[In the "for-what-it's-worth" department: So far, my choice would be the Panasonic, for it's useful 5x zoom with 28mm wide angle, effective image stabilization, and arguably the best image quality of the "tough" camera category. I say this after reading perhaps every review available on the Internet. Panasonic will remain my choice until I can read reviews on the Fuji's image quality. Perhaps some meaningful reviews will be available before the spring fishing season begins!]
So far, I believe Panasonic has offered a better camera than has Fuji, which until now did not have image stabilization. I find image stabilization to be very important for low light photos because it allows you to take shots at slower shutter speeds, and therefore get a good exposure without increasing the ISO. (Higher ISO settings increase the sensor's sensitivity to light so you can get a good exposure using a higher shutter speed, but image quality is compromised.)
The new Fuji has included image stabilization, but more importantly (or perhaps just more interestingly) it has included GPS features. I can see using this whenever I find a "hot" fishing spot on a remote stream. Just take a picture of the location... perhaps, if you're lucky, a picture of one of the fish caught there.... and this will record the location. It is my understanding that it will record the more exacting latitude and longitude and/or simply the place name (such as Yellowstone National Park). According to the press release, the camera has an imbedded list of over one-half million place names around the world.
It is waterproof to 5 meters, shockproof up to 1.5 meters, dust and sandproof, and freezeproof to minus 10C. These features are all pretty common on this category of cameras.
The screen shot below is from the Fuji Web site. My daughter will be happy that it comes in her favorite color, orange.
Here's a link so you can read more about this new model:
http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/xp/finepix_xp30/
