Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1, 7.5 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Kit with Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 MEGA O.I.S. Aspherical Lens
- No Longer Available
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Digital Camera is a finely crafted, truly satisfying camera that makes it easy for people who have never even used a digital single lens reflex camera to take beautiful shots and gives professionals a powerful tool for creating photographic masterpieces that visually express the emotions of their subjects.
The DMC-L1 is operated much like a traditional film camera but provides a variety of innovative features that increase the fun of shooting photos. While the DMC-L1 is digital, it has a classic design that will remind users of traditional Rangefinder cameras. These characteristics, together with a shutter speed control dial on the camera body and an aperture ring on the Leica D Vario-Elmarit lenses that are available for the camera, distinguish the DMC-L1 from conventional digital SLRs in both design and operation.
The DMC-L1 also offers a full-time Live View function through the large 2.5" high-resolution LCD, which offers a shooting style different from conventional digital SLRs that have only an optical viewfinder. The full-time Live View is made possible by the Live MOS sensor. Used in the DMC-L1, the 4/3-type Live MOS sensor with 7.5 million pixels provides both the outstanding image quality of a CCD and the low energy consumption for which CMOS sensors are known. The DMC-L1 also incorporates the Venus Engine III image processing LSI, which teams up with the Live MOS sensor to achieve stunning picture quality and responsive performance, with features such as rapid consecutive shooting. Furthermore, the DMC-L1 incorporates a Supersonic Wave Filter that serves as a dust reduction system, so you don't have to worry about dust entering the camera during lens changes.
- 7.5 Megapixel Live MOS sensor
- The 4/3-type Live MOS sensor used in the DMC-L1 not only makes full-time Live View possible, it also helps capture the beautiful images of a traditional CCD sensor with delicate gradation and a wide dynamic range, while also conserving power.
- Four Thirds Standard Lens Mount
- The lens mount system used in the DMC-L1 is based on the Four Thirds open standard. This helps provide the optimal lens design for digital photography while also making it possible to create a lens that is small in size without sacrificing focal distance or brightness. Use of the Four Thirds Standard also means the DMC-L1 can use lenses made by other manufacturers using the same standard-providing you with an extensive range of interchangeable lenses to choose from.
- Traditional Camera Controls
- The DMC-L1 features a shutter speed dial on top of the camera body. While the Leica D Vario-Elmarit lenses that are available for the camera are equipped with an aperture ring, in addition to a focus ring and zoom ring, for easy, direct aperture setting.
- Full-time Live View
- By combining the full-time image output function of the Live MOS sensor and a mirror-up mechanism, the DMC-L1 achieves a full-time Live View function that displays the image on the LCD directly from the sensor signal.
- Venus Engine III LSI
- The Venus Engine III has been developed to maximize the performance of the Live MOS sensor, providing superior color reproduction and detailed gradation, and reduces image noise to help render smooth images. The Venus Engine III improves camera responsiveness too, supporting high-performance consecutive shooting and a short shutter interval.
- Energy Efficient Design
- The 4/3-type Live MOS sensor suppresses energy consumption as only a CMOS sensor can do. Furthermore, the Venus Engine III consumes less power than previous Processors. The combination of these two energy efficient elements means low energy consumption to provide longer battery life.
- Dust Reduction System
- A potentially annoying problem with digital SLRs that have interchangeable lenses is the possibility of dust getting inside the camera during lens changes, contaminating the image sensor. The DMC-L1 takes care of this problem by incorporating a Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system. The system uses supersonic vibration to instantly shake off any dust that might otherwise affect the image.
- Compatible with Standard and SDHC Secure Digital (SD) Cards
- The DMC-L1 is compatible with Secure Digital (SD) Memory Cards, and is compatible with the mass-storage SD standard based on FAT32 and the upcoming SDHC super-high-capacity SD Memory Cards with capacities of more than 2 GB.
- Includes Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 Lens
- The Leica D Vario-Elmarit lens comprises 16 elements in 12 groups, including two aspherical lenses, and is based on the Four Thirds standard. Featuring a focal length from 14mm to 50mm (35mm equivalent: 28mm to 100mm), the lens is the first interchangeable lens from Leica developed exclusively for digital SLR cameras. It provides high definition image rendering that conveys even the finest details and nuances, and minimizes distortion and peripheral vignetting at the wide end. The lens incorporates MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), developed by Panasonic, and makes it possible - without using a tripod - to capture clear, beautiful images even in macro shooting or low-lit situations, giving users more shooting flexibility. And to assure precise control over the MEGA O.I.S., the Venus Engine is integrated into the lens unit. To improve operating ease, there is an aperture ring in addition to the focus ring and zoom ring, giving users more intuitive aperture adjustment.
