The best cameras to be brought along for your adventures need to be durable enough to withstand knocks and still function without flaws. Two compact cameras that have impressed thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies for their toughness are the Lumix DMC-FT6 and the Lumix DMC-FT30 from Panasonic.
Although both these cameras are not the latest models of tough compact cameras in the market today, they are still great choices to have if you are looking for a camera that can brave Mother Nature’s unpredictability. Here are five reasons why.
Comprehensive Protection Against the Elements
| DMC-FT6 | DMC-FT30 | |
| Waterproof | Up to 13m / 43ft | Up to 8m / 26ft |
| Pressure Resistance | 100kgf | 100kgf |
| Shockproof | Up to 2m / 6.6ft | Up to 1.5m / 5ft |
| Freezeproof | Up to -10°C / 14°F | Up to -10°C / 14°F |
| Dustproof | Yes | Yes |
As you can see from the table above, all the hallmarks of a rugged compact camera are incorporated in these cameras. Thanks to their waterproof capabilities, both cameras are ideal for underwater photography. Being water-resistant also means that they can still function during rainy weathers or after they are accidentally dropped into the swimming pool. Being dustproof means that the internal components remain unaffected by any impurities, retaining the quality of images and videos taken. Be it a snowboarding vacation, a mountain-climbing adventure, or a snorkelling trip, these cameras are all-rounded models to record your memories.
Compact Design
| DMC-FT6 | DMC-FT30 | |
| Measurements (H x L x W) | 67.4mm x 109.2mm x 28.9mm | 58.3mm x 103.7mm x 19.7mm |
| Weight | 214g | 144g |
Another reason that makes these cameras an ideal travel companion is their compact and lightweight design. Their compact design leads to easier packing as you can sling it around your neck or fit it into your pants pocket, allocating more space in your luggage to pack more essentials. Moreover, their natural ruggedness means that you do not need to equip the cameras with an external protective casing that will add unnecessary bulk and weight, ideal for backpacking or travelling light. Its compact design also means that they can fit into smaller spaces and angles that cannot be done by other cameras, making your photos one-of-a-kind.
Beautiful Underwater Shots
If you want to replicate those underwater photos you see online, then these cameras are great models to have. The Red Colour Reproduction of Advanced Underwater Mode present on these shooters enable you to snap professional-grade marine photos. This feature compensates for the red colour which is easily lost in underwater shooting, thus enabling these pictures to look more natural. To provide more photography options across different settings, the cameras also sport additional modes such as Sports, Snow, and Beach & Snorkelling Mode.
Sharper Image Quality
| DMC-FT6 | DMC-FT30 | |
| Pixels | 16.1 Megapixels | 16.1 Megapixels |
| Aperture Size | f/3.3 – f/5.9 | f/3.9 – f/5.7 |
| Optical Zoom | 4.6x | 4x |
| Intelligent Zoom | 9.3x | 8x |
| Optical Image Stabilization | Power O.I.S | Mega O.I.S |
Both the DMC-FT6 and DMC-FT30 can be relied upon to snap sharp and blur-free images. They sport 16.1MP lenses that make high-sensitivity image recording possible. Both units also come with optical image stabilizers that suppress low-frequency vibrations caused by hand-shake. This allows the cameras to snap clearer photos in high-zoom or low shutter speed settings where the camera is especially susceptible to hand-shake.
Impressive Video-Recording
| DMC-FT6 | DMC-FT30 | |
| Video resolution | Full-HD 1920 x 1080p | HD 1280 x 720p resolution |
| Video format | AVCHD Progressive and MP4 format | MP4 format |
Some memories are better kept in video and audio format rather than in the form of static images. The DMC-FT6 and DMC-FT30 also offer impressive video-recording capabilities, providing Full-HD and dynamic HD recording respectively. Storing the videos in MP4 format is an added plus point as most video players support this format which means that you do not need to convert the video for it to be played on other devices.
Panasonic deserves a pat on the back for producing these durable point-and-shoot cameras that are well-equipped to handle the demands of adventure photography. can bring along for your travels. Besides the DMC-FT6 and DMC-FT30, Panasonic also produces a wide array of cameras to suit whatever photography needs you might have.