Panasonic Waterproof Digital Camera Optical Only $329.88 @ Amazon Rated 4 of 5 Stars by 11 Buyers!

Panasonic Waterproof Digital Camera Optical

I employed this on a kayak / snorkel trip in Belize, in general had good results, altho I very much miss the optical view-finder that no-one seems to put on cameras any more, peculiarly underwater. My pictures were generally good quality and I didn’t have the leakage problem such a heap of users have had.

The one in truth annoying feature no-one else has mentioned that would keep me from recommending this camera: When you introductory turn it on, a screen comes up asking whether or not you want to review the safety functions. You have to toggle to “no” then hit “enter” before it will let you take a picture. Even whether or not you are quick, start-up takes close to fifteen seconds. assorted quick moving rays and other fish disappeared before I could get the camera turned on, so I lost the pictures. There doesn’t seem to be any way to turn that reminder off. if you hit “yes” it just tells you to read the manual! Stupid, stupid, stupid.

A more minor annoyance: the movie button is right next to the shutter button – underwater it is easy to push, which puts you into movie mode whether you want to or not.

A positive feature: If you turn off GPS and don’t leave the camera on for too long at a time, battery life is good – One charge lasted me a full 7 day trip, even with three unintentional movies.

I have just bought the Orange DMC TS4. It is a vast improvement over the TS3 in a good deal of respects. I be grateful for the full manual mode in particular. I like to take shots of the night sky, the stars in particular… the option to set the shutter speed up to 60 seconds is amazing.

The time lapse is in addition a marked bonus as well. I am a bit worried leaving the camera in one spot for so long as it may be stolen, but so far I have made such a good deal of astounding short films.

The overall picture quality seems to have bettered as well.

The only MAJOR PROBLEM is that the manufacturer indicates that the watertight seals be substituted to maintain the water-proof integrity of the camera. They have not traditional what I consider a reasonable pricing structure for this maintenance procedure. To replace the seal you need to unscrew two screws on the door and replace the seal. Yet the service department for Panasonic now charges $180 plus shipping costs (both ways) to do this. I have spoken with the service section and they have assured me new pricing is being considered..so BEWARE!

One minor limitation I see with the camera is, beside the mend issue, the menu is a bit quirky and takes a little while to get employed toxicant Another is to keep your finger off the lens, and keep your finger off the mike. If you cover the mike even a little while recording you will record both your subject but as well the internal whizzing and other sounds of the camera.

I have included such a outstanding deal of of my shots in the client images section of the product page.

I just got this camera and after setting it up which was very easy i am impressed with the video and picture quality, as far as the former review with regards to water safety warnings, when i turn my camera off and on total time for the display to show up is 3 seconds and with NO water safety warnings, i dont acknowledge why the previous reader keeps getting the warning. i have not tried the camera in underwater setting yet and thats why i am giving it a 4 star, but will be using it in Tahiti next month and will leave a follow up comments Nice occupation panasonic for now.

4/22/2012, this is followup for those who have doubts with regards to this camera, after using it for 2 days in Moorea Tahiti, i could not be happier, it has done a outstanding job on pictures and videos, the camera comes on within 1 second and ready for use, i have utilized it underneath water down to 12 meters (40 feet) not one leak into the door housing, the seal is great, i clean the camera below fresh water after every use, and when i open the door to alter the battery i wipe the wetness from the seat. i rate this camera a 5 gaze i will load a video and pictures when i have access to free internet. cheers

I’ve been hunting for this camera for assorted months and a handful in the end appeared on Amazon. I ordered it from Amazon by way of Kramer’s Cameras, only to have the order revoked because K’s did not in truth have it in stock. All the while, I’ve searched Best Buy, regional camera stores, etc. Everyone was waiting for it — but it was not yet out. Early this week, Amazon designated that it was available through J & R camera in NYC. I ordered the camera (matte black) at a premium price ($399) and it arrived yesterday. While it’s only been a day, it is clear that this is the durable, waterproof, intuitive, lightweight and high quality camera that I had anticipated. In it is simplicity, the camera has flair and feels comfortable in the hand; optimum from my standpoint. Obviously, it is waterproof and very shock absorbent. The internal gaskets appear pliable and soft. There are good instructions re. removing grains of sand, etc. in order to assure the integrity of water and dustproofing, with a little double brush provided for this intents I liked the recommendation to soak the camera in water after salt water and beach magnification — not applied to that for my camera equipment. The geo features are wonderful. I’m using a 32G memory card and the video solution is incredible. Importantly, the close ups are extremely high res without a barrel protruding in front of the camera. This will replace my Canon SLR when on back country trips and overseas. I normally carry my camera gear in a little knapsack and, depending on emplacement e.g. Central American cities, constantly am wary when it comes to theft prospective and the way the pack slows me down. This state-of-the-art lightweight camera require to meet all of my needs and then some. Will add more as I put it thru it is paces.

I not long ago replaced an Olympus Tough who accompanied me for a good deal of years by the Panasonic for it is waterproof characteristics and for its optical quality.

Unfortunately on my last trip it broke down: it fails to power on ever since. So I brought it to Panasonic for mend underneath the warranty. I was very astonished when it was returned unrepaired. They said it was compliant to the leak test underneath the manufacturer’s specifications (basically it’s my fault that the camera does not work, so the warranty does not apply). Note that I am long accustomed to the use of underwater equipment, and I perpetually took good care of my Panasonic (before, for the duration of and after use in water, as commended in the manual).

Basically the unit cost me several hundred dollars for a few photos. Now all I have to do is to buy a new camera on my own expenditures

Did everything I was expecting and more. Out of the waterproof cameras for the year, this one effortlessly takes the cake. Manual settings, time lapse, and miniature mode are a immense plus.

I lately purchased the Panasonic Lumix TS4 for a trip to Fiji that my wife and I have planned for June. I wanted to get something that would take photos underwater (even although I plan to purchase the marine case for scuba diving). So far I have only taken with regards to 100 pictures with the camera and only a couple of short video clips. I like the camera so far. I will say that the menu does take a little bit to get employed to, and it took me a while to find the time lapse function. However, if you are looking for a solid camera that offers a ton of features (gps, waterproof, shock proof, freeze proof) then this is a great buy. It is the most not long ago released tough camera and takes genuinely good pictures.

I must concur with J.A. Coyle’s “review” of 31 March 2012, which correctly states that it is out of the question for the reviewer, “Geoff S,” who gave “one star” to this camera, Lumix TS4, in his review of 30 March 2012, to have used it for over a year, when the item is a NEW camera, not so long ago available for sale! Thus, I am “adding” to Mr. Coyle’s review by giving still another 5-star ranking to this camera, in order to “balance the review.” In my opinion, the Lumix TS3 is one of the better point-and-shoot, durable, waterproof cameras available. Thus, it is highly unlikely that the newer version, the upcoming (and yet to be released) TS4, merits a “one star” rating. Perhaps, shoppers who see this “averaged,” but fabricated rating, will not be deterred from giving careful consideration to the Lumix DMC-TS4 in their future purchasing conclusions It is my experience, that Panasonic makes quality equipment, and it is patently unfair (and inaccurate) for this fine company and their productions to be disparaged without good evidence.

It would be nice if humans would review items that they in truth own. Since this model is new, there is no way to have been using it for a year. I have not purchased the item (yet) but felt compelled to give it 5 stars to offset the other unjustified review.