- 12.1-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-size prints
- Waterproof to a depth of 10 feet, shockproof from falls up to 5 feet, and dustproof
- Records AVCHD Lite HD video
- 4.6x MEGA image-stabilized optical zoom; 28mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens
- Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
Product Description
The camera body is waterproof to 3m. It’s dustproof too, so you don’t have to worry about dust or sand getting inside. And it has passed drop tests at a height of about 1.5m. This is one tough little camera that you can take wherever action takes you.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 imag… More >>
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 12MP Digital Camera with 4.6x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD
Tags: 12MP, 4.6x, Angle, Camera, Digital, DMCTS1, Image, inch, Lumix, MEGA, Optical, Panasonic, Stabilized, Wide, Zoom
Categories: Panasonic Lumix
I bought this camera for a vacation in Italy for 2 weeks, half expecting it to break at the beach. The first time I placed it in water I cringed, but the waterproofing appeared to work fine.
I took some fun photos at the beach and inside of fountains in Rome. About 3/4 of the way into the trip the screen flickered. I shut it off and when I turned it back on again it made a very bad grinding noise and said the battery can’t be used. It never worked again.
I give it 3 stars though since it was a fun 10 days. Sure it costed about $5 a picture but I got some good shots!
And I’ve been in contact with Panasonic and Amazon about what to do as I didn’t mistreat it or anything.
Rating: 3 / 5
Very simply put. I used this camera 5 times in total, twice in the pool (no problem), once in the desert (no problem), and once in the sea, which killed it.
The day after the sea experience, it would simply not turn on. What gets me is that I did everything I was supposed to do with it, as stated by the manual (ie not jump in water with it, not keep in water too long, rinse it afterwards, etc…), it is and remains dead.
Very disappointed with Panasonic on this one, I loved the camera while it worked, now I keep staring at my expensive brick.
IF you want to buy a camera that can die on you for no apparent reason, go ahead and get a TS1. I wont make the same mistake again.
Rating: 1 / 5
I bought this camera after reading some good reviews about its image quality and HD video capabilities. I currently own a Canon Powershot G10 and a Canon 40D digital SLR and have been very happy with the great image quality of my Canon cameras. The thing I like about the Panasonic Lumix is that it takes very nice HD video both on land and in the swimming pool. The video motion is very smooth and the colors are very accurate. I also like the compact size of the camera and the very well designed wrist strap. I liked the wrist strap so much that I ordered an additional one through Panasonic to use on my Canon G10. Almost everything else about this camera, I find that it is inferior to my Canon G10 and that it is not a good choice if this is the only camera you own.
It is very difficult to take a sharp photo with this camera due to its poor image stabilization, poor indoor lighting performance, hard to hold camera steady while pressing the shutter button due to its small size, poor computer auto white balance. Almost half of all the pictures I take end up blurry. The menu system on the Panasonic camera is poorly designed and counterintuitive. My Canon G10 is a really pleasure to navigate through the menu system and making setting changes before taking the photo. Battery life on the Panasonic is poor especially if you take video. The video while it has great image quality is difficult to work with as most computer will stuggle with editing the AVCHD format. This format requires a computer with the latest processors and lots and lots of memory. Indoor pictures if taken without flash are basically useless as the images are grainy and blurry. I also prefer the colors of the Canon cameras over those of the Panasonics. In summary, I would say the the Panasonic TS1 is a better camcorder than it is a photo camera.
Rating: 3 / 5
This camera does exactly what I want. I can capture great quality images and videos without fear of damaging my camera from water or abuse. Check out our video from our MACSBOOST Honda Aquatrax watercraft. We were cruising down the Waccamaw river with friends.
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I was holding the camera by hand while driving at over 50mph! The video is very smooth and steady when the ride was not. I assure you that I’m not that good holding the camera!
The image stabilization is remarkable!
The camera has proved tough enough to live in my trunks pocket while we riding a standup Jetski too.
Rating: 5 / 5
Like you, I read the other reviews on the TS1 and wasn’t sure what to think. After now having the camera for a few days, and taking lots of photos I can say that this camera offers some great features in a very well made camera that makes this one stand out.
