
Built like a tank
Good noise results for its class
Mediocre resolution results
Cheap hardware aside from the chassis
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 | ||
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Page 1
Product Tour
Read More...
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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. Read More... |
Page 3
Noise
Noise performance throughout the ISO range is strong for the class, thanks in part to liberal noise reduction. Read More... |
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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. Read More... |
Page 5
Video
Full HD resolution and quick performance contribute to a solid video mode, at least by compact-cam standards. Read More... |
Page 6
Sample Photos
A gallery of photos taken with the Panasonic Lumix TS3 Read More... |
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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. Read More... |
Page 8
Hardware
This extra-durable tough guy comes with GPS, though the rest of the hardware is budget-cam fare. Read More... |
Page 9
Controls
The control scheme offers no big surprises for the tough-cam class, which is fine by us. Read More... |
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Page 10
Design & Handling
The bulky chassis handles well, and the user interface works just fine. Read More... |
Page 11
Sony TX10 Comparison
![]() We compare the TS3 to the DSC-TX10. Read More... |
Page 12
Pentax WG-1 Comparison
![]() We compare the TS3 to the WG-1. Read More... |
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Page 13
Panasonic TS2 Comparison
![]() We compare the TS3 to the DMC-TS2. Read More... |
Page 14
Conclusion
Read our final conclusion of the Panasonic Lumix TS3. Read More... |
Page 15
Photo Gallery
Read More...
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Part 16
Comments
Read what people are saying about the Panasonic Lumix TS3. Add your comments... |
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Shop for the Panasonic TS3
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Panasonic TS3 Manual
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