The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3 is the next in Panasonic’s popular line of ruggedised digital cameras. If you need a new digital camera to skip like a stone across a mountain stream, then it might be worth a look. Or you could NOT do what you see in a TV ad.
How rugged is the DMC-FT3? It’s waterproof to 12 metres, dustproof, freezeproof to minus 10 degrees Celsius, and shockproof to 2 metres.
Amongst the smarts built into the camera are GPS, to give you a picture of exactly where your pictures are taken, as well as a compass, altimeter and barometer, all working to provide you additional data for your images.
Moving away from the numbers that talk to how tough the camera is, the Lumix DMC-FT3 has a 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor, and in addition to taking still images it will shoot full HD 1920×1080 movies in AVCHD format.
Also on-board is a feature much loved by manufacturers at the moment, 3D-capability. In its 3D mode the DMC-FT takes 20 panning shot, and selects the best two to constuct a ‘synthesised 3D composite’ image, viewable on a 3D TV.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3 price and release date
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3 digital camera will be available in four colours, silver, orange, red and blue. It will be in stores in March 2011, and sell at an RRP of $599.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3 specifications
- 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor
- 1920 x 1080 Full HD movie recording in AVCHD
- Screen: 2.7 inch TFT LCD screen
- 4.6x optical zoom, increasing to 6x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function
- Aperture: F3.3 – 5.9 / Iris Diaphragm (F3.3 – 10(W) / F5.9 – 18(T))
- Focal length: f=4.9-22.8mm (28-128mm in 35mm equiv.) (30-140mm in 35mm equiv. in movie recording)
- Lens: Leica DC Vario-Elmar 10 elements in 8 groups (5 Aspherical Lenses / 6 Aspherical surfaces / 1 ED Lens)
- Optical Image Stabiliser: POWER O.I.S.
- Shutter speed: Still: 8 – 1/1300 second; Starry Sky Mode : 15, 30, 60 seconds
- ISO Sensitivity: Auto / i.ISO / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 High Sensitivity mode (ISO 1600-6400)
- Color Mode / Color Effect: Standard, Natural, Vivid, Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm, Happy (only in iA Mode)
- Battery life (approx.): 310 pictures (CIPA Standard)
- Dimensions: 103.5 x 64.0 x 26.5 mm (W x H x D)
- Weight: Approx. 197g with battery and SD memory card