Photo: Spencer Higgins

If you’re knee deep in powder or head-high surf, you can’t afford to waste time. This rugged point-and-shoot isn’t just slim (0.75 inches), trim (6 ounces) and easy to pocket; it’s quick on the draw. We were able to power it on and begin snapping in less than three seconds.

The 4x optical zoom (approximating 35-140mm) isn’t lightning fast, but the 14-MP sensor captures crisp pics and decent 720p video. And the price leaves most other sharpshooters, ahem, high and dry.

WIRED: Clear and intuitive menu navigation. Impressive image stabilization helps when you’re in a hurry. Time savers: Preset macros for shooting in the snow or at the beach, or capturing specific content like fireworks. Can withstand 5-foot drops on dry land. 2.7-inch LCD is solid for re-viewing on the fly. Holds up in temperatures down to 14 degrees Farenheit. Bundled with silicone scratch-resistant “jacket.”

TIRED: Only waterproof down to 10 feet. Poor audio quality with video. The 2.7-inch display is difficult to read in direct sun. Flash could be stronger. Memory card not included.