The Canon PowerShot D10 is billed as a rugged camera for the adventurer, and it certainly looks and feels the part. The D10 is waterproof to 33′, shockproof to 4′, and freezeproof to 14° Fahrenheit. It incorporates important features, such as a 12.1-megapixel CCD sensor, optically stabilized 3x zoom lens (35–105mm equivalent), 2.5″ LCD, and video capability, all in a solid body. Also included is an innovative wrist strap that you can attach to any corner of the camera (a carabiner is optional).

You’ll find only essential buttons on the D10, but all settings are easy to access through the function buttons or menu. The zoom lens is fast and quiet, and the LCD is bright and easy to read in all lighting conditions. Battery life is great, requiring only one recharge during testing.

All of these features come together to produce images that are a mixed bag. My first recommendation is to use center weighted or spot metering only, as evaluative produced unpredictable results. The exposure and color were correct in some photos, while others had haloes, blown out subjects, or were out of focus. Switching to center weighted or spot metering remedied this, though focus was a bit soft at times.

The ISO range is from 80–1600, with a push to 3200. Noise is obvious at 400, prevalent at 800, and at 1600, the photos are so noisy and soft they’re unusable. Why ISO 3200 is even offered is beyond me (plus you have to access it as a scene mode and not through the ISO settings). Macro photos are sharp, and shooting underwater yielded good results when using center weighted or spot metering.

If you’re looking for a tough compact camera you can take almost anywhere, use poolside, or when kayaking or canoeing, the PowerShot D10 might be what you’re looking for, provided you’re not expecting professional results.—Mike Mackenzie

When it comes to camera bags, every photographer has an opinion about what works and what doesn’t, and everyone is correct. In fact, camera bags are so personal that they often elicit strong praise or harsh criticism. So what do the Glacier, Olympic, and Zion bags from M-ROCK have to offer?

All three bags are well-made from rugged materials with tough stitching and generous padding. Each bag tested includes a lens cloth and a rain flap and weather jacket to cover the bag in inclement weather. Also, M-ROCK offers a number of attachments for these bags, including water bottles, memory card pouches, and camera straps, to name a few.

The Glacier 516 bag is the smallest of the three bags we tested. It’s a top-loading bag with a U-shaped divider that acts as a lens cradle. The Velcro tabs on the divider allow you to move its position in the bag and configure it to your liking. There’s room for the camera body with lens attached, plus another small lens or flash, and lens filters. The small zippered compartment on top of the bag holds lens-cleaning papers, a couple of filters, or a small manual. There’s a bungee cord at the bottom of the bag for carrying a tripod, light jacket, or water bottle.

The most interesting and innovative feature of the Glacier is the two padded straps. These straps attach in a number of locations to allow you to configure the bag any way you like. For example, the bag can be carried as a backpack, shoulder bag, chest bag, or fanny pack (when used with the optional modular belt). It’s quite comfortable, although I did fight with the straps when using the bag as a backpack because the swivel straps don’t stay in position as you put on the bag. Once you wear it as a backpack, it works really well.

This is a nice day bag or first bag for photographers new to digital SLRs who don’t have a lot of gear. But it’s a little bulky and too small for an all-around bag if you own a couple of lenses and a flash.

The Olympic 527 bag is a roomy sling-style bag that accommodates a camera, several lenses, plus a flash and other accessories. It’s deceptively large and doesn’t feel bulky. A small zippered compartment at the top holds lens-cleaning papers, filters, etc. The interior features a modular divider system so you can tailor the bag to fit your gear. There’s a dual-access compartment at the top of the bag (front and side), numerous small zippered compartments, and a wire port on top to slip a headphone cord through (nice touch). As with the Glacier bag, there’s a bungee cord at the bottom for carrying a tripod, jacket, etc.

The only problem with the M-ROCK bags in this size is that they’re all sling bags. The smaller bags can be configured as backpacks, and the large bags are backpacks, but the midsize camera bags are all slings. While that may be fine for some photographers, I prefer a backpack-style bag. (Remember, everyone has an opinion.)

Finally, there’s the Zion 525 bag. This backpack bag is enormous and can hold most anything you need including multiple bodies, lenses, flashes, a laptop, and accessories. (An optional hydration bladder is available for use in the laptop compartment.) The Zion features numerous zippered compartments, modular interior with extra dividers, and a removable accessory bag with shoulder strap. There’s almost no limit to the ways this bag can be configured. You can add dividers to the accessory bag for even more interior room. It also features a wire port for headphones, and shock cords on the front and bottom. Though comfortable, this bag is huge.

If you’re in the market for a new camera bag (or camcorder bag), check out M-ROCK bags. The company has many other models and complete details on their comprehensive website.—Mike Mackenzie