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Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 Digital Camera

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 Digital Camera

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WorldWide Distributors $235.00
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Key Features of the Panasonic DMC-TS1 :
  • Ultra compact body with 10 Megapixel CCD Resolution.
  • 25mm/f3.3 wide-angle Leica DC lens with long 12X Zoom.
  • World’s first digital camera to feature HD video recording in "AVCHD Lite."
  • Large 2.7" High Resolution LCD
  • 40mb Internal Memory.
  • Advanced Optical Image Stabilization and Intelligent ISO
  • Autofocus/auto exposure Face Detection
  • Digital Red-eye Correction

Panasonic's new Lumix DMC-TS1 is the world’s first waterproof, shockproof and dustproof digital camera to also feature AVCHD Lite High Definition (HD) video recording capabilities. The TS1’s tough and rugged design makes it the ideal choice for active users needing the ultimate hybrid for capturing both still and motion images during outdoor activities. The Lumix TS1, with a 12.1-megapixel resolution, features a 28mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens, a 4.6x optical zoom and Panasonic’s proprietary iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, making this an easy-to-use, yet powerful camera that packs advanced imaging features.

The TS1 is waterproof to a depth of 10 feet, shockproof from falls up to 5 feet, and dustproof. With its rubber padding, reinforced glass and carbon resins inside the camera, the TS1 features an airtight body protected against water immersion, dust and sand.

Starting at the 28mm wide angle, and zooming up to a useful 128mm in telephoto, the TS1 gives users the flexibility for a variety of shooting environments--especially underwater, where movement is often restricted and the angle of view becomes important for composing shots. The TS1 also features a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD with a wide viewing angle, enhancing visibility during recording and playback by automatic brightness control according to the environment’s lighting conditions. Plus, the TS1’s LCD panel is deliberately thickened for protection against pressure, allowing the display to operate with clear visibility even underwater.

The TS1 records AVCHD Lite HD video, allowing almost double the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. The TS1 also features Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio to match the high-quality motion images.

The TS1 features iA mode for both still images and in Movie Mode. For iA in Movie Mode, the TS1 features Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.), which helps prevent handshake when using high-powered zoom. Face Detection automatically detects a face in a frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on the face. Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. And Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality. A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind. Optical zoom can be used in motion image recording. Users can start video recording by simply pressing a dedicated button on the camera's back panel.

The TS1’s iA for still image adds Face Recognition--a feature that "remembers" faces from previous shots. When a registered face appears in the frame, the camera will prioritize focus and exposure to capture it beautifully. With Face Recognition, when a familiar face is recorded several times, the camera will prompt you to register the face. Once registered, if the face appears into the frame again, the camera will display the name specified for that person and prioritize focus and exposure so that the registered face is bright and sharply focused.

The imaging power of Lumix has further evolved with the Venus Engine HD, which boasts two CPUs to provide approx. 2.4x processing capability and support for Face Recognition, AVCHD Lite and HDMI output. It integrates the numerous advanced functions with high performance, and low-power consumption. Thanks to the Venus Engine HD, it’s easy to view photos or movies recorded in AVCHD Lite. Simply insert the SD Memory Card from the camera in the Panasonic VIERA HDTV’s Image Viewer SD Memory Card slot to start playback, or connect the camera via an optional HDMI mini cable to a VIERA Link-equipped Panasonic VIERA HDTV and use the TV's remote control to run slideshows.

This multi-task image-processing engine also enables a fast response time. The TS1 starts up quickly in 1.3 seconds and shutter release time lag is approximately 0.005 seconds, making it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. The Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take consecutive shots with continuous emissions of the flash. The Venus Engine HD also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the TS1 record up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash. Despite its outstanding performance, the high-performance engine is also more energy efficient, extending the battery life up to 340 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.

Other features of the Lumix DMC-TS1 include:

  • New Scene Modes for Still Images: Beach & Surf mode gives users a single mode with optimized auto white balance for optical shooting on the beach and in shallow water.
  • New Panorama Assist scene mode allows users to shoot a number of consistent photos, either vertically or horizontally, by aligning them according to a guide that overlaps the screen. Then using those photos and the bundled PanoramaMaker software, users can create dramatic panoramic images.
  • Increased Scene modes for both still and motion image shooting--optimized for a variety of situations. There are 26 scene modes for still image and 17 for motion image (Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self portrait, Scenery, Low light, Food, Party, Candle light, Sunset, High sensitivity, Beach & Surf, Snow, Aerial, Pin hole, Film grain and Underwater)
  • LED Illumination is available in motion image recording.
  • High-Speed Burst (Speed Priority) that fires off approximately 10 shots per second.
  • Menus are clearer and easier to navigate with the Display Size option.
  • Macro Zoom function lets users pull subjects even closer to capture dramatic close-up shots by using the 3x digital zoom in the wide-angle.
  • Bundled Software: The latest version of PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 HD Edition allows users to view, edit and archive captured content with greater ease and fun. Still and motion images can be transferred to the computer via a USB cable for viewing and archiving. Using PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 HD Edition, users can edit and remove unwanted portions of video clips recorded in AVCHD Lite. Contents recorded in AVCHD Lite can be burned directly onto a DVD disc or converted to MPEG2 format. The software also incorporates the Face Recognition function, which recognizes registered faces in photos stored on the computer, making organizing and archiving photos with a specific person much easier. Additionally, motion pictures can be uploaded directly to YouTube.



