Panasonic unleashes a mountain bikers dream camera.

Some may remember a day when the electronics in film cameras were simple or even non-existent. We had lots of options for snorkel & beach disposable cameras, even a few waterproof models like the Pentax WR-90. For years my Pentax kept me going through skiing, biking, white water rafting and just plain using in the rain.When digital cameras came out the only option was a waterproof housing such as offered by Canon and Olympus. The cameras were not cheap and the fully waterproof housings often cost between $250 and $500.

The cheap option is a ziplock bag, Pelican Case or keeping the camera in an inside backpack pocket, but getting the camera out in time can be a challenge.

Forward a few years and the market now offers numerous models by Fujifilm, Olympus, Canon, Pentax and Panasonic.

Recently the updated Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 came to my attention as probably the ultimate option for the do-it-all camera with a rugged design.

The Basics

The TS3 offers 12.1 megapixes of resolution, full HD 1920×1080 full-HD videos, GPS, Compass, Altimeter, Barometer, and video light. The rugged features of the camera are; waterproof to 40 ft*1, shockproof to 6.6 ft*2, freezeproof to -10c and dustproof.


A 28mm wide angle lens is reasonable for scenery, but a wider 25mm found in some competitors would be nice. Possible restrictions on this wide angle are from the solid rectangular ring that affords premium protection to the lens. The 4.6x optical zoom also has the benefit of working during video mode. Unlike some other competitors, there are no external moving parts for dirt to get embedded. The Lock and latch mechanism for the Battery & SD card door is very solid.

In the Hand

Panasonic has improved the design from previous models such as the TS1 & TS2 as it has a new rounded profile which felt stable in my hands. Tripod mount placement is middle of the base although the lens is offset to the left of the mount. buttons for shutter release and power are recessed flush with the body which should prevent errant shutter releases. A dedicated video mode button is also present which offers quick switching from video to still mode. This is more common of late with higher quality pocket digital cameras and a nice feature.


Previous Panasonic digital cameras I have owned had a manual switch to change from shooting to playback, creating a delay as you had to manually switch back before you could resume shooting. A dedicated button on the TS3 lets you just press the shutter release again to resume shooting. Great for not missing any of the action.

The Features

The advanced Sonic Speed AF system and high speed CCD sensor provided almost instantaneous focus lock and shutter release, also great features for recording the action. Claimed shutter release lag time is as short as approximately .005 seconds and in the store this was very much the case.


A 2.7″ screen provides bright and clear viewing and the menus are simple and effective. Quick access menus let you quickly adjust most functions on the camera and the GPS records locations, time, altitude and more. Panasonic continues it’s iA mode which provides scene recognition and adjusts appropriately to the best settings. Additionally you can choose from numerous pre-defined scenes such as beach, snow, fireworks, portrait and more. One new feature is the 3D mode whcih provides for Panasonic 3D compatible TV ready images. This is an emerging market, but could be a lot of fun in the right locations.

[Quoten]“The LUMIX TS3 is Panasonic’s ‘take anywhere’ digital camera – whether it is for carefree, everyday shooting with its easy-to-use features, high-quality lens and video capabilities, or for the active user who will appreciate the rugged design in any season – for activities such as hiking, skiing, camping, diving, snorkeling,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Last year’s LUMIX TS2 was a highly-regarded rugged camera and with the TS3, we just built on its success with new features, like GPS, a compass, altimeter and barometer, making this the ultimate camera for the outdoor user.”[/Quoten]

On the trail

What good is a fancy camera if it won't work where you need it. Mountain biking means, dirty hands, gloves, quick setup and easy access to video and movies. What better place to check out this camera than a mountain bike race. While the camera has many features and adjustments, it's nice to just point and shoot. The iA mode does a good job for general duty, but when in checking out the racing action, a quick switch to sports mode makes a big difference. The dust, waterproofing meant I could just toss it in a back pocket when not in use.

Quick response and shutter release is also a big feature of cameras - you want the rider in the middle of the jump, not about to land or take off. The short shutter lag and quick startup means this camera will be ready for you at a moments notice. In practice, it took about a second from powering up to taking a photo and when powered up, it was almost instantaneous if pre-focused, and very fast even if just pointing and shooting.

Flash performance was adequate, as I could light up a good portion of my back yard on a moonless night, and while there is an LED light for night video, I wouldn't want to reproduce the Blair Witch project with it.

I really liked the dedicated video button. I could take still photos one second and video the next. I've had other cameras where I had to choose menu then scroll down to video, or others with a dedicated switch which you sometimes forget to change when you go to take a still shot. Made for a fun mix of stills and video for my day at the race.



The GPS features were useful but can like any GPS take a bit of time to learn. Unlike the GPS in your iPhone or smartphone which updates minute by minute, the GPS in this camera updates each 5 minutes when on and 15 when off. I noted a few times where I walked down the trail but didn't get an updated location in the photos. For locations such as the ferry terminal it shows that location name in your camera information. If you were trying to create very accurate images for say a Gutsploder style site, you can refresh the GPS info on a more regular basis otherwise it's fun to get a general location of where the images were taken.

Conclusions

If you are in the market for a rugged do anything camera which you can stuff in your back pocket without worry about dirt, dust and a bit of abuse, this might be the perfect camera for you. From high def video to 12 megapixel resolutions, you’ll find everything you need in a nice compact package.

Pros: Snappy action, dedicated video button, playback button instead of switch, designed for use in all conditions
Cons: Battery life was good for a day if using GPS features (which can be turned off for increased battery life), HD video editing needs a powerful home pc

Sample Photos

Some photos on Flickr from a recent Island Cup Series mountain bike race in Powell River

Short video using footage from the Lumix TS3 - http://www.vimeo.com

Find more on the Panasonic Canada website.

Current pricing for the Lumix TS3 is $399 at your local authorized Panasonic dealer.


Specs

[Quoten]DMC-TS3
2.7″ LCD with 12.1 MP and 4.6x optical zoom
Waterproof up to 12 meters (40 feet)*1
Shockproof up to 2 meters (6.6 feet)*2
Freezeproof up to -10°C
Dustproof*1
12.1 megapixel
4.6x optical zoom
6x intelligent zoom
Wide 28mm LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens
2.7″ Intelligent LCD (230K pixels) with wide-viewing angle
Still images (3D recording)
Intelligent auto mode
- POWER O.I.S. (Optical image stabilizer)
- Intelligent ISO control
- Face detection
- Face recognition
- AF tracking
- Intelligent scene selector
- Intelligent exposure control
- Digital red-eye correction
Venus engine FHD processor
AVCHD Movie mode with audio
Micro HDMI output
DMC-TS3D (orange)
DMC-TS3A (blue)
DMC-TS3R (red)

*1 This camera is waterproof / dustproof and complies with IPX8 and IP6X ratings.
*2 This camera has passed a drop test from 2 meters (6.6 feet) in height in accordance with “MIL-STD 810F Method 516.5-Shock”.[/Quoten]