Panasonic DMC-L1 7.5MP with a Leica D Vario-Elmarit lens that features the industry’s first optical image stabilization system–MEGA O.I.S–designed specifically for the digital camera. The DMC-L1 also incorporates a Live MOS image sensor that conforms to the Four Thirds standard and offers 7.5 megapixels to ensure outstanding picture quality. The new camera introduces a full-time Live View function that, using a signal output directly from the Live MOS sensor, lets users see on the LCD screen the same image seen by the sensor. With full-time Live View and the DMC-L1’s large LCD screen, users can compose shots in new ways and with greater ease and accuracy.
The DMC-L1 also features a dust-reduction system that solves the digital SLR camera’s long-standing problem of dust adhering to the sensor.
In the new DMC-L1, Panasonic has incorporated today’s most advanced digital technologies while maintaining the attractive look and operating feel of the familiar film camera. A shutter speed dial on the camera top together with an aperture ring on the Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm/f2.8-3.5 lens give the user easy, intuitive control of the exposure. The magnesium-alloy body, which in design closely resembles the body of a rangefinder camera from days past, combines with the aluminium-alloy lens section to offer both high rigidity and a high-grade appearance.
The DMC-L1’s lens mount system adopts the open format of the Four Thirds system, developed as a common standard for digital cameras. The Live MOS sensor it incorporates is a 4/3-type image sensor. This means that the DMC-L1 can be used with lenses made by a variety of manufacturers, giving users a host of equipment options. In the Four Thirds system, the lens diameter is larger than the image circle, making it possible to design the lens so that the light passes on a straight path to the image sensor. As a result, lenses for digital cameras can be created in a size smaller than those that complied with 35mm film SLR camera standards, meeting the needs of today’s digital age.
Helpful consumer’s review
After holding out for years before making the switch from film to digital, I finally made the leap with the DMC-L1. I have used a variety of DSLRs and digital point-and-shoot cameras prior to this. Specifically, when I was considering the DMC-L1, I was also considering the Canon 30D, and the Nikon D80 and D200 (I already had a number of Nikon lenses).
After trying all of the above cameras, I was completely in love with the DMC-L1’s feel and ease of use. The shutter speed dial and aperture ring are extremely intuitive to use. Overall, the camera feels much less “fiddly” than the other models I looked at — I didn’t like having to drill down through multiple menus on the other DSLRs to get to what I was looking for.
Probably the single greatest selling point to this camera is the lens. It’s one of the crispest that I’ve ever used. I have a Nikon 80mm F1.8 that has been my favorite for years, and the Leica lens has almost instantly supplanted it. The zoom range is pretty good for general shooting, and situations where you want to travel light [...].
One of the other selling points include the simple but sensible live-view mode, which allows you to compose your shots on the camera’s LCD screen. This is a huge advantage for shooting static or slow moving subjects — you can really compose your shot, re-arrange elements, and use the depth-of-field preview to get a good sense of how everything is going to look. However, because the mirror has to flip down for the camera to focus and meter, it is too slow for most high-speed action work.
The Mega OIS feature on the included lens is superb — I’ve never used anything like it. There are two modes, but mode “2″ is the only one I use — it corrects for camera shake only when you take the picture, rather than continuously as in mode “1″. I’ve taken a number of hand-held pictures at 1/4 of second or slower that would have been disasters with a non-OIS lens. Remember to turn OIS off if you are using a tripod, though.
Being able to save RAW images was a selling point for me, too. This may not matter as much to others, but I like being able to edit the RAW file before “developing” it into an image file.
Ergonomically, the camera is good. I would say that the Canon 30D is a better fit in my hand, but since I’m not going to be holding the camera for 12 hours a day it’s not been a problem. I find the buttons and their locations to be sensible, and the thumb-wheel although small, works very well. My favorite elements are the two programable buttons located near the shutter release. Depending on the type of shooting I am doing, I reprogram these to my most often used functions (say EV, ISO, or film type). The film “type” feature is also worth noting, and may have some appeal to those that don’t want to both with RAW images. There are a number of pre-programed “films” and two user programable “films” that affect the color and feel of the final images. This is a nice way to generate some decent images without going through the trouble of developing RAW images.
So in summary:
Cons:
OK ergonomics — people with large hands or short fingers may have difficulties.
View-finder takes some getting used to. Information display is good, but it feels smaller than others I’ve used.
This camera is not for people who want to take mostly pictures of very high-speed action. It is also not for people who want 20″ X 30″ prints (because of the lower pixel count).
