Panasonic today announced a new addition of Lumix DMC-TS4 (FT4) to its rugged design TS/FT series specially geared for active outdoor use. Featuring outstanding toughness to be waterproof to 12m with shockproof to 2m, freeze proof to -10 degrees C and dustproof reliability, the DMC-TS4 (FT4) is equipped with built-in GPS system. The new GPS system has more than a million landmarks and 82 countries/regions covered in the maps available on the bundled DVD. Geo-tagged images are automatically sorted and can be played back along a map so that users can literally trace their photographic journey. The Lumix TS4 shows the name of the Country/Region, State/Prov./County, County/Township, City/Town/Village and Landmark – all which is saved in the EXIF data.
The DMC-TS4(FT4) features a high-quality LEICA DC lens with 4.6x optical zoom from 28mm wide-angle (35mm camera equivalent: 28-128mm). The folded optics of shaft guide method is adopted to secure the toughness of the lens unit. This lens unit comprises 10 elements and a prism unit in 8 groups, including an ED lens and 5 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces passing the Leica’s stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance to the edges.
The Panasonic DMC-TS4(FT4) adopts GPS, compass, altimeter and even barometer to show and record altitude, barometric pressure and orientation data. The barometer also works for indicator for depth underwater.The DMC-TS4(FT4) is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also beautiful full HD 1,920 x 1,080 videos in AVCHD (MPEG-4 / H.264) format/ MP4 format. The AVCHD format excels in the compatibility with AV equipment like HDTVs or Blu-ray Disc™ players. The MP4 format has higher compatibility with computers.
Although the DMC-TS4 (FT4) is a tough camera, high picture quality is achieved with the LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens in folded optics, 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor and the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine. The Panasonic LUMIX TS4 will be available in orange, blue, black and silver options in mid-March 2012 with a suggested retail price of $399.99.
