Panasonic DMC-L1 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica 14-50mm Mega O.I.S. Lens | 
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| Brand: Panasonic
Category: Photography
List Price: $1,499.95
Buy New: $1,249.99
You Save: $249.96 (17%)
New (2) Used (4) from $400.00
Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 15579
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 3.6
Display Size: 2.5
Maximum Focal Length: 50
Minimum Focal Length: 14
Maximum Resolution: 7.5
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 6.5 x 3.1 x 2.1
MPN: DMC-L1KK
Model: DMC-L1KK
UPC: 037988985784
EAN: 0037988985784
ASIN: B000GBTTG4
Release Date: August 31, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand new item in original package. It is NOT refurbished, it has never been used. Full USA warranty. Fast shipping with tracking number.
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| 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 |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
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| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 Finally the right digital camera for me. November 25, 2006
70 out of 72 found this review helpful
After holding out for years before making the switch from film to digital, I finally made the leap with the DMC-L1. I have used a variety of DSLRs and digital point-and-shoot cameras prior to this. Specifically, when I was considering the DMC-L1, I was also considering the Canon 30D, and the Nikon D80 and D200 (I already had a number of Nikon lenses).
After trying all of the above cameras, I was completely in love with the DMC-L1's feel and ease of use. The shutter speed dial and aperture ring are extremely intuitive to use. Overall, the camera feels much less "fiddly" than the other models I looked at -- I didn't like having to drill down through multiple menus on the other DSLRs to get to what I was looking for.
Probably the single greatest selling point to this camera is the lens. It's one of the crispest that I've ever used. I have a Nikon 80mm F1.8 that has been my favorite for years, and the Leica lens has almost instantly supplanted it. The zoom range is pretty good for general shooting, and situations where you want to travel light [...].
One of the other selling points include the simple but sensible live-view mode, which allows you to compose your shots on the camera's LCD screen. This is a huge advantage for shooting static or slow moving subjects -- you can really compose your shot, re-arrange elements, and use the depth-of-field preview to get a good sense of how everything is going to look. However, because the mirror has to flip down for the camera to focus and meter, it is too slow for most high-speed action work.
The Mega OIS feature on the included lens is superb -- I've never used anything like it. There are two modes, but mode "2" is the only one I use -- it corrects for camera shake only when you take the picture, rather than continuously as in mode "1". I've taken a number of hand-held pictures at 1/4 of second or slower that would have been disasters with a non-OIS lens. Remember to turn OIS off if you are using a tripod, though.
Being able to save RAW images was a selling point for me, too. This may not matter as much to others, but I like being able to edit the RAW file before "developing" it into an image file.
Ergonomically, the camera is good. I would say that the Canon 30D is a better fit in my hand, but since I'm not going to be holding the camera for 12 hours a day it's not been a problem. I find the buttons and their locations to be sensible, and the thumb-wheel although small, works very well. My favorite elements are the two programable buttons located near the shutter release. Depending on the type of shooting I am doing, I reprogram these to my most often used functions (say EV, ISO, or film type). The film "type" feature is also worth noting, and may have some appeal to those that don't want to both with RAW images. There are a number of pre-programed "films" and two user programable "films" that affect the color and feel of the final images. This is a nice way to generate some decent images without going through the trouble of developing RAW images.
So in summary:
Cons:
OK ergonomics -- people with large hands or short fingers may have difficulties.
View-finder takes some getting used to. Information display is good, but it feels smaller than others I've used.
This camera is not for people who want to take mostly pictures of very high-speed action. It is also not for people who want 20" X 30" prints (because of the lower pixel count).
Pros:
Very intuitive feel, particularly for converts from more traditional SLRs
Fantastic lens
Live View image composition on camera's LCD screen
Mega OIS image stabilization lens
Much less fiddling than with other DSLRs -- more time shooting, less time looking through menus.
RAW + JPEG file formats
Great expansion options with the Four/Thirds lens line
[...].
A True 5 Star Digital S.L.R. Panasonic's DMC L1 January 4, 2007
23 out of 24 found this review helpful
Panasonics DMC-L1 SLR is perhaps the most underrated DSLR on the market.
