Who doesn't love a day at the beach, or hitting the slopes in November? These are classic pastimes and a great place to snap photos of yourself, your friends, or your family. You could always use your smartphone but following recent trends, there's a big push for focusing on the experience of photography. What better way to do so than with a compact point-and-shoot camera?
These are small, pocketable, and deliver the feel and experience photo enthusiast desire from a camera. Plus, they have real optical zooms, which mean we get crisp, high-quality pictures no matter how much we zoom in. That said, these cameras can be an investment and taking them to the beach or out the elements can be nerve-racking. After all, if there are three things that digital cameras don't get along with, it's sand, water, and salt.
Luckily, manufacturers are all too familiar with this dilemma. In this guide, we're going to look at some of the most rugged, waterproof cameras available. Whether you're hitting the beach, climbing a mountain in icy conditions, or looking to take some stunning underwater shots, these cameras are up to the test. Let's check them out.
Minolta MN50WP Waterproof Dual Screen Digital Camera
What sets this budget-friendly waterproof camera apart from its contemporaries is not just its small, pocketable size, but its front-facing selfie screen. The Minolta MN50WP Dual Screen Camera is waterproof up to 13', and is unique on this list, as it offers 5K video. This camera doesn't quite meet the rugged build other cameras on the list may offer, but that's OK. What the Minolta MN50WP offers is more for the casual user, looking for a fun, portable vacation camera.
Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2 Digital Camera
One of the cost-effective rugged cameras available is the Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2. The camera is equipped with a 16.35-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor capable of delivering high-resolution stills and Full HD video. Most notably, the camera is waterproof up to 49.2' of submersion, and shockproof up to 6.6'. Additionally, to save on size and weight, Kodak makes use of a micro-SD card, which can be challenging to remove when wearing gloves, but it's a worthwhile sacrifice to keep the overall form factor of the camera down. Lastly, we can't forget to mention how colorful this Kodak option is. Available in red, blue, and Kodak's iconic yellow, there's surely one that'll catch your eye.
Pentax WG-90
For dedicated outdoor or worksite use, the Ricoh Pentax WG-90 is a great choice. Losing some of the zoom range and versatility of the prior two models, this camera opts to prioritize durability and resistance, designed to operate in the harshest conditions. The heavy-duty build of the WG-90 allows it to be used underwater at depths as low as 46' for upwards of two hours. Additionally, the camera is shock proof against falls up to 5' and freeze proof in temperatures as low as 14°F. That said, it's no slouch when it comes to resolution, sporting a 16-megapixel sensor, which is more than enough for social media posts or the odd small print here and there.
Pentax WG-8
First up we have an evolution of the previously mentioned WG-90, and it's another Ricoh. Enter the Ricoh PENTAX WG-8. Sporting by far the greatest operating depth of any WG series camera so far, the WG-8 is submersible to depths of up to 65.6' and is dustproof with an IPX6 rating. Internally, the WG-8 is no slouch. As users will likely be using a camera in this class out in the wilds, a built-in GPS and compass automatically records position and travel log data onto the images themselves.
OM System TG-7
Alternatively, we have a camera with "tough" right in the name. The OM System Tough TG-7 comes close with a maximum working depth of 50' but pulls ahead with a longer zoom with an effective reach of 100mm. While much of the durability and internal specs are the same, the TG-7 offers those additional 3mm at the wide end of its focal length and a faster maximum aperture of f/2.0. Additionally, the TG-7 is compatible with 17 unique accessories that are separately available to further expand the camera's capabilities from a fisheye adapter to flash extenders.
One factor that makes the TG-7 so popular are it's specially designed accessories like the OM float-strap, which, to no surprise, keeps the camera afloat god forbid you lose your grip. Alongside this handy strap are a series of lens and flash adapters, each optimized for select use cases in all conditions. This camera also isn't shy about its intended uses, offering a dedicated underwater mode to enhance brightness, contrast, and color saturation underwater where things can look a bit hazy.
Be Adventurous
The cameras make photography feel practically limitless, opening up the opportunity to photograph in conditions that make most photo enthusiast wince. After all, not every camera has an underwater mode built into it. To learn more about point and shoot cameras and all things photography, be sure to check out our other guides, articles and reviews on the B&H Explora page!
