Rugged/Weatherproof Camera?

[DGhost]

Sony cameras are very, very nice. but... not rugged...

as far as using ziplocks... I kinda figuring on taking it in and out of the ziplock when it needs to be used. exposure to elements won't destroy the camera, it just needs to be protected while stored...

[az]

Good idea - often, the simple ones are the best

How about bags with some kind of err... "roll lock", like Ortlieb bags (these locks, where you more or less just roll in the open side of the bag, are waterproof)?

BTW, if you get a cam with a thread for screw-on lenses, put the bag over the cam, make a hole in it where the lens is and clamp the bag between a clear screw-on lens and the camera lens - you have a dustproof bag around the entire camera and an optically neutral hard protective lens cover.
AZ