Rugged Camera options?

[ViviTheMage]

I had a Panasonic DMC-TS2, now I have a DMC-TS3, but I am itching for a new tough/rugged camera!

I love my rugged cameras, take them snorkeling in the ocean, snowboarding, canyoneering, etc...they are just solid.

Anyone know if the DMC-TS4 is coming out soon, or anything else is to surpass it in quality?

 

[Munky]

If the TS4 is coming, it won't be relased until Spring. That's when they announced the previous models. I'd like to see a larger sensor rugged camera, otherwise the improvements will probably be marginal at best.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Panasonic Lumix TS-1: January 27, 2009
Panasonic Lumix TS-10: January 21, 2010
Panasonic Lumix TS-2: January 26, 2010
Panasonic Lumix TS-3: January 25, 2011

I would have thought about now would be the time...

How is the Nikon AW100? Olympus? Sony DSC-TX10?

 

[Munky]

I still have the old TS1, and lets just say none of the currently available rugged cameras have enticed me to "upgrade." At least they could have added a BSI sensor or stereo sound recording to the TS3, I might have bought it then, but instead they keep repackaging the same camera and only adding more bolt-ons like GPS, which I don't care about.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I agree, the GPS doesn't entice me. The Sony doesn't look half bad...

 

[Munky]

Sony needs to ditch their touch-screen obsession, woman's "purse-friendly" styling, and heavy-handed noise reduction, then I may consider it.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Yeah, I just noticed touch screen, that's a nay say IMO....I might just hold off for TS4, I really want RUGGED, not half assed...and my panasonic has held up to falls/water 30~ feet snorkeling, really cold temps boarding, etc.

My only issue is this weird blue lines show up when taking pictures with a light source in it.

The only one I am thinking i'd like is the
Olympus TG-810

 

[ViviTheMage]

Does anyone own a AW100? Any thoughts on it? Amazon reviews kind of go back and forth, some stating it's specs are great, but it cannot keep up with the TS3 in terms of actual pictures.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Yeah, reviews are mixed when compared to something like the TS3....but positive overall. I played with one at Costco and I liked the look and feel...just can't afford to spend the $$$.

Search for examples on flickr and vimeo or youtube. Whatever differences may not be all that substantial to anyone who's not a pixel peeper.

Sony just announced the TX200V. Still touchscreen, waterproof to 16ft (lame compared to the TS3 and AW100), freezeproof, dustproof. No mention of shockproof though, so maybe not a true "rugged". 1080p60 is nice. Quite pricey at $500.

I wonder if/when Canon is ever going to put something new in to the rugged field. The D10 is ancient at this point.

 

[ViviTheMage]

TX200V is not bad spec wise, but how are the pics!

http://www.dpreview.com/products/sony/compacts/sony_dsctx200v

I definitely want to get a new gen camera this time around. The D10 is super ancient right now, Pany has released like 3 in it's wake already!

Hold on...TS4 is released as of..tomorrow!

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/01/31/Panasonic_DMC-TS4_DMC-FT4_waterproof_camera

Those stats...still a CCD, and only 12megapixel? what the hell, I was expecting a big jump like the rest. Still only 230k screen too. Is this even an upgrade...

 

[Munky]

I don't mind the CCD or 12MP, that's more than enough for a tiny sensor like that. But it seems almost identical to the TS3. I was expecting more.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Same, I am severely underwhelmed

 

[TheNiceGuy]

I own a GoPro. I'm sure you know if it, so it must not have the options you're looking for?
In case you don't know about it, it is the foremost hardcore sports camera. I have the old one, but the new version was released recently.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I take pictures with it though, not really all video.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

The GoPro takes pictures and has an option for an LCD screen. It is primarily a HC cam though, doesn't have flash, zoom, etc., which I guess is what you're getting at.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Yeah, missing a lot of features really.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Olympus, Pentax, and Canon all announced their updated rugged cams today.

 

[Munky]

I'm disappointed. Canon just can't seem to make a rugged camera that doesn't resemble some kind of wonky toy.

 

[ViviTheMage]

sticking with my TS3, maybe next year!

The pentex doesn't look half bad, but..no huge gains from the TS3.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I'm disappointed. Canon just can't seem to make a rugged camera that doesn't resemble some kind of wonky toy.

Maybe, but the last time they were competing, their D10 was considered the best of the bunch IQ-wise.

The Pentax WG-2 looks like a Decepticon. I don't mind the colors, but would rather they stuck with the design from the W90, rather than the..uh.."aggressive" style they went with the WGs. The specs looks decent, though lacking 1080p60.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

IMO TS3 is still the best all-around.

 

[Syborg1211]

I just started looking for a rugged camera, and I noticed that the TS4 was just announced. Am I missing something, or is there not any significant upgrade from the TS3? I can't find a single reason to pay full price for a TS4 in a couple months when I can get a largely discounted TS3 right now. Thoughts?

 

[ViviTheMage]

Get a TS3 while it's in stock, the TS4 doesn't add much of anything...for the price hike.

 

[Syborg1211]

TS3 just arrived. I haven't gotten to power it up yet since I'm at work, but I did open up the box to see what the sealing mechanism looks like. It seems like a pretty wimpy seal. Does this thing really stand up to being submerged in water?

 

[ViviTheMage]

I took mine to the pacific side of the ocean in Costa Rica, shit is intense...no issues at all...surfed, snorkeled with it, etc.

The old TS2 had 2 seals, I like this 1 seal method much better.