Looking for a P&S for taking on the dirt trails

[thecharmed01]

...and I'm hoping someone may have tried either of these two.

As I've almost narrowed down which camera I want.

Either a Pentax Optio WG-1 (http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/pentax_optio_wg1_gps_review/specifications/) or the Panasonic FT3 (http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_ft3_review/specifications/).
Same price range...
Specs respectively are; Waterproof to 10 & 12m... 14 & 12MP...
Both: 5x Zoom, GPS, Shockproof, Hi-Def Video.

I'm trying to figure out the cons, but struggling.
Has anyone used Pentax or Panasonic P&S cameras?
What did you think of their overall feel?

[Hitcher]

Most compact digital cameras are as good as each other. Just figure out what features you want and what you need in terms of picture quality, the rest will take care of itself.

What we look for is a short start up. Some take way too long from power on to being able to shoot. We also look for one that can be operated whilst wearing a motorcycle glove. Those two attributes narrow the field considerably.

[thecharmed01]

I *think* these two both don't look too bad.

They are both waterproof, dustproof and shockproof... which I kinda thought was important.
Seeing as I do tend to wind up falling in streams.... getting covered in dust... and falling off hahaha

I did look at the button layout and size too.
I'm kinda feeling like the Panasonic might be better quality.... but it has two buttons close together. The shutter, and video recording buttons. They are seperate buttons for each function which is odd....
But I'm not sure whether that will make it easier to use for the fact that I won't have to fumble for changing a setting.

The Pentax takes 1.3 seconds to start up.
I'm not sure about the other, I can't find that info anywhere....

[Gremlin]

Just to add to the confusion, I use a Sony DSC-TX5. It's one of the new gen of Sonys to take SD cards (GPS uses SD as well) as well as memory sticks.

Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, dustproof. Sliding front that turns the camera on and off as you slide it open or shut and a touch screen which makes it easier with gloves. Has a handy panoramic mode, which automatically takes one wide shot as you pan. Better than trying to stitch some up later.

[thecharmed01]

Just to add to the confusion, I use a Sony DSC-TX5. It's one of the new gen of Sonys to take SD cards (GPS uses SD as well) as well as memory sticks.

Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, dustproof. Sliding front that turns the camera on and off as you slide it open or shut and a touch screen which makes it easier with gloves. Has a handy panoramic mode, which automatically takes one wide shot as you pan. Better than trying to stitch some up later.

True!

Hmmmm I'm going to go down to WPS today and have a play as I've confirmed they have the first two, so might see if they have the Sony too...