Rugged Panasonic Camera Packs GPS, Compass and Barometer
On Tuesday, Panasonic launched four new high-end compact cameras. The model that most piqued my interest was a new rugged model, the Panasonic Lumix TS3; it featured something I've never seen in a point and shoot camera – a barometer.
The Panasonic TS3 is an update to last year's Editor's Choice Panasonic TS2. The rugged body on the new TS3 has been improved to withstand more challenging conditions; it can operate in depths of 40 feet underwater, 14 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive drops up to 6.6 feet. Video recording has also been boosted to AVCHD captures at 1080p30.
The GPS in the TS2 is paired with a digital compass, so you'll have the option to tag your photos with the location and the direction in which it was taken. The camera's barometer will indicate your depth, but it was unclear if this information will be stored in each photo.
Other specs on the TS3 include a 2.7-inch LCD (230K dot), a 4.6x optical zoom lens(via 28-128mm, f/3.3-f/5.9) and 12.1-megapixel captures.
Panasonic also announced the Lumix DMC-FX78, a lens-centric camera. The 5x optical zoom lens (24-120mm) will be very bright; its corresponding maximum apertures will open to f/2.5 (t) and f/5.9 (w). The back of the camera will feature a large 3.5-inch (230K) touch LCD. Like the TS3, the FX78 will do 12.1-megapixel captures and 10800p30 video capture in the AVCHD codec.
Lastly, the Panasonic Lumix ZS10 and a less expensive version, the Lumix ZS8, were also announced. The Panasonic ZS8 will do 14.1-megapixel captures, 720p30 MPEG video capture, 3-inch LCD (230K dots) and pack 16x optical zoom lens into its 1.31-inch thick body. The ZS10 will have the aforementioned features, but adds GPS, 1080p30 AVCHD video capture, burst capture of 10 images per second, and a LCD with twice the resolution (460K dots).
All of the cameras, except for the ZS8, will be able to capture and create psudeo-3D images by quickly snapping 20 pictures and layering the best top of each other. (A true 3D camera would require a camera with two lenses with two corresponding image sensors.)
Panasonic did not announce pricing for the new cameras but did say they will be availible in March.
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