PentaxThe Pentax Optio WG-1.
We put a dozen waterproof cameras through our testing labs and here are five that stand out from the rest:The total packagePansonic Lumix DSC-TS3The Lumix TS3 from Panasonic doesn't take perfect photos — nor is it the most durable, the most fashionable, or the most affordable. Instead, the TS3 takes a little bit of everything and combines it into one camera. It's easy to use, captures good photos and videos, and has built-in GPS. If you see adventure photography as a permanent part of your future, the TS3 is a good investment.MSRP: $379.99The stylish performerSony Cyber-shot TX10The photos you take with the TX10 might not match what you would get from a high-end camera, but this little Sony bested all the competition when it came to overall image quality. Better yet, the TX10 doesn't look like a waterproof camera; Sony sacrificed some durability in order to maintain a sleek aesthetic.MSRP: $329.99The bargain buyKodak EasyShare SportThe Kodak Sport has one thing going for it: price. It isn't as durable as the competition, has no optical zoom, records standard definition video, and takes mediocre photos. Why buy it? Kid-proof durability; the Sport can be dropped in unpleasant places and still work. For adults, the whim of taking photos underwater isn't always worth more than $80.MSRP: $79.95The resilientPentax Optio WG-1If durability is your number one concern, the Pentax WG-1 delivers. It's waterproof up to 33 feet, shockproof up to 5 feet, cold-proof down to 14?F, dustproof, and crushproof. That's a lot of proofing. There are limits. You can't, for instance, drop the camera one hundred feet off a glacier, but for particularly adventurous adventurers, the WG-1 may be just what you need.MSRP: $249.95The movie makerSamsung W200Simply put, if you want to capture your adventures in video, buy a waterproof camcorder. Dedicated waterproof camcorders (like the W200 and the Kodak PlaySport) are more affordable than the camera competition and the quality of the video is significantly higher. Your photos won't be quite as good, but your movies will be much better.MSRP: $159.99—To read in-depth reviews of all of these waterproof cameras, visit DigitalCameraInfo.com. Reviewed.com is a division of USA TODAY.For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ's. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.