AW100 (by Engaget)
The AW100 is a handsome beast with its camouflage paint job and interesting locks and seals. In terms of dimensions and weight it's very similar to the S1200pj and it also has the same 5x lens, but it's a lot more pleasurable to hold and behold.
It's freeze-proof down to minus 10 degrees Celsius and can allegedly be dropped from a height of up to 4.5 feet without smashing. But we reckon most people will want the AW100 for its underwater abilities -- it can shoot as far down as 33ft, which is a lot deeper than most cheaper waterproof cameras that stick to the 10-16ft range, and which makes this an ideal tool for snorkeling and shallow dives.
Nikon isn't trying to compete with $100-$200 rugged cameras, but instead wants to become the market leader in this niche by incorporating added features, including: a 16MP CMOS sensor that can record full 1080p (30fps) HD; GPS plus a compass and preloaded maps for geo-tagging; plus, a handy 'action button' which should make it easier to control the camera when diving or wearing gloves. Pressing this large button brings up a simplified menu and switches the camera into a motion sensing mode, where flicking it left to right or backwards and forwards cycles through menu options just like the arrow keys would during normal operation.
See where you’re going, mark where you’ve been
Built-in GPS, mapping and e-Compass
Imagine you and a friend are white water rafting down an unfamiliar route. The AW100's rugged waterproof build can take the pounding action while you record photos and movies of this incredible adventure, and it's built-in GPS can track your progress with NIkon View NX2 software, NIkon's mypicturetown photo sharing site or Google Earth™. Its built-in map lets you view your path, and its electronic compass is an extra safety measure that can even help you ascertain which branch to take if there's a fork in the stream. Your GPS travelogue will give you bragging rights as you share the adventure with your friends.
There's not much more to say about this camera until we're able to take it beneath the waves and grab some stills and footage. But from what we saw today, there's a good chance that the AW100 will be worth its fish-scaring price tag.
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