Panasonic Lumix L1
Panasonic Lumix L1
1
Hey! You should know that this product has been discontinued. Here are our current recommended cameras in the Professional dSLR category.
Panasonic Lumix L1
Editor's Review
Panasonic reveals their first ever Digital SLR after years of cameras that straddled that fine line between the mainstream and the professional. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 is the result of a partnership with Olympus, and as such, the L1 has a little in common with the Olympus E-330, like the real time, live view LCD and 7.5 megapixel CMOS sensor. For an SLR, the L1 looks remarkably clean and straightforward, with a simple, smooth body design that makes it look stylish and approachable to all users. The SD card storage makes this a lightweight and compact construction, and with the new SDHC cards, you can achieve storage capacities up to and potentially greater than 2GB.
Specifications
- 7.5 megapixel CMOS sensor
- 14x digital zoom
- RAW and JPEG file formats
- ISO 100-1600
- 2.5" Live View LCD screen.
- Part Number: DMC-L1
- UPC: 840356383958
- Release Date: Mar 03, 2006
Shop for L1 Accessories
Panasonic Lumix L1 Comments & Questions (write your own!)
Can any help me with my decision whether to buy a H5 or a Panasonic Lumix? I have a couple of kids and just want some nice photos and easy to use. (fickler4 — 05/12/2007)
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Matt (05/14/2007)
You're looking to spend a pretty penny with those two models... How about the Canon S3IS? Great great camera, especially for only $300. Even the Canon EOS/Rebel XTI, though more expensive than the S3.
I can recommend the Panasonic Lumix LZ3 as a more "pocket" camera, but I don't think anyone should recommend a camera costing >$500 for ya. Those expensive cameras will be great if you're ready for the complicated controls. You seem to be looking for a great quality point-and-shoot with large zoom, and that's what the Canon S3IS gives you.
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I can recommend the Panasonic Lumix LZ3 as a more "pocket" camera, but I don't think anyone should recommend a camera costing >$500 for ya. Those expensive cameras will be great if you're ready for the complicated controls. You seem to be looking for a great quality point-and-shoot with large zoom, and that's what the Canon S3IS gives you.
How do I use the screen instead of the viewfinder on the Nikon d40? (littlemunno — 03/14/2007)
I have just bought a Nikon D40 and cannot work out how to use the screen instead of the viewfinder to take my pictures. I cannot find any reference to this in the booklet and Im wondering if it can be done? If so, how?
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Andrew Skinner (03/14/2007)
Michelle,
SLR cameras do not take photos through the screen. Sorry if you thought otherwise.
Andrew
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SLR cameras do not take photos through the screen. Sorry if you thought otherwise.
Andrew
littlemunno (03/14/2007)
Thanks Andrew... I kinda thought that anyway.
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camera? (03/15/2007)
Actually, some cameras are capable of "Live View," that is, a live LCD preview of what you're shooting. The Olympus E-330, 410, and 510 and the Panasonic Lumix L1 have this feature. Unfortunately, the Nikon D40 cannot.
digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...
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digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...
qwertshadow (05/06/2007)
should have bought an Olympus instead of that Nikon dinosaur !
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winophotos (07/19/2007)
the viewfinder offers a better representation actually the lcd screen creates some creative...issues
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EvoltMan (06/21/2008)
The best thing about the LiveView feature is that you can easily take photos from angles that would be hard to imagine doing on a the regular optical viewfinder. I've been using the E-410 for just about a month and for low-angle shots (or other awkward angles for that matter), LiveView's got my vote.
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What is a "live lcd"? (bigdcroxton — 02/17/2007)
I saw in the description the term used it has a "live lcd" and I'm not familiar with that term.
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bukit97 (02/18/2007)
Essentially, it means you can continue to see the image ' live ' on the LCD while you are composing the photos to be taken.
Apparently this feature has all the while been there in compact cameras, and has been taken for granted that this is a basic feature of digital cameras, until we switch over to dSLRs.
Olympus, in January 2006, announced that user can now enjoy seeing the image on LCD with their E-330 while composing, and name the feature ' live LCD '.
Your Panasonic L1 is another dSLR that offers the same feature of E-330 and also adopt the same terminology.
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Apparently this feature has all the while been there in compact cameras, and has been taken for granted that this is a basic feature of digital cameras, until we switch over to dSLRs.
Olympus, in January 2006, announced that user can now enjoy seeing the image on LCD with their E-330 while composing, and name the feature ' live LCD '.
Your Panasonic L1 is another dSLR that offers the same feature of E-330 and also adopt the same terminology.
bigdcroxton (02/18/2007)
Thanks bukit97 your answer cleared things up.
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I'm having trouble downloading pictures to my Mac from the L1. Help. (dinsley1 — 12/26/2006)
Mac OS 10.3, Lumix L1 USB cable. iPhoto tries to load but freeezes or just goes forever. Tried putting them as jpegs to my desktop, doesn't work, the wheel of death goes on forever. What's the secret to downloading to a Mac from the L1?
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Sarah (12/30/2006)
It is probably a problem with your computer. If you don't have enough RAM (random access memory) this could possibly be your problem. I would recommend about 1GB (1024MB). You should be able to load them with 512MB, but it might be kinda slow. To find out how much RAM you have on your computer, go to your desktop, click on the apple in the top left screen and choose "about this mac." Where it says "Memory:" it should tell you how much RAM you have. Also, if your hard drive is almost completely full or you already have tons of photos on your computer you might also experience these problems. For this, you should move your pictures to an external hard drive, or on CD's would be safer (considering hard drives fail sometimes and you could lose all your data). Hope this helps some.
