Top gear for protection

Special Feature: ADVENTURE

Lowepro's newly-released Toploader Zoom AW Series offers a weather protective, streamlined and easy-access carrying solution for outdoor photography enthusiasts.

The Toploader Zoom features Lowepro's patented All Weather AW Cover gear and the compact design moves with the body and slips into a larger bag for travel.

Additional features include shoulder strap, an outside pocket, durable plastic D-rings and an integrated belt loop. Available now from Maxwell International.

GPS protection

Maxwell has also released the the Navi Traveler, designed to protect navigation gear from scratches, dust and abrasion.

The Navi Traveler is sized to fit a GPS device and related accessories. It features two zippered compartments and the lower compartment features two SD card slots.

Nikon shoots a cliffhanger

Professional outdoors photographer Simon Carter was recently recruited by Nikon to produce The Rock Climber - Nikon D3S and The Rock Climber - Behind the Scenes. Recognised internationally for his distinctive rock climbing photography, Carter took a group of climbers and his Nikon DS3 into the Blue Mountains west of Sydney to film a real cliffhanger.

Samsung in Aqua mode

Included in Samsung's 2010 camera range is the WP10.

Developed for use in up to three metres of water the hardy camera is also at home on dry land.

Samsung said the camera has 'exceptional' low-light performance, capable of taking bright images using its dedicated 'Aqua' mode.

The WP10 also features 5x optical inner-zoom lens with digital image stabilization.

The WP10 will be available from April at $249 (RRP).

When the going is less soft

It can be a tough choice for consumers in the market for a 'tough' camera with the main players making similar claims about their products' ability to withstand submersion and shock.

Canon's PowerShot D10

With the exception of the TX5, all others in the group are waterproof to 10 metres (the TX5 is restricted to three metres).

Shock resitance ranges from up to one metre for the Canon Powershot D10 to up two two metres for the Lumix DMCFT2 and Olympuis Mju Tough 8010.

All four are cold resistant to minus 10C.