Panasonic today introduced the new LUMIX DMC-TS2 (FT2), a successor to the LUMIX's first camera geared for active outdoor use DMC-TS1 (FT1). Featuring the AVCHD Lite HD movie recording capability, the new 14.1-megapixel TS2 (FT2) further strengthen its toughness to be waterproof to 10m, shockproof to 2m, freezeproof to -10 degrees C and dustproof. The camera is also empowered internally by the newly developed Venus Engine HD II integrating "Intelligent Resolution" technology.

The new image processing technology "Intelligent Resolution" is incorporated in the Venus Engine HD II for TS2 (FT2). By detecting the signals whether they are at edges of the subjects, they compose detailed texture or just a soft gradation first and give appropriate enhancement to the edges and textured areas respectively. Unlike the uniform enhancement of sharpness, it is possible to perform the optimum signal processing to give a whole image outstandingly natural clearness with fine details. It also realizes the virtual extension of 4.6x optical zoom to 6x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom. Starting at the 28mm wide angle, and zooming up to a useful 128mm in telephoto, this camera gives you the flexibility for virtually all shooting scenes — especially underwater, where movement is often restricted and the angle of view becomes important for composing your shots.

HD motion-image recording is available in AVCHD Lite allowing longer video recordings with breathtaking HD visual and audio quality, making it a true hybrid — a single model that performs admirably as both camera and camcorder while achieving smooth, easy operation in both recording modes.

Panasonic's iA (Intelligent Auto) mode — a hallmark of LUMIX cameras — includes POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) which features a double the repression power compared to the conventional image stabilization system, MEGA O.I.S. The hand-shake, which is physically generated when pressing the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is effectively compensated by the new POWER O.I.S. to enjoy blur-free photography. The iA mode is also available in movie recording mode. It automatically selects the most suitable Scene mode and helps to correct handshake, focus and brightness problems — making iA mode your one-stop solution to capture beautiful photos and movies.

With an improvement of operational ease, an abundant of functions for both photo and movie recording are organized in the well-considered operational command layout and makes the DMC-TS2 (FT2) an advanced tough, hybrid digital camera.

The adoption of AVCHD Lite lets users enjoy watching not only still images but also HD movies just inserting the SD Memory Card from the camera into the VIERA Image Viewer (Built-in SD Memory Card slot) on a VIERA HDTV to start playback*. Alternatively, simply connect the camera via an optional mini HDMI cable to a VIERA Link-equipped TV and use the TV's remote control to run slideshows including both still and motion images in the timeline. The TS2 (FT2) features a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD with a wide-viewing angle and AR coating assures high visibility during recording and playback by automatic brightness control according to the situation.

Enjoy stunning photos and HD videos with tremendous ease on land and under sea — the TS2 (FT2) is the ideal partner for your outdoor adventures.

*The "AVCHD" is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. The "AVCHD Lite" is a subset of the "AVCHD format" for HD digital video cameras with HD video recording restricted to 720P. The new "AVCHD Lite" logo and the "AVCHD Lite" license are restricted to devices within the AVCHD Video Camera category. Digital cameras have been added to the AVCHD Video Camera category.
*The "AVCHD Lite" and the "AVCHD Lite" logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
*AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.

1. Tough Body and 28mm Wide-Angle 6x Intelligent Zoom* for Superior Versatility in Both Photo and Movie Recording
The TS2 (FT2) features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR 28mm wide-angle lens with a 4.6x optical zoom*. The folded optics of shaft guide method is adopted to secure the toughness of the lens unit. Comprising 10 elements and a prism unit in 8 groups, including 1 ED lens and 5 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces passing the Leica's stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance to the edges. Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the TS2 (FT2) which extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x maintaining the picture quality even combining the digital zoom. This means the 4.6x optical can virtually extend to 6x equivalent. Furthermore, the Extra Optical Zoom function that extends zoom power to 9.8x (at 3-megapixel resolution) by using the center part of the 14.1-megapixel high resolution CCD to bring subjects even closer.

With the enhanced toughness, the TS2 (FT2) is waterproof to a depth of 10m and dustproof equivalent to the "IPX8" and "IP6X" standard. Thanks to rubber padding and reinforced glass and carbon resins inside the camera, the TS2 (FT2) features an airtight body protected against water immersion, dust and sand. TS2 (FT2)'s cover panel of the LCD is thickened by 1.3x compared to the predecessor TS1 (FT1) to withstand pressure in underwater as deep as 10m.
The TS2 (FT2) is drop proof from a height up to 2.0m in accordance with the "MIL-STD 810F Method516.5-Shock" test standard. In addition to reinforcing the exterior of the camera with shock-resistant material, the TS2 (FT2) uses folded optics to prevent its lens unit from taking damage when dropped during operation. The lens unit is protected by a supplementary damper to absorb the force from shock impact. All components including the lens unit are reexamined to endure the temperature as low as -10 degrees C to make the TS2 (FT2) freezeproof.
*Equivalent to 28-128mm on a 35mm camera.

2. Intelligent Resolution Technology Compiled in the New Venus Engine HD II Assures High Picture Quality for Both Photo and Movie
The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD has been re-engineered to compile the new image processing technology "Intelligent Resolution". It enables the recording of beautiful photos and high-definition movies with higher quality signal processing.

With the Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas — outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges more clearness while giving a moderate accentuation to the texture areas to look more finely detailed. To the soft gradation part, superior noise reduction system of the Venus Engine HD II is applied to make it smoother. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology, Intelligent Resolution, precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way for it. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and movie recording.

