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Panasonic is entering a market for compact waterproof cameras represented by popular Pentax Optio W and Olympus Stylus SW series.
Lumix DMC-TS1 is waterproof to 3 m (9.84 ft), dustproof and shockproof. The camera features Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with zoom from 28 mm to 180 mm (35 mm format equivalent) with, I believe, the first optical image stabilizer in this type of a compact camera.
Video options looks also promising:
The TS1 records HD motion images with 1280 x 720-pixel resolution. It uses the AVCHD (MPEG-4/H.264) format, via AVCHD Lite which stores less data than other formats and thus lets you shoot more minutes of HD motion images before running out of memory.
The camera will be available in April 2009. The price listed at amazon.com is $399. You can buy it in different colors: silver, orange, and green.
It looks like a good paddling camera. I will be looking for reviews of Lumix DMC-TS1.
Waterproof Cameras for Paddlers (a shopping guide)
Olympus 1030SW, 1050SW, Pentax Optio W30, W60 – Comparison of Waterproof Cameras
Comments
7 responses to “Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 – New Waterproof Camera with Optical Image Stabilizer”
Unfortunately, this one doesn’t have a viewfinder. Too many of these eliminate the viewfinder to make room for other things, or to reduce overall size. In broad daylight, the video screen is virtually impossible to see. Also, as a result of using up all that power to see the video screen, battery life is heavily limited.
Bummer.
I just received my Panasonic TS1. It’s a fantastic camera with an added bonus of HD video. IQ is much, much better than my Olympus 770SW. I’ll be bringing both of these cameras and also my Sigma DP1 in a EWA Marine bag, when I go kayaking off the Amalfi coast next month. Take care!
camera features Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with zoom from 28 mm to 180 mm is good
I’ve had my Lumix DMC-TS1 for 2 months now and am quite impressed. It takes great photos and excellent video, camcorder quality. I have mine in a camera case strapped onto the front of my PFD, with a hole cut in the front of the case so I can video while going down rapids.
I’ve had the camera down to the full 3 metres many times now, when I strap it to a long pole and video underwater from my kayak. No leaks yet and some good fish footage.
The Olympus (which I previously owned before it developed a leak) is not comparable with this camera in regards to the photo and video quality.
The lack of lens cover is a problem on the Lumix for me, as it looks easy to get it scratched in the rough and tumble. The buttons are also easy to accidentually press, especially accidentally stopping video. I’ve also had the camera ‘crash’ i.e. freeze on me three times in movie mode, where I had to open the battery compartment and remove the battery to get it working again – not ideal as it may allow some droplets of water into the battery compartment if the camera has been wet.
I hope they fix up these little flaws, as the camera takes really nice photos and it is good for us yakkers.
I just got the TS1 as I think, overall, Panasonic makes the best non-DSLR cameras on the planet (Canon makes the best DSLR’s if anyone cares for my opinion 😉
In any case, I’m new to ‘yakking but I thinkthis TS1 is going to work very well. I come from the trail-running/ultramarathon world and the TS1 has been working quite well for me there. I, too, wish it had a lens cover, but I think all should be well with reasonable care.
The camera does take absolutely amazing photos and videos and the panorama help mode is quite nice for making big panorama shots.
So far, so good.
Joe
I high recommend TS1 camera to outdoor lovers, it’s a very good all around camera! However, do not recommend if people are looking for DSLR like performance, manual control freaks, or looking for something super cute and compact.
The TS1 is a fairly decent compact camera. But it suffers from condensation on the lens occasionally, without being in the water. I did not notice it happening to my Fujifilm Finepix Z33WP though.