Last update 14 October’09 – Review and Sample Photos @ Cameras Labs
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 / FT1 is an optically image stabilized 12.1 megapixel compact camera designated by Panasonic as “Tough.” It’s waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, 4.6 optical zoom 28mm lens (35 mm Equivalent: 28 – 128 mm), 2.7 inch LCD with wide angle viewing, Venus HD engine, and an ISO range of 80 to 1600. Panasonic’s definition of tough specifically means waterproof to 3 meters – shockproof to 1.5 Meters. Sounds like the perfect outdoor compact carry it anyplace camera.
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Review Index – (updated 14 October’09)
Camera Labs
“If you’re looking for a great all-round compact which can also be taken to the beach without worrying about sand or splashes, then the Panasonic FT1 / TS1 won’t disappoint. It’s also ideal for occasional dives underwater when snorkeling on holiday or taking snaps of the kids around the pool. But the design and controls are not designed with underwater activity as their primary focus, and often frustrated us under more demanding conditions.”
Rating: 
Gadling
“Photos and video made with the DMS-TS1 look good. For some reason, I did notice that the glass lens picks up more grime than most other cameras, and because it does not feature a (built in) lens cover, I’d recommend bringing a lens wipe with you.”
Cameras.co.uk
“This is an impressive, waterproof and shockproof camera. It has a lot of other impressive features as well, such as High Definition movies. Picture quality is good too. I could find very little to fault the camera. Recommended.”
Rating:
Gizmodo
“The Lumix is a fantastic all-around camera that is somewhat tough and waterproof. I’d originally gone into this review thinking it would be king, but given the shallow depth rating, I may have to wait ’til I see the new Olympus in action before I give a stronger rating.”
PCMag
“If you’re looking for a feature-rich camera that’s designed for abuse, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 seems like a promising choice, especially given its HD-video prowess. But after extensive use and lab testing, it’s difficult to recommend given its middling image quality and the problems we experienced with the leaky battery-compartment door and the finicky Zoom control.”
Rating: 
CNET
“The TS1 gets my vote because you get a reasonably strong and waterproof package with very good photo quality and performance. If I’m going to drop $300 to $400 on a rugged point-and-shoot camera, it should not have a design that looks out of place away from the water.”
Rating: 
InfoSync
“As a typical point-and-shoot compact, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 produced a great array of versatile images that had low noise levels and barely any fringing. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 definitely showed us that it could step right into a specialized market and dominate.”
Rating: 
TravelGearBlog
“The Lumix TS1 was also built so you could use it outdoors, at the beach, on the boat, and even under the water when snorkeling or just swimming. The Panasonic Lumix camera also differentiates itself from other waterproof digital cameras by its HD video capabilities, which many of the other tough cameras lack.”
Rating:
First Impression Video @ DigitalRev
DPInterface
“The Panasonic Lumix TS1 aka Lumix FT1 earns my recommendation for being a very capable rugged camera. The camera does almost everything right, with the exception of the small handful of dislikes I listed. As of now, the Panasonic Lumix TS1 costs about $50 more than the competing Canon D10 and Olympus Stylus Tough 8000, but it’s the most feature-packed among all the rugged cameras and in my opinion, that extra bit of money justifies the many advantages of the Lumix TS1 has over the competition.”
CNET Asia
“After spending some time with the FT1, we felt that it is a worthy competitor to Olympus’ Mju-Tough lineup. Although it’s only as hardy as the Tough-6000, other aspects such as the HD video-recording capability, wide angle lens and zoom range puts pressure on the Tough-8000. It also helps that the Panasonic camera uses the more common SD/SDHC media for storing files. That said, we think the company needs to work on the AVCHD Lite file format for easy file sharing.”
Rating:
InfoSync (As compared to the Olympus Tough 8000 and Fujifilm Z33WP)
“Today there are a lot more models to choose from in this market, but the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 looks to be the best so far. The Lumix DMC-TS1 mopped the floor with its competition in almost every category. It had the best image quality, feature set and most impressive hardware out of the three.”
GoodGearGuide
“The camera doesn’t take good macros though, as it can’t get close enough to subjects to get crisp and detailed shots, and it doesn’t blur the background. For this task, other compact cameras, such as the Canon IXUS 95 IS, are much better. However, its overall picture quality is very good.”
