Fuji make a ruggedized camera ( the "BigJob" ).

Http://www.dpreview.com/news/0706/07062001fujibigjob.asp.

Not sure if it's what you want but that's the link..

Keep your helmet on and your hand off the trigger. .

StephenG.

Pentax K100DFuji S5200Fuji E900PCLinuxOS..

Http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1014&message=22885583.

Http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=19906407.

Tim'Be the change you wish to see in the world.' -Mahatma Gandhihttp://www.flickr.com/photos/timskis6/..

Rak187 wrote:.

I need a camera that will survive a year in Iraq. The 3 mainfeatures I am looking at is durability, shutter speed, and somewhatcompact. So far the choices Ive looked at are the:.

FIrst, let me thank you for your service..

Canon G7Canon S3 & S5Sony H7 & H9.

THe G7 feels like it can take a little more abuse then the others..

I like the night shoot mode on the Sony series (and my 2 othercameras are Sony and really like them)..

I like the fact that S series uses AA batteries. I can get those inabundance over there and not have to worry about recharging thecamera. Also, the sports mode seemed faster on the S5 than on theSony H9..

I would look for a camera that when shut off, a panel manually closes the lens opening. Second, if you are going to be using AA batteries, might as well buy a film camera because you will use them up like water. If you have access to an electrical outlet, and two sets of rechargable batteries, you'll be fine..

With all of that being said, what is your opinion on which camerawould suit me best? Am I overlooking a camera that would fit myneeds better?.

I haven't looked at digicams recently to see which one has a panel that seals of the lens. But that's what I would look for..

Dave..

Any camera on which the lens moves in an out for focusing is subject to getting grit in the mechanism. In environment like Iraq, that could be trouble. You might want to consider spending a little bit more and getting one where the lens remains in one position, such as tha Panasonic FZ50..

Although it does have an extending lens, the Panasonic TZ3 has a reputation for being able to take a lot of abuse. Here is a story of one that survived a trip through the washing machine. http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=21924128Joel Orlinsky.

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Thanks for the advice everyone. I will look into some of the other cameras that were mentioned. I shouldve mentioned that Im an infantry soldier and when the drama starts, I wont be taking too many pictures but if the camera is with me it may be banged around a bit. Also, with all of the other tools of my trade that I will be carrying, Im not sure Id want to lug a DSLR around. On my other 2 deployments I used disposable cameras and most of my pictures came out looking like a turd in a punch bowl. Anyway, thanks for all of the recommendations and if anyone has anything else to offer, please feel free to do so...

"A turd in a punch bowl" rofl.

Also consider the Olympus Stylus 770SW - shockproof, waterproof (yes), dustproof, and crushproof..

There was a thread a while back about a mother needing a camera for her son in Iraq. He evidently tripped, fell, and crushed his Canon A-something, so she wanted a stronger design. I believe she ended up buying an Olympus Stylus 720SW - the first version.Tim'Be the change you wish to see in the world.' -Mahatma Gandhihttp://www.flickr.com/photos/timskis6/..

Timskis6 wrote:.

"A turd in a punch bowl" rofl.

Also consider the Olympus Stylus 770SW - shockproof, waterproof(yes), dustproof, and crushproof..

There was a thread a while back about a mother needing a camera forher son in Iraq. He evidently tripped, fell, and crushed his CanonA-something, so she wanted a stronger design. I believe she ended upbuying an Olympus Stylus 720SW - the first version..

Indeed, at least in theory, the 770SW sounds well suited for the task. I don't know if there any reviews of it in that context (Iraq-like environment). During the digital camera episode of the "Its all Geek to me" series the presenter (David Pogue of NY Times) kept dropping it to the floor intentionally since it is droproof. On one of the tv shopping networks, one of the ladies was stepping on it with all her weight (she was lightweight but not Ally McBeal)..

Fuji's Big Job line-up and also some specialized models from Ricoh are industrial-strength, designed for very tough environments. But they usually make very few of them, and they are probably hard to find outside of Japan..

Another idea to investigate perhaps - and I don't know how it would handle the desert - could be to use a sealed underwater case with any of the digital cameras that have them as accessoriesI am assuming if they hold off water pressure, they can keep sand out? (this part is purely hypothetical, I haven't tried this). Someone who knows more about this please feel free to jump in!.

Comprehensive 2007 speculation and predictions: http://1001noisycameras.blogspot.com..

What will you be doing in Iraq?.

I ran combat logistics patrols and brough tthe S3 IS along with me... it survived everything jsut fine, but I tried to be fairly careful with it, and it wasnt tiny. If it had taken a direct hit, the way my IPOD did, I am sure it wouldnt have survived..

This is an interesting subject, I jsut finished a year over there... if youhave any questions write me... any camera should be fine if you take care of it, and any camera cant survive certain stuff.....

My brother just got back from deployment in Kirkuk. He took his Canon A40? Anyways, some of the features he and I appreciated are the movie mode, dust resistance, and camera size. Depending on your MOS and tasks, you may want to consider camera size as well (easily stored in your pockets) and battery life. Sometimes, things (battery type) are hard to come by at the PX and stores in the dust bowl..

Good luck and be careful on both ends of your deployment, especially when short!.

Dejan Smaic.

D200Just an assortment of Nikon lensesDesire to take great digital images..

I would suggest the Olympus Stylus series of camera. All are water-resistant and dustproof. My organization has about 300 Stylus cameras of various models which we use in an environment such as you describe. All models carry easily in cargo or even shirt pockets. All models use a proprietary rechargeable LiIon battery so we issue a spare battery. No complaints with that arrangement to date.

In five years we've only had two quit working, one was dropped from a pocket onto concrete and one dropped off a fender and run over by a track..

I would avoid the drop-resistant, waterproof models (SW). The use a folded optic lens and that seems to compromise image quality..

The Pentax Optio W series would also meet the environmental demands but I've never seen/held one so I don't have any idea about their pocketability...

Olympus Stylus 770SW - shockproof, waterproof, dustproof, and crushproof.

Key feature is dustproof, that place is made of the stuffgreat beaches.. kinda wide, but no surf.

Heat can be an issue too, in our ASLAVs it's 65C in the heatmost cameras go to 40C, a dSLR is useless to you unless it's for back at base.

Cameras can also be used to provide field evidence should you find yourself in a tricky situation, ie rules of engagement.

Have a good tour and take care of your ass, your buddies asses, and respect the boss{why did I say that  }Riley.

I like to think the bs can never be higher than the ah..

Take any camera. Just be carefull and don't try to be a hero.Good luck and God bless......

Thank you for your service. May the Lord's protection be around you. My son is scheduled to deploy to Iraq in September, he's just out of AIT and just reported to Ft. Hood, Texas last night. May the days go quickly for both you and he and we'll rejoice when you're back home safely.My humble photo gallery: http://ntotrr.smugmug.com.

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