Secaucus, NJ—Along with the Lumix TS20, Panasonic announced the Lumix DMC-TS4—its top-of-the-line rugged camera with features such as built-in GPS, a compass, altimeter and barometer, plus waterproof (to 40 feet), shockproof (to 6.6 feet), freezeproof (to 14ºF) and dustproof construction.
The TS4 also offers a 28-128mm Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with 4.6x optical zoom, a 12.1 megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor, the advanced image-processing LSI Venus engine, and the ability to shoot 1,920×1,080 Full HD video in AVCHD and MP4 formats.
“The Lumix TS4 is the latest addition to our successful line of rugged digital cameras, which offer users the freedom to take high-quality photos and video under a variety of conditions thanks to a design that is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof and freezeproof. Plus, with added GPS and compass capabilities, the TS4 is the perfect travel companion,” said David Briganti, senior product manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America. “Beyond its top-of-the-line rugged features, the LUMIX TS4 captures exceptional photos and videos, also making it the ideal ‘worry-free’ everyday digital camera for those life mishaps, like an accidental drop or a spilled drink.”
The TS4’s altimeter works as an indicator for depth underwater, and its barometer log is available to help users forecast the climate and then log the barometric trends. The altitude measurements can be improved when using the camera’s GPS data, which is enhanced when compared to its predecessor, the DMC-TS3. The new GPS system has more than a million landmarks and 82 countries/regions covered in the maps available on the bundled DVD. Geotagged images are automatically sorted and can be played back along a map so users can trace their photographic journey.
New to the Lumix TS series, the TS4 offers manual operation to adjust shutter speed and aperture for more creative photography. Plus there are modes such as time-lapse shot, miniature effect and panorama shot. For those looking for intuitive shooting, the TS4 includes Panasonic’s iA mode—a suite of technologies that are automatically engaged to allow the camera to select the most appropriate settings for photos or videos.
The Panasonic Lumix TS4 will be available in orange, blue, black and silver in March 2012. $399.99.
Lumix DMC-TS20. Also with a rugged design, the TS20 is waterproof to 16 feet, shockproof to 5 feet, dustproof and freezeproof to 14ºF. With a flat and slim profile, the 16.1MP TS20 employs a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens and a 4x optical zoom (25-100mm equivalent) that extends to 8x with its intelligent zoom function, which is made possible by Panasonic’s Intelligent Resolution technology.
The TS20 shoots 720p HD video in the MP4 format, which makes it easy for editing or sharing the videos, and its 4x optical zoom is available during video recording. Plus, with a dedicated video record button, switching between still photos and videos is quick. The recorded videos can be directly uploaded to YouTube when the included software is installed.
Other features include: a 2.7-inch LCD with high-angle mode; Panasonic’ iA mode featuring automatic technologies like Mega OIS, AF tracking, intelligent ISO control, face recognition, intelligent scene selector and intelligent exposure; creative effects such as a miniature effects mode; and panorama shot, which shoots a 360º horizontal/vertical panoramic image by taking consecutive shots and overlaying the photos. The DMC-TS20 is offered in orange, blue, black and red models. $179.99. panasonic.com
