Panasonic is taking the humble point-and-shoot digital camera to another level with its latest update to the Lumix range.
First to be served up is the Lumix DMC-FT3, which is engineered for outdoor use and combines full-HD movie recording capability with GPS.
This 12-megapixel camera is tough - it can withstand water depths of 12m, while it is shockproof to two metres and can handle temperatures down to minus ten degrees C.
Taking a look at the camera, Panasonic seems to have pulled off the styling well, with a flashy red or a cool metallic blue finish to the protective casing.
It features a LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR 28mm wide-angle lens with a 4.6x optical zoom, which is protected by employing a folded optics shaft guide method.
Best of all, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3 allows the user to take 3D shots by automatically selecting the best of 20 panning shots to synthesize a three-dimensional composite.
