The Panasonic DMC-TS1 is an excellent choice of camera for someone seeking a travel camera. I used this for two major trips last year, and it served me very well. Picture quality is very good for a small sensor of its size, especially outdoors, and I was very satisfied with prints of my trip from the camera. Indoor picture quality is so-so, which is really the only main weakness, but not unusual for a camera of its size. Video quality is amazing and looks stunning on a high def tv / computer monitor. I took many hours of video, and though there was some shakiness, which was my fault, overall the image stabilizer did a very good job overall. Menus on the camera are very quick and efficent, probably the best of any camera I have used recently. Manual controls could be better. The waterproof function of the camera is a very nice selling point. It is only rated for 10ft, so I would only recommend using it as insurance against rain and snow. I had no problems through multiple rain storms. The size is very ideal for travel. I would definitely recommend it!

ccmonster

Cordele, GA

the panasonic lumix is light weight and fits right into your shirt pocket or trouser pocket. it comes in a rainbow of color choices.  Oh and let me tell you it is also very,very durable. I would go as far as to compare it to a timex watch, you know "it takes a licking and keeps on ticking".  Did i mention economical.

kad222

Roanoke, VA

I love my camera, is small enough to carry it everywhere, shockprove and waterprove!! is always on my purse and I never miss a moment. I'm very happy with my purshase. But If I had to complain about something, that will be the battery life. It seems that I have to charge it constantly, I'm even considering buying a second battery to carry with me at all times...

sareida

Pompano Beach, FL

The panasonic TS-1 was released in April 2009 and I had mine in hand days later.  This was the camera which I had been waiting for and it had finally arrived.  The year before, I had spent a long disney vacation lugging around an entry level Digital DSLR and a Sony Handycam which I had purchased several years before.  Even though I wanted to only capture a few family moments, I had to drag both of these cameras with me constantly just in case the 'perfect' moment were to arise.  Needless to say, when it did, the camera and video camera were more likely stuffed in my backpack, carefully resting inside a sweatshirt so no harm might come to them.  Lets fast forward to THIS years Disney trip... I was unencumbered by any bulky camera gear.  No tripod in site.  No video camera.  No camera whatsoever?  Bad Dad???  NO!  at a moments notice, I could be seen grabbing a diminutive silver rectangle from my pocket and seconds later capturing the moments that I know our family would treasure for the rest of our lives. Low light or bright sun was not a problem. The cameras built in image stabilization made sure of that.  I even took some stunning pictures of the hotel pool at night and was just amazed that the shots turned out.  So I solved the problem of having a camera with me at all times - big deal you say, right?  Just wait until you press the visibly placed "Record" button on the back of this camera and let her rip.  That's right - it's a high definition video camera in my pocket as well.  When passers by saw this, they were very intrigued.  But this wasn't even the most visible selling point.  Down at the hotel pool, this little beauty had another huge surprise in store for all the sun seekers.  Did he just go in the pool WITH his digital camera?  That's right. This camera is completely submersible down to 9 feet which gives you plenty of versatility if you are snorkeling, spending a day at the beach, or doing cannon balls into the hotel pool with your kids.  These pictures are not only great, but also unique in a "never been there before" way that is irresistible.  You would not believe the number of people who approached me to check out the camera down by the pool.  By the end of the vacation, I felt like Panasonic should have been paying me for advertising because of the number of times I sang it's praises over the course of a day.   Singing it's praises is not a difficult job however when a company has gone to such lengths to fit so many great features into such a small package and has kept the price point in mind while doing so.  Now, arguably, this camera is not the cheapest on the block.  However, when you consider that you are getting not only a digital camera and an underwater camera but ALSO a video camera (that goes underwater, by the way) you have to be impressed by it's price. I mean, a digital video camera that goes underwater?  Other than pro rigs, I had never even seen or heard of such a thing, and I have been an amateuer photographer for quite a few years.  Just think about returning from that snorkeling vacation, getting the extended family and friends together and plugging this little gem into your high definition TV via the included cable.  Two clicks on the back of the camera and everyone will be "ooing and ahhhing" like you won't believe.  They may even check the floor to see if it's wet with lifelike video like this playing so effortlessly before them. You may be thinking that all this action is just a little too much for a pocket sized camera.  Maybe it should just stay home on a shelf and be admired?  Not even for a second will this cross your mind as you are reminded of the "ruggedized" construction of Panasonic Lumix TS-1.  The little guy exudes strength just by it's look and feel which have an air of quality about them.  This is such a nice thing in a world where so many consumer electronics look and feel chinsy, decked out in cheap plastic.  the brushed metallic case of this camera says "i can take it!" and what's on the inside backs it up one hundred percent.  I am one who is known to be rough on his electronics.  My last camera, a Canon point and shoot made several trips back to the repair shop after little things like batter compartment doors broke, etc.  The TS-1's performance thus far has given me the impression that i can just throw away that repair shop phone number for good! Now the features of this camera are seemingly unmatched.  It has a 4.6 time zoom which, while not earth shattering, is amazing considering all the lens optics are handled inside the camera.  That's right - you zoom without the lens physically protruding in any way from the camera.  You also have panaroma assist, a TON of preset shooting conditions, as well as a "intelligent" feature.  Just switch it on and let the camera do the thinking -  you'll love the results.  Other highlights are a very intuitive menu system and camera controls which are operable in all the diverse conditions this camera was designed to tackle.  I am not listing out all the specs on purpose - you can find those on a dozen websites at least. I'm telling you this camera hits the ground running and doesn't stop.  You will love it AND your wife will stop nagging you for missing all the pictures and not having that video of the babies first steps...

thebasicimage

Howell, NJ