Rating:
PCWorld
“There’s plenty to like about this camera apart from its rugged build — its image quality is good for both still images and videos, making it a true hybrid. We think Panasonic should ditch the zoom slider and replace it with buttons, and also make the rotational dial a little tougher, but apart from that, we had tons of fun using this camera and you probably will, too.”
Rating:
Imaging Resource
“Panasonic has produced a real winner with the Lumix TS1: a digital camera that you can take anywhere, rain or shine, underwater, and you can even mistreat it and it’ll still turn in better photos than many other digital cameras on the market. Although there are other rugged digital cameras — some more rugged than the TS1 — none so far comes close to the high image quality of the Panasonic TS1.”
TrustedReviews (Hands on)
“I only had a short time with the FT1/TS1, but I was definitely impressed with what I saw. At around £300 there’s undeniably a fair bit of competition out there in terms of image quality – not least from the utterly fantastic Lumix DMC-LX3 – but if you need a waterproof camera you could do a lot worse.”
Photo Review
“The outstanding feature of this camera is its video capabilities and performance and we believe the FT1 is worth buying for these features alone since it also represents great value for money. Clips captured both underwater and on land had plenty of detail and looked impressive on a flat-panel HDTV screen.”
Rating:
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos @ Cameras Labs]
[Sample Photos @ Cameras.co.uk]
[Sample Photos @ Gizmodo]
[Sample Photos @ PCMag]
[Sample ISO Test Images @ CNET]
[Sample Photos @ InfoSync]
[Sample Photos @ DPInterface]
[ISO Sample Photos @ CNET Asia]
[Sample Photos @ Imaging Resource]
[Sample Photos @ Panasonic]
Press Release
Panasonic today introduced the Lumix DMC-TS1, a new concept camera geared for active outdoor photography. The TS1 is shockproof, waterproof and dustproof in design with the capability to record high-definition movie in AVCHD Lite. Featuring a 28mm wide angle lens, 4.6x optical zoom and iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, this versatile camera lets you capture your moments no matter the intended shooting terrain.
Tested with the same standards used to assess Panasonic’s acclaimed TOUGHBOOK series computers, the TS1 is waterproof to a depth of 3.0m, shockproof from falls up to 1.5m, and dust-proof – so you take this camera to places thought not possible before.
The TS1 features a new 28mm wide-angle, 4.6x optical zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with 12.1-megapixel resolution. Starting at the 28mm wide angle, and zooming up to a useful 128mm in telephoto, this camera gives you the flexibility for virtually all shooting scenes – especially underwater, where movement is often restricted and the angle of view becomes important for composing your shots.
HD motion-image recording is available in AVCHD Lite allowing longer video recordings with breathtaking HD visual and audio quality, making it a true hybrid — a single model that performs admirably as both camera and camcorder while achieving smooth, easy operation in both modes.
Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto mode — a hallmark of Lumix cameras – is now also available in movie recording. It automatically selects the most suitable Scene mode and helps to correct handshake, focus and brightness problems – making iA mode your one-stop solution to capturing beautiful still and motion images. It features Face Recognition, a function that “remembers” faces from previous shots. When a familiar face appears in the frame, the camera will prioritize focus and exposure to capture it beautifully. This clever function makes it easy to get sharp and clear photos of loved ones in a group of people.
The adoption of AVCHD Lite lets users enjoy watching not only still images but also HD movies just inserting the SDHC/SD Memory Card from the camera in the VIERA Image Viewer(Built-in SDHC/SD Memory Card slot) on a VIERA HDTV to start playback*. Alternatively, simply connect the camera via an optional mini HDMI cable to a VIERA Link-equipped TV and use the TV’s remote control to run slideshows including both still and motion images in the timeline. The TS1 features a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD with a wide viewing angle, improving visibility during recording and playback by automatic brightness control according to the situation.
Enjoy stunning photos and HD videos with tremendous ease on land and under sea – the TS1 is the ideal partner for your outdoor adventures.
*Turn Face Recognition item ON and resister the person with full-face portrait on the shooting menu in advance. Refer to back page for detail.
