What Digital Camera Awards – Best Tough Compact

To view our full review of the Canon D20, click here.

Canon’s D20 improves on its predecessor, the award-winning D10, in many ways. The striking new piscatorial inspired design is radical but surprisingly user friendly, while the chunky coloured buttons are easy to see, and usable even wearing gloves.

The 12MP resolution and DIGIC 4 processor are retained but the dynamic range and high ISO noise levels have been improved, while a host of enhancements such as a 5x zoom, full HD movie recording, slow-motion movies and creative art filters bring the D20 bang up to date. All of this is on the inside, yet the outside is just as impressive: in addition to being waterproof down to 10m and shockproof to a height of 1.5m, the compact is sealed against dust and can also be used in conditions as cold as -10°C. And, wherever you happen to be, the camera’s GPS system will allow you to map your images.

Runners-up: Olympus Tough TG-1, Panasonic Lumix FT4