Panasonic offers DMC-FT2 compact for active outdoor use

The FT2 features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR 28mm wide-angle lens with a 4.6x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-128mm on a 35mm camera.). A folded optics 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 edge. Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the 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.

Thanks to rubber padding, reinforced glass and carbon resins inside the camera, the FT1 features an airtight body that lets users operate the FT2 underwater to a depth of up to 10 meters. The FT2 can even be used in seawater, so users can take images of friends snorkelling or tropical fish darting in and out of coral reefs. Since additional housing is unnecessary for underwater operation, the FT2 is an extremely versatile camera that you can take with you wherever the action calls. The FT2 can be used at a beach, ski resort, hiking trips, festivals and in a host of other active, outdoor situations where no-one would dare use a conventional camera.

Designed with users in mind, the FT2’s cover panel of the LCD is thickened by 1.3x compared to the predecessor FT1 to withstand pressure underwater as deep as 10 meters.

It’s true – the FT2 is drop proof from a height of up to 2 meters (the camera has passed a drop test from 1.5 m in height in accordance with “MIL-STD 810F Method 516.5-Shock). In addition to reinforcing the exterior of the camera with shock-resistant material, the 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. Combined with its dustproof, waterproof and freezeproof performance, this makes it the ideal camera for anytime use outdoors, in active situations, and for casual everyday shooting.