Press release
"Having announced our entry to the digital SLR market in 2005, Panasonic is pleased to update you on the development of the state-of-the-art Lumix DMC-L1 – our first interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera, distinguished from conventional digital SLRs by combining the operating feel of an analogue camera with innovative features unique to digital cameras.

An entirely new kind of digital SLR

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.

This new and inspiring digital SLR also features a shutter speed dial on top of the camera body, to enhance the sense of camera control. These features, combined with a classic design that will remind users of traditional analogue cameras, ensure the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 is distinct in both design and operation.

Outstanding image quality at low energy consumption

Panasonic has proudly developed the new Live MOS sensor using its original Maicovicon™ technology. The 4/3 type Live MOS sensor with 7.5 million pixels helps capture the beautiful images of a CCD sensor with delicate gradation and a wide dynamic range, whilst suppressing energy consumption as only a CMOS sensor can do. Noise in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 SLR is also minimised thanks to a special processing technology that runs on voltage as low as 5V.

The power of the Venus Engine III LSI

The Venus Engine III is an image processing LSI, newly developed to maximise the performance of the Live MOS sensor. Offering high resolution, superior colour reproduction and detailed gradation, the Venus Engine III also reduces noise to the level expected from a digital SLR, thus achieving stunning picture quality. The Venus Engine III also improves camera responsiveness supporting high-performance consecutive shooting and a short shutter interval. Despite offering superior performance, the Venus Engine III consumes only 80% as much power as its predecessor, the Venus Engine II. This combines with the Live MOS sensor’s low energy consumption to provide longer battery life for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 SLR .
     

Full-time Live View for a whole new style of Digital SLR shooting

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.

Shake off dust with the Supersonic Wave Filter system

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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 SLR  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.

A Digital SLR offering home networking capabilities

Consistent with all Panasonic Lumix cameras, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 SLR 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). 

The SD memory card opens up a world of home networking opportunities. Photographers can take photos with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 SLR, and view the images on a Panasonic Viera flatpanel; save them onto disk with a Panasonic DIGA DVD Recorder, and print them with a photo printer connected to your television.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 is a finely crafted camera designed to give beginners and professionals alike a powerful tool for creating truly outstanding photographic masterpieces. Following additional development efforts, Panasonic plans to shake the market with the DMC-L1 later this year. The best in the digital SLR market is clearly yet to come." 

LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT Lens

The result is an entirely new kind of digital SLR camera - a tool capable of capturing all the beauty around you in clear, vivid, expressive images that are rich with emotion.

The LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 ASPH. comprises 16 elements in 12 groups, with two glass moulded aspherical lenses that feature large diameters and high dimensional precision. The D lens' many other advanced features include a carefully applied multi-coating to prevent flare and a circular aperture that produces a beautiful dimensional ambience. The focusing system is entirely internal, so the external length of the lens doesn't change during focusing.

The 14-50mm focal length is equivalent to 28-100mm on a 35mm film format. From wide angle to zoom, this lens does it all. You can take incredible beautiful portraits and expansive landscape photos. The minimum focusing distance is just 29 cm over the entire zoom range, so you can capture 0.32x close-ups (35mm equivalent).

The D lens provides exceptional contrast all the way to the fully open 2.8 F-stop. Distortion and peripheral vignetting at the wide end are minimal. Image definition is superb, and there is no colour bleeding. Particularly impressive is the D lens' ability to capture the subject three-dimensionally against a background with a shallow depth of field. This is the kind of lens that makes photography such a satisfying creative pursuit.

Turn the aperture ring with your left hand (which supports the lens) and operate the shutter speed dial with your right hand (holding the camera body). These two controls adjust the exposure, which is critical in picture quality.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 SLR features analog-like controls that feel comfortable and instantly familiar. You can adjust settings with the touch of a fingertip, check them with a quick glance, and set the exposure intuitively.

This easy-to-operate, easy-to-understand, analog-like system also lets you select the exposure mode by simply placing the aperture ring and shutter speed dial in the required positions.

The ability to shoot while viewing the LCD monitor is an advantage offered only by digital cameras. With a viewing angle that approaches 100%, the LCD monitor makes it easy to frame shots and gives you a wealth of information at a glance. This enables a number of conveniences, such as letting you check the colours after adjusting the white balance or view the changes from exposure compensation before you shoot. You can also compose your shots without having to look in the viewfinder when using a tripod. However, conventional digital SLR cameras have not taken full advantage of this ability.

By combining the Live MOS sensor's full-time image output with a mirror-raising mechanism, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 SLR provides a preview function that displays the exact same image signal on the LCD monitor that the sensor receives through the lens.