Delta killed my P&S Camera

[dogmush]

I had, untill very recently, an Olympus Stylus Tough 790 digital camera.  I bought it before I went to the sandbox last time and really enjoyed it.  At the time it was the first reasonable digital camera that was water, shock, freeze, and dust proof.  I carried it all over the world, and took some neat pics without ever worrying about it.  Then, last year I bought a DSLR and spent some time trying to learn how to take nice pictures instead of snapshots, and suddenlly my little olympus took crap photos.  The final nail was two weeks ago Delta (apparently) parked an MD-80 on my carry-on after I gate checked it so the Momma next to me could carry on her entire house.   My poor little camera was crushed.

I lover my DSLR but it's too big to schlep around everywhere, so I started scouring the net and reviews for a new, small camera.  I really liked the "tough" part of my old one, and I want that again, even knowing it sacrifices some image quality even from other P&S's.  The water, dust, and shock proof features have proven to valuble to me, and if I want good pictures I can always pull out the real camera.  So given that It has to be a "tough" camera, and small enough that I'll carry it, and reasoanbly priced, I'd like the best images possable within those constraints.

Research has led me to these:

Sony Cyber-shot TX5
olympus stylus tough 8010

The problem is They can't be found in stores around me, and I really want to go hands on before I buy.  I'm leaning towards the Sony because it's slimmer, faster on start-up, auto focus, and shutter lag, but the Olympus has a better zoom, and more resolution. 

So Here's my question for the camera buffs:
Has anyone played with one of Sony's new EXMOR sensor?  If so does the (supposedlly) better sensor and optics make up for the tele range and MP advantage the Olympus has?  Supposedly the Sony sensor is really good at low-light, and coupled with a faster autofocus that would be really handy to me.  Also the Sony has a 10FPS Burst mode which I'd love to have in a P&S, if it works well.  Has anyone used that, and does it actually work well? And lastly, has anyone used Sony's touch screen interface, and if so does it work well, or is it clunky and annoying?

Thanks in advance for any info.

[RaspberrySurprise]

So Delta killed a camera that survived Iraq? Nice. Hopefully they plan on compensating you.

[dogmush]

They pointed out that:

1. The fine print on the ticket absolves them of liability;
2. The ticket ws bought on a Centrally Billed Account belonging to the DOD, so only they (the DOD) could make a claim; and
3. I was welcome to try and sue them for the value of a 4 year old piece of electronics that was $250 new.

[MillCreek]

Hmm, in that case, could you make a claim with the military?

[mgdavis]

I have a different model of Olympus. I hate the stupid proprietary flash card, xd or whatever it is, because not every computer has a slot for it. Give me an SD card any day of the week.

That line about them being absolved from liability is horse pucky. Take your claim up the chain.

[seeker_two]

...and remind Delta that, according to their definition of the rules, they are responsible for damaging US Government property...with all the ensuing legal problems that come with that....

[J.J.]

The new Olympus cameras have an adapter micro sd to xd.

[Hawkmoon]

They pointed out that:

1. The fine print on the ticket absolves them of liability;
2. The ticket ws bought on a Centrally Billed Account belonging to the DOD, so only they (the DOD) could make a claim; and
3. I was welcome to try and sue them for the value of a 4 year old piece of electronics that was $250 new.

Nice.

Yet another reason to avoid flying (not that I needed another reason).

[Ryan in Maine]

Here's a group test between several of those tough sorts of cameras from Digital Photography Review:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/

Included:
Canon Powershot D10
Fuji Finepix Z33WP
Olympus Stylus Tough 8000
Olympus Stylus Tough 6000
Pentax Optio W60
Pentax Optio W80
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1

Summary:
The group test points to the Canon and the Panasonic being the standouts, with the Pentax Optio W60 as runner up.

[castle key]

3. I was welcome to try and sue them for the value of a 4 year old piece of electronics that was $250 new.

This is the way to go....

What is the camera worth?

That would be for the courts to determine, however, I can assure you that suing companies for small amounts is extremely satisfying and a great deal of fun...very amusing!!

I have had a very high success rate for such activities and my yin and yang get into great balance when I accomplish it.

My smallest amount was for $8.75 but that was for a person, not a company, but the results were priceless.

The $8.75 was for compensation of a dry cleaning bill after a dog used my leg as a fire hydrant. It cost the jerk owner hundreds of dollars with sheriff sale activity and an amusing day in court where I explained to the judge, "It is better to be pissed off than pissed on."

[kgbsquirrel]

So Delta killed a camera that survived Iraq? Nice. Hopefully they plan on compensating you.

Unsurprising. I have a folding flat screen that fits nicely into an assault pack. Survived being hauled around Afghanistan only to get permanently damaged (screen) by a ham handed TSA guy rooting through my foot locker.

[myrockfight]

3. I was welcome to try and sue them for the value of a 4 year old piece of electronics that was $250 new.

This is the way to go....

What is the camera worth?

That would be for the courts to determine, however, I can assure you that suing companies for small amounts is extremely satisfying and a great deal of fun...very amusing!!

I have had a very high success rate for such activities and my yin and yang get into great balance when I accomplish it.

My smallest amount was for $8.75 but that was for a person, not a company, but the results were priceless.

The $8.75 was for compensation of a dry cleaning bill after a dog used my leg as a fire hydrant. It cost the jerk owner hundreds of dollars with sheriff sale activity and an amusing day in court where I explained to the judge, "It is better to be pissed off than pissed on."

I don't know anything about you other than what you have written in this post. But stay away from me. That is unless you sign this here contract releasing me of all liability concerning any issue that would arise from any contact, communication, or the result of anything more than becoming aware of my existance. After signing, I'd be happy to hear exactly how you do such things. I'm sure it would be amusing. However, you may be a sadist.

[Boomhauer]

Unsurprising. I have a folding flat screen that fits nicely into an assault pack. Survived being hauled around Afghanistan only to get permanently damaged (screen) by a ham handed TSA guy rooting through my foot locker.

Hey, TSA breaks multimillion dollar airplanes while trying to "improve security"...