Go To
| Camera Type | Interchangeable Lens SLR Digital Camera |
| Image Quality | |
|---|---|
| Image Sensor | 4/3 type (17.3 x 13.0 mm active area) 7.9 megapixel Live MOS sensor with RGB Primary color filter array, Fixed low pass filter (anti-alias filter), and Supersonic Wave Filter (dust protection) |
| Effective Resolution | 7.5 million pixels |
| Color Depth | 36-Bit RGB |
| Color Modes | sRGB, AdobeRGB |
| Image File Formats |
RAW JPEG Exif 2.21, DCF & DPOF compliant |
| Recorded Resolution |
4:3 Aspect Ratio 3136 x 2352 2560 x 1920 2048 x 1536 3:2 Aspect Ratio 16:9 Aspect Ratio |
| Video Recording | No |
| Audio Recording | No |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Four Thirds Mount |
| Focal Length Multiplier | 2x |
| Optical Image Stabilization | Supports Leica Optical Image Stabilization System (Mega O.I.S.)Lenses |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | TTL Phase Difference Detection System with AF assist lamp |
| Focus Modes | AFS, AFC, MF |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity |
Auto ISO Selectable ISO (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600) |
| Shutter Type | Focal-plane Shutter |
| Shutter Speed |
60 - 1/4000 second bulb (up to 8 minutes) |
| Mirror Lock-Up | No (mirror-up feature raises mirror prior to shutter release) |
| Exposure Metering | TTL Full Aperture Light Metering by 49 Zone Multi-Pattern Sensing System (optical viewfinder) or 256 Zone Multi-Pattern Sensing System (Live View Mode) |
| Exposure Modes | Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, Exposure Compensation in 1/3 EV Steps, Auto Bracketing AE (2EV in 1/3 - 1EV Step, 3 or 5 Frames) |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Flash, White Set, Color Temperature Setting ) 2500k to 10,000K in 31 steps), White Balance Adjustment (Blue/Amber Bias, Magenta/Green Bias) |
| Scene Modes | No |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | Yes (Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Forced On/Off) |
| Effective Flash Range | Not Specified |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| External Flash Control |
TTL Flash Control with DMW-FL500 dedicated flash Simple Synchro with other flash units |
| Maximum Flash Synchronization Speed | 1/160 second |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Start-Up Time | Not Specified |
| Shutter Lag | Not Specified |
| Time Between Shots | Not Specified |
| Burst Capability | 3 or 2 fps up to 6 images (including RAW files) |
| Self Timer | 10 seconds or 2 seconds |
| Interval Recording | No |
| Date & Time Stamp | No (recorded onto image data) |
| Memory & Power | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Memory | No | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compatible Memory Cards |
Secure Digital (SD) Card Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Card MultiMediaCard (MMC) |
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| File Size |
|
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| Battery Type | CGR-S603A Lithium-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 1500mAh) (Included) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Power Adapter | DE-972A Battery Charger/AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (Included) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Input/Output | |
|---|---|
| Computer Interface | USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) |
| Direct Print Capable | Yes (PictBridge) |
| Remote Control | DMW-RSL1 wired remote (optional) |
| Video Output | Yes (NTSC & PAL) |
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, XP Macintosh OS X (10.2 or later) |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder | Optical SLR Viewfinder (Mirror) with diopter adjustment (-3 to +1 diopter) |
| Viewfinder Info | AF frame, AF-LED, AE lock, Exposure compensation value, Manual exposure assistance, Auto bracket compensation range, Exposure compensation, Auto bracket, Flash setting, Number of recordable pictures, Card access, Focus, Shutter speed, Aperture value |
| Depth-of-Field Preview | Yes |
| LCD Display | 2.5" TFT color LCD monitor (207,000 pixels) |
| Information Display |
Displayed on Color LCD Recording mode, Aperture value, Shutter speed, AF frame setting, Metering mode, Exposure compensation, Flash output adjustment, Custom set, Number of recordable pictures, Card access, Quality, Picture size, Battery indication, Flash setting, ISO sensitivity, White balance, Film mode, Program shift, AF lock, AE lock, Current date and time, Manual exposure assistance, Optical image stabilizer, Burst, Auto bracket, Self-timer, 2nd curtain synchro, White balance fine adjustment, |
| Language Options | English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese (Traditional), German, Italian, French |
| Playback Options | Single, Thumbnail (9 or 25 up), Calendar display, Zoomed playback (16x max), image rotation (except for Raw), Slide Show, Favorite Pictures, Resizing, Trimming, Protection, Aspect Conversion, DPOF Print Setting |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 3.5 x 5.8 x 3.2 (87 x 146 x 80mm)camera body |
| Weight | 18.7 oz. (530g) camera body |
| Other Specs |
Includes Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 MEGA O.I.S. Aspherical Lens Lens Specifications
|
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 7 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 7 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-7
Pros
- Bright LCD
- Comfortable Controls
- Easy To Use
- Fast Shutter Speed
- Great Image Quality
- Image Stabilization
- It is all BLACK
- Strong Construction
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Landscape
- Photojournalism
- Portraits
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Digital Camera with Leica 14-50mm Lens:
Best general use camera I ever had or used. I have been making photos with cameras/darkroom since 1940. Using everything from 11X14 sheet film down to 16mm spy work.Still miss the swings and tilts but that is another story.You won't learn this camera overnight but stay with it and you will love it more each day.(Like a nice sports car). Buy a new body/lens if at all possible, it will last and serve you well.
