If your idea of a great overall camera includes the promise that it won’t break on impact or become disabled when splashing down in the water, then the Casio Exilim EX-G1 should be your top pick when deciding to make your next camera purchase.

Built with a shock-resistant, waterproof and dustproof outer shell, the EX-G1 has a 12.1mp high resolution sensor, a 3x zoom lens that doesn’t extend out to keep it safe and dry within it’s protected body and a 2.5” LCD screen.

Smart enough to make the necessary calculations in the blink of an eye, the Intelligent AF and Best Shot shooting modes make getting the best exposure one less thing that you have to worry about. And the Interval Shooting feature will ensure that you get the best shot even when your hands are too busy to keep snapping.

And for video, when you want to quickly make the switch from still images, just press the dedicated movie button located conveniently on the back of the camera where your thumb usually is. In fact, most of the controls are on the backside of the camera and easily reached and activated with a quick flick of the right thumb.

So, whether you are a casual snapper in your own backyard, or the rugged outdoors type who is constantly pushing the limits in mother natures backyard, the EX-G1 was designed to go the distance and supply you with great shots everytime.

As camera manufacturers continue to strive to create features that set them apart from the competition, Panasonic has come up with an improvement that doesn’t feel like just another gimmick that adds nothing to the cameras basic operation. Not only is the camera size ultra compact, but the 25mm ultra wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with its powerful 8x optical zoom has the smallest lens elements yet. Just 0.3mm, the spherical and aspherical lenses allow the ZR1 to remain slim and ultra compact while producing brilliant images from 25mm to 200mm.

While building on the success of the TZ series of cameras, Panasonic adds a 12.1-megapixel high resolution CCD with Intelligent Auto mode and an even more powerful OIS (Optical Image Stabiliser). Taking clear tele-photos without a tripod has never been so easy.

And speaking of Intelligent Auto, the ZR1 can track a subject by simply locking the focus and panning with them as they move about. A nice feature when you know exactly what you are after and have the patience to wait for the perfect shot. There is also Face Recognition that will remember faces that appear frequently, but that does feel a little gimmicky.

For image processing and speed, the ZR1 relies on the Venus Engine V to ensure that contrast, shadows and luminence are optimum while allowing you to shoot at up to 10fps (in High-speed Burst mode) with a superfast shutter release speed of 0.007 seconds.

Images can be shot at the 16:9 size for wide screen viewing in HD and viewed on the 2.7” LCD screen, along with HD video. Zoom will also work while shooting video.