Just about every major camera manufacturer has at least one rugged camera in its lineup now. Not just waterproof, but shockproof, dustproof, freezeproof, and, in some cases, crushproof. Fujifilm has two, the FinePix XP20 and XP30, with the only major difference between them being a GPS receiver; the XP30 has one, the XP20 doesn't. Both cameras are tested to survive underwater depths of 16 feet for up to 2 hours; drops from 4.9 feet; and temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
Probably the best part about these cameras is that you can get this kind of protection fairly inexpensively; rugged cameras generally aren't cheap. However, it seems there are trade-offs in photo quality and shooting performance, so if the XP20 is going to be your one and only point-and-shoot you should probably keep shopping. But, its price is low enough that it might be acceptable--depending on your needs--as a second camera for the beach, hiking, or the slopes.


