Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5/FT5

July 2013 | By Jeff Keller

16MP | 28-128mm (4.6X) Zoom | $349/£279/€318

This is the fourth in a series of short underwater/rugged camera reviews on DPReview. We're testing the cameras concurrently, and once all six cameras have been reviewed, we'll publish a roundup of the class, comparing them directly.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5 (known as the FT5 outside of North America) is a rugged camera that has been stuffed with virtually every feature imaginable (see below for a list). It replaces the DMC-TS3/FT3, and can take even more of a beating than its predecessor. Other new features include a higher resolution MOS sensor (16MP CMOS vs. 12MP CCD), Wi-Fi with NFC capability, faster burst shooting, true 1080/60p video recording, and much more. Battery life has also been improved by 20%, due to the use of a more powerful battery, which is alway helpful on cameras with battery-draining features like GPS and Wi-Fi.

Specification Highlights

16.1 effective megapixel MOS sensor
F3.3-F5.9, 28-128mm equivalent zoom lens (4.6X)
'Power OIS' optical image stabilization
Waterproof to 13m, shockproof from 2m, crushproof to 100 kg, freezeproof to -10C
3-inch LCD with 460,000 dots
Manual exposure control
Built-in GPS with compass, manometer, landmarks, and tracking
Wi-Fi with NFC allows for image sharing and remote control with smartphones/tablets and Mac/PC
1080/60p movie mode with stereo sound
'Torch Light' illuminates your subjects while recording movies
Optional marine case lets you take camera 45m underwater

As we said, that's about as full-featured as you'll get on a rugged camera. About the only thing you won't find on the DMC-TS5 are built-in maps for use with the GPS.

	The TS5 features a 28-128mm lens, which uses the 'folded optics' design (which keeps the camera slim). Something that holds this lens back is the slow maximum aperture range. It starts at F3.3 at wide-angle, which is about average in this class. By the time you reach full telephoto, that number has jumped to F5.9, which is a half-stop slower than most of its peers.
	The DMC-TS5 has one of the more elaborate Wi-Fi setups on a compact camera. There are numerous ways to link the camera with a mobile device, with NFC being the most interesting. Simply tap your NFC-compatible smartphone with the camera and you're set.

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

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GearShop

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5K Waterproof Compact Camera (Black)●		Buy on GearShop
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5A Waterproof Compact Camera (Blue)●		Buy on GearShop
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5D Waterproof Compact Camera (Orange)●		Buy on GearShop
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5S Waterproof Compact Camera (Silver)●		Buy on GearShop

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5A 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 9.3x Intelligent Zoom (Blue)	Too low to display
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5D 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 9.3x Intelligent Zoom (Orange)	Too low to display
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5A 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 9.3x Intelligent Zoom (Blue)	Too low to display
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5K 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 9.3x Intelligent Zoom (Black)	Too low to display
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5S 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 9.3x Intelligent Zoom (Silver)	Too low to display
Panasonic Lumix TS4 12.1 TOUGH Waterproof Digital Camera with 4.6x Optical Zoom (Orange)	$219.00
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS25 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 8x Intelligent Zoom (Black)	$148.00
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS25 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 8x Intelligent Zoom (Blue)	$146.84
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS25 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 8x Intelligent Zoom (White)	$148.00
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS25 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 8x Intelligent Zoom (Red)	Too low to display
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5 Digital Camera (Orange) + 32GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card + Carrying Case + Mini Tripod Kit + Durable Float Strap for Digital Cameras + USB SDHC Reader + Memory Wallet	$384.99

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Comments

Total comments: 60

Has anyone got NFC working, especially with a Samsung S3 mini?
I like the wifi remote and file transfer but NFC and S beam would be great.

0 upvotes

Now that underwater smartphones are out, I doubt people will even bother with these cameras anymore.

These cameras all produce horrible images, so why bother?

Definitely not worth it. Upgrade your smartphone instead.

1 upvote

I'm still waiting for something perceivably better than the TS3(FT3) which was last roundup's winner. I'm not impressed with it's IQ, and am not more impressed with this years' cameras either.

