Ricoh announces WG-30W and WG-30 rugged compacts

I see impossible.

Nice play on words there Solarider :)

solarider:

No, I don't bother with those mistakes often, I make them too, it was the context in which you made the mistake that caused note.

Too risky, I've seen reports of people not somehow sealing the lens correctly or maybe the o-rings didn't seat properly, but either way there was water in the camera.. Maybe it was "operator error", but who wants that..?!

It depends what you want it for. The AW1 might be risky for diving but is the only rugged waterproof camera out there at the moment that is any good in poor light. The AW1 is fine for climbers, canoeists, cavers, mountain bikers, anyone who lives in a wet climate etc.

Why these manufacturers don't make gimmick-free large sensor ruggedised cameras is a mystery - there must be a huge market for them.

Nikon AW1 with a zoom lens is nowhere near being pocketable, AND nowhere near quality of G7x (its slow lens and average non-BSI sensor put it into the same IQ category as TG-3, only bigger and more expensive).

Peevee1, have you taken any photo with a Nikon 1 sensor? I think you haven't. TG3's sensor is a joke compared to Nikon 1's. Try to take some photos instead of reading internet fluff.

Nikon AW1?

While large sensor would be nice I would very much prefer more tele reach. If they cannot manage 200 mm equivalent on these tiny sensors then it's going to be even less reach with larger sensors. Still clinging to my LF1 even though it pulls dusts in like a vacuum cleaner.

I went through both the large sensor and more tele arguments myself, but I get the feeling that manufacturers would probably not be able to make a small sensor & long tele sufficiently bright for decent underwater shots (I mean, as much as I love my FZ200 in anything other than good light it's quality drops quickly - without flash) or a large sensor version with sufficient range to get the photos I'd want to take.

I guess I've come to the conclusion that with current tech, I'll have to compromise and get a housing for one of my cameras (TZ3 would be cheapest but I'm rarely happy with its quality these days, unless its just for resizing in a work document).

Edit: I may try one of the F2 underwater cameras, but I doubt it's going to do it for me...

I would prefer a big sensor (1" mini.) and high quality, fast fixed lens (equiv. 24/28/30mm). Such a compact body, shockproof and waterproof could be brought anywere without second thought.
And you could put it in you jean's pocket without fear of dust! :)

Without tele reach I have no use for putting it in my jeans pocket, though. A fixed wide lens in my pockets would be my smart phone. I am using the LF1 in my jeans pockets to shoot things a phone cannot catch due to lack of reach. I accept the dust issue, but would very much prefer a tough camera with equal reach.

Fast wide (indoor) plus slow tele outside is good for most daylight situations, but I understand the underwater argument. And that brings us to the source of the problem: underwater should be its own segment, the demands are different.

That's a great point about the colors being easier to see in situations where a lack of viability can make it easier to lose a camera.

I was very happy with my Panasonic FT1. It was a fairly bright blue colour (which I liked and could be helpful to avoid losing it), but with simple styling rather than the awful 'sporty' looking designs so many of these things feel compelled to go for.

It was also quite handy being able to say "have you seen my blue camera?" and people understanding which I meant.

Normally I weight technical aspects far above other factors when choosing something like a camera, but I'd have a hard time convincing myself to even consider something looking like this.