Panasonic’s new waterproof camera-leaked
By Emily Price
Panasonic’s new waterproof digital camera has been accidentally revealed (or maybe not so accidentally) by a Web site in France. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT1 can take pictures at a 12 megapixel resolution as well as record 720p high-definition video in the AVCHD format. The camera saves both pictures and video onto AVCHD cards, and can supposedly handle a drop from 5 feet or being submerged in up to three meters of water.
It’s nice to see camera manufacturers start making cameras that are designed to actually work with the way people use them. The whole point of having a compact camera is so you can carry it around with you- but if your compact camera is flimsy and is going to break in your pocket, then that sort of defeats the purpose. The way this camera is designed it should be able to handle the general wear and tear it might get in a pocket, and be able to handle occasionally getting wet when you’re standing in the rain taking a photo, or happen to get splashed by the waves at the beach.
While the company says the camera can handle being dropped or submerged in water, that’s always something I’m a little wary of trying out. It reminds me of those “waterproof” watches from back in the day that while they might work after you take a shower in them, you’ll also have a nice fog on the screen from where the water got in. We haven’t tested this camera- so it could be the real deal, but it also never hurts to be cautious with your electronics.
The camera is currently rumored to be priced at around 400 Euros. No official word from Panasonic on the cameras or any idea when we can expect to see them hit US soil.
Related:
January 28th, 2009
I sure would love to own own one of these waterproof cameras. I especially love Panasonic’s cameras too. Unfortunately I don’t have the money!
February 4th, 2009
All the manufacturers will have to start making competitors to the Olympus SW series now. I’ve had mine for over a year! Before that, my digital cameras usually lasted about 3 months. It’s tropical where I live, and I don’t take particularly good care of stuff like that. I’ve also taken it to 10m depth (33 feet) a number of times to take photos of fish and crocodiles, dropped it one or two metres onto concrete and it still works.
June 9th, 2009
Thank you very much. I am wonderring if I can share your article in the bookmarks of society,Then more friends can talk about this problem.