Casio G1 – A Great And Tough Digital Camera
They’ve been making durable watches for years, but the Exilim G1 is Casio’s first foray into the rugged camera category. I like to call this class of snapshooters the tough guys of photography. They’re designed to withstand drops and underwater submersions of a few feet―nothing too extreme, but sturdy enough to take on some outdoor excursions to the beach or up a ski mountain without worrying about breaking the thing.
Unfortunately, the picture quality has always been an issue with this type of camera. Even the best of the bunch thus far (last year, our favorite was the Olympus TOUGH 8000) took shots with a slightly grainy, flat quality to them―passable, but with plenty of room for some improvement.
We’re happy to report that Casio stepped up to the plate and gave us a hardy camera that takes good pictures too. The user interface could really use some extra work, but overall, this is our new favorite rugged camera. Here’s why:
When Casio first sent images of the G1 to the press, my first reaction was that it’s one of the funniest-looking cameras I’ve ever seen. The designers obviously have to think about function over form with these rugged models, but the awkward shock-absorbing lumps on the top and left edges looked pretty, pretty goofy in the promo shots.
In person, it’s actually a pretty slick package. It’s surprisingly small – not ultra-compact, but at just 0.78 inches thick, it’s the thinnest, most diminutive of these “tough guy” digital models so far. I really liked some of the more creative aspects of the design, notably the vault-like compartment with the microSD slot and mini-USB output, opened with a twist of a notched metal knob. Most importantly, it handled all the big abuse I put it through with aplomb.
I repeatedly dropped it from shoulder height onto a hardwood floor in a crowded bar, and it auto-focused like nothing had happened. I dunked into my fish tank for a closeup on my goldfish, and the battery and memory card compartments stayed as dry as burnt chicken. My boss climbed up a big mountain with it, and I ran it over on skis chasing it down a mountain (that part, I didn’t mean to do). Aside from a few tiny scratches in the glossy red paint on the front, the Casio G1 escaped unscathed. I wouldn’t drop it off a building (it’s only shockproof to seven feet) or toss it into Boston Harbor (only waterproof to 10 feet), but it’s plenty sturdy for regular outdoor use.
The life-proof design has a few disadvantages — the battery compartment was a bitch to open without the wedge included in the packaging, and the buttons are a bit stiff. But those are minor gripes, and overall this is a well-built camera.
TOP 10 New Digital Waterproof Cameras Best Seller 2011
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-320 Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera Blue NEW USA $179.00 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-320 Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera Kit Blue NEW USA $184.95 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-320 Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera Kit Blue NEW USA $179.95 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-320 Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera Kit Blue NEW USA $189.95 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-320 Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera Kit Blue NEW USA $189.95 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-320 Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera Red NEW USA $179.00 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-320 Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera Kit Red NEW USA $179.95 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-320 Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera Kit Red NEW USA $189.95 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-320 Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera Kit Red NEW USA $184.95 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-320 Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera Kit Red NEW USA $189.95 |
