' and shockproof to 6.6'. As for imaging, the camera has a 13MP CMOS sensor. This configuration is solid for stills and can record Full HD video at up to 60 fps with a multi-mode function, making it easy to switch between the two. There’s then Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy transfer to your smartphone via the Canon Mini Cam app.
2. Olympus Tough TG-6
Almost a classic in this field, the TG-6, from Olympus, offers a smattering of new functions that make it a solid pick if you need a reliable and durable camera. The biggest change comes in its upgraded LCD, which now has 1.04m-dot resolution as opposed to the predecessor’s 460k. It is also the only tough camera with a zoom lens on this list that can capture raw-format images, so if you absolutely need some extra latitude in post, the TG-6 is the way to go. It works with a 12MP BSI CMOS sensor and TruePic VIII processor to create your images, and can even work at speeds of up to 20 fps in raw or 4K video at 30p. A versatile 25-100mm equivalent f/2-4.9 lens is present for working in a range of environments, and there are four macro modes that will let us get super close. Additionally, it has a Field Sensor System with GPS, monometer, compass, and temperature sensors all built in. And now for the “Tough” in the name: it’s waterproof to 50', freeze proof to 14°F, shock proof from 7', crush proof to 220 lbf, and has an IP6X dust-proof rating.
3. Nikon COOLPIX W300
Nikon has been a reliable brand for decades, and the COOLPIX W300 is its solid tough camera offering. It uses a 16MP 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor and a NIKKOR 24-120mm equivalent optical zoom lens to capture great imagery in a ruggedized package. The durability is among the best in this lineup with 100' of waterproofing, the ability to withstand drops from 7.9', and freezeproofing to 14ºF. It’s also dustproof. Other benefits are the ability to record UHD 4K video at up to 30 fps and use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to connect to your mobile devices for instant sharing and GPS to geotag your images.
4. FUJIFILM FinePix XP140
Another standard option, the XP140 is FUJIFILM’s latest offering in the tough arena, and a nice option, with its 16.4MP BSI CMOS sensor and Fujinon 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE make it possible to share and geotag images quickly and easily, and double exposure and interval shooting allow users to create some fun and creative images. Ruggedness is still key here, which is why the XP140 is dust proof, waterproof to 82', shock proof from 5.9', and freeze proof to 14°F.
5. Sony Cyber-shot RX0 II
Hovering just in between tough camera and action cam, I like having the RX0 II on this list due to its use of a relatively large 20.1MP 1" CMOS sensor that produces spectacular image quality and can deliver sharp video, including internally recorded UHD 4K with S-Log2. Generation two even brings a 1.5" 180º tilting LCD that make it awesome for vlogging now, too! One of the largest benefits of the RX0 II is still the size—it is tiny, meaning if you want to carry something extra along with your normal camera kit, it is an outstanding secondary option. There is a fixed 24mm equivalent f/4 lens to capture wide-angle shots and there is the added versatility brought by its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for control from the PlayMemories app, and it can be synced up with other RX0 II units. As for durability, the RX0 II is waterproof to 33', shock proof from 6.5', and crush proof to 440 lbf. I loved it when I took it out for review and you can read all about my hands-on experience with the RX0 II.
Everyone wants to take photos on their summer trips and adventures and, to do this the best way, you need the right tools. Make sure you can find the ideal tough camera to stuff in your pocket or backpack and bring along on your next challenge.
Which camera was most appealing to you? Why? Let us know in the Comments section, below!
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