Panasonic Lumix DMC TS3 in blue version

We often discuss what would be the best beach camera when going on vacation to an island. Of cause it has to be a digital camera and it has to be a robust camera. The specifications of a camera for the beach aren’t only that it can take pictures. What is very important, too, is the camera’s ability to withstand the sand and seawater. Sandy beaches are a real tuff environment for a camera.

We can discuss if a suitable camera for the beach should be submersible even that wouldn’t fit what most people would like to use the camera for – maybe not necessarily for snorkelling and underwater photography – but for a no risk possibility to bring the camera out in the water and to take pictures of family members and friends in the wet element without spoiling the camera.

Besides being a rugged camera, a good beach camera shall also be a handy camera that is not that big or clumsy and it is fine if it’s also a bit smart and sexy. We should like to bring our beach camera on many vacations, not only beach vacations.

PC Magazine selected the digital camera Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 as their recommended camera for the beach in their review of beach cameras in July 2010 among 7 candidates for the best beach camera. Among these 7 rugged cameras was the Canon PowerShot D10 and  it was regarded as very good but  a little bulky.

A camera review from last year is already outdated so I have been looking for a new model building and improving on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2. The new Panasonic model for the beach is here but I do not have a full review of it at the moment so I will include the press release of it here:

PANASONIC’S NEWEST RUGGED LUMIX DIGITAL CAMERA, COMPLETE WITH GPS & COMPASS IS PERFECT FOR CAPTURING STUNNING PHOTOS AND HD VIDEOS DURING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

New LUMIX TS3 is Waterproof*1, Shockproof*2, Freezeproof, Dustproof*1, and Adds Full-HD Video Recording, a New 3D Photo Mode & Easy Facebook and YouTube Uploads

SECAUCUS, NJ (January 25, 2011) – Panasonic today introduces the LUMIX DMC-TS3, specifically designed for active users who want to capture high-quality photos and 1920 x 1080 full-High Definition videos, incorporating a powerful rugged design and new outdoor-friendly features, such as a built-in GPS function, a compass, altimeter and barometer. The new 12.1-megapixel LUMIX TS3 further strengthens its toughness, when compared to its LUMIX TS2 predecessor, and is now waterproof to approximately 40 feet (12m)*1; shockproof to approximately 6.6 feet (2m) *2; freezeproof to 14ºF (-10 degrees C); and dustproof*1.

The Panasonic LUMIX TS3 also features the new Panasonic 3D Photo mode, which produces a realistic 3D photo by taking 20 consecutive photos and overlays the two best to create a 3D image that can then be played on a Panasonic VIERA 3D HDTV. The format of 3D images is compatible with MPO, and can also be played back on other MPO-compatible equipment such as a televisions, digital photo frames and printers.

Panasonic also adds the LUMIX Image Uploader, for seamless and instant sharing via Facebook (for digital photos) or YouTube (for videos). Users can checkmark the photo or video files they want to share, connect it to a PC with the included USB cable or by inserting the SD Memory Card directly into the PC’s SD Card slot, and then the uploading automatically launches with an easy-to-follow menu option.

“The LUMIX TS3 is Panasonic’s ‘take anywhere’ digital camera – whether it is for carefree, everyday shooting with its easy-to-use features, high-quality lens and video capabilities, or for the active user who will appreciate the rugged design in any season – for activities such as hiking, skiing, camping, diving, snorkeling,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Last year’s LUMIX TS2 was a highly-regarded rugged camera and with the TS3, we just built on its success with new features, like GPS, a compass, altimeter and barometer, making this the ultimate camera for the outdoor user.”

The Panasonic LUMIX TS3 features a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, complete with a folded optics design. With an optical zoom up to 4.6x, the LUMIX TS3 works even while shooting video – giving the user the flexibility for a variety of different scenes – especially underwater, where movement is often restricted and the angle of view becomes important for composing shots. Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available and extends the zoom to 6x equivalent.

