Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5 Pro Reviews

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5 has some issues with image noise at medium sensitivities, but is otherwise a solid entry in the tough camera category.

Rugged action cameras are one of the few growth areas left in the compact market, offering a combination of point and shoot simplicity with a tough design that should at least survive the family beach holiday. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5 is one of the more stylish options in this category, and one of the toughest too, so it doesn't look out of place on or off dry land. As with most action cameras, though, image quality isn't the DMC-FT5's strong point, and you will have to pay quite a substantial premium for the extra on-board protection and peace of mind that the FT5 offers. With on-board GPS, wi-fi and NFC connectiivity, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5 is one of the most well-appointed rugged cameras currently available, making it easy to record where your photos were taken and share them with friends and family. While the image quality from the 16 megapixel sensor isn't bad, there are much better cameras available at this price-point, albeit without the tough credentials, so you really need to make sure that you'll use the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5 to the full to warrant the extra outlay. If you want one camera that should be able to withstand everything that you throw at it (or throw it at), then the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5 is definitely worth considering.

The Lumix DMC-TS5 is a good choice for those seeking a rugged camera with a robust feature set that includes a well-implemented GPS, plus Wi-Fi. The camera takes good quality photos for its class, has a great LCD, and offers a top-notch movie mode. However, its lens is on the slow side, and the flash is very weak. The Wi-Fi system could also be a lot more user-friendly.

The Panasonic Lumix FT5 is a solid all-rounder in the tough camera market segment. But it does fall into that typical trap: the tough features essentially come at the expense of the best possible image quality. While the FT5's images are reasonable enough, the £349 price tag is at odds with the quality department - the price reflects the mass of tech that's on board. Where the FT5 is strong is in its delivery of a huge range of features. Not only is autofocus fairly swift, there's the inclusion of things like a minimum shutter speed and spot focus for heightened control and accuracy. Although tank-like, this is a techie beast that's loaded up with stacks of useful features. Although you won't be doing any sharing under the waves, the likes of NFC and Wi-Fi certainly have their place in a modern compact - even if they do further plump out the price tag compared to its predecessor. Overall the FT5 isn't exactly a revelation in image quality terms, yet it's a decent tough compact with a lot on offer and is among the best tough cameras that we've yet used.

Reassuringly rugged, respectable image quality and fast performance – a nicely rounded package

The FT5 is a steady improvement on the FT4, we said that an improved screen would be a significant improvement and Panasonic have introduced a 3 inch screen on the new model. You can go deeper underwater to 13m, the GPS appears to activate quicker and the new model also has built-in Wi-Fi. Other than that, much has remained the same, with good image quality in an extremely tough body.