Handy Cams
With new, high-capacity SDHC memory, digital video cameras can record for hours on a single card, even as resolutions creep ever higher. And rugged features like drop- and water-proofing help these mighty mites fulfill their promise as go-anywhere shooters. — Mathew Honan
Sanyo Xacti E1 $500 us.sanyo.com Filming in the water once meant fumbling with bulky protective cases. No more. Sanyo's latest sports cam is fully waterproof (not just resistant) down to 1.5 meters — great for shooting that snorkeling expedition. The 640 x 480 video looked good on our TV and brilliant on a laptop. Plus, the H.264 MPEG-4 files can play directly through a Web browser and work with most editing apps if you want to get all Michael Bay. Wired Steadicam-quality image stabilization for capturing action on the move. Bright, crisp 2.5-inch LCD and easy-to-navigate menus. Compatible with SDHC cards for Lawrence of Arabia length adventures. Clear choice for YouTubers, thanks to two Web shooting modes. Surprisingly good shots from 6-megapixel still cam with built-in flash. Comes in a rainbow of flashy colors. Tired Bulky at 5 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches. Zoom is a paltry 5X — we prefer at least 10X. 
Samsung SC-X300L $480 www.samsung.com Taking a page from Apple, Samsung shipped this gorgeous cam in an equally appealing box. But open the package and it truly lights up the room. Wired Superfast 10X optical zoom kept shots in perfect focus. Fantastic dual mics split stereo channels better than DJ Shadow. Impossibly small at 3.6 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches.Pulls double duty as an MP3 player. Justin.tv is for wimps; included water-resistant helmet cam makes you an action hero in all conditions. Tired No SDHC compatibility means you're limited to two hours of footage per 4-gig card. We've seen better image stability after a dozen Jäger shots. 
Panasonic SDR-S10 $400 www.panasonic.com The SDR-S10 reminds us of Jessica Simpson: It's hot but kind of annoying and a little slow. Wired Widest LCD of the bunch at 2.7 inches. 10X optical zoom and electronic image stabilizer reeled in distant shots. Handled a quick dunk in the water. Zoom mic and wind-noise reduction ditched gale-force breezes while grabbing distant voices. Top-notch color. Tired Horizontal barrel makes for awkward shooting. LCD doesn't pivot a full 180 degrees, so well-composed vanity shots are impossible. Saves MPEG-2 video to a proprietary format, forcing you to use simplistic Windows-only Panasonic software. 
Mustek DV520T $180 www.mustek.com We've used worse flash camcorders — Aiptek, we're looking at you — but this shooter reminds us that cheap isn't always a bargain. The video is good enough for YouTube and chatting online, but not much else. Wired Um, cheap? Dock included for easy desktop mounting. Colors surprisingly good. 64-MB built-in memory. Pocket-ready at a miniscule 5 x 2 x 0.8-inch. Tired Video looks poor on computer and like pixel soup on a TV screen. Hope you like shooting upside down: Display pivots 180 degrees, but picture doesn't flip. Incompatible with SDHC. No optical zoom at all, and the digital is only 8X. 
Dry Tunes
Let's face it: Swimming laps is boring. These waterproof iPod cases will let you crank up the volume to drown out your tiresome thoughts. — M.H.
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H20 Audio for nano 2nd Generation $80 www.h20audio.com Wired As secure as a submarine;double-action locking seal impossible to open accidentally. Large external Forward, Reverse, Play/Pause, and Menu buttons easy to mash while swimming. Included neoprene arm strap keeps case firmly attached. Loads of available accessories. Tired Volume and menu-navigation dial slow and unresponsive. Costs as much as an iPod shuffle.
OtterBox for iPod nano $40 www.otterbox.com Wired Best choice for double duty as a dry land case. Soft plastic click wheel cover allowed best navigation of iPod menus and volume adjustment. Topside O-ring clasp snaps shut for sure close. Compact. Easiest to open and close: All others require cursing. Tired Displayed signs of water vapor during hot-water agitation test. No lock means case could accidentally open. Photograph by Todd Tankersley
Aquapac MP3 Player Case $40 www.aquapac.net Wired Works with all sorts of MP3 players, phones, and other electronic gizmos. Arm strap included for lap swimming and sports. Bag is a cinch to open and close; latches twist easily. Tired Latches twist too easily; bag is cinch to open even underwater! Allowed both water vapor and droplets into case when stressed. Soft shell prone to punctures. Too bulky for comfort.
Allsop Splash Pack DriPod $20 www.allsop.com Wired Compact, collapsible soft shell ideal for beach, boating, or emergency use in a downpour. Fits many different MP3 players and mobile phones. Cheap! Tired Hard to insert and remove iPod. Long neck strap drags in water when swimming; no arm or belt strap. Sprung leaks like the SS Minnow in our compression test, popping all three zippers one by one. Photograph by Todd Tankersley 
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<kBerry Curve</st0 <a hnet</a>ckBerry proved with last year's Pearl that it could put out good-looking hardware. Now the Curve shows that the CTO perk can rock for consumers, too. It retains the excellent trackball navigation system of the Pearl and 8800 and spruces things up with a silver front bezel and a sharp, bright screen. But the biggest improvements are on the entertainment end — it easily handles music, movies, and photos; plus there's an honest-to-goodness 3.5-mm headphone jack so you can use your hi-fi earbuds to enjoy your tunes. <img>rk McClusky</em
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