Digital Imaging Reporter’s Flashback Friday articles feature colorful, retro point-and-shoot digital cameras from the early 2000s. These compacts have a cool aesthetic. Moreover, they provide a “different imaging experience” from today’s tech-rich models. Just about anyone can enjoy these retro cameras. This week’s featured P&S is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 that debuted in January 2009.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1
Catering for those looking for a versatile and durable camera, Panasonic introduced the everywhere-use DMC-TS1 in early 2009. Tested with the same standards used to assess Panasonic’s ToughBook computers, the P&S is shockproof, waterproof as well as dustproof. Further, it records high-definition movies in AVCHD Lite. It also features a Leica DC Vario Elmar 4.6x optical zoom, 28mm wide-angle lens and iA (intelligent auto) mode.
Thanks to rubber padding, reinforced glass and carbon resins inside the camera, it has an airtight body that lets you operate the TS1 underwater to a depth of 9.8 feet with no additional housing. You can also use it in seawater! Designed with users in mind, its 2.7-inch LCD panel is also thickened for protection against pressure, allowing it to operate with visibility underwater.
Plus, the camera can withstand a nearly 5-foot drop. In addition, its folded optics protect its lens unit from damage when dropped during operation. The lens unit is further protected by a damper that absorbs the force from shock impact.
Shooting Functions
What’s more, the ultra-portable P&S offers Motion JPEG images and HD motion-image recording in the AVCHD Lite format. Consequently, it allows longer video recordings. Plus, iA is available in motion image recording. Complementing this is an optical image stabilizer that helps prevent the effects of shake when using the zoom.
Additionally, face detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast and skin complexion. Intelligent exposure also continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. Further, the camera’s intelligent scene selector automatically switches between normal, portrait, macro, scenery and low-light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality.
Rounding out its feature are 16 scene modes; a wind cut function normally found only in Panasonics camcorders; 1.2-inch macro shooting; AF tracking; a face recognition function that “remembers faces”; and the ability to take 2.3 shots per sec at 12.1-megapixel full resolution. At launch it had a suggested retail price of $399.99.