*The “AVCHD” is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. The “AVCHD Lite” is a subset of the “AVCHD format” for HD digital video cameras with HD video recording restricted to 720P. The new “AVCHD Lite” Logo and the “AVCHD Lite” License are restricted to devices within the AVCHD Video Camera category. Digital cameras have been added to the AVCHD Video Camera category.
*The “AVCHD Lite” and the “AVCHD Lite” logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
*AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.
1. 3m Waterproof, 1.5m Shockproof and Dustproof — A Perfect Gear for Active Outdoor Shooting
The TS1 is drop proof from a height up to 1.5m in accordance with the “MIL-STD 810F Method 516.5-Shock” test standard. In addition to reinforcing the exterior of the camera with shock-resistant material, the TS1 uses folded optics to prevent its lens unit from taking damage when dropped during operation. The lens unit is further protected by a supplementary damper to absorb the force from shock impact.
The TS1 is waterproof to a depth of 3m and dustproof equivalent to the “IP58″ standard. Thanks to rubber padding and reinforced glass and carbon resins inside the camera, the TS1 features an airtight body protected against water immersion, dust and sand. TS1’s LCD panel is also deliberately thickened for protection against pressure, allowing the display to operate with clear visibility even underwater.
The TS1 is an extremely versatile camera that you can take with you wherever the action calls. Swim along with tropical fish and capture shots of a beautiful coral reef, or take recordings of your friend around a camp fire. TS1 is an ideal camera to bring with you to the beach or on hiking trips.
2. Take Motion Picture Recording to the Next-Level with New Generation AVCHD Lite and iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode
In addition to Motion JPEG images, the DMC-TS1 can record high-definition motion picture in AVCHD Lite. It features almost doubling the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. The DMC-TS1 also features Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio, so you can match the beautiful motion images with outstanding sound.
Now on the DMC-TS1, the popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in motion image recording. Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) helps prevent handshake when using high-powered zoom. Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on it so it always turns out beautifully. 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.
Motion image recording can be started by pressing a dedicated button on the camera’s back panel — an extremely quick, convenient way to start motion image recording. Most of the camera’s settings will be carried over when switched to motion picture recording. The 4.6x optical zoom is available in movie recording, too. A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind. The TS1 also provides a Color mode and carries over 17 different scene modes from photo scene modes in movie recording. In AVCHD Lite recording, you can select from three levels of motion image quality: SH (17 Mbps), H (13 Mbps) and L (9 Mbps). In dark places such as nigh camping, the built-in LED light automatically turns on while recording motion images.
Still or motion images recorded in AVCHD Lite on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV. Simply insert the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SDHC/SD Memory Card slot) on VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player to playback your contents. Alternatively, you can use an optional mini HDMI cable to output the still and motion images you took from the TS1 directly to the TV for VIERA Link. You can take maximum advantage of Lumix camera’s playback functions including the slideshow in which both still and motion images integrated in the timeline, category playback according to the scene mode you used or calendar display and so on. All control is possible using only the TV’s remote control.
In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 HD Edition, it is easy to view and edit your recorded contents. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.
*When you set the picture quality to HD, WVGA or VGA, we recommend using a high-speed card with “10MB/s” or greater displayed on the package.
*Motion pictures can be recorded continuously for up to 15 minutes in some countries.
*Continuous recording exceeding 2GB is not possible when recording motion JPEG. Remaining time for continuous recording is displayed on the screen.
*AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.
3. Newly Added Face Recognition Makes the iA (Intelligent Auto) Further Evolved for More Beautiful Still Picture Recording
With the TS1, taking great photos is that easy. Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. This mode is now further advanced with the inclusion of Face Recognition and AF Tracking features for TS1. In iA mode the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots and capture moments. Just press aim, and shoot.
The TS1 features Face Recognition, a function that “remembers” faces. When a familiar face is recorded several times, the camera will prompt you to register the face. Once complete, if the familiar face appears into your frame again, the camera will display the name you specified for that person and prioritize focus and exposure so that the registered face is bright and in sharp focus. During registration, you can change the icon that indicates when the registered subject is in focus. You can also specify the age of the registered subject and have both the name and the age of the subject stamped onto your photos. When babies under 3 years-old are registered, the camera will automatically switch to Baby Scene mode if the baby appears into the frame. In playback, you can choose to display only photos that contain a specific registered face using Category Playback. You can also view image slideshows of only a selected person. Face recognition makes sorting archiving incredibly easy. This advanced face detection system also digitally corrects unwanted red-eye during recording.
