View Full Version : Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TS3 GPS
frisbeefreek
04-20-2011, 12:35
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 is a rugged/waterproof camera that has a built in GPS.
Can this GPS be used to navigate? Basically, does it give Lat/Long at a sufficiently accurate level to locate myself on a Topo for those where-am-i moments? I'm also curious about how accurate the altimeter & compass are (I want to hear from someone that's tested it).
I googled for images that might provide a clue, but no luck.
Thanks-FF
couscous
04-20-2011, 13:50
Maybe AmyJanette can give you an update or answer your questions.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1134455&postcount=28
I've been trying to find out. Right now I don't think any of these cameras show the coordinates on the screen. At best they show a crude maps and nearby points of interest. The coordinates are in the exif.
couscous
04-20-2011, 14:03
I've been looking at the Casio Exilim EX-H20G, but haven't bought one yet.
http://learningtogeotag.com/geotagging-exilim-ex-h20g-gps/
It doesn't look like the Casio displays the coordinates on the screen either.
Rain Man
04-20-2011, 14:53
I have a Panasonic Lumix, though not one with GPS feature.
I will say this about GPS altimeters, hoping someone will correct me if I'm wrong. My understanding is a GPS needs line-of-sight to three satellites for lat/long, but it needs line-of-sight to FOUR satellites for altimeter. That gets to be much more tricky, is my understanding.
Again, for what it's worth.
Rain:sunMan
.
Wow...I have the Panasonic Lumix FH20 (http://sticksblog.com/clothes/panasonic-lumix-fh20/)....no GPS though...
I always assumed the GPS in the cameras were merely to tag the photos...
But you know what they say about assumptions...
frisbeefreek
04-20-2011, 22:56
Did some more searching this afternoon and can't find anything helpful. I found a good video review on youtube of a sister model. The camera has a lot of good features. Specifically, the GPS has a Wake/Sleep/Off modes. The Sleep mode works when the camera is off. It periodically checks location so when you turn the camera on, it gets a fast fix. Not ideal for battery life, but you can turn it off.
Ideally, someone will hack a Canon and enable more tools. Anyone who owns a Canon should check out http://chdk.wikia.com/ It's an open source project that upgrades Canon software to provide a lot of very useful functionality.
Haha, that's funny because I checked chdk just after I first clicked into this thread...then I remembered that Canon was a bit behind their peers as far as gps goes. I'm really hoping that Canon upgrades the SX130is with gps while keeping the AA batteries because then I'd finally get a great long distance trip camera than can double for navigation.
looks like the camera does display the location on the screen not just in the Exif file.
This may only be possible on playback (not sure..)
See this pic :
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e389/Francophoto/odds/PANAts3gps.jpg
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/ts3_ft3/tough.html#indicator (http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/ts3_ft3/tough.html#indicator)
A user at DPReview commented on that too. ("the camera displays the location coordinates")
Franco
Even if the coordinates can only be viewed on playback, that's a lot better than at home on the computer. I'm sure they'll eventually get it right.
rusty075
05-02-2011, 17:19
Yes, the coordinates can be displayed on the screen in relatively real time, so you could, sort of, use them for navigation if you have a paper map to plot them on, or for rescue if you have cellphone signal to relay by voice or text. But the GPS is really aimed at geotagging photos - there's no ability to load maps, or waypoints, determine precision or update speed, or any of the other features that you usually associate with a GPS device.