Samsung W200 Rugged Camcorder is Shock-, Dust-, Water-proof

we have said in the past, there is a hardcore group of gadget loving geeks who just plum need waterproof equipment! While the truly hardcore - and uber-rich - go for a full on specialized waterproof setup that is capable of withstanding tens of meters under water, most people can get by with something good for ten feet or so of water protection (or in other words, its good for about one lung full of air worth of depth while snorkeling on vacation).
Unlike the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 we showed you not that long ago, the Samsung W200 is a dedicated camcorder which also can take photos instead of being a camera which can take video. While the lines between the two gadgets is blurring, the difference comes down to how good they are at each task. The all new W200 is capable of 1080p 30fps video but only 5.5 megapixel still shots so it really is a video camera first and a P&S second. More importantly, it is shaped more like a cell phone than a camera, thus allowing for easier one handed video while snorkeling in the shallow end of Montigo bay.
Add in a good dose of shock and dust proofing with an anti-fogging F2.2 lens (as well as a special coating on the back 2.3" LCD to keep it crisp and clear regardless of the environmental conditions) and the end result is a handy little vacation "pocket cam" that can fit in your pocket when not in use and be taken darn near anywhere! This goes double when you consider it is only 60 x 113 x 19.7mm and weighs only 130g (with battery). The only potential downside to this little pocket cam is the removable 1300mAh battery that is only good for about 2 hours of continuous use and the lack of optical zoom abilities. With a price of only $159 we think that these minor negatives are more than outweighed by the positives. Expect the Samsung W200 to hit shelves sometime in May of this year.