Plain vanilla point-and-shoot cameras are an endangered species in a world dominated by DSLRs, mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras, niche cameras aimed at well-defined market segments, and smartphones.
The main exceptions to this are long-zoom models and rugged, waterproof active-lifestyle cameras that do double duty as normal walk-around point and shoots. These models are also the hot ticket for skiing, surfing, taking to the beach, on the boat, on a hike, or any other place you might think twice about using an unprotected DSLR or smartphone.
Adventure cameras featuring waterproof, dustproof, shockproof and freezeproof construction have been around for a while. But in the past few years, this expanding market sector has seen a remarkable transformation, with new or seriously updated models from virtually every major camera maker.
All the models described here pack an impressive complement of high-tech features—including Full HD 1080p video recording—into fashionably rugged-looking or stylishly slim packages designed to appeal to hikers, travelers, boaters, beachgoers and off-road enthusiasts.
The latest ones boast higher res sensors; bigger, higher res LCDs; OLED monitors; built-in Wi-Fi; GPS capabilities; and enhanced waterproof ratings to even appeal to scuba divers. Positioned at the intersection of high style, high adventure and cutting-edge technology, they deliver a blend of high-end performance and shooting flexibility that makes them a high-value proposition for consumers who want to go anywhere, in any weather, while creating memorable images.
To give you a timely heads-up, here’s a compendium of enticing adventure cameras that will capture your customers’ summertime activities, from the mountaintops to below the sea. The fact that many of them come in a range of delicious colors is another big plus.
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-4
The crisply styled TG-4 waterproof, adventure camera incorporates a fast, water-repellent f/2 lens (4x, 25–100mm f/2–4.9 zoom*). And the new flagship of the iconic Tough line utilizes a 16 megapixel, 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor (up from 12MP), the latest TruePic VII image processor, sensor-shift image stabilization and built-in Wi-Fi.
It features: a 3-inch, 460K-dot LCD monitor; several art filters; Full HD 1080p video capability at 60 frames per sec (fps) with multi-motion movie IS; time-lapse movie mode; full-res burst capability of 5 fps (60 fps at 3MP); interval shooting; microscope mode; built-in GPS, e.Compass and manometer functions; and four underwater modes, including macro. New to the Tough line is the TG-4’s RAW shooting and AF target selection. It comes in black or red, $379.99. olympusamerica.com
Adventure Specs
Waterproof: 50 feet
Shockproof: 7 Feet
Crushproof: 220 pounds-force
Freezeproof: 14º F
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS6
This indestructible-looking camera incorporates a 16.1MP High Sensitivity MOS sensor, a 4.6x, 28–128mm Leica DC Vario-Elmar antifog lens, a 3-inch, 460K-dot TFT LCD with 11 brightness levels, and 5-way optical image stabilization. It captures Full HD video in AVCHD/MP4 formats at 60 and 50 fps with stereo sound and provides built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Its unique quad indicator includes GPS, compass, altimeter and barometer functions to record/display altitude, barometric pressure and orientation data, with the barometer indicating depth when underwater!
It also provides GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) to enhance location detection accuracy. Other features include: underwater mode; sports, snow, and beach & snorkeling modes; creative effects; creative panorama; a torchlight; and dustproof construction. Orange, blue, red and camouflage, $299.99. panasonic.com
 Adventure Specs
Waterproof: 50 feet
Shockproof: 6.5 feet
Freezeproof: 14º F
Nikon Coolpix AW130
Sleekly stylish but with plenty of attitude, the AW130 features a 16MP low-light CMOS sensor; a 5x, 24–120mm f/2.8–4.9 Nikkor zoom lens; and a 3-inch, 910K-dot OLED monitor with antireflection coatings and six brightness adjustments. Add to that hybrid vibration reduction (lens shift and electronic VR for movies), built-in Wi-Fi with NFC for image transfer and remote operation via a smartphone, GPS functions and an electronic compass.
Other niceties include: Full HD 1080p video capture at various frame rates with stereo sound; special effects; 20 scene modes, including underwater scene; and a map display on its LCD with points of interest. Nikon’s unique action control function lets shooters control selected functions one-handed by shaking the camera! Orange, black, blue and yellow, $349.95. nikonusa.com
Adventure Specs
Waterproof: 98 feet
Shockproof: 7 Feet
Freezeproof: 14º F
Fujifilm FinePix XP80
With perky, eye-catching contemporary styling, Fujifilm’s XP80 is its toughest camera for extreme weather. The dustproof, go-anywhere P&S features a 16.4MP BSI CMOS sensor; a 5x, 28–140mm zoom lens; optical image stabilization; and a 2.7-inch, 460K-dot LCD. Also provide are: a burst mode button for shooting at up to 60 fps; underwater and underwater macro modes; interval shooting; Full HD 1,080p movie capture, even underwater; and Wi-Fi for one-touch transfer.
