Panasonic's only dSLR: the 7.5-Megapixel Lumix DMC-L1K
http://www.slrtoday.com/articles/75/1/Panasonics-only-dSLR-the-75-Megapixel-Lumix-DMC-L1K/Page1.html
By SLR Today
Published on 10/15/2006
Panasonic's first digital SLR camera, the DMC-L1K, has been surprisingly popular. Even with a relatively hefty price tag for an entry-level dSLR (around $1700 with a Leica 14-50mm lens), and only 7.5-megapixels, the DMC-L1K continues to sell quite well.
One reason for the camera's popularity must be the dust-reduction system. The Panasonic DMC-L1 is equipped with essentially the same system you will find on Olympus dSLRs, such as the Evolt E-300.
Panasonic's
first digital SLR camera, the DMC-L1K, has been surprisingly popular.
Even with a relatively hefty price tag for an entry-level dSLR (around
$1700 with a Leica 14-50mm lens), and only 7.5-megapixels, the DMC-L1K continues to sell quite well.
One reason for the camera's popularity must be the dust-reduction system. The Panasonic DMC-L1 is equipped with essentially the same system you will find on Olympus dSLRs, such as the Evolt E-300. Just in front of the image sensor is a Supersonic Wave Filter between the low-pass filter and shutter. When the camera is turned on, the filter immediately begins to vibrate at 30,000 vibrations per second. This knocks off dust and other debris that have settled in on the image sensor. In addition, the area between the sensor and filter is an airtight vacuum, allowing dust dislodged by the vibrations to fall directly into a small collector below the filter.
Another feature of some importance is the camera's 2.5-inch LCD live-view screen. As with the Olympus Evolt E-330, you can now use the LCD display to compose your shot, rather than just the viewfinder. This is a feature quite common on regular point-and-shoot cameras, but rare among digital SLRs. Though most professional photographers prefer to use the viewfinder, beginners - who are most likely to buy this camera - will probably appreciate the live-view option.
Panasonic's first dSLR is also equipped with a Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm/f2.8-3.5 lens, a surprisingly durable magnesium-alloy body with a retro design, optical image stabilization (which is in addition to internal anti-dust system already mentioned), and Four Thirds standard compatibility. And because the camera uses the Four Thirds standard it can use a wide range of lenses produced by other manufacturers, including Olympus.
The Panasonic DMC-L1K dSLR is certainly worth looking at, especially if you are new to the world of digital SLRs, and are used to using live-view to compose your shots. If you already have a set of non-Four Thirds lenses, however, and you don't have $1700 to spend, you might want keep shopping around.
Key Features
Panasonic's first digital SLR camera, the DMC-L1K, has been surprisingly popular. Even with a relatively hefty price tag for an entry-level dSLR (around $1700 with a Leica 14-50mm lens), and only 7.5-megapixels, the DMC-L1K continues to sell quite well. One reason for the camera's popularity must be the dust-reduction system. The Panasonic DMC-L1 is equipped with essentially the same system you will find on Olympus dSLRs, such as the Evolt E-300.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1K dSLR
Panasonic's
first digital SLR camera, the DMC-L1K, has been surprisingly popular.
Even with a relatively hefty price tag for an entry-level dSLR (around
$1700 with a Leica 14-50mm lens), and only 7.5-megapixels, the DMC-L1K continues to sell quite well. One reason for the camera's popularity must be the dust-reduction system. The Panasonic DMC-L1 is equipped with essentially the same system you will find on Olympus dSLRs, such as the Evolt E-300. Just in front of the image sensor is a Supersonic Wave Filter between the low-pass filter and shutter. When the camera is turned on, the filter immediately begins to vibrate at 30,000 vibrations per second. This knocks off dust and other debris that have settled in on the image sensor. In addition, the area between the sensor and filter is an airtight vacuum, allowing dust dislodged by the vibrations to fall directly into a small collector below the filter.
Another feature of some importance is the camera's 2.5-inch LCD live-view screen. As with the Olympus Evolt E-330, you can now use the LCD display to compose your shot, rather than just the viewfinder. This is a feature quite common on regular point-and-shoot cameras, but rare among digital SLRs. Though most professional photographers prefer to use the viewfinder, beginners - who are most likely to buy this camera - will probably appreciate the live-view option.
Panasonic's first dSLR is also equipped with a Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm/f2.8-3.5 lens, a surprisingly durable magnesium-alloy body with a retro design, optical image stabilization (which is in addition to internal anti-dust system already mentioned), and Four Thirds standard compatibility. And because the camera uses the Four Thirds standard it can use a wide range of lenses produced by other manufacturers, including Olympus.
The Panasonic DMC-L1K dSLR is certainly worth looking at, especially if you are new to the world of digital SLRs, and are used to using live-view to compose your shots. If you already have a set of non-Four Thirds lenses, however, and you don't have $1700 to spend, you might want keep shopping around.
Key Features
- 7.5-megapixel Live MOS sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 21-inch prints
- 2.5-inch LCD display with unique Live View functionality
- Film-camera body layout, with shutter-speed dial and on-lens aperture adjustment
- Leica 14-50mm Mega OIS lens included (equivalent to 28-100mm in 35mm photography) with 100 percent view-field coverage
- Supersonic Wave Filter system for dust reduction; Venus Engine III processing engine