While most of the “rugged” electronics we’ve tested here at Digital Trends live up to their drop-proof, waterproof, catastrophe-proof reputations, those Herculean traits doesn’t come without drawbacks. The tough guys usually bulk up on plenty of plastic and rubber to pull it off, making them look more like castoffs from Hasbro’s toy department than sleek consumer electronics.
Panasonic’s new Lumix DMC-TS1 rugged camera, though, manages to play rough with the other rugged devices without losing its slim Lumix looks in the process. The first rugged cam from the makers of the legendary ToughBook offers 12.1-megapixel resolution, 4.6x optical zoom, optical image stabilization and 720p video capability in a relatively normal-looking case that won’t bite the dust when it goes down.
How tough is it? While we haven’t had a chance to put one through the DT grinder yet, Panasonic claims the TS1 will shake off falls from up to five feet, immersion in up to 10 feet of water, and is completely impenetrable to dust. That’s courtesy of rubber padding and special reinforced glass and carbon resins used in the case.
The TS1 will be available in silver, green and bright orange – which seems to be a staple of all rugged devices. It will begin selling in April with a price tag of $400. More information can be found on Panasonic’s product page.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1
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