Fujifilm FinePix XP10

The waterproof and ruggedized camera segment has heated up lately, with Panasonic, Sony and Samsung jumping into the pool along with longstanding contenders Olympus and Pentax. Most of this activity, though, is in the $300-plus  category. Fujifilm plays in the lower end of this market, with cameras that are waterproof to 10 feet rather than 33 feet, limited shooting options and other cost savings (like HD video with no HD output from the camera). With the XP10 the company is stepping up its game a bit with a 5x lens and 720p movies, and an improved look that we like. We're not thrilled with the limited wide-angle coverage, the slow lens or the lack of manual controls. But you can certainly argue that you get what you pay for, and there is undeniable appeal to coughing up a modest amount of cash for a camera that won't conk out when it's splashed, dropped in the pool or taken out for an afternoon's snowboarding. As for the quality of the photos you'll bring home from your soggy adventures, that remains to be seen.