I am an avid DSLR user, and this camera does all the things that my Nikon DSLR doesn’t:
1. Shoot 720p video (or any video at all for that matter). The video is stunning. If you are looking at low end “flash camcorders” forget it, get this.
2. Take it underwater or shoot in the rain.
3. Throw it a bag and take wherever you go, or stick it in your pocket (Put it in a camera case to protect expose outer glass over lense)
4. Can bang it around (shockproof), though I don’t recommend using that feature, just good to know it can take a lick…
5. Option to record a 5 second audio clip to accompany your still photos (I love this feature, especially when shooting photos for work)
6. Record to internal memory (called the “clipboard”). Good for not mixing those “photo documentation” shots with your normal recreational photos
7. Hook up directly to HDTV via HDMI cable (sold separately). See more on this feature below.
The only cameras that I found to compare to this in the $300 range were the Sanyo Xacti CA9 (HD), the Canon D10 (non-HD), and the Olympus Stylus 8000 (non-HD). I decided that the Sanyo CA9 was going to be a junkier unit than the Panasonic, with lesser image quality and features. The Canon and the Olympus don’t shoot HD video (which was a deal-breaker for me). The Canon is a lot bulkier due to its better waterproofing than the TS1 (10m vs. 3m). I was just looking for a snorkel cam, not a diving cam, so I’d rather not have the bulk. I have never been a fan of Olympus, especially due to their proprietary memory cards (xD). The zoom range on the Panasonic is, I think, superior to these other cameras, especially due to its true wide angle capability. I also have owned Panasonic and Canon digital cameras, and find the Panasonic beats the Canon in ease of use. The TS1 allows optical zoom while shooting video, Canon’s typically do not.
The AVCHD format for the video seems very good. I think Sony and Panasonic developed this format so that you could fit a good amount of HD video per stored gigabyte of memory space. A lot of users seem to have trouble with this format since it is not well supported on the PC, and you’ll have to use the included Panasonic software, which probably isn’t all that great, or buy a software like Sony Vegas. I use a Mac which is fully compatible with the AVCHD format without loading any other software. Just attach the camera, and iMovie imports the videos quickly and it ready to edit them, and convert to post to the internet. If you area PC user, you probably have to figure on buying Vegas in order to manage the videos off this camera. This camera can be your camcorder – easily. I know it’s not 1080p, but I am of the opinion that 720p is way better than 480p, and not much less than 1080p. Keep in mind that the higher the resolution, the bigger the hard drive and more computing time you’re going to need to deal with it. 720p hits the sweet spot, at this time.
And as I mentioned earlier, the hookup to an HDTV is accomplished via a separately sold mini-HDMI to HDMI cable. This is a non-proprietary cable, so you can easily pick one up at Amazon for less than $10. A really cool thing that I found out by surprise was whenI plugged it into my Panasonic Viera Plasma HDTV. Once plugged in, you actually operate the camera to play photos, movies, etc. using the TV remote (that’s right, the TV remote, right from the comfort of your couch). No one else has this type of a feature on a digital camera.
Also, it was great that Amazon included a FREE 4GB Class4 memory card with the purchase, which I will now use with my Nikon D40 (sorry, Amazon!) to replace a slow 1GB card I had in there. I’m using a Transcend 16GB Class 6 card I purchased for the TS1, which can store a little more than 2 hours of 720p HD video on the single card.
So if you’re looking for a great hybrid HD movie camera, the TS1 will not disappoint. The controls are well built and easy to operate. If you don’t have a pocket cam to complement your DSLR, you should, because you’re missing out on a lot of photo opportunities. And if you’re going to get a camera or camcorder, you should be looking for one that offers the quality of HD video. And when you can get all this and take it in the water with you, you have a VERY versatile camera that will do so much more than your old cameras did.
I do have one negative item to point out on this camera. With most cameras, when you review the shot you took, you can quickly hit a button or two and delete the photo while still in shooting mode. Not so, with the Panasonic. You have to go into review mode, and then hit three buttons to delete the photo. A bit annoying. Other than that, I really don’t find any other problems with the camera yet.
Rating: 5 / 5