June 21, 2006
LUMIX DMC-L1 - Panasonic's First Digital SLR Camera
Following an earlier announcement in February 2006, Panasonic has confirmed that its first digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera with interchangeable lens, the DMC-L1, will be on sale from 22nd July 2006, in Japan.
The DMC-L1 benefits from a new LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 lens equipped with an aperture ring, focus ring and zoom ring, for easy, direct aperture setting. With a focal length range equivalent to 28mm (wide) to 100mm (medium telescopic) on a 35mm film, the Leice D lens provides exceptional results with everything from portraits to landscapes. This bright F2.8-3.5 lens allows maximum use of the out-of-focus techniques only possible with an SLR camera.
Panasonic has equipped the DMC-L1 with its globally recognised Optical Image Stabiliser feature. O.I.S minimises the jitter from shaky hands that causes many photos to look blurred - particularly useful when taking macro close-ups, indoor shots, or night portrait shots for example. Thanks to the gyrosensors and Venus Engine Plus LSI built into the lens, the system detects camera movement at a rate of 4,000 times per second, so hand-shake compensation is extremely precise.
The DMC-L1 incorporates a live MOS sensor that conforms to the Four Thirds standard and offers 7.5 megapixels to ensure outstanding picture quality. The DMC-L1 can be used with lenses made by a variety of manufacturers, giving users a host of equipment options. Noise is also minimised thanks to a special processing technology that runs on voltage as low as 5V. *Four Thirds is a registered trademark.
The heart of a digital SLR is the mirror box unit, which integrates a quick-return mirror, viewfinder, and AE sensor. This, combined with the full-time image output function of the Live MOS sensor, achieves a full-time Live View function that displays the image on the LCD directly from the sensor signal. This incredibly useful function can be selected in both Auto Focus and Manual Focus modes. In Manual Focus, photographers can enlarge an image within the frame and then select the area focusing, making it easier to check the focusing condition on the large 2.5inch, high resolution, 207,000 pixel LCD. It is also possible to check the depth of field by pressing the Aperture button.
The most critical and annoying problem with digital SLRs with interchangeable lenses is the possibility of dust getting inside the camera during the lens changes, thus contaminating the image sensor. If this happens, professional cleaning is often required. The ingenious DMC-L1 effectively manages this problem by incorporating a Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction, which uses supersonic vibration to instantly shake off dust that might otherwise affect the image.
Consistent with all Panasonic Lumix cameras, the DMC-L1 is compatible with the SD memory card. It is also compatible with mass-storage SD standard based on FAT32, including the upcoming super-high-capacity SD Memory Cards of more than 2GB (SDHC).
Posted by Webmaster at June 21, 2006 07:33 PM