It is a unique deign to those who have only used film SLRs but to those who have used cameras such as the Leica M series, Canon, Nikon, and Contax range finder cameras should fell right at home with this jewel.
It is one of only two DSLR on the market that has "Live View" LCD
The lens that is supplied with the camera is the finest kit lens of ANY brand camera. It is a Leica lens of 28mm to 100mm (based on 35mm film size) AND the lens has built in stabilization as well for razor sharp pictures even with aging hands.
The camera lens mount is the new four-thirds system so that many of the lens made by Olympus, Sigma and Leica will snap right on the body
Of all the reviews I have read on this camera there are only three negatives that show up (1) Price. (2) It does not feel like a DSLR.
(3) Why only 7.4mp at that price?
Retail price of the camera ($1995.) covers about 90% of the negatives.
However the Leica lens with the built in stabilization alone would be about $1,200. so the body itself would be $800.
As for not feeling like a DSLR that covers 5%. See above about range finder cameras.
Why only 7.4mp any honest expert will tell you that a mega pixel range of 5 to 7.5 is all you need to make up to 16x20 photos. The race to higher mega pixcels at this time is pure media hype.
OMG, OIS! October 12, 2006
44 out of 51 found this review helpful
OIS stands for optical image stabilization and is featured in various Panasonic models. Panasonic put some serious thought into this and came out with a great implementation that REALLY WORKS. The L1 is a great digital SLR -- as long as you don't already own Canon or Nikon-compatible lenses. The kit 14-50 mm lens is actually a great value as it includes the more expensive wideangle range. The camera itself is well built and takes EXCELLENT pictures with little fuss. I love it. I'll add more details as I gain more experience with the camera -- but so far, so superb!
it's beautiful and it works November 17, 2006
20 out of 22 found this review helpful
spin the shutter-speed knob and the shutter-speed changes. twist the aperture ring and the aperture changes. press the shutter release and the shutter releases. for the first time since my k-1000 I feel like my camera isn't trying to outsmart me. everything does what it ought to do. every piece is where it ought to be.
German optics merge with japanese technology June 1, 2007
18 out of 20 found this review helpful
I own this nice hefty camera for a couple of weeks and have been honeymooning with this camera and its wonderful performance. This is my third DSLR (Canon was very fine, Nikon also pretty fine) Shooting in RAW and using photoshop 5 Elements (as well as the included not so shaby software)produced some very impressive pictures. Just ask my family and friends. I must say that Leica optics peek through loud and clear. The pictures are very real and subject matter is so well captured and defined. Colors are very Leica typical.
That being said, this is not your all purpose snapshot camera. It's a little big and heavy for that. There are lots of great little point and shoot cameras that will give this camera a run for the money. I keep one in my pocket all the time just for those quick "Kodak Moments" The L-1 is more of a tool for the creative artist and detail seeking photographer. (a nut like me). It allows you to go totally manual in the way of the old SLR's. It can receive all kinds of filters for landscapes and special effects. It also reverts back to all auto settings that yield very impressive results. I think that the marriage (arranged one at that) of Panasonic and Leica is excellent. Structual quality is excellent.
Now I have learned that the beautiful and responsive Leica kit lens can be purchased seperately to fit other cameras that have the four thirds mount. (Olympus DSLR is a good example) But if you shop this camera carefully, you may find that this whole L-1 package comes out much cheaper. You camera nerds out there may find little faults in button placements or too little this and not enough that, etc. That's just fine. It can be said that every camera has its little faults if you look for them. That's why new models appear every time you turn around. Bottom line is the final result. To me those results thus far have been nothing short of jaw dropping. Comapared to some real megabuck Leicas and megasbyte Hassy's or whatever, it mostly all comes down to the photographer. The L-1 is a wonderful and pretty important piece of equipment. I love it and am waiting to get the new Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens to round out my camera bag and head for the mountains. By the way, get a high quality Polarizing filter and see what fabulous landscapes/seascapes you will generate on you SD cards with this L-1. (I use Sandisc ExtremeIII 2GB cards and shoot RAW)It felt good to say that.
If you enjoy photography, this is as nice as you can get for the money (even at twice the price)Go for it.
Leopold.
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