Panasonic Lumix TS3, 2nd test

This is a continuation of the previous post.

The Lumix TS3 has few manual controls, it is more or less an automatic P&S camera. I wanted to turn off the AF: Auto Focus which is usually done using the mountain symbol in the macro menu, but it was missing and on the first video the AF was always "hunting for focus". The GoProHD Hero1 is fixed focus so everything from 8" to infinity is always in focus.

The solution was to go into the Lumix TS3 SCN: scene menu and select Landscape/Mountain mode, which presumably turns off AF and sets focus to infinity. In the first video I had the Lumix TS3 mounted to the Madstad windshield bracket, but this attaches to the fairing which is rigidly mounted to the frame of my Suzuki V-strom. The solution was to mount onto the handlebar as this is dampened by the front suspension. I had to change positions with my Garmin GPS as per the previous photos. There was no problem mounting the GoProHD Hero1 to the rigid frame as it can record in a faster frame rate which minimizes vibrations

You have to remember to change out of the SCN mode when you are using it as a regular P&S camera for still photos. During this test video it did rain and the flat lens protector kept the wind from blowing away the water droplets, so this created some 'blur' which makes the recording look a bit unsharp or unfocused.

all in all this camera can produce acceptable video if you wanted to only carry one camera. The ideal solution is to have both a GoProHD Hero2 and the Lumix TS3 as a backup



If you have any questions please put them in the comments and I will do my best to answer your questions. The Lumix TS3 was over $200. less expensive than the GoProHD Hero2 and the results aren't that bad. You can judge for yourself