camera durability ?

[TanisHalfElven]

i am comparing this
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Digimax-A..._4/102-8176469-2423317?ie=UTF8&s=photo
and this
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-FE-130-Di..._7/102-8176469-2423317?ie=UTF8&s=photo


the olympus is only $18 more and has 3x zoom. so i am leaning towards it. but i intend for this camera to be on me 24/7. my uses for it would be
1. taking pics of friends and places i visit.
2. taking pics of important notes or docs i can't get to a scanner
3. etc etc

now keeping in mind that to me having it on me mean in my bag (i don't have a car) and i intend to keep it with me all he time which would be the smarter purchase.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

bump

 

[phisrow]

Fixed focus is likely to be incrementally more durable. That said, though, neither system should fail in the field except due to bad luck, mechanical trauma, or perhaps infiltration of grit. If you drop a digital camera, it is decently likely to die. Use the strap, and put it in a little padded case in your bag. Don't let sand get in the thing.

I'd definitely take the mechanical zoom. Digital zoom is a worthless lie, and mechanical zoom can come in quite handy. For documents, particularly, being able to more perfectly fill the frame, without a lot of futzing, is really handy.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: phisrow
Fixed focus is likely to be incrementally more durable. That said, though, neither system should fail in the field except due to bad luck, mechanical trauma, or perhaps infiltration of grit. If you drop a digital camera, it is decently likely to die. Use the strap, and put it in a little padded case in your bag. Don't let sand get in the thing.

I'd definitely take the mechanical zoom. Digital zoom is a worthless lie, and mechanical zoom can come in quite handy. For documents, particularly, being able to more perfectly fill the frame, without a lot of futzing, is really handy.

thanks. that what i'm trying to convince my self. also is the use of XD- card a black mark on the olympus.