The Intelligent Resolution technology also realizes Intelligent Zoom, which virtually extends the optical zoom ratio to its approx. 1.3x equivalent maintaining the picture quality even combining the digital zoom. Details of an image in high sensitivity recording tend to be lost in the noise reduction process, however, the Intelligent Resolution works to keep them.

At the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine HD II supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.005 second and the camera's quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus) that lets you lock on the subject minimum in approx. 0.24 (wide-end) / 0.28 (tele-end) second* and the short startup time of approx. 1.10 second. The high performance Venus Engine HD II is also energy efficient compared with the conventional Venus Engine HD, extending the battery life up to 360 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.
*Using 1-area AF.

3. Take Motion Picture Recording to the Next Level with New Generation AVCHD Lite and iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode
In addition to Motion JPEG images, the DMC-TS2 (FT2) can record high-definition motion picture in AVCHD Lite. It features almost doubling the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. The picture quality is greatly enhanced thanks to the newly added Intelligent Resolution technology. The TS2 (FT2) also features Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio, so you can match the beautiful motion images with outstanding sound.
Now on the TS2 (FT2), the popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in motion image recording. Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) helps prevent handshake when using zoom or shooting in low lit situations. Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on it, so it always turns out beautiful. Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. And Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality.

The 4.6x optical zoom is also available in movie recording. With the newly added Video Divide function, users can divide the video into two sections to shorten or to delete the unwanted half on the spot in the camera. You can cut out a clear still image from a movie in the camera thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind.

Still or motion images recorded in AVCHD Lite on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV. Simply insert the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD Memory Card slot) on VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player to playback your contents. Alternatively, you can use an optional mini HDMI cable to output the still and motion images you took from the TS2 (FT2) directly to the TV for VIERA Link. You can take maximum advantage of LUMIX camera's playback functions including the slideshow in which both still and motion images are integrated in the timeline, category playback according to the scene mode you used or calendar display and so on. All control is possible using only the TV's remote control.

In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, it is easy to view and edit your recorded contents. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.

*Motion pictures can be recorded continuously for up to 29 min 59 sec in some countries.
*Continuous recording exceeding 2GB is not possible when recording motion JPEG. Remaining time for continuous recording is displayed on the screen.
*AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.

·Use a card with SD Speed Class with "Class 4" or higher when recording motion pictures in [AVCHD Lite]. Also, use a card with SD Speed Class with "Class 6" or higher when recording motion pictures in [MOTION JPEG].
*SD Speed Class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.

4. The iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode Further Evolved with POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent Resolution Technology
Panasonic incorporated the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. In the iA mode the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots and capture moments. Just press, aim and shoot. This mode is now further advanced with the inclusion of further advanced image stabilization system POWER O.I.S. and Intelligent Resolution technology for DMC-TS2 (FT2).

Taking advantage of Panasonic's accumulated optical technologies, MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) has been incorporated into LUMIX cameras from the early stage of digital camera development. MEGA O.I.S. has evolved into the POWER O.I.S. on the DMC-TS2 (FT2), with a great performance improvement — twice the shake suppression capability of the predecessor TS1 (FT1).
The hand-shake component, which is physically generated when pressing the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is recognized as a low-frequency vibration, for which the new POWER O.I.S. is particularly effective. This greatly improves the quality of shots taken at night or indoors where a flash cannot be used, or where the photographer doesn't want to use a flash because it would spoil the mood. It captures beautiful photos in situations that previously resulted in blurring.

The DMC-TS2 (FT2) features the Face Recognition, a function that is popular in the previous TS1 (FT1), with several upgrades. Three face images can be registered for each person, to raise the detection accuracy. And when the angle of view is changed horizontally, the name display also rotates for easier reading. The Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects whichever of 6 Scene modes — Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and newly added Sunset — that best suits the shooting situation.

In addition, newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology is always activated in iA mode which results in the clearer and higher picture quality in every photo and movie with extended zoom range equivalent to 6x optical zoom.

Once you enter the iA mode, these functions happen automatically together with other powerful shooting-assist functions — AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure — so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. You can enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.

The new Happy mode, a color mode option in the iA mode, optimizes color, saturation and brightness to make both photos and movies more vivid and true to the colors of the scenes you memorized.

5. Other Versatile Functions Adding to the Photographic Enjoyment
The TS2 (FT2) is equipped with a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD with wide-viewing angle and AR (Anti-Reflection) coating. The screen brightness automatically adjusts in 11 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times. The big screen reflects fine details, making it easy to check the focus before shooting. It also serves as a small photo and video viewer, allowing the user and friends to enjoy viewing the still and motion images together.

Scene modes, which are optimized for a variety of still-image shooting situations, are now available for motion images as well. The most commonly used scene modes for outdoor photography including Sports, Snow, and Beach & Surf can be accessed directly via the mode dial.
The High Dynamic mode is newly added to the existing Scene modes. This mode helps to capture a scene with moderate exposure, even though the scene contains both bright and dark areas together. The user can select any of three options, Standard, Art, or B/W, depending on the desired effect and personal taste to make the photo look natural to artistic.
The built-in LED light greatly supports shooting in dark situations and the included silicon jacket prevents the camera from scratching.

The optional marine case (DMW-MCFT2) is available for underwater photography even to 40m.
In addition to the conventional SD/SDHC Memory Card, the DMC-TS2 (FT2) accepts the next-generation SD format, SDXC (SD eXtended Capacity), that features high potential in both capacity and data transfer speed. The DMC-TS2 (FT2) is compatible with Windows 7.