Look for a rugged/waterproof compact rather than a standard point-and-shoot. The main camera brands all make tough models in this category, and comparison tools/reviews are a good way to narrow them down.

From the suggestions here, the Pentax Optio W-series is a strong option to consider, especially the W90. It was specifically recommended as a durable compact designed to take abuse, and the earlier W60 also reviewed well in waterproof-camera roundups. One caution from those comparisons: the W80 was noted as lagging behind the W60 in image quality.

If you want to shop broadly, search in the “compact” or “waterproof” category and compare models with live view and image stabilization. Reviews focused on waterproof/rugged cameras can help more than specs alone, especially if toughness matters more than features.

Ricoh GR Digital models were also mentioned as being sturdy, but they may be more expensive than what you want.

So the practical answer is: start with rugged waterproof compacts, with the Pentax Optio W90/W60 as commonly recommended examples, then compare current models in that class for durability and price.