Whether they’re small lakeside enclaves or expansive stretches of white sand at the ocean, beaches are great places for taking pictures. People are having fun swimming, surfing, snorkeling, playing volleyball, building sand castles, or simply relaxing in beach chairs – and the fun factor shows – making for memorable fun photos.
The downsides: Salt spray, blowing sand, high moisture levels, unexpected waves, and the ever-present possibility of accidentally dropping or dunking your camera in pursuit of a great shot. The solution: Opt for a camera designed to withstand all these challenges and more, like one of the 10 cool models described below.
All are high style, high-performance compacts that are perfect for skiing, surfing, taking to the beach, on the boat, on a hike in the woods, or any other place you’d think twice before taking an unprotected DSLR or mirrorless camera. They’re waterproof, dustproof, shockproof and freezeproof, and most provide full feature sets including advanced video capability.
To whet your appetite and keep things interesting we’ve included a variety of point-and-shoot, mirrorless, action cam, and, luxury class models from major camera makers including Nikon, Canon, Leica, Fujifilm, Ricoh, Panasonic, and Olympus.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30 ()
This sleek, slim, stylish, compact is waterproof, dustproof, freezeproof, and shockproof, and its 16.1 MP 1/2.33 CCD sensor and 25-100mm-equivalent Lumix DC Vario lens and optical, 5-way, MEGA O.I.S. image stabilization system can capture sharp, shake-free images and videos even in low light. A digital Intelligent Zoom feature extends the effective reach of the lens to 8X, a bright 2.7-inch 230k-dot TFT LCD facilitates composition and image review, and 23-zone AF plus Quick AF combine to deliver fast, precise autofocus with a wide variety of subjects. Other features: Intelligent Auto mode automatically selects the optimum scene mode; 8 fps maximum burst rate; Creative Control Mode enables time-lapse sequences in standard and panorama formats: and 720p HD video capture in the MP4 format.
Fujifilm FinePix XP120 ()
With perky, eye-catching contemporary style, the latest version of Fuji’s cool go-anywhere camera has an upgraded 1/2.3-inch 16.4MP BSI CMOS sensor, is waterproof to 65 feet, shockproof to a 5.8-foot drop, freezeproof down to 14 degrees F, and dustproof. It’s claimed to deliver ultra-fast start-up and can shoot continuous full-res bursts up to a blistering 10 fps, provides a new 3.0-inch 920k-dot LCD monitor, and has a Fujinon 5X, 28-140mm equivalent f/3.9-4.9 zoom lens with aspheric elements for enhanced image quality, a hardened glass lens barrier, and water repellent coating. Other features: Full HD 1080p video capability at 60 or 30 fps, advanced sensor-shift image stabilization, built-in filters, AF tracking, 3-frame Dynamic Range (HDR) mode, Cinematograph and Interval Shooting modes, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.
Ricoh WG-60 ()
It’s latest upgraded iteration of the very successful, uniquely styled WG line that continues the tradition with waterproof, shockproof, crushproof and cold proof construction. This beach classic features 16 MP 1/2.3 inch BSI CMOS sensor, a 5X 28-140mm-equivalent lens, an image processor enabling low-light sensitivity up to ISO 6400, even lets users record Full HD (16:9) video at 30 fps. Other features: 25 unique shooting modes, and a built-in micro-HDMI port for full content output to HD TVs and other compatible devices.
Nikon Coolpix W300 ()
Sleekly stylish but with plenty of attitude, the W300 is waterproof, freeze-proof, and remains shockproof and dustproof. It features a 16MP CMOS sensor, a 5X 24-120mm equivalent f/2.8-4.9 zoom lens, and has a new higher-res 3.0-inch monitor, Hybrid Vibration Reduction, built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, GPS and electronic compass, and enables remote control via a Smartphone or tablet. Other niceties include resolution photos, 4K Ultra HD videos, 20 scene modes including Night, Landscape, or Portrait, and a unique Action Control that lets you control selected camera functions one-handed by shaking the camera!
Nikon COOLPIX W100 ()
Nikon’s new compact cutie is tougher than it looks. It features a rugged body that’s waterproof down to 33 feet, freezeproof down to 14 degrees F, and capable of withstanding a 6-foot drop. Its 13.2MP 1/3.1-inch CMOS sensor and NIKKOR 3x f/3.3-5.9 Optical Zoom lens deliver satisfying performance, employing a contrast-detect AF system with an electronic VR image stabilization system. Other features: a 2.7-inch, 230k-dot LCD monitor, Full HD 1080p video capture at 30 fps built-in flash and full Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC, Bluetooth, and Snapbridge. It even offers a friendly Welcome Screen and a cartoon effects mode.
