Fujifilm's New More Rugged FinePix XP30 Featuring GPS

Waterproof digital cameras are becoming all the rage these days. Last year several companies got their feet wet introducing their first ever waterproof offerings. With several other companies such as Olympus and Fujifilm introducing updated offerings. This year marks a first for the waterproof, rugged camera line with Fujifilm raising the bar by introducing the new FinePix XP30; the world's first water, shock, dust and freeze proof model featuring built-in GPS functionality.

The FinePix XP30 picks up where the FinePix XP10 left off featuring the same 4-way durability only with slightly more rugged specifications.You get a newly designed look with a riveted front that is waterproof to 5 metres/16.4ft as opposed to only 3m with the XP10. You'll also get shockproof protections for drops up to 1.5 metres/4.9ft, or a full foot and a half more protection over the XP10. Add to that the same Dust / Sandproofing as well as freezeproof protection down to −10°C.

To add to the cameras durability new is a new shockproof bumper design to shield the LCD screen in case of accident drops. A new rubberized grip to help keep the camera in your hands during tough conditions and a a strengthened glass lens cover providing better protection for that all too important lens.

The most emphasized new feature is the built in GPS sensor for geo-tagging support. Locations can be displayed either as longitude and latitude or by place name. The FinePix XP30 has an embedded list featuring around half a million places of interest across the globe. When a shot is taken, the image is tagged with location information, enabling you to quickly find shots of a place you've visited. Should users then want to create a photobook of a specific location they can do so using the Photobook Assist function where you can tag images then turn the pages of the book on the camera's rear LCD.

But that's not all. If you visit a location that you want to return to but can't remember which way to go, the Photo Navigation mode is invaluable. Simply find a shot of the location and the FinePix XP30 will not only tell you how far it is from your current spot, it'll show you the direction you need to travel to get there.

For those who want to re-trace their steps and map a route of their travels, the Route Logging function is sure to appeal. The FinePix XP30 stores location data every 10 minutes and, once the images are downloaded to a PC through MyFinePix Studio (bundled image viewing software), a map of the route, along with the pictures you took along the way is created using Google Maps.

Fujifilm FinePix XP30 / XP20 key features:

• 14.2 megapixel resolution
• GPS functionality - The XP20 drops the GPS function
• 5x wide optical zoom covering 28 - 140 mm (35 mm equivalent)
• CCD shift image stabilization
• 2.7 inch rear LCD with 230,000 pixels
• Waterproof to five metres
• Shockproof up to 1.5 metres
• Freezeproof to −10°C
• Dust / Sandproof
• Motion Panorama mode
• Available in Black, Silver, Orange, Blue, Green and White

Pricing on the new XP30 is $240 or $200 for the XP20 without the GPS. The cameras are available now for pre-order however they won't be available until mid-February for shipping.

My thoughts:

I've been watching the waterproof digital camera market since I did my review of the FinePix Z33Wp back on Aug of '09 and had been keeping a close eye on the XP10 since it was released. So naturally when I saw the data on the new XP30 I was a bit intrigued. I'll have to say that I'm not going to be an early adopter on this one. Given the drawbacks I faced with Z33WP I'm a bit shy of Fujifilm's cameras. I know these basic waterproof cameras are supposed to be pretty much point and shoot and you shouldn't expect something top notch but I'm a bit picky.

Right now the XP10 can be purchased for around $100 so at $240 the XP30 seems like an expensive alternative. After-all, GPS aside you aren't gaining much in terms of actual performance. Sure you get a rubberized feel that offers more protection and a few extra feet of waterproofing and drop resistance but that hardly seems worth it to me. I really do like the sounds of the GPS and Photo Navigation mode. I'm just not sure I'd actually use it that much. Hopefully we'll see some reviews soon and that will sway me one way or the other.

2010 Flooded With Waterproof Cameras

At this years PMA several companies have announced either new or updated waterproof cameras. Some are rather plain and boring while others look extremely interesting.

Last year when I was looking for a nice pocket size waterproof camera I found only a few reasonably priced options namely the Fuji Finepix Z33WP, Olympus 550-WP and Polaroid T-833. This year it seems like everyone has jumped on the boat and is now releasing a waterproof camera of their own.

Major manufactures like Samsung, Sony and Casio have all joined Olympus, FUJI, Pentax and Polaroid in their underwater ventures pushing out several new cameras at varying price points.

On the budget end is the newly introduced GE G5WP a successor to last year's G3WP. The G5WP offers a metal enclosure, 4x internal zoom and a 12.2 megapixel sensor. GE won;t have the G5WP on store shelves until late in Q2 but the camera will be fairly price at an MSRP of $179.99.

