Two Waterproof Ultra-Compact Cameras Splash Off

Two Waterproof Ultra-Compact Cameras Splash Off

Life can be rough if you’re a digital camera. Especially if you are an ultra-compact that gets totted along to the beach and on ski trips, slung into purses, thrown into bags, stuffed into pockets and/or treated less-than-gently by young children.

We recently previewed the Canon PowerShot D10. Since then Olympus launched it’s Stylus Tough-8000. Both digital point-and-shoots are waterproof, compact and capable of taking a beating. But which of these two excellent models are best for you?

waterproof camera case gadget travel gadgets canon digital camera reviews  Two Waterproof Ultra Compact Cameras Splash Off


waterproof camera case gadget travel gadgets canon digital camera reviews  Two Waterproof Ultra Compact Cameras Splash Off
waterproof camera case gadget travel gadgets canon digital camera reviews  Two Waterproof Ultra Compact Cameras Splash Off
waterproof camera case gadget travel gadgets canon digital camera reviews  Two Waterproof Ultra Compact Cameras Splash Off

That question can be quite the dilemma for water-bound point-and-shoot photographers. The PowerShot D10 and the Stylus Tough-8000 are similar in many regards, including price, megapixels and battery life. Here’s an overview of some of the similarities—and differences:

Camera Features: Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 Canon PowerShot D10
  Approx price (US$ with Amazon discount)   $330   $310
  Colors available   black, silver and blue   only light blue + silver combo (though multi-color casings are available)
  Megapixels   12   12.1
  Zoom   3.6x optical / 5x digital   3x optical / 4x digital
  Video Mode   AVI in 640×480 (30/15fps) or 320×240 (30/15fps)   MOV in 640 x 480, 30 frames-per-second only
  Screen Size   6.9cm / 2.7-inch   6.35cm / 2.5-inch
  ISO Range   64 to 1600 + “high” setting   80 to 1600
  Image Stabilization   Yes, dual   Yes, optical
  Battery Life   Approx 250 shots   Approx 220 shots
  Size   3.7″W x 2.4″H x 0.85″D
95mm x 61.7mm x 21.5mm
  4.08″W x 2.63″H x 1.92″D
103.6mm x 66.9mm x 48.8mm
  Weight   6.4oz (182g) without batteries and memory card   6.7 oz. (190g) without batteries and memory card
Durability qualities: Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 Canon PowerShot D10
  Waterproof to:   10 meters / 33 feet   10 meters / 33 feet
  Shockproof to:   2 meters / 6.6 feet   1.2 meters / 4 feet
  Crushproof to:   100kg / 220 pounds   untested but not as high as the Tough-8000
  Freezeproof to:   -10°C / 14°F   -10°C / 14°F
Which has the better . . . Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 Canon PowerShot D10
  . . . photo quality (at low ISO)      
  . . . photo quality (at high ISO)       ✔✔
  . . . video picture quality      
  . . . video sound quality       ✔✔✔
  . . . build quality & durability   ✔✔    
  . . . portability  
(sleeker, lighter, thinner)
 
  . . . ease of use  
(due to larger screen and more intuitive menu)
   
  . . . auto focus       ✔✔ (both slightly faster and more accurate)
  . . . looks   ✔✔ (we like the more style form factor and choice of colors)    

✔ = slightly better, ✔✔ = somewhat better, ✔✔✔ = much better

waterproof camera case gadget travel gadgets canon digital camera reviews  Two Waterproof Ultra Compact Cameras Splash Off waterproof camera case gadget travel gadgets canon digital camera reviews  Two Waterproof Ultra Compact Cameras Splash Off

waterproof camera case gadget travel gadgets canon digital camera reviews  Two Waterproof Ultra Compact Cameras Splash Off

So what does that all mean?

There are lots of ways to parse the data in that chart but for Spot Cool Stuff our advice comes down to this:

If you are looking to buy a waterproof ultra-compact as your only/primary digital camera then the
Canon PowerShot D10 is the clear choice. The image quality compared to the Tough-8000, especially in high ISO (eg. low light) situations, makes it too good to pass up. And if you shot a lot of video the D10 is the runaway winner. (The audio quality when shooting video—even underwater!—is amazingly good for a camera of this size and price).

That said, there are at least two circumstances we would recommend the Olympus Style Tough-8000 over the D10: 1) If you primarily use another camera but are looking for a complimentary ultra-compact to take with you while kayaking, skiing, beach trips and the like—the Style Tough-8000 the smaller, slighter, more durable and has a greater zoom. 2) If you have children who might be using this camera—the Tough-8000 is not only easier to use (and has a larger screen) but it is unlikely your little ones will be able to harm this rock-of-a-camera even if they tried.