Perhaps they will have to start introducing 1/1.17" sensor models - because after years of underwater cameras, they aren't getting any better!

Resolutions are going up, but IQ stays about the same.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

When comparing image quality at high ISO, don't forget to set ISO of Olympus TG-2 and Pentax WG-3 at 1-2 stops lower.
And strange that the cameras were compared at different focal lengths, and rather long in all cases. These cameras will be mostly used to shoot wide-angle beach and underwater scenes, not tiny headshots.

1 upvote

I feel that they should all be tested at base ISO, to show them at their best.
You are right about focal length though: they should all be tested at an identical focal length that all can do - say 50mm equivalent. their IQ isn't good enough to appreciate in wide angle landscape shots, and we almost always zoom in at 2x-3x most of the time for most shots anyways, and at 50mm that is a good middle - not wide angle, not telephone - but at a length they should all be near their sweetspot and perform ok.

1 upvote

*telephoto LOL (sometimes my fingers have a mind of their own)

0 upvotes

Well, I can't wait for the Pentax one. It is still coming, right?

0 upvotes

I'm still not impressed with image quality of the FT5 and its peers. I used to have the FT3 and although it worked faultlessly for a whole summer snorkeling and shallow diving, and I enjoyed using it, the pictures where just a huge smudge. I didn't have particularly high expectations but I expected the pics to be about as good as from my sweet DMC-TZ5. They weren't. The best picture I managed to have after a lot of post processing is probably this:

http://www.dpreview.com/challenges/Entry.aspx?ID=670732

I sold the camera in e-bay by autumn, hoping for something better to come up (with RAW). I'm still waiting...

1 upvote

Agree with you, image quality of FT5 and of other UW cameras could be better, however, FT5 produces better UW photos than other UW cameras, and most importantly, with less effort.

Maybe there was something wrong with your FT3, because I have totaly different experience. More than 90% of my UW photos (taken with Panasonic FT cameras) are totally acceptable. All were recorded during snorkeling and freediving sessions up to 18 meters deep. Photos are only slightly post processed with Picasa3.

Check my UW photos taken in Egypt in june 2013:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/primozp/sets/72157633781549649/

1 upvote

I'd happily buy another UW camera if it had RAW, even without WiFi or GPS, which I don't need. I'd like to control the smudginess of the smudge in my smudgy pictures my self, please! (And WB for that matter...)

3 upvotes

Fewer pixels would help too. Say around 10MP.

0 upvotes

Agree!!!

0 upvotes

I have a TS3 and I am also very disappointed with the image quality. I thought that the editor's highest ratings in the last UW roundup could be trusted. immensely disappointing.

0 upvotes

In last 8 years I was owner of 14 underwater cameras http://www.flickr.com/photos/primozp/sets/72157633756660405/ I also have the opportunity to test almost all other UW cameras. In 2010 I even spent my holidays in Egypt with 2 cameras: FT2 and 8010 http://public.fotki.com/Primoz/panasonic-ft2-ts2-v. 8010 very disappointed me and so does TG-1 few years later. TG cameras without a doubt has better optics, but in all other respects FT/TS cameras are better.

In last years I dive solely on breath, up to 18 meters deep, so seamless automatic operation is desirable and necessary, because down there I do not have time (and breath) to adjusting the camera.

So, I'm sure that for underwater use Panasonic FT5/TS5 camera is the best on the market (at the moment)!

My (mostly underwater) photos and videos taken with
Panasonic, Olympus and Pentax compact UW cameras:
photos @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/primozp/sets/
videos @ http://www.youtube.com/user/PrimozP/videos?view=1&flow=list&sort=dd

0 upvotes

The Panasonic isn't rated for 18 meters.

The slower lens on the Panasonic lets in less light than say the Olympus TG2's F2.0 lens. And that faster lens means that you don't have to use as high an ISO.

What is it you like about the Panasonic tough cameras?

0 upvotes

Neither FT4 and neither FT5 aren't rated 18 meters, but both of them survived many 40 seconds long (free)dives to this depth.

