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Product Summary
Very good
The good: Use of AVCHD Lite compression greatly reduces file sizes; 28mm wide-angle lens; longest optical zoom range of 4.6x for its class; effective optical image stabilizer. 7
out of 10View score
The bad: AVCHD Lite compression creates uncommon file format; front plastic cover easily smudged which deteriorates picture quality; small buttons may not be suitable for users wearing gloves when in cold countries.
The bottom line: The FT1 is a neat rugged camera from Panasonic, considering this shooter is the company's first attempt. Design is nothing to shout about but the optics' specifications are noteworthy, with the image quality being average compared to normal point-and-shoots.
Read full review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT1 »
Average User Rating
from 2 users
Average
4.5
out of 10CNET Asia Review
The rugged camera market was once dominated by Olympus which produced hardy point-and-shoots such as the Mju Tough-8000. However, other brands have since followed suit and Panasonic's Lumix lineup welcomed its first tough brethren earlier this year with the DMC-FT1. While it may not be as rugged as the toughest Olympus camera, it comes close. The FT1 survived drops and dived into the deep end of the pool, returning unscathed. This shooter is possibly the only hardy snapper that can record HD-quality video clips. Can this camera unseat Olympus from the throne of rugged shooters? We find out.
We noted some resemblance in design between the FT1 and the Olympus Mju Tough-8000. Both shooters have almost similar dimensions and look, though the Panasonic camera doesn't have a sliding lens cover to protect the optics when the shooter is not in operation. In place is a piece of hard, clear plastic. Panasonic said it went with this design because a rugged camera shouldn't have too many moveable parts. While this makes sense, we discovered that the hard plastic was easily smudged by fingerprints and tended to produce shots with a soft, blurry look which we didn't like.
At the top of the camera are the zoom lever, power and shutter button. The zoom and shutter control have ridged surfaces to provide a better grip for users. We think this will come in useful when you are using the shooter underwater.
At the rear of the camera are the mode dial and a range of buttons for operating exposure compensation, flash, self-timer, focusing modes and playback. The mode dial has several commonly-used scene modes such as sports and beach. The underwater mode can be found only within the menus, which is strange considering that the FT1 is marketed as a camera suitable for casual divers. We also noticed there is a snow mode on the dial, but we felt that the small buttons may prove to be difficult to operate for users who are wearing gloves or have larger fingers.
There is also a dedicated button for movie recording, which makes the shooter more intuitive to use.
Tags: Mode, Camera, movie, compensation, optics
Design
Similar to many tough cameras, the FT1 doesn't have a protruding lens design. This gives the shooter a brick-like appearance, though the variety of available colors (orange, blue, silver and olive green) makes the point-and-shoot look a bit more fashionable. However the FT1's aesthetics is more clunky and hefty, which make the snapper look hardier than your typical compact camera.)
We noted some resemblance in design between the FT1 and the Olympus Mju Tough-8000. Both shooters have almost similar dimensions and look, though the Panasonic camera doesn't have a sliding lens cover to protect the optics when the shooter is not in operation. In place is a piece of hard, clear plastic. Panasonic said it went with this design because a rugged camera shouldn't have too many moveable parts. While this makes sense, we discovered that the hard plastic was easily smudged by fingerprints and tended to produce shots with a soft, blurry look which we didn't like.
At the top of the camera are the zoom lever, power and shutter button. The zoom and shutter control have ridged surfaces to provide a better grip for users. We think this will come in useful when you are using the shooter underwater.
At the rear of the camera are the mode dial and a range of buttons for operating exposure compensation, flash, self-timer, focusing modes and playback. The mode dial has several commonly-used scene modes such as sports and beach. The underwater mode can be found only within the menus, which is strange considering that the FT1 is marketed as a camera suitable for casual divers. We also noticed there is a snow mode on the dial, but we felt that the small buttons may prove to be difficult to operate for users who are wearing gloves or have larger fingers.
There is also a dedicated button for movie recording, which makes the shooter more intuitive to use.
Tags: Mode, Camera, movie, compensation, optics
Rate It Now
User Reviews
Not so good
Sep 4, 2009Rating: 4 out of 10 (Mediocre)
Pros: Good Video
Cons: Bad color, too greenish image; easily sctrachable at beach; lcd under direct sunlight become a mirror;
Opinion:
I'm disappointed with this camera. I wanted to buy a compact one to bring with me everywhere as a second choice beside my Nikon D40+18-200 VR lens.
At first I decided for the Canon Powershot D10, but after some review throughtout internet I choose the DMC FT1 because of the HD video, the greater wide tele range.
The image quality is not very good, images are too greenish!
Too much option in the modes: beach , surf, snow, food, kids... I really prefer only one automatic mode for non expert but much more freedom in the custom mode for pro or semi-pro!
I used it at beach and the sand sctraches the lcd very easily. Under direct sunlight the lcd is a mirror, impossible to use.
Very resistent to downfall from the waiste high!
Underwater it is quite good, but my waterproof seal last only 3 times!
My conclusion is: for that money... definetely buy another waterproof camera!
trying to be a jack-of-all-traits
Jan 31, 2009Rating: 5 out of 10 (Average)
Pros: HD video (really?)
Cons: sub-par, introductory model
Opinion:
designwise, you could mistaken this as a sibling to the NEC-N1100(the ugliest netbook around). Panasonic is not missing-out the 'crush-proof'+'freeze-proof' spec but just blunt without those capabilities. 'dust-proof' serves no real purpose unless its equipped with a unique mechanics of an advanced DSLR, while others with 'freeze-proof' criteria could satisfy in both dry(dusty) & wet conditions. there's no problem in flash-memory format nowadays pointing it as a downside for other brands; even sony's ms-pro-duo comes with a micro-sdhc adaptors. while panasonic has just taken cue from their brother sanyo's takings with the xacti's, they failed to bring those innovations(waterproof, dual-cam function) up one level...so just wait for the next model instead
User Discussion
simonphilips:
Please take a look here:
www.pcmag.com...
Also PC magazine technicians found out my same problems on the Lumix DMC FT1
simonphilips:
Just for comparison, have a look at the pictures from the DMC -FT1 and some competitors (word are in ...
