Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera
The sturdy Olympus Stylus could be a backpacker's best point-and-shoot yet, with it's smash-proof LCD and a high 10-megapixel image sensor.
With shock absorbers and rubber gaskets, Olympus’s Stylus 1030SW is impervious to typical backcountry knocks, and it operates at depths up to 33 feet. The 10-megapixel Stylus has a smash-proof 2.7-inch LCD as well. Automatic settings (10 more than the Pentax) make bad photos good, while manual options let savvy users make good photos great. Burst mode captures five 3-megapixel frames per second.
Bummer: It uses proprietary xD memory cards, and the stiff buttons are hard to press. $400; 6.3 oz.; olympusamerica.com. Reader service #113