Olympus Stylus TOUGH TG-5 ()
This brand new sleekly styled successor to the TG-4 waterproof adventure camera incorporates the same fast, water-repellent f/2 lens (a 4X, 25-100mm equivalent f/2-4.9 zoom) as its predecessor, but the latest flagship of the iconic TOUGH line sports a new 12MP 1/2.3” BSI CMOS sensor for improved low-light performance and noise reduction, sensitivity settings to ISO 12800, an upgraded Dual Quad Core TruePic VIII image processor that provides RAW file capture, 4K/30p Video capture, Full HD 120 fps high-speed video mode, a 25-point AF system, and a new Pro Capture mode that minimizes shutter lag. Retained are sensor-shift image stabilization, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, plus eCompass and Manometer functions. However, the new Field Sensor System now includes a temperature sensor and provides on-screen data displays. The TG-5 is waterproof to 50 feet, shockproof to 7 feet, crushproof to 220 pounds, and freeze-proof down to 14 degrees F, features a 3.0-inch 460k-dot OLED monitor, and delivers impressive burst capability up to 20 fps. Its 4 underwater modes include underwater macro and it offers 4 macro modes including Focus Stacking and Focus Bracketing. Its robust, ergonomic body has convenient dial controls, a handy zoom lever, and an accessory lock button.
GoPro Hero7 ()
Waterproof, with no housing needed, the Hero7 is yet another adventure-ready camera from GoPro. You can capture video from your summer adventures, with gimbal-like stabilization (without the gimbal!). HyperSmooth video stabilization keeps the shot stead, while TimeWarp video lets you create time-lapses of the settings. With SuperPhoto, the Hero7 will choose the best optimal shot in any situation, all while staying protected from the elements.
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-Tracker ()
This crisply styled new Action Camera can capture UHD 4K video at 30 fps, Full, HD 1080p video at up to 60fps, HD 720p video at up to 240p for slow-motion effects, as well as 8MP still images. It’s waterproof to a depth of 98.4 feet, will withstand a drop of up to 7 feet, is freezeproof to 14 degrees F, and its fast, water-repellent, ultra-wide-angle 1.58mm (13.9mm equivalent) f/2 lens covers an impressive 204-degree angle of view. A built-in LED “headlamp” above the lens lets you shoot underwater or in dark environments, and you can frame your shots using the 1.5-inch, 115.2k-dot Olympus tilt-out LCD, connect to mobile devices using built-in Wi-Fi, or monitor the camera, share remotely, and transfer files using Olympus Image Share and Track Mobile apps. Switch to LOG mode and you can record data from the camera’s built-in GPS, compass, accelerometer, thermometer, and barometer, view them on the monitor, or download them for later use. The rugged Stylus Tough-TG-Tracker also provides 0.5-60 sec interval capture for time-lapse photography, 5-axis electronic image stabilization for stills and video, shutter speeds from ½ to 1,24,000 sec, and accepts micro SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards.
Panasonic Lumix TS7 ()
Merging photography and adventure, the Panasonic Lumix TS7 is not only waterproof, dust-proof, can withstand drops and falls from up to 6.6 feet, but it’s also resistant to 220lbs of pressure. You can take it to the beach, but it can also handle the winter months thanks to its temperature-resistant body. The camera has a Power O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilizer), aa 4.6x optical zoom lens (with a focal length equivalent of 28-128mm), 20.4 megapixels, and even lets users capture 4K video. The powerful camera is also creator-friendly and allows for in-camera editing — you can grab 8-megapixel stills from 4K videos — and includes 22 filters, and allows for post-capture focus point changes.
Leica X-U (Typ 113) ()
A posh beach buddy, Leica’s new distinctively styled, luxury class active lifestyle camera features a fast, high-performance 10-element, 8-group 23mm f/1.7 Summilux prime lens (35mm equivalent) with 2 aspheric elements, coupled to a 16.2MP APS-C-format CMOS sensor, all built into a rugged waterproof dustproof, shockproof body clad in anti-slip rubber. It’s waterproof to 49 feet (for up to 60 minutes), shockproof for impacts up to 4-foot fall, and dustproof, and has a UW glass filter to protect the front lens element. The X-U provides sensitivity settings to ISO 12500, delivers a maximum full-res burst rate of 5 fps, and can record Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps. Other features: a 3.0-inch 920k-dot LCD, top-mounted manual aperture and shutter speed dials, built-in flash above the lens, 11-point AF with spot mode and face detection, and in-camera film emulation modes including Standard, Dynamic, Natural, B&W Natural, and B&W High Contrast. It comes with a free download of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.
