Nikon Coolpix AW110 - A New Nikon Underwater Camera for 2013

Nikon was one of the last major camera manufacturers to release a rugged waterproof model, but since they entered the game, it's obvious they're here to win. The new Coolpix AW110 is the latest underwater offering from Nikon, and it's another sure winner. They've improved the design of the popular AW100 model with new Wi-Fi capability, improved depth rating, and an even more rugged casing. The camera hits the market near the end of February, but it currently available for pre-order. Here's more about Nikon's latest rugged compact camera.

(Image of Nikon Coolpix AW110 underwater camera provided by amazon)

Like its predecessor, the AW100, the new Coolpix AW110 is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof and freezeproof. But Nikon has bumped the standards for the camera's waterproof and shockproof ratings. The new model can be taken to depths of 59 feet (great news for novice scuba divers!) and dropped from a height of 6.7 feet without damage. That's up from 33 feet underwater and a shockproof rating of 5 feet on the previous model. In addition to these upgrades, the new Nikon underwater camera is Wi-Fi enabled, which is sure to be popular with folks who want to be able to share their photos immediately.

Other specs such as the 16 MP CMOS sensor, 5x optical zoom and 1080p video capabilities remain unchanged. As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And with the previous popularity of the AW100 as a guide, it's a pretty safe bet to say that the new Nikon Coolpix AW110 will be another hit for Nikon.

Should you get a Nikon AW110 or a GoPro Hero3?

These days, the GoPro Hero line is an extremely popular sports cam, and they're great if you want to take POV video. Just strap one on and go! All of the GoPro Hero3 models shoot 1080p video and also take still photos with a time lapse function, and sports enthusiasts love them.

But there's not a lot of similarities between a GoPro and a rugged camera like the AW110. The Coolpix AW110 can be mounted on your sports gear or worn on a helmet and put in full auto mode to record video, but when you hold it in your hand, it gives you a lot of controls you expect in a camera. For instance, you can zoom in or out, change scene modes, use a timer and much more. It can shoot video, but its design is still very much that of a compact camera.

The GoPro, on the other hand, is made to be mounted or worn, so it has far fewer controls you can manipulate, even when you're holding it. There's no zoom function, so you'll always be capturing ultra-wide-angle shots, and if you want to see what you're aiming at, you'll need to pay about an extra $100 for the optional LCD viewer BacPac. It can shoot still photos, but it's better suited for hands-free video.

So which one is better? It all depends on what you need. None of these features makes either camera better or worse than the other. They're simply designed for different purposes.

Nikon is not the only camera manufacturer to make waterproof, shockproof compact cameras. Canon, Panasonic, Olympus and Fujifilm are other big names in the field. Check out the list below to see other underwater cameras available.