Whichever you choose, bring on the sand, the cold, the water and the knocks—these cool ultra-compact cameras can take it!

THE OLYMPUS STYLE TOUGH-8000:

LEARN MORE & BUY: BLACK / SILVER / BLUE / KIT

Purchase locally in: USA | UK | GERMANY | FRANCE | JAPAN

THE CANON POWERSHOT D10:

LEARN MORE & BUY

Purchase locally in: USA | UK | France | GERMANY | Japan

waterproof camera case gadget travel gadgets canon digital camera reviews  Two Waterproof Ultra Compact Cameras Splash Off

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Responses

  1. Mary says:

    June 29th, 2011at 11:20 am(#)

    I just bought the Olympus Stylus Tough and went to Jamaica with my sister who had a Cannon (expensive camera with lenses)and when we just downloaded all our pictures to the computer we could not believe how amazing the tough was compared to her Cannon. The pictures looked so real and the water looked like it could fall off the pages at you. My only concern with the Tough was that it did not have the lenses of her Cannon, but it made up with better quality pictures. My Tough has 14 pixels. Her Cannon was one of those very expensive camera’s but had only 10 pixels. I paid $199.00 on sale for my Tough…for me it was worth it!!!

    [Reply to this comment]

  2. Jeff says:

    January 25th, 2011at 10:54 pm(#)

    Thanks for all your comments. I’m on the market for a rugged, durable, good quality camera. And from the sounds of things, I am pretty much sold on the Canon D10. I need something to shoot in low light. So that counts out the Olympus.

    [Reply to this comment]

  3. Jon says:

    March 9th, 2010at 6:42 pm(#)

    Personally… Being a strong Canon believer, I bought the D10.

    I’ve been very impressed with it. Took it up to the Arctic Circle as a backup cam… -40C temperatures and it’s battery lasted the better part of three days. Underwater, also impressive. Love the video… and surprisingly good sound.

    It’s a great P&S camera with a good deal of bonus.

    [Reply to this comment]

  4. juzz says:

    December 5th, 2009at 10:24 am(#)

    i bought the canon powershot d10.. its all worth it.. :D

    [Reply to this comment]

  5. Eleanor Maw says:

    November 2nd, 2009at 2:48 am(#)

    The Olympus Tough-8000 is one of the most beautiful cameras on the market, but any photo you take over 200 ISO is not at all beautiful, I like the layout of the Tough-8000 and the build quality of the body is very good, still it must be one of the strongest cameras ever made and as I only use it when out in rainy weather at least I don’t have to worry about it getting waterlogged, it will take with ease, Tough-8000 has got good battery life and does not take to long to charge and the start up time is quite quick, I get enough out of this camera to be content, but I don’t recommend this camera for your main compact camera, that goes to the Lumix LX3 but you can’t use a LX3 underwater.
    PS – I think the Canon PowerShot D10 is an ugly looking camera and looks like a toddles toy.

    [Reply to this comment]

  6. Echoes says:

    August 18th, 2009at 12:52 pm(#)

    I think Olympus must be better when taking underwater videos because of the autofocus. Am I right?

    [Reply to this comment]

  7. Jonas says:

    July 29th, 2009at 7:29 am(#)

    Thanks Reuben, they are really battling out of my mind(D10 vs Tough 8000). But i guess by going through a lot of reviews, and with your comment in addition, gives me a whole lot of idea on which of the two P&S camera will I buy. I think I’ll go now with Canon D10.

    Thanks Again!

    [Reply to this comment]

  8. Reuben says:

    July 6th, 2009at 2:27 pm(#)

    I bought the Tough-8000…. but owning a Canon S2 IS and An S5 IS as well, I’ve been sad since I bought the Tough… the picture quality is… wait a minute… what quality? that thing’s images are crap… it cannot even operate indoors on 200 ISO with flash… the photo’s are stupid… and talk about the autofocus… most images come out blurry… and when you think of all the time it took to get a lock on the target!

    I’m used to canon’s crisp images… the tough may look better but you shouldn’t care about the look… I thought I could leave my big S5 behind and go to parties with my Tough… but no… coz the tough is simply not worth it…

    I only use it for snorkelling… I bought it because olympus has a case that can have it dive deeper than 10 m… coz I’m planning to go diving soon… the canon would not be able to make it beyond 10 meters…

    But I do regret the quality…

    Planning to sell it and get one of those compact canons with digic 4 and underwater casing…

    bottom line… don’t go for the tough!

    –Reuben

    [Reply to this comment]

  9. Manop says:

    June 14th, 2009at 11:43 am(#)

    The waterproof digital camera market these days is very competitive. Many people are finding the best tough camera with a reasonable price. This review would be really helpful.

    [Reply to this comment]

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