A) COUSTEAU TO GO
SONY’s new DSC-U60 CYBER-SHOT U is the first consumer digicam to come fully waterproof right out of the box (no housing required), and it’s only slightly wider than a book of matches. Because you hold it vertically, with one hand, it offers the most solid grip of all the shooters we tested. The trade-off: At only two megapixels, DSC-U60 images are best suited for e-mail or Web postings. But what the Sony lacks in resolution, it makes up for in compact readiness and video capability—press a button to grab 15 seconds of sea turtle footage. Just be sure to frame him carefully: The small LCD screen is fixed at an odd angle. ($250; 888-449-7669, www.sonystyle.com) GOOD CHOICE FOR: SNORKELING, SCUBA DIVING
B) FASTPACKING PAPARAZZI
The OLYMPUS STYLUS 300 DIGITAL camera is already weatherproof without a housing. But once the shooter is safely locked inside the OLYMPUS PT-016 case, you can clip it to your deck for the sea-kayak leg of your own Raid Gauloises. A macro-shooting mode allows for crisp close-ups, multiple flash settings let you—not Olympus—decide how much light you’ll need, and a small diffusion plate on the housing helps ensure that it’s reflected properly. Since you have to slide the lens cover to switch the Stylus on or off, the camera must be brought to life outside its plastic bubble. (Camera, $399; housing, $199; 800-622-6372, ) GOOD CHOICE FOR: MULTISPORT RACING, SEA KAYAKING