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A waterproof digital camera isn’t just another collectible for the gadget lovers out there. Their extreme durability appeals to the masses of extreme sports enthusiasts, photographers who want the ability to shoot anywhere at any time and useless drunks who often take their cameras for a swim after a big night out.

Durability as a whole is goverened by a few categories. These are waterproof, shock or drop proof, crush proof and freeze proof. Depending on the manufacturer, a waterproof digital camera may incorporate only one up to all of these categories depending on the kind of individual they aim the gadget at.

Mostly, each major manufacturer has a range of around three cameras which cater for varying lifestyles.

Waterproofing is often divided into water resistance, and the depths 3m and 10m. Water resistance being aimed at the casual photographer who might happen to get a little splash on the camera every of often or shoot in light rain. The second caters for shallow snorkeling and a bit more extreme situations while the last caters for most of what any user will throw at it. This can include some very extreme situations. Depths greater then this will cause the camera to fall into the ‘underwater camera’ category.

Shock or drop proofing is an indication of how much shaking up the camera is able to withstand. Lab tests usually involve multiple drops of the camera from a certain height. If the device is still alive at the end of the procedure, it is considered drop proof to that height. Drop proofing and shock proofing are usually the same thing.

Crush proofing is yet another durability measure, this time indicating how much weight the casing can handle before imploding and crushing the valuable insides. A larger kilogram/pound value here indicates a tougher casing.

Freeze or cold proofing is aimed at the extreme sport enthusiasts and keen photographers who may venture into snowy or otherwise cold environments where normal batteries would pack up and hibernate. This one is fairly straight forward and simply gives a temperature rating at which the camera will run. If all else fails, you can just keep it in your jacket keeping it close to your body heat until you need to use it.

A waterproof digital camera is an awesome addition to any avid photographers collection. Use the factors in determining the best waterproof digital camera for your lifestyle.