|
|
Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 14M Waterproof Digital Camera $99.99 |
|
|
OLYMPUS X-560WP Red 10.0 MP 2.4″ LCD 3X Optical Zoom Waterproof Digital Camera $89.99 |
|
|
OLYMPUS TG-610 TOUGH WATERPROOF DIGITAL CAMERA 5x OPTICAL ZOOM 14MP 3″ LCD RED $158.99 |
|
|
Hot Pink Floating Foam Hand Strap for Waterproof Digital Camera Fujifilm Olympus $0.99 |
|
|
Olympus Mju Tough 6020 Waterproof Shockproof Digital Camera 8GB Waterproof $155.00 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-310 TG310 Waterproof Digital Camera 8GB Waterproof $165.00 |
|
|
Olympus Mju Tough TG610 Waterproof Shockproof Digital Camera 8GB Waterproof $215.00 |
|
|
Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 Waterproof Shockproof Freezeproof Digital Camera Silve $164.89 |
|
|
Floating Foam Strap For Waterproof Digital Camera Pink Olympus µ mju 1030SW 790S $0.99 |
|
|
Floating Foam Strap For Waterproof Digital Cameras Sony Olympus Canon Samsung $0.99 |
|
|
Floating Foam Strap For Waterproof Digital Cameras Red Olympus µ mju Tough 8010 $0.99 |
|
|
Olympus X-560WP 10MP Red Waterproof Digital Camera Brand New +Case+Float Strap $52.00 |
|
|
Very Nice Olympus 1050 SW 1050SW Digital Camera Waterproof – Black $139.95 |
|
|
LikeNew Olympus 790 790SW Digital Camera Waterproof Orange $155.95 |
|
|
Near Mint Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 Waterproof Digital Camera – Blue $195.95 |
|
|
Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 Waterproof Shockproof Freezeproof Digital Camera (Blac $179.00 |
|
|
Digital Camera Olympus MJU-770SW 7Mpx 3x Waterproof $150.00 |
|
|
OLYMPUS TG-320 Waterproof Digital Camera BLUE + Worldwide Warranty $179.00 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-820 iHS Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera (BLACK) NEW $269.95 |
|
|
Olympus Stylus 770 SW 7.1 MP Digital Camera – Silver waterproof freezeproof $39.00 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-610 14MP Waterproof 3D Digital Camera Blue $159.99 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-610 14MP Waterproof 3D Digital Camera – Black $148.99 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-610 14MP Waterproof 3D Digital Camera Red $148.99 |
|
|
OLYMPUS TG-810 TOUGH 5x WIDE OPTICAL ZOOM 14MP DIGITAL CAMERA WATERPROOF BLACK $227.99 |
|
|
Mint Olympus 1050 SW 1050SW Digital Camera Waterproof – Blue $175.95 |
|
|
OLYMPUS TG-320 Waterproof Digital Camera RED + Worldwide Warranty $179.00 |
|
|
Olympus Stylus Tough-8010 WATERPROOF Digital Camera NEW $179.00 |
|
|
Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 14M Waterproof Digital Camera $109.99 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-820 12 MP iHS Shock & Waterproof Silver Digital Camera $299.00 |
|
|
New Boxed Olympus Tough TG-620 Waterproof Digital Camera Pink $365.00 |
|
|
New Boxed Olympus Tough TG-620 Waterproof Digital Camera Blue $365.00 |
|
|
New Boxed Olympus Tough TG-620 Waterproof Digital Camera White $365.00 |
|
|
New Boxed Olympus Tough TG-620 Waterproof Digital Camera Green $365.00 |
|
|
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-310 14MP Waterproof Digital Camera, Blue $99.99 |
|
|
Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 Waterproof Shockproof Blue Digital Camera – Brand New $154.95 |
|
|
Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 10MP Waterproof Compact Digital Camera Blue $225.99 |
|
|
Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 10MP Waterproof Compact Digital Camera Blue $184.99 |
|
|
Mint Olympus 1050 SW 1050SW Digital Camera Waterproof – Gold $175.95 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-820 12 MP iHS Shock & Waterproof Black Digital Camera $299.00 |
|
|
Olympus Tough TG-820 12 MP iHS Shock & Waterproof Blue Digital Camera $299.00 |
|
|
Olympus Stylus TOUGH-6000 Shockproof & Waterproof Digital Camera (White) + 2GB xD Card + Spare Li-50B Battery + Case + Cameta Bonus Accessory Kit Kit includes: |
|
|
