The new photo camera is improved compared to the previous model, the Lumix FT1, the image quality is better. Images are more clearer, focus is done quicker and HD quality is also better.
As design, there are some improvements and the resistance was also increase, so you can take the camera 10 meters underwater and take beautiful pictures.
General Functions
The camera has 29 photo modes, for many photo scenarios, from photos at night to underwater photos. Because this is dedicated to amateur users, the camera does not have manual photo modes so other than the ISO sensibility the user cannot control the exposure only from the photo modes, the rest is being set automatically.
The focus can be made only by selecting a part of the frame for which you can define the size or you can automatically select frames through the face detection module, or through the subject following module that allows you to block the focus on a subject, after which the camera will track it in frames and will maintain the focus on the subject.
The camera offers the possibility for HD video recording in the 720p formar. As the previous model, for this function there is a dedicated button. You cannot record photo images during shooting.
Image quality
The images are recorded at a maximum resolution of 14,1 mega pixels ( 4320 x 3240 ), you can use many resolution variables at the 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 image ratios. The image quality is very good at ISO sensibility up to 800. You can get decent results at ISO 1600, but it is recommended to keep the sensibility at a lower value because the camera is very compact. The images are clear, the contrast and saturation are good, and focusing is done much quicker as the previous model and very precise.
Underwater the camera is focusing pretty fast. The camera has been tester in a pretty dark pool and more than 90% of the pictures were in good condition. Surprisingly, the camera’s microphone records the sounds good in water. It is recommended that you use the special module for taking pictures underwater or to set the color temperature for water in order to get good results.
Design and Functionality
The dimensions of this camera are 99 x 64 x 24 mm, pretty small for it’s underwater performances. It’s pretty light, you can easily swim holding the camera in your hands and at a first glance it seems a regular photo camera. All the buttons are positioned in the right part of the camera, to be more easy to use with a single hand, and the 2.7 inch LCD screen offers a good visibility, even from wide angles.
In the battery access area there are supplemental protection measures against water or dirt. It is indicated that you check these protections before you get the camera to water. Also, a pretty sensible part of the camera can be the objective. Using the rubber case or you reduce the risk of damaging it.
The Good
- resistant to water, shocks and freezing, HD video, very good image quality for a compact photo camera, small dimensions.
The Bad
The lack of manual exposure and focusing controls, USB connector is not the standard ones, the zoom buttons are pretty hard to press.
This photo camera is dedicated to people that want to make good pictures and videos at a good resolutions in extreme weather conditions. The fact that is waterproof the FT2 camera photos is excellent for amateur divers, for going to the beach, for offroad of extreme sports, where it can handle the situations very good due to the high resistance. Also, it a good camera for day to day use, due to the fact that it takes very good pictures.
