Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

Résumé : Panasonic's first SLR, the Lumix DMC-L1, has a 7.5 megapixel sensor and a large, fast 14-50mm optically stabilized zoom lens that's equivalent to a 28-100mm lens on a 35mm camera. This 2.4 pound SLR is thick and requires two hands to hold. A unique ...

Points forts : Sturdy build, Unique pop-up flash with bounce option, Nice LCD display, Good resolution, Many buttons for easy access to frequently used controls, Live View mode good for composing images from odd angles, Good quality lens with optical image ...

Points faibles : LCD does not swing out from the body, Optical viewfinder is dim even in bright daylight, Autofocus in Live View mode is extremely slow, introducing dramatic shutter lag, Preflash is very early, increasing shutter lag beyond 1/2 second, Flash does not ...

Conclusion : The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 brings to fruition the company's pledge in April 2005 that it would create a digital SLR under its own branding, compatible with Olympus' Four Thirds lens mount standard. The L1 looks to be quite an interesting SLR at that, ...

Résumé : - The L1 may look a little on the blocky side and weigh in at over a kilo with the large (but excellent) Leica lens sat in place on the FourThirds lens mount it uses. In fact the lens mount, mirror box AF and auto exposure sensors are all borrowed ...

Points forts : Lens, OIS, build, white balance, live view, responsive, nice menus, image quality, handling

Points faibles : Heavy, gloomy viewfinder, noisy images at high ISO, LCD does not flip out and so fails to get the most from Live View capability

Conclusion : This rangefinderesque camera is a bit a of a beast but has great magnesium alloy build and, rather than being a budget model, Panasonic has given us a decidedly serious affair and a fairly unique one at that

Points forts : Lens, OIS, build, white balance, live view, responsive, nice menus, Image quality, Handling.

Points faibles : Heavy, gloomy viewfinder, noisy images at high ISO, LCD does not flip out and so fails to get the most from Live View capability.

Conclusion : This rangefinderesque camera is a bit a of a beast but has great magnesium alloy build and, rather than being a budget model, Panasonic has given us a decidedly serious affair and a fairly unique one at that.

Résumé : Premium digital SLR features at a premium price from the electronics giant

Points forts : Solidly built with sophisticated features, Solidly built with sophisticated features, Previewed shots before capture, Built in image stabiliser

Points faibles : Very expensive, Very expensive, Low light performance, Occasionally struggles to find focus in auto setting

Conclusion : The prohibitive price, and its performance in low light, however, loses the L1 a couple of stars.

Résumé : The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 is the first foray by Panasonic into the digital SLR market, and the Japanese consumer electronics giant has certainly taken an interesting approach. Instead of starting ...

Conclusion : The Panasonic L1 isn't a mass-market device, and deliberately so, therefore it feels a slightly odd choice of first DSLR for a major electronics manufacturer. In fact, it is ...