German camera company Minox are readying a waterproof compact for launch.

Boasting a sturdy, sure-grip rubber encased body which is watertight to a depth of ten metres, this digital camera stands up to dust, water, sand and salt.

It has been specially designed for use in a rough environments and is impact-resistant.

It has a 6-megapixel CCD sensor chip, a 2-inch TFT screen, PictBridge capability, takes SD cards and has a small 16MB internal memory.

It weighs 230 grams and measures 78 x 120 x 43mm.

In contrast to other waterproof camera models it is powered by AA batteries, which could be a real selling point for people who want to use the camera over a long period of time away from a power source.

Pricing and availability to be confirmed.