A720IS and rain

I just got a A720IS. I read that I should get a underwater housing to use it at the beach or in the rain. This cost almost as much as the camera. I don't plan to use the camera underwater or to leave it out in a thunderstorm. I don't want to ruin my camera either. Does anyone know just how susceptible to rain damage these cameras are?

I just got one as well and most point and shoots are not well sealed if sealed at all against the elements. Other than maybe a few drops, I would not risk it, especially if it's salt water. If you are interested in using it at the beach, I personally would consider getting a ziplock bag or something like that to store the camera so sand cannot get in it when you are not shooting it. Also avoid keeping the bag in the sun of course to prevent heat/condensation. As for shooting in the rain, we often use a grocery plastic bag to cover the body/lens, but this can be very cumbersome.

My old camera is an Olympus Stylus 300 and it is weatherproof. I guess a camera could get water on it at the beach if you dripped on it or touched it with salt water on your hands. I don't really plan to do any beach swimming though. I can understand if you were planning a day of surf and sand it would be good to protect the camera. I am more interested in rainy conditions. I don't plan to leave it out in a downpour, but I would hate to damage it because a little sprinkles got on it. I also don't want to avoid water as though it was the wicked witch of the west unless it is necessary.

There may be some rain sleeve type of stuff for point and shoots so you can shoot in the rain. They make them for dslr's. You may want to check b&h or some large camera store for them.

I wouldn't have used mine in the weather we've had this week, but light mist or at the beach, no problem. I would use it near the surf without a problem, unless really windy.

The camera is cheap, if it fries in a few years, it'll be obsolete anyway. However, I did buy the housing for underwater, rafting, fishing on the bay (especially the return trip into the wind), swimming parties, etc.

Judging by weather I have experienced on the Texas Gulf Coast over several winters, I would be very reluctant to take a digital camera there. I noticed over time that things rust super fast on that beach and that when the wind blows sand around or you get a strong sea breeze, you are definitely exposing everything to salt spray which is a powerful corrosive. For example, while parked on the beach my old Plymouth Voyager lost its cruise control and electric window control probably due to corrosion. It can happen fast. I guess if you take your camera out for a quick shot when the air is calm and dry you'd be all right. However, under most conditions, I would keep it sealed air-tight. I had a bicycle on the beach for a few weeks and it completely rusted into junk.