TG cameras without a doubt has faster lens, but in all other respects FT/TS cameras are better, they simply produces better UW photos and in particular, better movies. FT5 produces better UW photos than all other UW cameras (even better than FT4), and most importantly, with less effort.

Faster lens means lower ISO, true, but it is interesting that all TG UW photos I saw, were taken at F bigger than 2.8. Camera selects F2.0 very rarely and almost never underwater, not even when the light conditions are poor.

In any case, if we want to take acceptable UW photos with any of this compact UW cameras, weather should be fine, sun should be very bright and water must be clear. Also, using zoom in UW conditions is not an option.

Considering all the above facts, the advantage of TG camera quickly melts.

Comment edited 4 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Marianas Trench is the only test that matters.

1 upvote

It's time for DPR (and other camera review sites) to develop some standard terms and definitions when describing increasingly popular WiFi features in cameras. Too often phrases like "control the camera via WiFi" are used when you can't control the camera via Wifi-all you can do is access one or two features like the zoom and the shutter release. Perhaps something like:

WiFi File Transfer-you can move images from the camera to a smart phone, tablet or computer wirelessly.

WiFI Remote Triggering-You can trip the shutter and access limited camera features via WiFi (list accessible features).

WiFi Tethering-Full control of the cameras essential features, including AF, ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, Exposure Compensation, Bracketing, Flash Setting, Etc (essentially everything on an Olympus SCP menu as an example).

Notes for the trolls: 1) if WiFi is unimportant to you, there is no need to tell us. 2) The options above are an example and NOT intended to be comphrehensive.

0 upvotes

some of us couldn't care less about wifi, some of us care a little bit, and some like it a lot.

when dealing with underwater photos, ergonomics/controls, poor image quality when out of the water and all the other stuff one needs to examine and worry about, wifi is really at the bottom of the list of our concerns.

1 upvote

My DMC-FT2 is now badly corroded, I wouldn't buy another waterproof Panasonic for this reason. The rear case, where there is any edge to the alloy, is corroded, especially around the buttons and dials. Still works though, but looks ugly. Out of warranty, so Panasonic not interested in helping out.

0 upvotes

I have the same model camera (Panasonic DMCFT2) and have yet to experience any corrosion at all despite taking it into the ocean, into pools, and accidentally leaving it underwater for more than three times what it is rated for (I may have done that quite a few times).

The reason that my camera has no corrosion is because I frequently washed salt water off the camera with normal tap water after usage (salt water corrodes nearly anything). The manual recommends soaking the camera in tap water after any contact with salt water, and believe me it is a must if you want to keep your camera looking pristine.

0 upvotes

Reading the verdicts it's hard to figure on why the Panasonic finishes behind the Nikon.

It might need a stronger flash and faster lens, but it has a high visibility screen vs the Nikon oled screen which you've said makes it "nearly impossible to see outdoors and underwater"

Now that is a pretty fundamental basic to get so badly wrong.

Surely this failure should have weighed much more heavily against the Nikon.

For me I think the better battery life of the Panasonic trumps the excellent full GPS mapping of the Nikon too.

Pity it seems there's not one camera in the group as tested so far with all the sweet and none of the bitter.

Comment edited 8 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

I agree with your comment. As I read the review for the Nikon, the tone suggested to me it wasn't going to rate very well, and here thus far it's the best rated. (Though being new to DPReview.com, I'm not very familiar with the overall tone, so I very easily could be mis-reading). Either way, I too think cameras built for "rugged" use, i.e. outdoor/underwater, that have such flawed displays *outdoors and underwater* perhaps shouldn't score so highly.

But that's just me. :)

0 upvotes

for people who's going to buy the ts5, I would suggest you to hold on, and get a canon G series camera +underwater housing instead. I personally own a TS3, the first time, i use it 5 mins underwater with no problem, but on the second time, there was leak into the battery compartment, I pretty sure that I check if I have the button switch to locked position, I ended up back home with not even single underwater picture. The best thing is , Panasonic replace it for free, I then spent another couple hundred $$ for the housing for the ts3.