Empowered by a newly developed 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor, the LUMIX TS3 is compatible with high-speed, large-capacity signal processing required for 1920 x 1080 full-HD AVCHD video recording and high speed continuous shooting. The advanced image processor, the Venus Engine FHD, powers Panasonic’s Intelligent Resolution and the Sonic Speed AF, allows for a shutter release time lag as short as approximately 0.005 second.

Beyond full-HD video recording capabilities, LUMIX TS3 excels in shooting videos with a Dolby® Digital Creator so audio quality is also high. The built-in LED light greatly supports shooting in dark situations. The LUMIX TS3 also features a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD screen with wide-viewing angle and Anti-Reflection coating.

Panasonic’s iA Mode, a suite of technologies that engage automatically, has evolved for more powerful image stabilization while video recording and taking still photos with Active Mode which boosts POWER OIS to excel in suppressing blur when recording videos at wide angle while walking.

Other features of iA include: POWER OIS, Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. With iA, taking beautiful photos is possible for users at any skill level. In addition, the Intelligent Resolution technology is always activated in the iA mode, which helps produce even clearer photos by precisely performing signal processing pixel by pixel to help ensure clear and sharp images.

The newly-integrated GPS function, shows the name of the Country/Region, State/Prov./County, County/Township, City/Town/Village and Landmark by using the internal data to give users details on where the photos or videos were taken. The area information covers 203 countries or regions for global users. Plus, more than 1,000,000 landmarks over 78 countries or regions are in the database. Using the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.1 HD Lite Edition, photos and videos can be searched by location and names. The LUMIX TS3 also features an internal clock that automatically adjusts to the local time when GPS is enabled – a handy feature for travelers.

The LUMIX TS3 will be available in March 2011 and pricing will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping date. The LUMIX TS3 will be available in red, orange, silver, and blue. For more on these Panasonic LUMIX models, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

*1 Waterproof/dustproof performance complies with the “IPX8” and “IP6X” ratings. Provided the care and maintenance guidelines described in this document are strictly followed, this camera can operate underwater, to a depth not exceeding 12 m for a time not exceeding 60 minutes. This does not guarantee no destruction, no malfunction, or waterproofing in all conditions.

*2 Anti-shock performance complies with “MIL-STD 810F Method 516.5-Shock” of the U.S. Defense Department, which specifies performing drop tests from a height of 122 cm, at 26 orientations (8 corners, 12 ridges, 6 faces) using 5 sets of devices, and passing the 26 orientation drops within 5 devices. (If failure occurs during the test, a new set is used to pass the drop orientation test within a total of 5 devices).

The camera has cleared a drop test from a height of 2 m onto 3 cm thick plywood. In most cases this camera should not sustain any damage if dropped from a height not exceeding 2 m. This drop test was passed. (Disregarding appearance change such as loss of paint or distortion of the part where drop impact is applied). This does not guarantee no destruction, no malfunction, or waterproofing in all conditions.

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Time will show if this LUMIX TS3 will be the best beach camera for 2011 but I guess it will be a good choice for any beach lover anyway, based on the fine ratings the former model Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 got.

What is your own experience with beach cameras and do  you have any other suggestions for the best beach camera? – Please add your comment here.

That’s why I want you to see this remarkable presentation of Frans Lanting’s photography project Journey of Life through Time. I have seen the big exhibition of his amazing photos in poster size in Berlin, and they are really great and the work of Frans Lanting is a great achievement of photography.

I really hope you can take your time to see and listen to this video record of the presentation of Frans Lanting. Don’t feel annoyed by his voice, listen carefully and enjoy the remarkable pictures of our living earth and try to bring this insight with you when you next time go on vacation somewhere in the world. Or when you just browse for travel ideas at the website of Island Vacation Tips.

For example remark that Hawaii is playing a special role in the pictures of Frans Lanting – and in fact many other islands.