Anyone use a Lumix TS5?

[JamesV]

I have a Canon T3 with two lenses, which gets great shots, but I mainly use it while hiking, camping, kayaking, and general outdoor use. At this years week-long dispersed camping trip, it rained heavily almost the whole trip, and the lens that came with the T3 broke (probably from moisture).

I like the quality of pictures, but it's just so bulky, especially with my zoom lens (sitting with it in a plastic bag between my legs kayaking isn't comfortable).

So I've been looking around for a point and shoot, and came across the Panasonic Lumix TS5 http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-TS5D .

Looks like it may be the perfect camera for what I use a camera for, but was wondering if anyone here has used one, and what kind of image quality hit can I expect dropping down from a DSLR?

I also looked at the GoPro, but that seems to be more focused toward video; is it an option I should look further into?

I mainly do landscape, wildlife, some macro with insects/flowers. Overall though, I want the best landscape pictures I can get on a small waterproof camera.

 

[fralexandr]

point and shoots typically have poor low light performance compared to DSLRs due to their portability (sensor size).
The exception are the rather expensive APS-C or other larger sensor point and shoots (RX-100, fuji x, etc)

In normal lighting the more expensive point and shoots will produce DSLR quality images.

waterproof point and shoots typically have worse image quality than regular point and shoots, since the lens needs to be sealed. The built in weathersealing and compact size also work against them. I don't think any of them can even get close to a canon s95/100/110, and they're usually noticeably worse than the ~$200 travel zooms (panasonic zs/canon sx, etc).

dpreview of ts5
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-ts5-ft5
canon's d20 is also one of the better waterproof cameras, but the ts5 is about equivalent to it (using dpreview's comparison)

edit: If these images are good enough for your uses (posting to the web/etc), then the ts5/d20 are great choices.

you might be better off getting a canon s95/100/110 and buying an underwater enclosure. This obviously won't be as portable, and might be harder to use (when using the enclosure).

This obviously doesn't solve the weight/bulk/multiple lens issue, but:
Since you're an outdoorsy photographer, you might want to move to some weather sealed/weather resistant cameras/lenses.
Pentax makes some nice budget WR cameras. The k-30 body can be had for <$500 (some kits come with WR lenses and some don't; also some shops get the lenses mixed up).
pentax has some budget WR lenses like the 18-55 WR, 50-200 WR, 18-135 WR and a 55-300 WR is coming out soon. There are also some WR macro lenses (1:1) like the DFA 50 and 100. All or almost all of the DA* lenses are weather sealed, if you're looking for nicer glass.

If you're already invested in Canon, they also makes some more expensive weather sealed lenses/cameras.

 

[JamesV]

Thanks for the link for DPReview. Found this article http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2013-waterproof-roundup/18
which is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. It doesn't rate the lens very highly on the Lumix TS5; glad I came here before splurge buying.

The sample images for those cameras overall was pretty bad, so I'm going to look at weather resistant/sealed. Had no idea those even existed, but it makes sense.

I probably should check out some waterproof cases as well, since all I had my camera in was a camera backpack, but I bet they are expensive as hell.

 

[CuriousMike]

Nikon just released a new waterproof camera that uses a bigger sensor

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/0...ource=news-list&utm_medium=text&ref=title_1_4

 

[fralexandr]

Nikon just released a new waterproof camera that uses a bigger sensor

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/0...ource=news-list&utm_medium=text&ref=title_1_4

Cool . I wonder if they're going to release some lens adapters that allow it to retain waterproofing or at least weather sealing. Otherwise, hopefully they release more lenses.

 

[xSauronx]

I probably should check out some waterproof cases as well, since all I had my camera in was a camera backpack, but I bet they are expensive as hell.

so a waterproof case modeled for a specific camera will be.

a generic case is cheap, but not easy to use

http://www.amazon.com/DicaPac-WP410-...of+camera+case

i got one for my lx7, it works and is waterproof, but i cant really adjust the camera at all when i use it. they have different size models of the bag at varying prices. if you want to throw a camera in it on auto and snap away its not bad for 20 o 30 bucks

 

[jaedaliu]

The Olympus micro 4/3 has some weatherproofing. Not as much as the new underwater Nikon 1, but may be enough for you if you find a 1" sensor isn't good enough.