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Who says a device has to be covered in an inch of unsightly rubber just so it can withstand the odd 5-foot drop, being submerged in 10-feet of water, and being exposed to a bone chilling temperatures of -10 degrees?

Well whoever it is, it certainly isn't Panasonic, because their latest weather proof / shock proof effort - the Panasonic DMC-TS1 - is definitely a sight for sore eyes. Styled in bright hues of oranges, silvers and greens, the TS1 comes encased in a heavy-duty brushed metal chassis instead of the normal see through plastic or rubber shells that we're so accustomed to seeing.

But just when you thought it couldn't get any better than this, it does! It seems that looking good and staying tough aren't the only two things the TS1 does well either, because Slashgear reports that the 12 megapixel shooter is also capable of recording AVCHD format videos in 720p and comes with built-in face tagging recognition.

There isn't any word on when this one will hit our shores, but since it is being showcased at PMA 2009, it'll probably take a while till it hits retail shelves.