Panasonic DMC-TS1 Photo Samples

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These are actual photos taken with Panasonic DMC-TS1.
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Compare Panasonic DMC-TS1 with similar cameras

Name: Canon SD880 IS Panasonic DMC-TS1 Canon D10 Underwater Canon SD780 IS
Megapixels: 10.0 12.1 12.1 12.1
Optical Zoom: 4 X 5 X 3 X 3 X
Max Res: 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
LCD Screen: 3 " 2.7 " 2.5 " 2.5 "
Digital zoom: Yes, 4 x Yes, 4x Yes, 4x Yes, 4x
Image stabilizer: Yes, Lens Yes, Optical Yes, Lens Yes, Lens
Media Card: SD / SDHC / MMC card SD / MMC / SDHC card, Internal SD / SDHC / MMC / MMCplus SD / SDHC / MMC / MMCplus / HD MMCplus
Battery: Lithium-Ion NB-5L battery & charger Lithium-Ion rechargeable & charger Lithium-Ion NB-6L battery & charger Lithium-Ion NB-4L battery & charger
Weight (with batteries): 195 g (6.9 oz) 189 g (6.7 oz) 190 g (6.7 oz) 160 g (5.6 oz)
Lowest Price: $247.95 $241.99 $282.00 $198.00
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Panasonic DMC-TS1 User Reviews

Avg. Rating
4.0
Out of 5
This item is reviewed by 62 people so far.
Click here for complete reviews.

5
Out of 5
Sturdy almost pocket sized
- Reviewd on: 3/10/2010 12:00:00 AM By: Amazon Reviewer
Great build quality with tons of optional picture taking modes. Relatively easy to use and remember the various functions available. Terrific picture quality - but don't expect the same quality you would get from a top quality SLR. (I do own a top quality SLR to compare the results with). I have made excellent 8x10 prints and pretty darn good 13x19 prints as well. I haven't used it underwater yet however but the sealing seems adequate.
5
Out of 5
Amazing camera with video capabilities!
- Reviewd on: 3/9/2010 12:00:00 AM By: D. Roberts
This camera really is incredible. For the features that it has, the waterproofing, and the video quality it was a knock out for me. Now, for those of you who have been looking up the specs on this camera, it says that you can record 720p at 30fps. Actually I have run multiple tests and the version that I got runs at 60fps (I got a Class 10 SDHC card though so I am not sure if the speed of the card matters or not). I have heard mixed reviews about this and some people say it runs at 30 some people say it runs at 60, so I would imagine if you bought a fast SDHC card then you could probably record at 60 as well. It really looks incredible too. The video roughly in SH mode runs about 22 to 26 mbps. Which is pretty uncompressed. The pictures are really really good as well. The only thing I will say is if you are expecting this camera to blow you away with pictures, then you have to be in a good lit area. The macro is absolutely astounding though, it truly is as good as they say, you can almost get just a few mm away from a subject and still take a clear, high def picture. For me, just the ability of the waterproofing, video options, and the Ai photo capabilities I was sold on this camera. This also is round 2 or 3 ( I cant remember) for Panasonic doing a waterproof camera and it really shows. All of the ports are protected in a nicely rubber lined sealing and the screen is a very nice large size. I would completely recommend this camera if you are looking for a great camera, camcorder, and rugged tag along.
1
Out of 5
Defective camera with abysmal customer service
- Reviewd on: 3/2/2010 12:00:00 AM By: Heather
I have little to say about this camera because when I received it, it was completely defective. I was informed by an associate at a battery specialist store that BOTH the battery AND battery charger that accompanied this camera were defective--the battery would not charge and the charger was too weak to charge anything. Therefore, this camera is useless. Unfortunately, Panasonic's customer service phone line does not even allow you to speak to a live person. At this moment, my camera is on its way to a Panasonic facility for an undetermined amount of time until they fix this problem. Amazon has not been of any assistance either, claiming it is the manufacturer's responsibility, although they sold me the defective product. If I could do it all over again, I would buy the previous Olympus waterproof camera I had--never had a single problem with the product, manufacturer, or distributor.
4
Out of 5
Love it!
- Reviewd on: 3/1/2010 12:00:00 AM By: AsianDollCollector
I originally swore by the canon digital elf cameras, as I hadn't found a pocketable one that had nearly as good quality for my lighting conditions, and my uses. However, my canon's keep breaking, partially because I let my kids take pictures, and occasionally they get dropped (usually it's a lens error), or one time my son snitched it and dropped it in his water table. I had researched the cannon waterproof/shockproof camera, and found reviews on cnet.com for other, similar cameras. This one appeared to be the best overall, bsed on the review. I found it here on Amazon and purchased it. I've taken quite a few pictures with it and am very pleased. One thing I like better than my old canon cameras, is that the flash doesn't seem as powerful, so I don't end up with whitewashed pictures. Getting the video to work was a little tricky, but then I didn't read the user manual. ;)
5
Out of 5
tct2
- Reviewd on: 2/25/2010 12:00:00 AM By: tct2
I have had my TS1 for about a week now, and i am very impressed with the quality. I wanted a camera I could take with me anywhere and not have to worry about breaking it. So far I am impressed with the picture quality granted my last camera was a nikkon cool pix 5 mp and this camera shoots much better as it should. I have shot some HD video with the camera and it has turned out great. I read that the camera will write to an sd card at 17 mb/s. I bought an 8gb SDHC class 2 card which will hold about 1100 pictures at the highest setting. My only question is if the class 2 card is limiting my HD recording capabilities as far as quality? Could anyone answer this for me? The only quall I have about this camera is that there is no lens cover wrather hardened glass, which I would not want to put to the test, because if that scratches all your pictures will show it. I was stuck between this camera and the Casio Ex-1, I chose this camera because I previously had the Casio camera phone, granted it was only 5 mp but the image quality was horrible so I went with the TS1 and am very glad I did so. Overall Great Camera and would recommend it to anyone especially for the price.