Comments on: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 (DMC-FT1)

By: Simone

Simone — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 07:58:48 +0000

I come back to my review after 1 year.
The defect camera was replaced by Panasonic. I have to say that the customer service was very good, because, even if I had bought my camera through an UK website Panasonic offered me to refund the money for a new camera that I bought in Italy. Just to be sure I decided to extend the warranty to 4 years.
I used it all year long and despite my first impression with the first sample was not impressive, I have to say that the camera is quite good.
I retested it underwater last week and there were no problems. Of course, you have to be very carefull in cleaning the battery door.
I also saw the new model, it seems much more rugged, but I didn’t try it.
So. Be very careful in preparing it for underwater experience!

By: nik

nik — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:07:56 +0000

this was a nightmare bought it 1 year ago.i did everything by the manual.after 11 months of use the camera had “water” marks inside the usb-connections and battery connectors.took it back but they returned it to me as “none profitable to fix”??? . . . the camera had 12 months quarantee!!!!they did not repair it because it was the last month.I send it at 35 days before the guaranttee expires!now the camera does not work at all . . . panasonic has the worst service ever!
if anynone cares i can him send back the images of the internal “water” mark humidity .

By: Ed

Ed — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:27:08 +0000

Watch out for this camera, it is not all good. For my travels I bought this camera. The dmc ft1 leaked when it came in contanct with water the first time. After buying a new camera dmc ft2, it also leaked after being in the water for the fifth time. I now spend over 800 dollars on cameras and still have to buy a new one. Every time I checked for foreign object in or around the door seal. I really lost my trust in these cameras.

By: Sander

Sander — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:54:46 +0000

Nice camera, reasonable photo’s and in particular the video is good for a camera in this category. However, most people will buy this camera because it is supposed to be waterproof. Otherwise there is better value for your money. Unfortunately my camera turned out not to be waterproof, the first time I used it in the water. When I claimed under the guarantee Panasonic turned it down claiming that I did not shut the battery compartment well enough. I am convinced that I did close it as I did not see the red marker anymore (the first time under water you are very careful). However, even if Panasonic is correct, I like to warn people that are interested in buying this camera to be extremely careful. The margin to make a mistake is apparently extremely thin. And unfortunately you cannot expect much service from a large company like Panasonic, very disappointing. I have now bought a Canon Powershot D10, not as small as the Panasonic, but it seems much more waterproof.

By: Simone

Simone — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:18:42 +0000

I bought this camera as a second choice to my DSLR Nikon D40 + 18-200VR lens, to have a compact camera to bring with me everywhere.
I read enthusiastic review throughout internet and I used it all the summer.
Really terrific HD videos, very good resistance for dropping from belt height, good wide-tele extension, frontal LED very useful, zoom availability during video is very interesting and battery life is very good!
But.. LCD display scratches very easily at beach, just after my first outing and under direct sunlight it behaves as a mirror instead as a viewer.
About still pictures: colors are very poor an all the pictures are greenish, except for the sunset mode in which pictures have good saturation even if they are reddish.
I had to retouch all the pictures in Photoshop to obtain good color, contrast and white balance!
There are too many modalities which creates only confusion: the beginner will only use AUTO mode, while the pro will need much more freedom in setting all the parameters.
Zoom lever is not smooth and with sands it easily block.
Moreover, after two months, the battery compartment-door started having some leakage and now the camera in unusable.
My suggestion is to try it and its competitors, useful links are:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346778,00.asp#
My final verdict is: it is not worth the money, definitely buy another model unless you only want good HD video performances

By: maxwell1950

maxwell1950 — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:43:52 +0000

video is good, but focus wobbles in and out.

Apparently there is no manual focus over-ride?

Droplets on the lens could upset the focus??

Cant use AVCHD Lite with Pinnacle 12