The 12.1-megapixel waterproof camera can shoot pictures at depths of 10m, and when used in conjunction with Canon’s WP-DC45 waterproof case with external flash support, the PowerShot D20 can capture images at depths down to 40m.

The Canon D20 is also shockproof from 1.5m, freezeproof to -10C and dustproof, Canon says, and is capable of recording full HD (1080p) videos via a one-touch Movie Record button.

Other features include Canon’s advanced HS System, which combines the Canon D20′s 12.1-megapixel, high-sensitivity CMOS sensor with the DIGIC 4 image processor for use in challenging low-light conditions

The Canon D20 also boasts a 28mm wideangle Canon lens, with 5x zoom and Intelligent IS that automatically analyses a scene and selects the optimum settings for the optical Image Stabilize.

Adventurous photographers will also have a new Underwater Macro mode with Underwater White Balance, a Handheld Night Scene mode and Super Slow Motion Movie mode.

Those who wish to map their adventures with the Canon D20 can use GPS tagging and the low energy consumption GPS Logger feature. These can be used to tag images with location data or track routes and share discoveries easily using the supplied Map Utility software and through Google Earth. Photographers can then retell the story behind a shot with Movie Digest mode creating a ‘making-of’ film reel for a day’s images. When engaged, this mode films the last 4 seconds before each photo is taken in 720p HD resolution and combines all the clips from that day to create a movie that allows users to document their experiences.

Details of price and release date for the new Canon waterproof camera were not available at the time of writing.

It features impressive underwater credentials and copes well in the cold, but the Pentax Optio W60 lets itself down with a lack of shockproofing and fiddly, poorly thought-out controls.

The Pentax W60 may look and feel cheaper than many other rugged cameras, but it can go to a fairly impressive 4m underwater, albeit for only two hours.

It’s not shockproof, though, and while it will work at -10 degrees, the battery indicator goes down to empty. Our W60 did carry on working, mind, so that’s not to say the battery was about to give up.

Controls are this camera’s weak point. Buttons are sloppy and tightly packed, so the only way to press them reliably is with your thumbnail – not ideal with gloves on. Plus to adjust settings, you have to plod through the main menu system.

Having said that, the W60 is good for the money. You get a 5x zoom range, and pictures are crisp, though it does tend to underexpose.

You can drown it, you can drop it, you can freeze it; Panasonic’s Lumix FT1 takes all manner of abuse in its stride and still manages to shoot creditable HD video. But can it take on the mighty Olympus Mju 8000?

At first sight, Panasonic’s FT1 looks the nearest rival to Olympus’ mighty Mju 8000. It’s a similar size, weight and shape and is also waterproof, shockproof and operable down to -10 degrees.

The buttons are small and close together and the markings don’t stand out well. The Shutter and Zoom buttons are right next to each other on the top of the camera. It’s far too easy to take a picture when you simply meant to zoom in or out.

The FT1 worked fine after freezing, though the battery level indicator dropped considerably. It had no problems shooting underwater and survived a drop test onto a hard floor unscathed.

The Panasonic’s 1,280×720 HD Movie mode is a bonus, but for ultimate toughness it has to play second fiddle to the Olympus.

A cheap and cheerful family compact that takes reasonable pictures, the FinePix Z33WP can survive a trip to the bottom of a hotel swimming pool but it can’t cope with much in the way of rough and tumble.

The FinePix Z33WP is fun, fashionable and inexpensive.

Its depth rating (limited to 2 hours) is just 3m, though, and it’s neither shockproof nor freezeproof. But it is ideal as a ‘beach’ camera for family holidays.

There’s no conventional navipad; instead, the directional buttons are integrated with the rest in a grid. The buttons have a pretty heavy and vague action, too. The zoom is quite slow, despite having only a 3x range, and the Playback mode is even slower still.

The detail is in fact pretty soft. It’s OK for snaps and medium-sized enlargements, but the other cameras on test are sharper. The colours have a bit of a blue tinge, and the little Z33WP did underexpose our test shot somewhat.

Canon’s PowerShot D10 stands out from the crowd with a distinctive and chunky design and good performance both underwater and in freezing conditions, but it doesn’t pack quite enough zoom for our liking.

The PowerShot D10 is Canon’s first attempt at a waterproof compact, and straight away it looks different from the rest, with a chunky, bulbous design that certainly looks the part, but which may have been needed to accommodate a larger, more conventional lens.

The zooming and Autofocus speeds are average to good, but the zoom range is disappointing, especially at this price. The picture quality is decent, though; results were very sharp and the exposure and colours were reasonable.

The Canon worked fine in freezing conditions, though the LCD display was more sluggish than at normal temperatures. Underwater, the D10 proved fine and the LCD’s wide angle of view will prove useful for close-ups at awkward angles.

Canon’s PowerShot D10 has a somewhat inelegant design, but it’s easy to grip in the water.