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Panasonic Lumix TS3 $399.99
By Liam McCabe September 28, 2011
Panasonic Lumix TS3
Review Highlights

Built like a tank

Good noise results for its class

Mediocre resolution results

Cheap hardware aside from the chassis

Score Breakdown
4.9
3.4
6.3

Introduction

There are tough cams, and then there are capital-T Tough cams. The Panasonic Lumix TS3 is the latter, plated in armor and built like a brick. This waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof warrior is rated as one of the hardest rugged cameras on the market. It can fall from the greatest heights and withstand the greatest depths, yet it still fits into a jacket pocket, it’s still easy to use, and—most importantly—it takes decent pictures too.

The TS3 was released in March 2011 and is available in orange, silver, blue, and red shades at an MSRP of $399, though street prices are about $100 cheaper.

This review is organized into 16 pages
Page 1
Product Tour

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Page 2
Color

The TS3 scored average marks in our color accuracy tests, and offers a handful of color modes to choose from.

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Page 3
Noise

Noise performance throughout the ISO range is strong for the class, thanks in part to liberal noise reduction.

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Page 4
Resolution

Underwhelming sharpness, aberration, and distortion scores place the TS3 toward the back of its class in terms of resolution.

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Page 5
Video

Full HD resolution and quick performance contribute to a solid video mode, at least by compact-cam standards.

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Page 6
Sample Photos

A gallery of photos taken with the Panasonic Lumix TS3

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Page 7
Playback

Playback mode stays out of its own way with easy, logical navigation and some basic in-camera editing.

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Page 8
Hardware

This extra-durable tough guy comes with GPS, though the rest of the hardware is budget-cam fare.

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Page 9
Controls

The control scheme offers no big surprises for the tough-cam class, which is fine by us.

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Page 10
Design & Handling

The bulky chassis handles well, and the user interface works just fine.

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Page 11
Sony TX10 Comparison
Sony  Cyber-shot DSC-TX10

We compare the TS3 to the DSC-TX10.

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Page 12
Pentax WG-1 Comparison
Pentax  Optio WG-1

We compare the TS3 to the WG-1.

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Page 13
Panasonic TS2 Comparison
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2

We compare the TS3 to the DMC-TS2.

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Page 14
Conclusion

Read our final conclusion of the Panasonic Lumix TS3.

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Page 15
Photo Gallery

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Part 16
Comments

Read what people are saying about the Panasonic Lumix TS3.

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Panasonic Lumix TS3
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This review is organized into 16 pages

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