Panasonic Lumix TS20 - initial thoughts for races

As most of you know, I like to take pictures when I'm out training or at races.  I don't bring my camera as much during training runs but this year I've brought my camera to all my races in order to do race reviews.

I've posted about how I take pictures at races and I've been using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1.  It does a great job at taking pictures and I'm getting better at taking pictures while I'm running at fast speeds.

I've been very lucky in my races that I've never had a full out rain in a race and considering I've done over 40 races, I think my luck is going to run out sooner or later.  Of course, the camera I use is not waterproof so I decided to pick up a new one.  Here's what I got - another Panasonic Lumix but this is the TS20.

Panasonic Lumix TS20 front

Back

Inside

It's waterproof to 16 feet and shockproof to 5 feet.  Some camera's are also freeze proof but this operates down to about 4 degrees and I've rarely been outside in that cold and if I am, I'm not taking pictures anyway.  I like this one because I'm used to my other Panasonic and both take excellent pictures.

I used it for the first time in yesterday's post so you can see how those pictures came out.  Similar to my existing Panasonic camera.  Here's the two cameras next to each other:

Comparison

Of course, there are some significant differences.  There is a much longer zoom on my old camera but then I never use the zoom while at races.  Pictures are hard enough to take when running without adding a zoom into it as well.  You can see that the buttons are different since they had to make it so the camera would be waterproof.  Both are light and both are very easy to carry.  I used to think it would bother me carrying a camera especially for a half marathon but it's not bad at all and worth it to get some pictures while racing.

I also use a Nikon D5100 DSLR but obviously I can't run with that monster but it's takes excellent pictures.  I normally don't use it at races unless I want some before or after pictures while not running and my car is close to get it.  I just use the Panasonic mostly.

I've been really happy with my old Panasonic and I'm hoping I'll be just as happy with this one as well.  Not bad for $150 in my opinion.  I'll be taking it to my next half, the Great Lakes Bay Half Marathon so I'm hoping it will work out well - but I'm praying for cool and sunny weather.

What kind of camera do you use at races?

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!