Roundup: Compact Digital Cameras : Panasonic DMC-FT1
29. Panasonic DMC-FT1
Zoom Controls
Traditionally, the zoom control on a camera has been around the base of the shutter release button, putting both within easy reach of the photographer's index finger.
However, it's hard to make two separate controls which work in different directions perfectly waterproof, and so manufacturers have tried different ways of moving the zoom under the thumb, some more successful than others.
Panasonic has found a more intuitive solution, which allows you continue using your index finger, and then move a very short distance to take your shot.
It works well, and the zoom control is set deeply into the camera to make sure that it doesn't get activated accidentally when you're using it with wet hands. This does make it a little more difficult to use when you're on dry land, though.
The DMC-FT1 (or DMC-TS1, depending on the market area) is Panasonic's first attempt at an all-terrain digital camera. Waterproof to depths of 9 feet, it can withstand falls from heights of 5 feet and operate in temperatures as low as -10 °C. But does it have everything else we're looking for in a digital camera: speed, performance and great photos?
Handling
- Lumix DMC-TS1 Green...
The FT1 is relatively large for a compact camera, and certainly bigger than some other recent waterproof models we've tested, like the FujiFilm Z33WP or the Olympus Stylus 550 SW. Unlike other bulky compacts like the Olympus Tough models or the Canon D10, the solid feel is very reassuring. The camera is made from quality materials and the covers over the memory card and battery snap firmly shut. This tough attitude is accentuated with visible screws and cut-off corners that remind you of a 4 x 4.
Panasonic has managed to find a way of keeping the zoom controls near the shutter release, which is not always easy on waterproof cameras, but other controls remain largely unchanged. The back of the camera looks very much like an Olympus, right down to the scroll wheel to select different modes--although a lot of the time, the scroll's likely to remain set at Intelligent Auto mode. There's also a direct shortcut to video mode, and the FT1, like the TZ7, keeps photo and video modes separate, so it's easy to pass from one to the other on the fly.
The screen lacks a little contrast unless you're looking directly at it, and increasing the brightness doesn't really help. It's not too bad, but some of the very best cameras do better.
One irritation is that you need to hold the power switch down for a second for the camera to switch on. The idea is to avoid accidentally powering up the camera when it's in a bag or a pocket, but it's very irritating when you're in a hurry. Fortunately, when you do then switch it on, the camera is ready almost instantly, as there's no waiting for a lens to extend.
Once you get used to holding the button down and factor that in, you end up waiting as long as you would on any compact before you can take your first shot. The AutoFocus is pretty decent for a recent compact, and the whole camera is generally pretty responsive, although the wait between two photos--two seconds--is a little long.
All sorts of extra features are included on the FT1, including Panasonic's star feature, Intelligent Automatic mode, as well as face detection, and, better still, face recognition. If the camera recognizes a face that it has already photographed, it will focus on that person by default.
Image Quality
At first glance, the specifications of the FT1 suggest it has the same sensor as the FX40, which we recently found to be slightly lacking, especially at higher film speeds. However, it's actually the Venus Engine HD, also on the TZ7, that's used for image processing on this camera.
No surprise, then, to find the same high quality results as found on the TZ7. The FT1 goes one better though. While problems with color persist (darker ares sometimes end up purple), electronic noise is handled better and the resulting photos are of better quality. It seems that the Venus Engine HD is much better than the Venus Engine V, even with the same sensor.
Image stabilization works well without being amongst the best we've seen. Our portrait test was only sharp every time at 1/10 second, even though we managed some good results at 1/5 second.
In video mode, HD 720p resolution is available, and gives sharp, detailed frames. You can also use the zoom while recording videos, which is not always the case on compacts. Only sound quality, which, while acceptable, is clearly behind the excellent stereo sound of the TZ7.
| Panasonic DMC-FT1 | |
|---|---|
| Pluses | Minuses |
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| With the FT1, Panasonic provides exactly what we'd expect from a modern compact digital camera, with enough video power to serve as a camcorder from time to time. Compared to waterproof cameras from just a year ago, it's already an excellent achievement. |  |
should have classified the cameras to at least price and/or final rating. i got discouraged to read.
should have classified the cameras to at least price and/or final rating. i got discouraged to read.
When you say classified, what do you mean? Do you mean the pages should go in order of price, or in order of rating? Such as the cheap ones at the beginning and the expensive ones at the end OR the best cameras at the top and the worst cameras at the bottom?
i meant group them by chosen price ranges/brackets or any feature you think is relevant since comparison between cameras is just difficult with the present format wherein it is only possible to compare models of a certain brand.
It would have been nice if all the cameras were given scores (yes I know this is very subjective, but so are all the comments and pro/con sections). Idealy they would be given su scores as well (i.e. a still picture score, a video score, a asthetics score, a usablity score, maybe some others) and then the cameras could be sorted by those scores with links, maybey a short blurb at each camera in the sorted list. Another thing that would be very usefull to myself and I assume other readers is a features table that allows us to compare all the cameras.