Adding to the success of their FinePix Z33WP Fuji has added the new FinePix XP10 / XP11. Available in late February 2010 and priced at $199.95 is Fujifilm’s first ‘Four-Proof’ digital camera, which is waterproof up to 10 feet, shockproof up to 3 feet, freezeproof up to 14°F, and dustproof. The camera will feature a 12 Megapixel CCD sensor, ISO up to 1600, a Fujinon 5x optical zoom lens with a reinforced protective lens barrier, and a 2.7-inch High-Contrast LCD display. The FujiFilm XP10 has feature Face Detection, Digital Image Stabilization, Movie Editing Mode and Blog mode, Scene Recognition Auto, and Facebook/YouTube Automatic Web Upload function.

Samsung enters the market with their budget minded AQ100 underwater camera which they introduced just ahead of the PMA show. The AQ100 is a 12-megapixel ultra-compact that much like most the rest of the camera mentioned here is waterproof down to about 10. It has an internal 5x zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD, digital image stabilization and can record video at resolutions up to 720p at 30fps. The 12MP Samsung AQ100 will start shipping this Spring and has an MSRP of $199.99.

On the higher end of the scale are the newly introduced cameras from Casio, Pentax and Sony. Just last week Sony introduced the new Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 which will be hitting store shelves this April and will retails for about $350.The DSC-TX5 will feature a 10.2 megapixel sensor, a 4x optical zoom Carl Zeiss Vario Tessor lens and will be waterproof to 10ft, freeze proof down to -10°C (14°F) and shock-resistant for drops of up to 1.5 meters.

One of the recent additions that really caught our eye is the new Casio Ex-G1. Dubbed "the world's slimmest shock-resistant digital camera" this rugged 12 megapixel digital camera has looks to match it's toughness. Featuring IEC/JIS Protection Class 8 (IPX8) waterproofing at depth of 10ft and shock-resistance of drops at up to 7ft this camera might be one of the toughest in the bunch. Casio has already released the EX-G1 with an MSRP of $299.99. Learn more at the G1 Special Site

This years tough new camera that has caught our eye is the much rumored Pentax Optio W90 waterproof camera. Pentax has a long standing of making great waterproof, freezeproof cameras and the W90 is reportedly going to be the next in that great line-up.

The Pentax W90 features a 12.1 Megapixel image sensor and a 5x optical zoom lens covering focal lengths from 28 to 140 mm. Combining 12.1 megapixels with the Pentax-developed imaging engine and high-performance Pentax zoom lens, the Pentax Optio W90 should be able to deliver high quality pictures. The Pentax Optio W90 is also shockproof to 4 feet so it can withstand the rigors of outdoor use. Suggested retail is yet unknown however reports say we can expect it to be in the $400 range.

(update) Pentax has made the W90 official, announcing the release on 2/25

Not to be left behind Olympus has announced a few updates to both their "Tough" line-up as well as their WP line. The new Stylus Tough-8010 will be the new flagship of the "tough" line replacing the Tough-8000. This shockproof camera can withstand drops of 6.6 feet and is waterproof to depths of 33 feet. It caries a price tag of $399.99.

The 14 megapixel Stylus Tough-6020 will take over for the Tough-6000 and features shockproofing to drops of 5 feet and waterproof to depths of 16 feet. Both cameras are freezeproof to temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

For budget consumers Olympus has added the STYLUS TOUGH-3000, a little brother of the other tough line. The camera features similar specs to the Tough-6020 with a smaller price tag of only $229.99. Additionally they've add the X-560WP for $169.99. The X-560WP is predecessor to the Stylus 550-WP and features a 10mp sensor, 3x optical zoom and waterproofing to 10ft.

At the highest end of the spectrum is the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2/DMC-TS2 the predecessor to the Luminx DMC-FT1/DMC-TS1. These tough little cameras feature full HD Movie support in AVCHD Lite not to mention a 14.1-megapixel High-resolution CCD, 4.6x Optical Zoom, 6x Intelligent Zoom and 9.8x Extra Optical Zoom. MSRP is set at $399

All these newly announced waterproof rugged cameras have us drooling. Having been able to test the FinePix Z33WP last year I'll say that having a waterproof camera is a must for the outdoor enthusiast. Rafting trips, boating trips and fishing just aren't the same when you don't have a good camera along to take snap shots. So look for some reviews as I'm sure I'll get my hands on at least one or two of these new toys.