0 upvotes

My TS4, purchased last August is sitting in a mailing box to be shipped to the Panasonic repair facility in Texas. On its second trip under water since it was purchased (and never more than six feet deep) it began to flash its rear panel display. Not a total flooding of the interior, but apparently a short in one of the control circuits. It didn't totally stop working but you couldn't do much with it ... I didn't pay $265 for this. Let's see what Panasonic says. I've used underwater cameras since my Nikon Action Touch 35mm in 1998 and I think I know something about maintaining O-ring seals... (I am skipper of a WW II submarine memorial!) All the Wi-Fi bells and whistles are fine, but if the camera fails at its primary mission, you have an expensive paperweight.

0 upvotes

The yellow fish is on all three reviews, Olympus, Nikon and now Panasonic! You had a contract or something with this pro? :)

Great reviews all three, BTW.

2 upvotes

Quoted from the review:

"As is the case with all compact cameras, you'd be able to get technically better results from the TS5 if Raw mode was available, but that's not a feature you'll find in the rugged/waterproof class, for understandable reasons".

What are these "understandable reasons" to omit RAW from such cameras? I have the previous model and I want it to take RAW so I can use it for wet/sandy beach landscapes without suffering the tedious jpeg smudging of detail.

And what is the point of having 16MP if any detail captured by this pixel-dense sensor is smeared away by the jpeg processor yet cannot be got-at via RAW?

SirLataxe, also not requiring the spurious wifi and GPS stuff. (What next - a built-in printer to make postage stamp-size prints)?

4 upvotes

Now if these sort of gadgets can make a telephone call... wow, are they gonna blow the market!

1 upvote

Dpreview is not helping people by not emphasizing the slow lens of all these camera except TG-2 and WG-3

Giving similar score to these slow lens camera as TG-2,WG-3 is really not doing any good to the photographic community

They should get a much lower score to let everyone know that these are outdated and obsolete

6 upvotes

Any chance these cameras were actually tested to see how waterproof they really are? There are loads of consumer complaints about Panasonic waterproof cameras that got water inside and failed at, allegedly, the first hint of any water. Panasonic then denies warranty coverage claiming abuse or user error in each case. Sure there are a lot of dummies out there but many of the complaints I've read sound very credible. Doubly so in light of the many horror stories I've read time and again about Panasonic warranty support in general here in the USA. Just saying - I don't care how good the image quality is if the camera fails the first time it's used as designed. It would be good to test that too, no?

Comment edited 27 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

We tested all these products underwater and had no issues with the Panasonic.

3 upvotes

Yes, but did you take it down the Marianas Trench.

4 upvotes

Marianas Trench is the only test that matters.

7 upvotes

How about the drop test etc?

0 upvotes

I have two Panasonic FT2 and have experienced no issues with water, despite leaving one of them underwater for close to 3 hours over the 'rated' usage. I have a friend with an FT1 that hasn't had any difficulties.

I suspect that either they had a batch with misaligned seals, or users that failed to 'lock' the camera's ports shut(or had something caught in the seals like sand or grit). Not sure which, but either way I have yet to have an issue despite the horror stories.

OTH, complaints about water entry issues with waterproof cameras is common and I don't believe that there is a single model that hasn't had a failure. Heck I've even seen complaints about the newer GoPro's seals failing. So unfortunately you kinda just have to risk it and choose a decent brand and hope they have good warranty support.

0 upvotes

I own a TS1 and a TS3. My biggest gripe is the location of the lens. I wish Panasonic would move the lens to the middle or center of the body. Every time I reach for the camera to get it out of either my pocket or a small pouch I end up grabbing the corner where the lens is located thereby smudging the lens with my finger.

Other than the bad positioning of the lens I am quite happy with the TS3. The TS5 seems nice, but I will wait for the next model to upgrade; maybe Panasonic will move the lens to a better spot by then.

5 upvotes

Wouldn't you usually place it grip up into the pocket?

1 upvote

The grip on the TS3 is not very pronounced (it is non-existent on the TS1). Many times in a rush I place it in my pocket without paying attention to what direction the grip is in. Also, when I hand the camera to someone I would say 99% of the time they grab it by the corner where the lens is located!

