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

At the price point of this camera you really should need the ruggedness and waterproof features to justify the expense. I'll have to update this over time because at this point it hasn't been on the slopes or under water, but it has been in the rain. I'm not going to try the six foot drop test. The camera is compact, lighter than I expected and seems to be made like an precision aircraft. Great looking body. The display is crisp and bright. The few pictures I've taken so far, both inside and out, look great, including macros. I'm informally comparing this to a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 (point and shoot, 10X zoom) I've had for a couple of years (best non-SLR I've ever owned).It comes with an optional protective silicone sleeve.This camera has "O" ring sealed (and locked) doors for the battery and memory card, and for the data access ports. These will leak under water if their seals aren't scrupulously clean as described in the factory literature. So while I'm sure this can be used under water if you're careful, a user will want to be very sure they've carefully examined and cleaned the sealing surfaces before submerging.I've taken photos inside with the flash in a 40' darkened room to compare the flash depth of the older camera with this one, they seem to be the same, so the built in flash is acceptable and typical of this kind of camera; point is no compromise with the flash.This is the camera you can stick in your back pocket and go. It fits in a SPI belt and fits in a small Amphipod case if you use either of these for running or other exercise.Downside: So far just two things. First, there's no viewfinder, not a big issue usually but if you try to wear sunglasses on a bright day using the screen can be problematic. Second, and potentially more important, there's no protection over the lens, though it's recessed. It's small and it's one of those things a user will have to watch to be sure it's clean. Viewing screens seem to mask dust, fingerprints and water spots on a lens, but they show up as an artifact or blur on a computer screen or print. If you're used to a self covering lens you can get into the habit of ignoring this. A pop off cover would be nice.Even though this is rugged and waterproof, I'll keep it in a case. Based on descriptions, it's tough to figure out what fits, especially if you want to use the included silicone sleeve which is not included in product dimensions. The Kroo semi-hard case is a snug fit without the silcone sleeve, too small if you use the sleeve. The VanGoody neoprene case works even with the sleeve as does the small, but unpadded Amphipod case (which I like for it's water resistance, ballistic nylon construction and belt loop).Update 18 Feb 2012: I should have updated this sooner. The camera is outstanding. Now it has been everywhere from skiing in sub-zero, snorkeling, white water rafting, to documenting sludge. Tough camera, still great pictures. As expected you have to be sure to keep the lens clean. White water rafting was the worst because it was impossible to avoid drops of water; a firm shake solved the problem when I remembered to do so.

Like everyone else, I was looking for a rugged camera to take underwater/beach or on that ski trip where I would not worry about the camera. I did my research and like many have said it came down to the Panasonic and Canon and I chose the Panasonic because it was more portable and also because I currently love recording video of the family in HD using my sony camcorder that uses AVCHD which this Pansonic does too.I recently got to test this camera out on a family trip to the Maldives. Took this camera out snorkeling and to the pool over a half dozen times and had it rolling around in the sand with me and the kids. I took some pictures which came out good but my wife also brought along our Canon SD1000 whose pictures were extremely comparable. The pictures on the canon are probably actually slightly better in my opinion except that it can't take underwater pictures of the kids or the fish (unless I got a shell which I find too bulky to lug around). The true value was the video which was awesome. Now, it is not easy to record video underwater while snorkeling because glare off the screen was tough to get used to underwater, but once I adapted I have great footage of parrot fish, angel fish and even black tipped reef sharks that swim up to you. I have my son and wife pointing out at the coral and schools of fish swimming up to them. Truly once in a lifetime and this camera performed.Once we got back home from vacation, it snowed and with the kids, we went out for a good old snow ball fight which this camera recorded and even took a nice direct hit.So in summary, the pictures on this camera are OK and the video is great. The ruggedness and waterproof is what you want and this passes with flying color (even took a big licking on coral and came away with minor scratches). Also this was very portable and only slightly noticeably bigger than our Canon SD1000. It fit easily in my pocket and I took it everywhere. These are the reasons I bought it and it was definitely money well spend. (also the blue is a cool color to get too and stands out nice)

I bought the Panasonic after trashing a good Canon camera while kayaking last summer. It held up kayaking and snorkeling in the Caribbean at thanksgiving. Then on a snorkeling trip at Christmas in the Caribbean it gave up the ghost the third time under water on this trip. About 30 minutes into the trip the screen fuzzed up and the camera started buzzing. I got it out of the water and soaked it in tap water for 30 minutes. When I opened it it was full of water. My best guess is that a seal let loose because I was very careful to keep the o-rings clean each time I removed the SIM Card to download pictures.Generally I was pretty careful with it and did not take it any deeper then 6-8 feet. I was generally please with the camera performance, i got some nice sunset pictures and some really nice underwater pictures but a bit distressed that the camera seals let loose after 8 times in the water.So based on a sample size of one the durability is suspect.