Panasonic Lumix TS1 Waterproof, Shockproof and Dustproof Hybrid Digital Camera
Panasonic dove into the serious outdoor point-and-shoot camera market with the new waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof Lumix TS1. It’s a 12-megapixel pocket-sized camera with AVCHD Lite 720p HD video capture and a 4.6x wide-angle Leica zoom lens with Panasonic’s Mega O.I.S. image stabilization.
I spend a lot of time outdoors in all kinds of weather and I really enjoy having a waterproof, shockproof
pocket camera I can take everywhere without worrying about damaging it. One feature that’s been notably missing from the Olympus and Pentax waterproof digital cameras is real, mechanical image stabilization. I’ve mentioned the lack of image stabilization in my Olympus Stylus SW camera reviews (read my Olympus Stylus 1030 SW pro review) and I’m really pleased that Panasonic has stepped up with a waterproof camera that has their MEGA O.I.S. optical image stabilization. As far as water-resistance and durability go, the TS1 is on-par with the majority of the Olympus and Pentax offerings. But the optical image stabilization and new AVCHD Lite high-def video capability set it apart from the competition. I got to shoot with it for the day, including some stills and video in the hotel pool. Keeping in mind that I was using a pre-production camera, I am pretty pleased with the results. My impression is that the image quality is equal and maybe even a little better than other waterproof cameras I’ve tested and image stabilization means the camera will be more usable in poor light. I also like that the lens is 28mm (equivalent) on the wide end. This is a camera that I look forward to testing. I can definitely put it to good use in the snow, rain, mud and dust.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 Press Release >>
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 Sample Photo Gallery >>
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What I want to know is, where are the pictures of the half-naked men? Hmm?
Having used the TZ4 and TZ5, I agree that iA mode is pretty darn impressive. And I’m interested in the TS1 — it would be great for my summer float trips. But why, I wonder, did they have to go and change the TZ to ZS? TZ sounds better.
I hope Panasonic’s 15,000 layoffs announced today don’t affect its camera lines. Good thing you got that junket in beforehand.
I saw the news about the layoffs. I assume this event was planned before the economy took a big dive. And it was good for me and I hope it was good for them. I found it to be very informative and useful. I definitely got a lot more out of it than I would have a quick booth tour at a tradeshow.
I think I have a picture of some man for you. I will dig it up
Any video samples?
What is your experience in terms of shutter time? I plan to buy underwater housing and use the camera on diving trips, so shutter time can be pretty important. I hear that Canon is very fast, but I haven’t heard anything regarding Panasonic.
Thanks,
Majken-
Do you mean shutter-lag – the delay between the time you press the shutter release and when the picture is actually taken? My experience with Panasonic has been that they’re cameras are excellent with shutter-lag. They may actually have the least. I don’t recall how the ZS3 / TZ7 performed in regards to shutter-lag. But based on experience with other Panasonic Lumix cameras, I think it’s probably pretty good. Although it definitely won’t be as good as a digital SLR.
That is exactly what I meant – thanks
I am looking specifically at the TS1/FT1 and hope that your experience includes that particular camera? Would you say that this camera is as good as other “ordinary, non -waterproof” digital cameras when it comes to taking pictures on dry land? What I mean is, would you say that this is an underwater camera or is it a good digital camera, that just happens to be (more or less) waterproof?
Thanks.
Does anyone know if one is able to adjust the cameras shooting settings in a manual mode?
John-
Neither the Panasonic Lumix ZS3 / TZ7 nor the TS1 have a true manual mode. They both offer exposure composition to adjust image brightness. But that’s the most control you can get. If you want more control take a look at the Pannasonic Lumix LX3. It has full manual exposure controls:
Panasonic Lumix LX3 User Reviews >>
John-
When is the TS1 going to be on store shelves? Do you feel that the TS1 will have better image quality or out perform the new Canon D10?
Photo John-
How does the TS 1 image quality compare to the canon D 10?