Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 14.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 4.6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 2.7-Inch LCD (Orange)

I bought this camera mainly for travel, especially dive travel! I do have an expensive Sony HD video camera with an Aquatica housing that I use for underwater photo and video. However, it is very unusable out of the water unless the camera is removed from the housing, something you don't want to do inside a small and splashy boat. I also have a Canon S5 IS that I like a lot, but don't want to expose it to water or sand or shocks, things unavoidable on the beach or a boat. Then the LUMIX TS2 came as the perfect beach/boat companion, and I can even use it for shallow water snorkeling where the video camera is also too bulky. I have had it for a couple months already and used it on a dive trip to San Andres and Cartagena in Colombia, and must admit that I am very pleased with its picture quality. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed by Panasonic for including a 14Mp sensor in such a small camera since the pixel size becomes really microscopic, with the asociated high noise. Therefore I have mainly used this camera in the 7Mp setting and I cannot complain: pictures are very good: the zoom range is quite usable, especially the wide end, and the autofocus and exposure level are very accurate. Both above and below the water images and video are very good. I took many pictures at night in Cartagena that came out very nice, just pushing the camera against a wall or pole. The camera has more features than I can remember so I have to go back to the manual from time to time, just to learn again all the things I can do with it (even correcting in camera a slighlty tilted pic or do image cropping). And, as a bonus, you get HD video that you can play so easily on your HD TV by using the TV remote and an HDMI cable. You can survive without a PC with this camera for a long time.I can definitively recommend it for people like me that want to have peace of mind while using a good camera near the water, or in it!. Of course you have to be careful with the seals but I am used to that for my diving gear. I am really happy with this camera... Just two downsides up to now: 1) the shutter and zoom lever buttons are too close, and when the silicon jacket is on the camera, sometimes I have difficulty on moving one without touching the other. In various ocassions I took a picture while I was trying to zoom and viceversa. 2) the USB cable that came with the camera was not the correct one and since Panasonic used a propietary USB/Analog video connector that needs a very special cable I will need to buy it if I want to connect the camera to a PC (instead of downloading directly from the card). I realized this after 3 months so I will not go through the hassle of trying to get it as a warranty item.

If you are in the market for a water proof camera then please make sure you do your research and know the risks you take buying this product!This is my second waterproof camera, and after my first one failed on a vacaction, I became super cautious with this one.I took this camera on a snow trip to Switzerland recently and had no problems with it. Was impressed by its video quality, though it did lack in the auto focus department, constantly changing focus.Came back from my holiday and went to the beach with this camera for the second time.Was splashing around in the shallows, taking the camera no more than half a meter underwater. After getting some fun photos. I put the camera back in my bag and when I took it out again to check out my snaps an hour later. After turning it on, noticed that the screen was doing weird electronic "i'm dying" kinda things like flickering, and flashing weird electronic lines. So i quickly turned it off, fearing the worst. Opened the battery door and peared inside. And yes, there it was, a couple of very small drops of water on the battery and SD card, and the lipmus paper had changed to purple showing that water had entered.Sure enough after removing the battery and letting the camera dry out for a week or 2. I tested the camera to see if it could be ressurected. NOT a chance in hell! Wouldnt even turn on.So I decided to put my faith in a waterproof camera again. I did so much research this time, and in regards to waterproof cameras this one was supposed to be the best. I'm very annoyed that this camera has failed on its second water exposure. I got to use this camera for all of 3 months and then it was goodbye.For those reading this review looking for sound advice about their decision to purchase. Forget the photographic qualities this camera might exceed in when compared to other waterproof cameras i.e take a moment and disregard all the functions and qualities this camera might exceed in, in regards to the quality of the pictures and the quality of the video etc. If you are purchasing a waterproof camera, for the reason of it being waterproof, make sure your prepared to sacrifice many photographic qualities and find the most rugged designed waterproof camera of the bunch, not the overall winner of all the qualities of a camera.This camera can take some ok to fairly nice pictures out of the water and some nice pictures in the water, but its not a winner in its durability to keep the water out. And lets be honest, thats what this camera is supposed to be about! So i'm a very disappointed customer who has had to waste another hard earned $250 bucks.I have another panasonic camera, and it takes beautiful pictures, so panasonic knows how to do the picture part well. I just dont believe they have built this camera to withstand normal everyday use thats to be expected if this camera is taken in the water. The rubber seals on the casing doors and extremely thin, the hinge and seal mech used to hold the doors closed are small and not strong and its this small area that downfalls what would of been a nice camera otherwise.Be sure to check the range of waterproof cameras and take a good look at their door seals, and their door closing mechs.So can I recommend this product to others?If you telling yourself that you will hardly use this camera in the water, so you still think it'll be a good purchase. Well then.... dont bother buying a waterproof camera, you sacrifice much photographic quality to attain the waterproof status. For the same price on a standard camera, you will get a camera that takes a much sharper, cleaner and well colored picture.If you decide you do indeed want a waterproof camera cause your like me, and are outdoors alot hiking and such, and you want something rugged that you can throw in the pack and such and most importantly use in the water without concern. Well then this review is for you. The camera is rugged, but not in the water. So be wise and learn from someone else who has been there before you, TWICE.Panasonic does not hold their warranty when the water gets in. Do I want this review to be damaging to Panasonic's sales on this camera. Honestly? Yes I do hope this helps to lessen sales for them. But its not for that reason I write it. I too like most intelligent online buyers, use reviews from both everyday users and from the technology reviewers to make decisions when purchasing equipment. So I hope this review will help others to be aware of the main flaw on this camera, which happens to be the most important area, its seals and closing mechanism.