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Digital Camera with Leica 14-50mm Lens:
Solid build, sharp design, and retro functionality that would make film buffs nostalgic. Yet, employs many innovative features(such as built-in bounce flash) that showcase the creative design and cooperation of Panasonic, Olympus, and Leica. A magnificent tool that is a pleasure to behold. As far as IQ goes, the L1 doesn't disappoint. The outstanding optics of the included Leica kit lens produces tack sharp images with accurate color rendition. However, nothing is too saturated or oversharpened. If you are portrait photographer, it will please you to know that skin tones are processed second to none. Up to par with, or exceeding, that of the E-1. Color and luma noise doesn't become an issue until ISO 800, and even then, it's minimal; much better than Canon, Nikon, or Olympus can do at the present. For the advanced user, all photographic settings offer precise manual control; including white balance, aperture, shutter, FPS, as well as EV and flash compensation. At 3 FPS, there is no limit to continuous shooting in .jpg mode, although the true quality of images is most apparent in RAW mode; which offers a healthy buffer of 6 frames. Indeed, this is not a camera for the average soccer mom. The 4/3 format offers many benefits over APS-C sized sensors, such as being designed from the ground up for digital. This means increased DOF, smaller, lighter, and faster lenses with greater reach, and a wealth of optics from well respected distributors such as Leica, Olympus, and Sigma.
Expertise: Working Professional
Problems Encountered: While the L1 has a wealth of benefits over other DSLRs, it isn't without it's problems either. The viewfinder is small and darker than most others out there, but not by much. Definitely not optimized for low light photography. The use of an aperture ring on the kit lens adds a pleasing feel, but still isn't as ergonomics as other branded models. 3 FPS is plenty fast enough for Portrait, Fashion, and Outdoor photography, but not very good for Sports. And because of the increased DOF that is inherent to 4/3 sensors, one has to get used to using a faster F/stop than normal for traditional 35mm equivalent apertures. Although, this isn't really a problem, due to the fact that 4/3 mount lenses usually are faster than other branded lenses. Finally, the rangefinder design of the body is a bit awkward, although this is due, in part, to the fact that it's magnesium-alloy body is built like a tank.
Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Olympus E-1
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Digital Camera with Leica 14-50mm Lens:
Well built, full featured, manual controls (external f-stop/speed controls) a great relief to digging through menus. Some very nice composing features thru the LCD (such as 10X display for manual focus). However, the camera is far too large for the functions it performs and it really seems to be more of a 'boutique' camera for middle aged upscale men who want to show off their Porsches than a serious photographer's tool. Image quality issues cripple the Leica lens, primarily wide angle distortion and CA (Leica 'convergent' design supposed to eliminate that!). You need to process raw images only if you want to realize the true potential of the lens, the .ljpg output is very soft. The Four Thirds system is a anachronism due to the small sensor size (resolution, noise, lens ratio 2:1!) and is obsolete as larger sensors are just as economical.
Expertise: Advanced amateur
Problems Encountered: ProblemsNo PC sync for external flash. Viewfinder image is very small. Though a 10x LiveView is provided, manual focus is almost impossible. LCD has an extremely limited viewing angle, is excessively bright, and color accuracy is dismal. Pictures suffer from excessive noise reduction under IOS 100-200 and are very soft. Edge details tend to have a strange anti-aliased look (camera has latest 1.1 firmware). Almost mandatory to have to use RAW mode as IQ severely degrades with .jpg processing. ISO 400 has noticeable noise, 1600 is not useable. Focus assist is a dim red LED and focus hunts badly in even normally lit rooms. Flash photos (the bounce option is too underpowered) are all underexposed and have strange color casts with WB set for flash. Camera seems to run a very low lighting ratio with flash. White balance is very poor especially in doors or even with professional lighting, all manner of color casts encountered. Daylight white balance seems excessively yellow. The camera offers lots of white balance fine tuning and the manual devotes considerable space to discussion. A known issue at Panasonic? Not practical to have to setup every shot with a 18% grey card.
