I would get the camera that suits your needs and invest in a python cable lock and/or security enclosure if you are worried about vandalism. No matter how secure your camera is someone with a basic hand saw can cut down the tree and steal it or smash it with a log so the best bet is hide it where nobody will see it. I doubt other legal hunters or hikers will bother it if it's locked up, I worry about trespassers who get spooked. Chasingame.com has done mostly unbiased evaluations on many cameras, same with trailcam.com I would read the reviews and decide and get the one you want.

I went with the Reconyx RM45 and I really like it, it doesn't do color which really is the only drawback I can find with it but I felt the quality, trigger time, battery life, and reliability were worth the tradeoff vs. the other brands of similar price range. I use my camera to pattern deer for hunting and also as a hobby, I don't ever print out large pictures so a high MP rating wasn't important to me. I also don't have any desire to use video which is good because the RM45 doesn't have that feature.