Using the Fujifilm Camera Remote app and the XP80’s Wi-Fi button, users can shoot remotely and select images/movies to be transferred to smartphones, tablets and computers. Plus, an action camera mode turns the XP80’s lens into a fixed 18mm for hands-free shooting with the camera mounted. Blue, yellow, graphite or purple, $229.95. fujifilmusa.com
Adventure Specs
Waterproof: 50 feet
Shockproof: 5.8 Feet
Freezeproof: 14º F
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
The flagship of Ricoh’s WG everything-proof P&S line, the WG-5 GPS’s dustproof, ruggedized body has a nonslip grip. It features: a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor; a 4x, 25–100mm zoom lens; a 3-inch, antireflective LCD; Full HD video recording in the H.264 format; a dual antishake system; handheld night snap mode, which captures several images of the scene to produce one sharp composite; interval shooting; underwater modes, including mermaid and mermaid movie mode that reproduce shades of red often lost in underwater scenes; filter effects; remote control receptors; built-in GPS; and support for Eyefi wireless cards.
Plus, six LED macro lights around the lens circumference help capture the tiniest details in digital microscope mode. They also provide illumination in self-portrait assist mode and act as a flashlight. Black or orange, $379.95. ricohimaging.com
 Adventure Specs
Waterproof: 45 feet
Shockproof: 7 feet
Freezeproof: 14º F
Crushproof: 220 pounds-force
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860
A more economical, slimmer alternative to the TG-4, it incorporates the same 16MP, 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor and couples it to a 5x, 21–105mm f/3.5–5.7 lens and a TruePic VII processor. It has a 3-inch, 460K-dot LCD that tilts 180º and a front face button that make capturing selfies a snap. The TG-860 records Full HD 1,920×1,080 video at 60 fps, and its sportcam mode provides four video options, including movies at 120 or 240 fps and a time-lapse movie mode.
Other features include: Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities; a sport-burst mode to capture sequential images with a shutter interval from 0.05–60 seconds; interval settings; intelligent auto; scene modes; handheld starlight mode; panorama mode; an AF Illuminator; and metal construction. Black, orange or white, $279.99. olympusamerica.com
 Adventure Specs
Waterproof: 50 feet
Shockproof: 7 feet
Freezeproof: 14º F
Crushproof: 220 pounds-force
Nikon 1 AW1
No, it’s not a P&S camera, but this ruggedized, dustproof model in the elegantly compact Nikon 1 series of mirrorless, interchangeable-lens cameras merits mention. It employs a 14.2MP CX-format CMOS sensor, an Expeed 3A image processor, a 3-inch, 921K-dot LCD monitor, an advanced hybrid (phase-detection plus contrast-detection) AF system, and a pop-up waterproof flash.
The AW1 also features: Full HD 1080i video recording at 60 fps; full-res bursts at 15 fps with AF; HDR mode; wireless connectivity; a dual function altimeter and depth gauge; a range of shooting and scene modes plus picture controls; and GPS/GLONASS support that logs information into the camera’s metadata. Wi-Fi is available via an optional adapter. Back, white or silver. With a 29.7–74.3mm lens, $749.95. nikonusa.com
Adventure Specs
Waterproof: 49 feet
Shockproof: 6.6 feet
Freezeproof: 14º F
Canon PowerShot D30
Canon’s distinctively styled, ergonomically contoured 12.1 megapixel D30 features a 5x, 28–140mm f/3.9–4.8 optical zoom lens; a 3.0-inch, 461K-dot Pure Color LCD with a delta dot pattern for enhanced performance and sunlight mode to reduce glare; intelligent image stabilization; and built-in GPS.
The D30 can capture Full HD 1080p video at a cinematic 24 fps, and it has a wind filter feature and the use of its optical zoom while recording for maximum movie flexibility. It can shoot up to 280 shots or play back five hours of video per battery charge. The camera also boasts low-light shooting performance via Canon’s HS (high sensitivity) system. Blue, $329.99. usa.canon.com
 Adventure Specs
Waterproof: 82 feet
Shockproof: 6.5 feet
Temperature Resistant: 14º–104º F
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
Fashionably svelte and slim with a thickness of only 0.6 inch, Sony’s pocket-sized gem has a sliding, protective lens cover and dustproof construction. It employs an 18.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, a 5x, 26–130mm Carl Zeiss Vario-R Tessar lens and a large 3.3-inch, 1229K-dot OLED touch screen. The TX30 can record Full HD 1,920×1,080 AVCHD video at 60i and capture full-res 10-fps still bursts.
Other features include: face, blink and smile detection; SteadyShot sensor-shift image stabilization; clear image zoom for lossless doubling of its focal length; and 360º intelligent sweep panorama mode. A magnifying glass function plus LED lights help capture intricate detail on subjects less than an inch away. Blue, black, orange and pink, $199.99. sony.com
 Adventure Specs
Waterproof: 33 feet
Shockproof: 5 feet
Freezeproof: 14º F
* All lens specs are 35mm-format equivalents.