Previous Equivalent Item Owned: None, expected to replace film SLR.
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Digital Camera with Leica 14-50mm Lens:
I bought 2 of these. I am an owner of the Lumix DMC-LC1 aswell (5 megapixel) which I bought from B&H and it's alsoamazing.The Leica glass on this camera is flawless.The added benefit that the Lumix DMC-L1 cameras arecompatible with Olympus Flash units (I have the FL-50) isalso great.Picture quality has been amazing. Smooth bokeh, great colorand contrast. The camera menus are easy (and similar to that of theDMC-LC1). I like the retro aperture ring and simple dial forshutter. The camera also supports other 4/3 lenses you simply needto set the camera to Auto Mode, or to shoot in theequivalent in Aperture priority or shutter priority, you cansimply set the camera off of P mode and control from there.At this price (1299.00 or 1349.00) with this amazing lens,it is almost like you are getting the camera for free.Anti-dust and the O.I.S. stabilization make this package amust have.I recommend a 4GB SDHC Sandisk Ultra II or III card (or IVfor that matter). This camera writes fast with fast cards in it.
Problems Encountered: None..
Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Too much to list, Olympus, Canon, Sony and many others
Items I Recommend: Sandisk Ultra II/Ultra III memory card, SDHC reader, B+W Lens filter (UV)
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Digital Camera with Leica 14-50mm Lens:
I bought this and a DMC-Z50. Resolution tests show the L1 shows finer detail than the DMC-Z50 10 mega pixel camera. Took me awhile to get right white balance to make the colors look right but once I did it was outstanding. Both cameras are great buys but the manual controls on the L1 make it like a camera! I looked at a D200 but the 4/3 technology makes more sense until the imager sizes settle. If Nikon changes the imager size to much all the DX lenses will be under performers... this is the problem with all system now.
Problems Encountered: None
Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Nikon 5700, Canon G4, Contax G2, Mamiya 645, Canon F1, nikon F3HP
Items I Recommend: Filter set, spare batteries and chargers.
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Digital Camera with Leica 14-50mm Lens:
I purchased this camera about a month ago, and while I truly love it, I'm wondering why they don't make a vertical battery grip for it. Maybe someday. If anyone out there has heard of plans by Panasonic to offer one I'd like to know.
Problems Encountered: None so far.
Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Olympus E-1 (although I sold it to buy this camera)
Items I Recommend: 2 GB HCSD Card / cable release (remote cord)
Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Digital Camera with Leica 14-50mm Lens:
This camera is just great and I love using it. I like the control that you have during photo sessions because of the ring aperture makes it so easy to control. It's not like the other digital SLR's that I have because it's almost impossible to control the aperture and speed in the dark and on-the-fly using buttons! It reminds me of the Nikon FE and FA film SLR cameras that I use to have. At first, I thought the pictures were too soft until I found out that you can set the sharpness in the camera. You could also sharpen it quite a bit in Photoshop, so it's not a problem. The photos are very realistic and stands out due to the Leica Lens, superb. I chose this camera over the Leica Digilux 3 because they use the same lens, but didn't want to gamble an extra $1,000 bucks on the Leica D3. But so far, I don't see any reason to buy the D3. If anyone has both cameras, I'd like to know if there are any difference in the pictures. I'm very happy with it and just enjoying it so much. It's really fun to take photos with a real digital camera and not a point and shoot. Great quality!!
Problems Encountered: None.
Items I Recommend: DMC-FL500 Flash
Displaying reviews 1-7
- Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 MEGA O.I.S. Aspherical Lens
- Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (CGR-S603A)
- Battery Charger/AC Adaptor (DE-972A)
- AC Power Cable (K2CA2EA00002)
- DC Power Cable (K2GJ2DZ00028)
- USB Cable (K1HA05CD0004)
- Video Cable (K2KJ2CB00001)
- Body Cap (VKF4091)
- Eyepiece Cap (VGQ8990)
- Front Lens Cap (VYF3089)
- Rear Lens Cap (VFC4185)
- Lens Hood & Adaptor (VYC0949)
- Lens Storage Bag (VFC4206)
- Camera Strap (VFC4189)
- Software CD-ROM (USB Driver, Lumix Simple Viewer, Photo Fun Studio, SILKYPIX Developer Studio)
- Operating Instructions
- 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor U.S.A. Limited Warranty
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