Your On-The-Go Filming with FLEXCOPE Windshield Mount for Flip UltraHD Camera, Kodak PlaySport Video Camera, iPhone 4S, HTC 4G LTE, HTC Vivid, HTC Inspire, Droid RAZR, and Samsung Galaxy S II $19.99 Equipped with a heavy-duty Dia. 90mm suction cup, two easily interchangeable device adapters (one for mounting your digital camera/camcorder and the other your phone/GPS), this smartly designed Universal Windshield Mount from Flexcope allows you to securely mount virtually any portable electronic device that weighs up to 4.0 pounds (1.81 kilograms), on virtually any flat surface that is smooth or … |
|
|
Record Your Journey with FLEXCOPE Windshield Mount for Panasonic Pocket HD Camcorder, Kodak Playsport Pocket HD Camera, iPhone 4S, HTC 4G LTE, HTC Inspire, HTC Vivid, and Droid RAZR. $19.99 Equipped with a heavy-duty Dia. 90mm suction cup, two easily interchangeable device adapters (one for mounting your digital camera/camcorder and the other your phone/GPS), this smartly designed Universal Windshield Mount from Flexcope allows you to securely mount virtually any portable electronic device that weighs up to 4.0 pounds (1.81 kilograms), on virtually any flat surface that is smooth or … |
|
|
OLYMPUS 228065 14.0 MEGAPIXEL TG-310 DIGITAL CAMERA (SILVER)-OMP228065 OLYMPUS 228065 14.0 MEGAPIXEL TG-310 DIGITAL CAMERA (SILVER)14.0 MEGAPIXEL CCD; 3.6X OPTICAL ZOOM; 2.7″ LCD; WATERPROOF TO 3 M/10 FT; SHOCKPROOF TO 1.5 M/5 FT; FREEZEPROOF TO 14… |
|
|
Nikon 7216 Action 8x40mm Binoculars $64.00 A great bang-for-the-buck binocular, the 8×40 Action VII Binocular is the ‘standard’ entry in value-driven porro prism lineup, featuring a tremendous view that’s relaxed and spacious. It is a great choice enjoying stadium sports, and also makes for a sensible birding or hunting selection. Its high-refraction prisms combined with the 8x magnification yield a wide 8.2 degree true field of view, a… |
|
|
Intova IC12 Digital Waterproof Camera $206.00 The IC12 is Intova’s newest and fastest digital camera. Featuring a 1/2000th second shutter speed and new, enhanced Digital Signal Processor, this model is ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects underwater. Other camera features include 3X Optical Zoom/6x Digital Zoom, 2.4 LCD and Lithium ion battery that does not require removal for recharging via USB cable. The sleek external housing is waterp… |
|
|
ATC Premium Nikon EN-EL15 MH-25 Battery Home Travel Charger with Car Adapter for Nikon Coolpix D7000 DSLR Digital Camera $2.10 Specification: Battery Charger: Input:DC 12V¡À0.05V Max. 600mA Output:DC 8.4V¡À0.1V Max. 600mA AC Adapter: Input:AC 100V-240V 150mA 50/60Hz Output:DC 12V 600mA Car Adapter: Input:12V-24V Output:2V-24V Compatible With Battery P/N.: Nikon EN-EL15 MH-25 Fit Models: Nikon Coolpix D7000 DSLR Digital Camera Package 1x AC/DC desktop wall charger (US standard) 1x DC car charger… |
|
|
Black Zipper Eva Pouch Carrying Case + Universal LCD Screen Protector for Kodak EasyShare C1505, EasyShare V1073, EasyShare C763 Digital Cameras $4.99 Universal LCD Screen Protector Film Shield Guard – (2.3in x 2.9in) Brand new generic screen protector. Screen size: 2.3in x 2.9in (60mm x 75mm). Clear, ultra thin and durable. Cover entire LCD screen of your camera, cell phone, GPS, and other electrnoic lcd screen. Shield and protect your screen from unwanted scratches. Quickly and easily adhere directly to your screen. Non-adhesive backing, will … |
|
|
Black Zipper Eva Pouch Carrying Case + Universal LCD Screen Protector for Kodak EasyShare M753, EasyShare M23 Digital Cameras $4.99 Universal LCD Screen Protector Film Shield Guard – (2.3in x 2.9in) Brand new generic screen protector. Screen size: 2.3in x 2.9in (60mm x 75mm). Clear, ultra thin and durable. Cover entire LCD screen of your camera, cell phone, GPS, and other electrnoic lcd screen. Shield and protect your screen from unwanted scratches. Quickly and easily adhere directly to your screen. Non-adhesive backing, will … |
|
|
Medium Slr Camera Bag Compatible With Most Slrs With A Zoom Lens $48.74 Compartment dimensions: 6″ W x 4″ H x 3 1/2″ D.Size: 5 1/4″ W x 4″ H x 2 3/4″ D.Interior: 4″ W x 2 3/4″ H x 1 1/2″ D…. |