With AF Tracking, the TS1 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves – making it easy to get beautiful, clear shots when a great photo opportunity suddenly arises. Simply aim, lock, and shoot.
In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode inherits fundamental functions users need in a good digital still camera. These include MEGA O.I.S., which helps prevent blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. The MEGA O.I.S. now has an AUTO mode to select between the conventional Mode 1 and 2 depending on which mode best suits the zoom ratio being used. Intelligent Exposure optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights and helping ensure that gradation and details are reproduced beautifully. It now features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the subject is in backlight. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically detects the five most common shooting situations – Portrait, Night Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery and Macro – and switches to the appropriate Scene mode.
The Quick AF system helps keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before pressing the shutter button halfway. This improves the result out of a shutter chance because the focus is always near the subject and AF time is minimized.
The user can activate all of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions by simply selecting iA mode.
*Turn Face Recognition item ON and resister the person with full-face portrait on the shooting menu in advance. Refer to back page for detail.
4. 28mm Ultra-Wide-Angle LEICA DC Lens with 4.6x Optical Zoom Extends the Shooting Possibilities in Both Still and Motion Image Shooting
The TS1 features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR 28mm wide-angle lens with a 4.6x optical zoom. The folded optics of shaft guide method is adopted to secure the toughness of the lens unit. Comprising 9 elements and a prism unit in 8 groups, including 1 ED lenses and 5 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces, a difficult feat even by today’s standards, this advanced lens unit passes Leica’s stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance to the edges even adopting the folded optics.
Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 9.1x (252mm*) by using the centre part of the 12.1-megapixel large CCD.
*Equivalent to 35mm film camera.
5. Venus Engine HD Assures High Picture Quality for Both Still and Motion Picture
The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD has been re-engineered to support the recording of beautiful, high-definition motion images in AVCHD Lite. With its twin CPUs, Venus Engine HD boasts approx. 2.4x processing capability, greatly improving the speed of camera operations.
This high performance LSI elevates the artificial intelligence of the camera by introducing new circuitry making it possible to “recognize” human faces individually. It also supports high definition output through HDMI.
In image processing, luminance noise and chromatic noise are reduced separately before and after signal processing. This is further refined by separating noise two-dimensionally into high-frequency and low-frequency noise. The circuits then effectively reduce only the low-frequency noise to minimize the unwanted noise and help produce beautiful, sharp still and motion images.
This multi-task image-processing engine has a super-fast response time. The camera starts up quickly in 1.3 seconds. Shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.005 seconds, making it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode, the TS1 can snap approx. 2.3 shots per second at 12.1-megapixel full resolution*1. In Hi-speed Burst shooting mode, it fires off an incredible approx. 10 shots per second*2. Unlimited consecutive shooting is also available to let you shoot until the memory card is full*3.
Despite its outstanding performance, the high performance engine is also more energy efficient compared with the conventional Venus Engine IV, extending the battery life up to 340 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.
*1 Max. 5 images in standard mode / 3 images in fine mode.
*2 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.
(10fps in Speed Priority mode / 6fps in Image Priority mode)
*3 The consecutive shooting speed varies with the memory card, image size, and image compression mode. The number of shots depends on the memory card size, battery life, image size and image compression mode.
5. A 2.7-inch, Super High Resolution 230,000-dot LCD for Easy Playback
The TS1 is equipped with a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD with super high resolution and a wide viewing angle. The screen brightness automatically adjusts in 11 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times.
Menus are now cleaner and easier to navigate, even for seniors, thanks to the new “Display Size” option. Thanks to the Venus Engine HD, smooth image playback at very high speeds is now available approx. 17x faster for thumbnail and approx. 4x for single image even the image resolution is as high as 12.1-megapixel.
