Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 Digital Camera Review

Motion

While the spec sheet boasts 1920x1080 videos at a 60i frame rate, this is an interpolated value. Output from the sensor is only 30p, and this does result in some less than smooth video. Moving objects have a stutter to them, and some patterns are downright headache-inducing. Take a look at the black and white pinwheel in our sample video for example, but have some aspirin ready when you do. More on how CamcorderInfo tests motion.

Video Sharpness

The TS4 was only capable of resolving 300 lw/ph of detail horizontally and 400 vertically. Pretty poor, but the footage behaved somewhat strangely. We shoot all our video sharpness tests while panning, and we do so partly to weed out cameras just like this one. Sharpness skyrocketed beyond 600 lw/ph when the camera was still. Therefore, if you plan to shoot most of your videos from a tripod, you may want to take our low results with a grain of salt. More on how CamcorderInfo tests video sharpness.

Low Light Sensitivity

The TS4 scored off the charts in our low light sensitivity test. In that we don't score cameras that can't achieve a certain level of sensitivity.

Even at 45 lux, the camera couldn't manage 50 IRE of image data. At this level we no longer award points, and do not test any higher. Interestingly, the camera's built-in LED lights were turned on for this test, but only contributed about 2 lux of illumination.