While researching a replacement for my dive camera, I came across this new generation of waterproof digital cameras that work equally well out of the water. Even better is that they’re still compact and lightweight enough to make sense as a replacement for my land use only digital camera. Better still is unlike their predecessors, they can be had at a much more reasonable price.

At one time you could only make a camera waterproof by putting it in a bulky housing. Of course these special-purpose underwater housings usually cost more than the camera they protected, but scuba divers and underwater photographers didn’t have much choice. Those of us just looking for a way to shield or insulate our camera from the elements, including a bit of water were mostly out of luck.

After all, we usually want to use a camera are while on vacation or holiday, or while we or our kids are involved in some form of outdoor sport or recreational activity, either as a participant or a spectator. And during those times it’s rarely always sunny and clear. Rather we’re in the midst of whatever elements happen to be present, be it water, snow, rain, sand, salt, dirt, or mud, not to mention hot and cold temperature extremes.

And if the harshness of the elements wasn’t enough, what about the survivability of that digital camera after falling from a pocket onto the rocks, or slipping from our hand to the cement? Of course that’s nothing compared to what cameras undergo when they get into the hands of little kids. Yep, kiss that one goodbye.

But finally, a few manufacturers of dive cameras have come up with digital cameras that are watertight, requiring no additional external housing. You can also switch settings based on shooting above or below water. In “underwater” modes, the shutter speed and aperture adjustments help compensate for lower lighting conditions typically encountered under water.

When switched to “land” mode they work like any other land camera allowing the user to adjust to conditions encountered above water. They are also compact, rugged, shock-proof and crush-proof. You can even drop one several feet without damaging its imaging ability. The compact size and light weight make them extremely convenient to take along everywhere.

Two producers lead the way with these waterproof cameras that go beyond just diving. They are SeaLife, long known for their dive cameras, and the Olympus Stylus SW series. The 6 megapixel SeaLife Mini and ECOshot are compact, waterproof to 130 feet & 75 feet respectively, and are protected within a rugged polycarbonate case, that’s rubber-armored. The Olympus Stylus 770SW, 790SW, 850SW, and 1030SW have an image resolution ranging from 7 to 10 megapixels and are waterproof to either 10 feet or 33 feet.

This depth can be increased to 130 feet with an external housing but as is, the sub-compact Stylus SW models are perfect for snorkeling or any other outdoor activity. The SW stands for shockproof, waterproof, and the Stylus is certainly tough. It’s sensitive insides are suspended within a metal case that can survive 220 pounds of pressure, plus its freeze-proof as well.

Probably the biggest decision point is image capture resolution and whether you require water integrity to any significant depth. Of course there are several dive cameras that are waterproof to well over a hundred feet, and the camera itself can be removed from the housing for use on land. However that leaves the camera unprotected and sort of misses the whole point of this exercise. Also, these tend to be priced higher than what one would want for a good all-purpose sports camera.

Any of these digital waterproof cameras mentioned here are excellent choices for an all-purpose sports camera. Features are similar with variations mostly in image resolution, depth rating, size, and price, so just choose the one that fits you best.