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dinsley1 (12/30/2006)
Thanks for the idea. But I've found a temporary solution. I took the memory card from the L1 and put it in my smaller Lumix camera and transferred the pics with no problem. So, the culprit here is the L1 cable or the L1 software. I have a call into Panasonic, and am awaiting a callback from their service people. No one there seems to know anything about this camera. I'll post their "solution" when I get one.
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Which camera would you recommend: Panasonic Lumix L1 v. Sony Alpha 100 v. Nikon D80? (JL1908 — 12/18/2006)
Does Nikon's Matrix Metering provide better photo exposure than Panasonic or Canon's systems? What is your take on the 4/3 lens system of the Panasonic-hype or improvement? Thanks!
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Ardi Ounapuu (12/18/2006)
I would certainly recommend the Nikon D80. Not because I think that the other ones are technically bad or primitive. The reason is the history of the production. For Sony and Panasonic it is the first time to make a digital SLR. Nikon already has a solid line of digital SLRs before the D80. Also, there are a lot of opportunities to buy used interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR.
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the mayor (10/07/2007)
I own a nikon DSLR...But considering the Panny LC-1....It's aa photographers camera....more fun and more creative.....I like the aperature ring and shutter speed knob.......If you had fun experimenting with aperaturee settings and shutter speeds..and do it quickly using ANALOG knobs ...the Panny with the LEICA lens is the way to go.......
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what other lenses are available for Lumix L1? (c.alien — 10/25/2006)
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charles (10/27/2006)
I believe this is a four thirds system and should coordinate with zuiko and maybe some sigma
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Lindsay Wilcox (10/31/2006)
I believe that the L1 is compatible with Leica R lenses - if you have a deep pocket. It appears to be the same as the new Leica Digilux 3 with a different badge.
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charles (10/31/2006)
From DPReview.......
The L1 has a Four Thirds System mount, which means that as well as the 'Leica' kit lens it can also take Olympus 4/3 lenses and those from other third party manufacturers (such as Sigma).
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The L1 has a Four Thirds System mount, which means that as well as the 'Leica' kit lens it can also take Olympus 4/3 lenses and those from other third party manufacturers (such as Sigma).
charles (10/31/2006)
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Ben Keough (12/07/2006)
Hi, I noticed that you haven't marked any replies as the "best answer." Are you still looking for an answer? If so, I recommend you re-submit it on digitalcamera-hq.com so it will have a better chance of being noticed. These days it looks like most questions are being answered within a few days. Good luck!
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TONY (12/13/2006)
More and more manufacturers are jumping on the four thirds bandwagon. There's gold in them thar lenses, at least, you would think so from the prices they are charging us basic mortals.
If you've got the dosh they are all out there from macro to infinity. If the prices could only come down from infinity wouldn't it be a much happier world.
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If you've got the dosh they are all out there from macro to infinity. If the prices could only come down from infinity wouldn't it be a much happier world.
charles (12/13/2006)
Tony you are certainly correct about the expensive glass. From what I have read Olympus believes and engineers by the theory that the lens is more important to image quality than the sensor. Therefore you have (the so expensive that you won't admit you paid that much for it) lenses like the Big Tuna 300 mm f2.8 , crammed full of extra low dispersion glass. Because 4/3rds has twice the focal length this lens is actually a 600mm f2.8........
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c.alien (12/14/2006)
Thanks folks for all the info. I went out and got meself a nice Zuiko 50-200.
Cheers.
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Cheers.
Does the Lumix L1 have a real viewfinder such as film SLRs have, or is the view digital? (Paul Martin — 09/28/2006)
With a film SLR the viewfinder lets you look directly through the lens. You see what's really there. Some digital cameras only allow you to view an LCD image, not the real scene.
Does the Lumix L1 let you view a real scene through the viewfinder, or just a virtual scene on an LCD?
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Does the Lumix L1 let you view a real scene through the viewfinder, or just a virtual scene on an LCD?
camera? (09/28/2006)
The Panasonic Lumix L1 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) does have a viewfinder, but reportedly, it is somewhat dim.
The live-view LCD is still really good on the L1, only one of two SLRs that allow you to see a live-view of what you're shooting on the LCD.
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The live-view LCD is still really good on the L1, only one of two SLRs that allow you to see a live-view of what you're shooting on the LCD.
Eric Case (09/30/2006)
So this is where you lead your readers after following the links - - someone else's opinion. How much more minutes would it have you to ask PANASONIC and get FACTS directly from the horse's mouth. If you do not have the tenacity to get the facts from PANASONIC, you could have simply provided link to DPREVIEW. I believe Phil Askey would have been more accomodating to grant your request.
While My initial interpretation and reaction was to consider what you tagged the "Best Answer" as a circumlocutory "NO, but . . . ". I believe it means an unequivocal "YES. it has a viewfinder".
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While My initial interpretation and reaction was to consider what you tagged the "Best Answer" as a circumlocutory "NO, but . . . ". I believe it means an unequivocal "YES. it has a viewfinder".
Shuter (09/30/2006)
Get a life Eric baby
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Panasonic Lumix L1 Reviews
Panasonic Lumix L1 Reviews by Digital Camera-HQ Users
- 5.0 out of 5
great camera
(bob — 01/11/2007)
i like the lay out of this camera. i can reach all the controls without having to remove my eye from view finder. i hold the camera with left hand supporting the lens barrel. it's quiet compare to cameras i tried!
takes good pictures the lens is great. i love this camera
