For dads who love their gadgets, the Android-powered GC2 pulls double duty as a compact 21x zoom camera and a media player. With Wi-Fi and NFC, it can be used for everything from e-mail to streaming music and video to games.
Aside from packing a 50x zoom lens, the S1 has a weather- and dust-resistant body, so dads can shoot regardless of conditions.
The enthusiast compact market has reached a bit of a saturation point, but the Stylus 1 hits a part of it that's still lacking. While most have 4x or 5x zoom lenses, the Stylus 1 has a 10.7x zoom lens.
GoPro, the current action-cam leader, makes a number of different models that look very similar (and come with a couple of different helmet mounts), but don't necessarily shoot the same quality video or have all the same bells and whistles. The Hero3+ Black Edition is GoPro's current top-of-the-line model that features the best video quality. Click the link below to get to our full review.
For the ultimate in action cam convenience, the low-profile, ultralight Air Pro 3 combines the ease of a point-and-shoot camcorder with a waterproof body -- down to 49 feet with no housing necessary -- and Wi-Fi, so sharing those adventures on the go is no problem.
If its $350 price is too high, check out the $250 Air Pro 2, which shares the same basic design, but is "only" waterproof to 30 feet and has fewer video recording options.
A good all-around camera for the dad who's there, recording for posterity, every major event in your life.
This one's compact enough to slip into his pants pocket but delivers image quality good enough to satisfy the pickiest papa.