Good secondary camera for DSLR

For almost a year I was looking for a robust secondary camera for DSLR. With me was never the property of "underwater suitability" far forward, so I can say little. After all the problems in this regard with the previous versions (see Amazon reviews of FT3 / 4) I do not want the camera as well as a slight submerge expect especially since the battery lock seems to be the same still more. Instead, the camera should be robust with respect to dirt, rain, sand and dust so I can take you on motorcycle tours as a complement to the DSLR to use it where you do not prefer to take his expensive DSLR out of his pocket, or simply as always this snapshot camera. In future, driving shots with one mounted on the motorcycle RamMount holders are planned (ideal programmable time interval function). For a long time more, the Olympus TG-1 and TG-2 Focus. After comparing Internet test images and reports on-chip, color photo, cnet, ephotozine etc. I was particularly 100% view difficult endtäuscht of the picture quality when, as these can miss even at ISO100 opposite the FT5 sharpness and from ISO400 very "aquarellhaltig "act and the TG-2 but is still something more expensive on offer. The Nikon AW100 or AW110 I have considered, but some were missing for me important functions (manual adjustment of exposure, no drama mode, "Panasonic calls it Impressive Art, no programmable interval function). Now to my first experiences after 2 weeks:

- The picture quality is ok for such a camera. The noise adheres to ISO800 limited.
- Class Panorama Wizard! The many individual images are accurately assembled (Ensure uniform motion!) You can even combine with many creative filters.
- Due to the small lens translucent the Programmed Auto (P) to place the priority on open aperture (= fast shutter speed). For landscapes, this is a pity, because depth is lost. Nevertheless, I found the landscapes in "P" better than those with the motif program "Landscape".
Update: If you switch the function iBelichtung one, seems the automatic noticing how far the object is to fukussierende us goes for landscapes automatically closed aperture (= F10) above.
- Cool Creative Filters to play. Especially "Impressive nature", "selective color" and "Miniature" like me. Here go the way Impressive fine details completely lost. Probably due to the strong increase in contrast. This mode is not suitable for enlargements over A4, despite the preserved 16MP.
The "selective color" works well, but is not 100% accurate Farbselektierung on only one motive (eg red motorcycle). Other similar reds remain partially intact, eg traffic signs, reddish bricks etc. If it looks more than just an interesting gimmick, engages better Photoshop.
- HDR photos (many images exposed differently combined into one) act extremely aquarellhaltig in original size. When viewing on a 17 "screen, however, little noticing. Nevertheless, an impression of the blur. I doubt that a tripod would bring remedy, but suspect that this is due to the internal processing in the camera happens. Is just no Photoshop ...
- Macros are ok, but who makes a lot of macro photos, engages better for TG-2. (Focus from 1cm, F2.0 lens)
- Are any colors in standard mode to pale, can in "vivid" menu, or can be chosen "expressive" in the creative filters. From my perspective, "Vivid" is enough perfectly. In the "Expressivmodus" saturation in contrast to "vivid" appears again to be amplified. Just try it and decide for yourself ...
- The display is regarding readability, contrast and details very well. Even in the sunlight. The resolution of 460000 pixels is sufficient in my opinion for a 3 "display completely off.
- The operation through the menu is logical and intuitive, a very detailed and well explained operating instructions on CD at or can be downloaded from the Panasonic website down (I've done for example before buying to me more precise information on the functions and data of the camera ;-)
- Only a bit strange I find the small buttons. The pressure point is just barely ok, but with thick leather gloves, the buttons are hardly operated, with ski gloves not. Place it would have been enough ...
- Although there is a manual mode, but this is unfortunately only two stops primaries (F3.3 and F10) reduced. A Av or Tv mode would have been desirable. But that offer other outdoor cameras, too little (only the TG-2 I think).
- The GPS seems to be working well enough. I have compared the information on the road with my Navi. Fits up to the last decimal places. Note: there should be min. every 30 days, the GPS-A data is downloaded from the website at Panasonic at a faster reception to guarantee on power. If one value on the GPS information, the GPS should always remain switched on (faster response time). Although needs more battery but not so much as thought (10h GPS ON on the balcony, camera OFF, no pictures and still 3 of 3 battery charge status bar). What I like is the programmable tracking function (interval and duration) where the KML file then (eg Google Earth) can see the distance traveled.

All in all I am satisfied with the FT5, but give for the described deficiencies detail a point deduction. In preference to the TG-2 it has received especially because of the image quality, the Nikon AW110 primarily because of the speed and the lack of time-lapse mode. I hope the review to have helped one or the other in his decision, as brought to me some reviews to be seen with the purchase until an acceptable for me outdoor camera is available at 350.

Update 03/06/2013
The tracking function of GPS is the hammer. During one week Motorcycling (partly on the ground) was the FT5 always with activated tracking in the belt pouch. Now I could look at the KML file to Google Earth and was thrilled how well that worked out. Not once the tracking has strayed. In theory you could now even convert the KML file with the appropriate tools in a GPX file and descendants the track with the Navi. Great feature that also works! (... If mans needs ;-))

Update 18/06/2013
- Lapse function / Video motorcycling: As mentioned above, I now had the opportunity to test the programmable time-lapse function of the camera (attached to a camera mount on the bike guard). Unfortunately the results were not as desired. Pictures are not sharp at 90%, the focus does not fit. Videos get better. But you can hear only wind noise despite wind noise filter applied. From about 60km / h it is unfortunately by vibration like jelly. Maybe it would have been better off the image stabilizer. In addition, the autofocus in light change from light to dark (entrance to the forest) has problems. But pity not tragic.
- Sport mode: Due to the small lens miracles were to be expected. When the sun shines the Hobbyknipser can with the results and the automatically set values ​​(aperture f3.3, 1/1000, ISO100) without zoom satisfied. When 4x zoom, the quality goes down but clearly. Automatic values ​​of F5.7, 1/500, ISO200 are not really ideal for moving objects. In light cloud siehts even gloomier (1 / 100-200, 400-800 Iso). Any focus goes there lost.
- Burst mode: as in sport mode good sunlight is again a prerequisite for acceptable images.
- Files can be combined with creative filters. Quality and sound go for me perfectly fine as I only occasionally aufzeichne videos.

As was to be expected on the basis of the technical data, the camera can very much (... also plug ...), but to have nothing without compromising the image quality. Nevertheless, this is the most complete outdoor camera with the most convincing image quality in the market seems to be up to date. Therefore, I stay with my conclusion: Good, snapshot suitable and robust secondary camera with nice extras as a complement to SLR or for outdoor amateur snapshot clippers.