No matter what part of the globe you’re from, a vacation is probably in your future. Can you recall how well your last vacation pictures turned out?

The irony is that it usually takes the same amount of time to shoot outstanding vacation pictures that it does mediocre ones.

So, what is required for better vacation shots?

It’s pretty simple, really. Here’s how to take phenomenal vacation photographs in ten steps: Take a few seconds before immediately snapping off 5 pictures and ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I have the right image in my viewfinder? Think of the view as though you were about to crop the final image. Is there way too much extraneous material in the image (or far too little)? Having up to 20% more in an un-cropped photograph is a good idea, but much more than that could begin to degrade the resolution after the picture is cropped.
2. Do I want to be in this photo? If so, use a tripod or ask a stranger to take the shot.
3. Are all my settings correct (at a minimum, consider: ISO, metering mode, fill flash, and white balance).
4. If I re-position myself, could I include something in the foreground (or background) that would improve the photo?
5. Is there a better angle?
6. Am I about to be attacked by a wild animal? (It may not be photo-related, but if the camera is also eaten, then…)
7. Would this photo be much more spectacular if taken at another time of day or night (assuming of course, that you could return then)?
8. Would the picture be more effective if taken using a portrait (vertical) perspective rather than a typical landscape (horizontal) perspective?
9. Would the photograph be better if I had people (or no people) in the shot?
10. Could this photograph improve if a circular polarizing filter was used?

Realize that you probably don’t go on that many vacations per year. Therefore, doesn’t it make a lot more sense to take a few extra seconds before taking your shots and be happy of your vacation pictures? Otherwise, the same old mediocre alternatives are still available.

In the past underwater cameras have been of interest only to divers, mostly recreational scuba divers and underwater photographers, and it’s likely this was due mostly to their high cost, not to mention the fact the equipment was awkward and bulky.

But today that’s all changed. Manufacturers of waterproof cameras have been able to bring down both the size and cost to where these devices are compact and affordable. This is of course great news for divers, but even more so for those of us tired of always having to “mind” the camera when enjoying outdoors sports and recreational activities, or just at the beach on family vacation.

The fact is that we mostly take photos while we’re on holiday or vacation which usually means outdoors, at the beach, on the water, in the mountains, on the trails, or involved in some recreational activity or sport that has some “rough and tumble” aspect to it. It’s these situations where the camera often won’t make it.

Of course we could leave it behind but that sort of misses the point. What we really need is a waterproof camera that can take a beating as well. A digital camera that’s rugged and won’t get upset at being dropped, banged around, or being left where the kids can get at it would be perfect.

As alluded to earlier, there are now a handful of rugged, compact, digital dive cameras that are as affordable as some land-based models. There are also some that sound like they may perform well but come up short in either the waterproof or shockproof department, so it pays to do some research to compare and get the features you need.

Fundamentally you’re looking for something as close to indestructible as possible. The camera needs to be waterproof to at least 10 or 12 feet like to the bottom of a swimming pool. That will ensure it’s also impervious to mud, sand, dirt, dust, salt air, rain, splashes, and about anything else one can imagine. It should also survive being dropped like when it falls out of your pocket. It also must be able to survive a drop of several feet, like when slipping out of your hand. Those two features will make it likely to survive most types of abuse, including kids.

There are two manufacturers leading the way with these waterproof cameras that go beyond just diving. They are SeaLife, long known for their dive cameras, and the Olympus Stylus SW series. The 6 megapixel SeaLife Mini and ECOshot are compact, waterproof to 130 feet & 75 feet respectively, and are protected within a rugged polycarbonate case, that’s rubber-armored. The Olympus Stylus 770SW, 790SW, 850SW, and 1030SW have an image resolution ranging from 7 to 10 megapixels and are waterproof to either 10 feet or 33 feet.

Adding an external housing will increase this depth to 130’ but as is, the sub-compact Stylus SW models are perfect for snorkeling or any other outdoor activity. The SW stands for shockproof, waterproof, and the Stylus is certainly tough. The most sensitive inner works are suspended within a metal case that can survive 220 pounds of pressure, plus its freeze-proof as well.

Aside from very small size and slightly higher cost, the Olympus models have more features, but have shallower waterproof ratings. However they are plenty waterproof for use as an outdoor sports camera, and if you also want to do any serious diving with it just get an external housing. The SeaLife Mini may appeal more to divers who can kill two birds at once since it’s rated to 130 feet with no additional housing.

Any of these digital underwater cameras mentioned here are excellent choices for an all-purpose sports camera. Features are similar with variations mostly in image resolution, depth rating, size, and price, so just choose the one that fits you best.