On Friday I picked up the new Panasonic Lumix FT3 which, besides being antishock from 2m, it is also waterproof to 12m
Having 2 very active children I needed a tough camera with good solid specifications and this is prooving to be just that
Don't know about the in built GPS, Compas, altimeter and barometer ... will probably learn to take advantage of these later ... but the comfort of not having to deal with precious containers to fit the camera in it when diving and knowing that the kids will take just that extra little time to destroy it is great.

Attached is the first u/water photo ... I'm sure there will be lots more to come.

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Il mio mare e i miei fondali sono quelli del golfo de La Spezia

I had the FT-2 and broke it on holiday diving in Indonesia, turn out waterproof at 10m for an hour does not equal 20m for a few seconds...

Came back and got the FT-3 and love the shit out of this thing. The altimeter/barometer is not that great, but it does allow you to calibrate a warning when you are getting too deep when diving.

The GPS is an excellent feature, especially when traveling to help you remember where you were (picasa is good to view this) but can take time to update its position, so your first few photos will be geo-tagged with the last time you pulled out the camera. Be careful with your photos as well, if your posting them to the net get rid of the metadata or else your pics of that awesome cray hole or house will also includes its GPS location! Doesn't seem to update GPS very well once in the water.

The favorite part about this camera is that you can throw it around and don't need to be delicate. I would recommend soaking it in fresh water after being in the saltwater as per instructions.

I'll post some of the pics I took on at Pyramid Rock on Sunday when I can find my PC cable...

Good luck with it!

Just to query this - will the built in barometer give you a death reading as you dive, or do you have to do some quick mental calculations?

As far as I understand without having tested it (camera is still new and slowly going through the functions) it's a direct graph reading displayed on the LCD monitor
It's indicative / approximate only and not an accurate guide to the depth you are diving or altitude you are climbing
However GPS information is accurate to the nearest 20 m

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Il mio mare e i miei fondali sono quelli del golfo de La Spezia

Thats brilliant image.

I had Pentax WG-1 i use for dive, kayak and construction work cos its tough. Sadly twice returned camera due to water leaked inside. the first tiime water leaked only lasted 1 min in water on surface. When i had it replaced it was much better. After about 10th diving. Camera went screen went nut flickering static discoloured knew not again water leaked. Never again full money refunded. looking for something maybe Panasonic or Olympus tough camera. maybe GO Pro or Contour.

Here's the last vid from my late FT-2 taken in Indonesia. Make sure you have the sound on. When I was down there I thought I could feel it vibrating a bit in my hand.....

http://youtu.be/1YlvK0XCGTk

... and good for the family holiday too
having good fun with it

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Il mio mare e i miei fondali sono quelli del golfo de La Spezia

Fellas,


Reading over your coments in the Camera (FT-3)
Have u or anyone herd anything bad about it.
Is it still highly recomended.

Looking at an every day camera that i can take diving
any suggestions?