Yes, the cameras are virtually indestructible.  And NO, WP isn't "weather proof" it's "water proof" according to Canon's own literature for this camera including the owners manual.  Ours says it's "waterproof to 16.4 feet"  Has worked fine in our local lake and motel swimming pools. You simply can not compare the quality of photos taken with this camera with the quality of those taken with the disposable 'waterproof" cameras that you buy at the discount stores. You really can't come up with a better fun at the lake, snorkeling, hotel pool camera for this kind of money. Generally a decent waterproof camera costs a LOT more and a water proof housing for a camera yo may already own is very expensive. You're not gonna get a lot of National Geographic quality shots with this but you just may surprise yourself!