6. Other Versatile Functions Adding to the Photographic Enjoyment
Lumix functions continue to evolve. Scene modes, which are optimized for a variety of still-image shooting situations, are now available for motion images as well. Thanks to a rich variety of 24 scene modes for still image and 17 for motion image (Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self portrait, Scenery, Low light, Food, Party, Candle light, Sunset, Beach & Surf, Snow, Aerial, High Sensitivity, Pin hole, Film grain and Underwater.), capturing beautiful videos is effortless with the TS1. The most commonly used scene modes for outdoor photography including Sports, Snow, and Beach & Surf can be accessed directly via the mode dial.
The new scene mode for shooting still images includes the Beach & Surf and Panorama Assist mode. Beach & Surf mode is perfect for your beach activities, allowing you to use a single mode with optimized auto white balance both on the beach and in shallow water. Panorama Assist mode allows you to create powerful panoramic images – both vertically and horizontally. Simply align your shots according to a guide which overlaps the frame when you shoot, then use the included Panorama Maker software to create your panorama images.
The minimum shooting distance has been shortened to 3 cm on the TS1. Using the extra 3x digital magnification in the Macro Zoom function*, you can pull subjects even closer than the closest point possible in the wide-angle setting, and capture dramatic close-ups.
* 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.
About Included Software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 HD Edition
The latest version of the exciting bundled software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 HD Edition allows you to view, edit and archive your captured contents with greater ease and fun.
Still and motion images can be transferred to the PC via a USB cable for viewing and archiving on the PC with the PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 HD Edition installed. Using PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 HD Edition, you can edit and remove unwanted portions of your video clips recorded in AVCHD Lite. Contents recorded in AVCHD Lite can be burned directly onto a DVD disc for viewing on a DIGA Blu-ray Disc player*. Alternatively, you can use the software to convert your contents to MPEG2 format to burn onto a DVD disc.
The portrait images taken with the camera’s Face Recognition function are organized neatly in the folder of the name registered with the camera. Not only that, the software also features an independent Face Recognition function that recognizes the faces in the picture stored in your PC to sort the photos by the face. You do not have to pick out each photo one by one out of thousand of photos when you only want pictures of a specific person. With PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 HD Edition, the software automatically sorts your images into virtual folders based on the faces you registered. You can also enjoy slideshows with a variety of effects and use your iTunes music library as background music. Motion pictures can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader.
*AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.
About Waterproof / Dustproof performance of the camera
This camera is waterproof / dustproof equivalent to “IP58″, and is possible to record at a maximum of 3.0 m depth/60 min. This does not guarantee non-destruction, non-malfunction, and water-proofing in all conditions. Please observe specified precautions and avoid product-use beyond the guaranteed underwater duration, or beyond the guaranteed depth of water.
- Attention -
To prevent water leakage, confirm that there is no foreign object near card/battery door then close door by pressing until it clicks. Use underwater up to 3.0 m depth and not longer than 60 minutes continuously. Do not leave under low temperature in the cold climate, or where the temperature is above 40°C for a long period of time. When the unit is splashed with detergent, soap, hot spring, bath additive, sun oil, sunscreen, chemical, etc., wipe it off immediately. After use at the seaside or underwater, soak the unit in fresh water pooled in a shallow container for 10 minutes or less. Do not leave uncared for more than 60 minutes after using underwater. It may cause deterioration of the waterproof performance. Foreign materials may be attached if the zoom lever or mode dial does not move smoothly. Soak the unit in fresh water, shake it well and then wash the zoom lever and mode dial with tap water. To maintain the waterproof performance, it is recommended that the waterproof seal (with fee) is replaced at least once every 1 year at the retail store where you have bought the camera.
About Shockproof performance of the camera
This camera has passed a drop test from 1.5 m in height in accordance with “MIL-STD810F Method 516.5-Shock”, but this does not guarantee non-destruction, non-malfunction, and water-proofing in all conditions. Water-proofing is not guaranteed if the unit is subject to an impact as a result of being hit or dropped etc.
- Drop Test -
Test standard: MIL-STD810F Method 516.5-Shock Drop height: 1.5m Drop surface: 5cm thick plywood Number of units tested: 5 Drop orientations: 26 (each face, edge and corner) Number of drops: 1 (for each orientation) Unit inspected after each drop and found to be operating within product specifications. Change of appearance – paint-loss or deformation not measured.
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