2 upvotes

There are pros and cons either way. Have it in the center . . . and it may be easier to center the camera . . . have the lens towards one corner, its easier to stick it into tiny spots where dSLRs can't go. Better solution . . . buy one of each. <grin>

2 upvotes

DPR Here are the cameras I want you to make TOP PROPRITY for review as soon as they are announced (roughly in the following order):

Olympus OM-D model(s)
Panasonic GX7
Sony NEX-7N
Any other interchangeable lens cameras from Olympus, Panasonic, and Sony

Thank you.

4 upvotes

i assume you checked with everyone else?

13 upvotes

You forgot to mention the Panasonic G5. I'm still waiting patiently for the review of the G5! :)

3 upvotes

@Simon No, he didn't :) :) :)

1 upvote

Simon I am not claiming to speak for "everyone else", my comment is meant to be taken at face value.

2 upvotes

I'd just like to see the Fuji X100S review, for goodness sakes. Or, they could send me the camera and *I'll* write the review. At least it the darned thing will get done.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Is it me or does the photo of the camera on the sand look very 'flat'?

5 upvotes

well it's not a real photo. That's my 10 minute photoshop skills you're dissing :)

Comment edited 52 seconds after posting

13 upvotes

They used cheap CGI, tonywong, without even adjusting the perspective. The sand looks like an office carpet :-)

Ah sorry, Simon, I assumed Panasonic made it :-)

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

2 upvotes

WARNING: Random Thought!

Since this is a website about photography (cameras), maybe the main shots should be pictures, not images that have been edited too much with photoshop.

Maybe even go so far as trying to take the main shot of the camera with a 2nd body of the same camera, so its mug shot can only be as good as the camera itself is?

Just a goofy idea . . .

<grin>

3 upvotes

I think you should stick with real photos everywhere in your reviews.
Like in one of your previous reviews, you were showing a camera floating in water, obviously photoshopped, with a note "camera does not actually float"...

Why do this??? Looks terribly amateurish.

2 upvotes

I'm even happier now that I bought the TS3

1 upvote

I own the TS3 and I am rather dissapointed because of its incorrect auto white balance algorithms. Almost all pictures shot with AWB setting are too blue.

1 upvote

I agree, I had the TS3 for my underwater and snapshot needs and really didn't like how the photos turned out. It wasn't even good enough to give away to my brother so I gave it to my brother in-law :)

I actually use gopro for underwater and NEX-5 has been demoted to snapshots when going out.

2 upvotes

One very important thing to remember is that all of the other under water cameras are at F4.8 or F4.9 at full telephoto. This one is at F5.9. That is about 1/2 stop disadvantage for the TS5/FT5.

Underwater, light is pretty much everything. Some of the other cameras start at F2.0 wide angle where this one is F3.3. That is an absolutely huge difference in cameras that are ALWAYS in low light and really can't use more than ISO 800.

Give me an F1.4-F2.0 24mm-50mm underwater camera. With scuba depth water protection, RAW shooting, 1080p @ 60 FPS video, and full manual controls for stills and video and I will hand you my $600.

I don't care what size sensor it has. Under water all I need is a really fast lens and RAW capabilities and I can do the rest.

Comment edited 48 seconds after posting

1 upvote

The one's f/5.9 at full telephoto. I've never used telephoto under water. None of the cameras in this class are really designed for anything but snorkeling. You're asking for a new class of underwater digital cameras. A digital "Nikonos" (at least in terms of a capable camera that doesn't require a dive housing) could perhaps find a successful sales niche. But not at $600 and not as compact as these cameras.

2 upvotes

Considering the sensor size, video was indeed very good! Panasonic always knew how to do video in compact cameras well. Real world samples shown at 100 and 160 iso on a bright sunny summer day look very good and crisp, including the first portrait of girl. Digital smearing at much higher iso/low light. For the intended audience, for beach, vacation, outdoors on a rainy day, or underwater use, perhaps a very good choice for some.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 5 minutes after posting

3 upvotes

Why are there no rugged cameras that shoot raw?

4 upvotes

In a specialized case that costs as much as say the Panasonic LX7.

1 upvote