Help me get the -real- scoop - Digi Camera advice for the unitiated

[migm]

Hey all, i'm stark new to this forum, and to the world of digital cameras. Hell, even cameras in general. I am, however, technologicaly inclined, and work in the IT field. Please don't consider me a technical nincompoop, only a digital newbie.

Anyway, i'm going to australia for about 6 months for surf, sun, post-grad classes, and relaxation. Since this is an exotic place that I will probably never travel to again, I figure its a good idea to invest in a camera. I did some research at best buy and the local camera place on cameras that might suite me and here's the three we've come up wtih thusly:

Olympus 7.1 megapixel stylus 720
Pentax Optio W10
Sony cybershot 8.1 megapixel

The first two are designed for rugged, watery enviroments from what I understand, and are between 3-400$. The last one is apparently a nice camera, but not sealed for conditions. Although the sealage/waterproofing is a nice feature to have, it's certainly not essential.

What I am looking for is size, price (under 400 I would say, closer to 350 unless something outstanding exists at 400 dollars), quality and liveliness of pictures, durability, weight, battery life and relative simplicity in use of taking the pictures (though I can certainly figure out a moderate level, I don't really want to be messing with a ton of optical settings I do not understan.. setting speed,aperture, etc). If there any other prefernces I've omitted here, let me know and I'll be sure to update the list.

So i'd like to ask what you think of these cameras I've listed, if you'd suggest another, or highly encourage me to buy one of those I've listed. I highly appreciate any advice you all give, it will help me capture a once in a life time experience!

--Best,

migm

[zrfraser]

I have heard some great things about the Optio, but I can't say from experience. If you are going near the ocean or sandy environments in general then I would go for the extra sealing. Not much help, but some.

Z

[migm]

I have heard some great things about the Optio, but I can't say from experience. If you are going near the ocean or sandy environments in general then I would go for the extra sealing. Not much help, but some.

Z

No worries, posts like yours accumulate into a good or bad feeling on the Optio. Can you say more specifically what things you've heard that were good about it?

Also, in terms of oceans or sandy enviroments, I'm not concerned too much about that. I'll have the camera in a case and although it would be cool to take pictures underwater, I'd be afraid that I'd lose the camera in the deep blue.

[Sebastian]

Olympus, all the way. I have always liked the quality of the images they produce, and the weather sealing can't be beat. You can take them to the beach, use them in the rain, etc. And if you're really paranoid/adventurous, you can get a fully watertight diving case for them.