New Casio EX-G1 rugged camera could scare small pets

Casio is probably using a different calendar because they are making their CES 2010 announcements now! A couple of days after the EX-FH25 and FC150 duo, they have announced the rugged element-proof EX-G1 digital camera!

The camera differentiates itself from all the other elementproof/waterproof cameras so far because it has a different and rather unique design. It's sort of the opposite of the toyish-looking Fuji Z33wp and Canon D10, it looks like it was designed by a Praying Mantis :)

It has the usual features, 12mp 1/2.3" sensor, folded optics 3X lens (38-114mm eq), 2.5" LCD, and it is waterproof, freezeproof, drop proof (7 ft!) and dustproof. However, it may annoy some that it takes microSD/microSDHC and not SD/SDHC.

The camera is available in scary-red and black-gray and you can already pre-order it for $300.

Interestingly, this camera has not been announced in Japan yet, while the EX-FH25 and EX-FC150 have so far only been announced in Japan.

Further Reading
+ Pop Photo
+ dpreview
+ Photoscala
+ Casio

Update January 20, 2010
The camera is now officially announced in Japan where they reveal a monthly production output of 50,000 units.