Photography used to be regarded as a specialist hobby, but the digital revolution is promising to make professionals of us all. With so many digital cameras out in the market, it’s really hard to make sense out of them all.

The summer season is here, as are the accompanying trips to the beach and other outdoor activities. So, if you're all gussied up, you might as well have in hand a camera like Casio’s “rugged” compact camera, Exilim EX-G1.

I always want to travel light. I prefer a camera that is perfect for a pocket, beach party, and a quick after work dive. Casio's Exilim cameras are renowned for their incredible thinness. Measuring 4.0 x 2.5 x 0.78 inches and weighing 4.37 ounces, Exilim EX-G1 is small and thin enough to fit easily in a pocket, and it won't take up a lot of room in a purse.

When the camera was handed to me, I was instantly attracted to it. It exudes a sense of style. Its irregular shape and futuristic feel are eye-catching. It has a rugged construction and sporty design, and it caters to the active photographers who love sports and the outdoors.

The camera’s basic specs are nice. This thin stylish model features a large 2.5-inch monitor with 230,400 dots of high resolution and a non-extending 3X zoom lens ranging from 38-114mm (35 mm film camera equivalent). It has a 12-megapixel sensor (1/2.3” Type CCD) which can produce a more detailed picture. It also has ISO levels of up to 3200 which can give the photographer a lot more flexibility when it comes to shooting in poor light.

You can enjoy underwater photography because the camera is waterproof down to a depth of 10 feet for 60 continuous minutes. The waterproof inner body of the camera is made from polycarbonate plastic which is characterized by high-impact strength. More so, the camera’s polycarbonate inner body is reinforced with fiberglass. Additionally, the camera’s frame is equipped with speaker and microphone filters that prevent water from penetrating the camera.

Aside from a reinforced, glass lens cover, the EX-G1 is also tooled with a water-repellent multi coating that prevents light reflection. The camera’s external memory slot cover is secured by a rotating dial. So, you need not worry about your microSD card being damaged or getting wet while the camera is soaked in water. EX-G1’s acrylic plate provides more protection to the camera’s LCD from water pressure and shocks as it is 1.5 times thicker than conventional point-and-shoot cameras. Therefore, water will not penetrate the camera even when directly sprayed with jets of water from every direction.

Having all these in mind, I tested the camera’s waterproof ability in two kinds of water – tap and seawater. With the power turned on, the camera survived a 60-minute soak in tap water. Impressively, the camera can take decent still pictures while immersed in water.

In the seawater test, I can say that I was pleased with the results. I was happy with the quality of pictures that EX-G1 produced. It was able to create still photos with satisfactory details. So, it wasn’t difficult to take photos without having to repeat the shots.

The picture quality can be slightly reduced (especially in moving subjects) as water reduces color, contrast, and sharpness. One has to keep in mind that a good underwater photo does not purely rely on the camera. So, understanding the basics of underwater photography is strongly advisable.

However, on the part of the camera, I can say that the EX-G1 has features that make it a good equipment for beginners. It has an internal flash that can be used to add colors to photos. It also has Manual White Balance or Custom white balance feature, a setting that will give photos more natural colors when the flash is turned off. All external factors considered, the EX-G1 can take good photos that can be enhanced with minimal adjustments using Photoshop or Picasa.

EX-G1 is also dustproof and shockproof, withstanding sandy beaches and drops up to seven feet. The camera’s outer casing is made from stainless steel that can withstand external shocks while the body side near the shutter is well-protected by a polycarbonate cover. For extra protection, the package includes two types of detachable protectors to absorb shocks. Internally, a buckle-lock construction is added to absorb impact, using fewer screws to secure the inner body. To further protect the camera from impact, high-performance damping material has been added to protect the lens unit from external shocks.

With these in mind, I subjected the camera to a series of test to check its durability. I have to say it took me a while to have the courage to drop the camera at 7 feet. So, the first series of test I did were all at 2 feet above ground. The first was a drop to a wooden floor. Next was another drop to the wooden floor, but with force. Last was a drop to a marble floor.

The camera remarkably proved to be highly durable in all those tests. So, that gave me the courage to drop the camera at 7 feet, but to a wooden floor. Its shockproof feature managed to hold the camera together without its edges chipped off despite having been dropped from various angles and heights. Moreover, it did not cause any delay to the camera’s functions nor did it interfere with the quality of photos that the camera produced.

Winter sports enthusiasts will appreciate that EX-G1 can endure through temperatures as low as -10°C (14 °F). To test this, I placed the camera in the freezer and let it stay there for 10 minutes. It was impressive that the temperature did not cause any harmful effect on the camera. The only thing that cannot be controlled is the moist that forms on the exposed part of the lens.

Being an amateur photographer, I was a little hesitant to change the settings. So, I greatly relied on the camera’s Best Shot mode. Casio’s Best Shot mode offers a huge assortment of scene modes that quickly tailor the camera's myriad of settings to various outdoor situations. For example, the camera has “snow” and “beach” scene settings, which automatically adjust to prevent underexposure caused by the brightness of snow or sun. These settings are very helpful in taking pictures creatively.

There’s more to say about Casio’s Exilim EX-G1. It has a lot of features that can be very interesting to use in different situations. It is a stylish point-and-shoot camera that performs well. It is a good camera for beginners. It is very easy to use. First-time users should have no problem operating this camera. The camera’s is shockproof, dustproof, freezeproof and waterproof features make it an awesome option for those that enjoy beaches, snowboarding, and surfing. Its versatility can accommodate all levels of photographers. With Casio Exilim EX-G1, you can simply enjoy the process of making pictures more.