Searching for a Durable DSLR camera?

This is tough to answer since there are no "bombproof" camera's that really fit your price range

So instead of naming off a bunch of camera's I'll tell you what you should be looking for. Look for Sealed camera's which means they are water and dust RESISTANT. You would also want a camera built around a metal frame making it much more durable to drops/bumps/etc... The only problem is what I'm saying here is these camera's cost on average $5000-$8000.

I will suggest a Nikon D80 or maybe a Canon t2i which doesn't have a metal frame and isn't sealed, but it is a hell of a lot cheaper. The sealing can be solved with waterproof/dust proof casing and you may also want to look into camera armor to protect it from any falls or bumps.

Keep in mind that owning a DSLR doesn't automatically mean you will take awesome photo's. Consider looking into a high end consumer point and shoot camera like a Canon Powershot SX10 IS...I know for a fact that it can get some decent action shots and is a WAY cheaper then any DSLR out there and you can control the shutter speed and f/s on it which is what you are going to want.

If you are going to be joining in on the extreme sports, I wouldn't recommend a DSLR for you. DSLRs are heavy, bulky and contain many moving parts such as the reflex mirror. (hence the "Reflex" in Digital Single Lens Reflex") that can be damaged with excessive shaking and bumping. And a DSLR that would come close to withstanding the abuse you'll be subjecting it to is in the $5000+ range for pro DSLRs with weather proofing. For your case, a smaller point and shoot will suit your needs better and be within your $1500 budget. For waterproofing the camera, there are ziplock type bags with thick sides that can be submerged for a few feet or hard plastic enclosures which cost a lot more that can go even further underwater.

If you're into video GoPro has a wide assortment of video options and mountings for their small cameras.

I have not looked into DSLR's construction to see whether they fake the view finder - mirror view with another display or actually have flip up mirror like SLR's have. Maybe some do and some don't.

In any case if you want to abuse a camera the way you describe, then I would strongly suggest that you not get one with moving parts like a flip up mirror and make judgements about the add on lenses ruggedness as all the zoom lenses have moving components inside. If you use a camera with the just display on the back, it should be more rugged than any with a moving mirror.

Get a Tenba backpack. The zippers are sealed and it has a rain cover in case you get caught in a storm. Pro cameras are durable enough for what you want to do but you need to drop $4k or so for a body.

You don;t want a DSLR ... look into a micro 4/3 camera like the Olympus Pen or the Sony NEX.

Sony NEX 5N

http://www.henrys.com/66144-SONY-ALPHA-NEX-5N-W-18...

Olympus Pen E-P3

http://www.henrys.com/65690-OLYMPUS-PEN-E-P3-W-14-...

They have decent sensors (not as good as a DSLR since they are much smaller but leagues better than a point and shoot), lenses that can be changed, shoe mount for flash or other accessories, no flipping mirror, pancake lenses (very thin), much smaller form factor ...

Pretty good compromise . . . I wish Canon made one.