Customer Reviews

Panasonic DMC-L1 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica 14-50mm Mega O.I.S. Lens

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

[...].

I've been into photography for over 30 years. During that time I've owned quite a number of film point and shoots and SLR's. During the last 10 years I've owned a number of point and shoot digitals, super-zooms, and now my first Digital SLR. Manufacturers included Agfa, Canon, Casio, Contax, Leica, Nikon, Panasonic, Pentax, and Sony.

During my DSLR search, I looked at Nikon D80 and D200's. Canon Digital Rebel, EOS 30D and EOS 5D, and Pentax 100D and 10D, Sony Alpha, and of course the Panasonic DMC-L1. My search started by pouring over specs and reviews at various sites including DPREVIEW and Steve's Digicam. Then I took an in person look at all but the L1 at various camera stores.

I can't express the level of disappointment I experienced when handling these cameras in person. All of the sub $1000 models felt like cheap plastic junk. Flimsy ports and doors, rough cheap feeling controls, and flexing bodies abound, Even the upscale (supposedly) metal bodied units did not feel much better. And all of the included kit lenses were complete trash - all plastic, horrid feeling controls, and SLOW. Now thats not to say some of these can't take great pictures, but I just can't get past the build quality and feel.

So the one camera I could not find in local stores was the Panasonic DMC-L1. The reviews all seemed to talk about the great build quality, the quality of the Leica lens, and pretty much panned most of the technology, ergonomics, and actual picture quality. In desparation, I ordered one mailorder (from Amazon).

While I was slightly disappointed in the build quality (feel and materials), it was heads and tails above anything else I handled. You could actually feel the metal. Controls were much smoother and you got the impression this was higher quality product. Well it WAS more expensive than any of the others (except the 5D) so I guess that fits. You just don't get much for $1999 (actually ($1600) these days.

After handling and using the L1 for a couple days I find most of the things listed as Cons in the reviews were from prototypes and Panasonic seems to have corrected them in the production version.

Feel is good, ergonomics are good, focus is fast, picture quality is terrific and noise is effectively controlled. Live View works great and is much faster than I expected. The viewfinder is definitely dimmer than a Pentax, but on par with the low end of some other big name manufacturers and its definitely not "unusable". Viewfinder image size is also smaller than some of the above, but larger than others.

All in all I am pleased with this product and for those with traditional values like myself where quality and feel is as important as function, this product is worth a look.

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.

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!

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.

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.

I owned the L1 for just 5 weeks when it started malfunctioning. When the shutter speed dial was set to "A", it would start rapidly fluxuating between the correct shutter speed as calculated from the Automatic "A" mode and 1/4000th of a second. This is most likely because the "A" is next to "4000" and there is a bad contact or insulator between the two contacts. This renders the camera as inoperable except for Shutter priority mode. Apeture priority and full Auto cannot be used. In addition to this main problem, the instant review feature stopped working and would only show taken images intermitently.

To make matters worse, they had my camera for 3 weeks and I heard nothing from them. I called and they apologized and said that my paper work had gotten separated from the camera and that they would have it repaired immediately and I would have it back within a week. Guess what? It's now been 6 weeks and no camera nor communication from Panasonic. I called Panasonic 3 times this past week leaving messages for my Customer Service rep and he is not returning my calls.

At this point, I no longer want the camera as my vacation and planned events for which I purchased the camera for have long passed. Only having had the camera for 5 weeks and then having to have it serviced is like pruchasing a refurb or something and Panasonic keeping it for 6 weeks is totally unacceptable. I am calling Panasonic everyday and they are not responding -- be very careful...

I have stayed in the non-interchangeable DSLR realm and shot film in 35mm and 6x4,5 cm formats. I have been waiting for the technology to sort itself out which it still hasn't done. The rush to mega-pixels is based on a poor understanding of the technology. Once sensor size is standardized then lens design can be optimized.. this is what the 4/3rds format is about. Mark my words-- Nikon and Canon will have to redesign lenses and while they may be backward compatable they will be under-performers. The 4/3rds format can grow-- Sigma just signed on- how about a 3CCD imager for this format- 22 MP with same size image circle from lens. Thats what I'm talking about!

This camera takes great pictures, has the feel of a real camera. Add the Leica lens and some great features. It is less noisy than most 1:1/8 10 MP cameras I tested. The Image Stabilization is optical and great in action. You won't be disappointed.

This camera is the best dSLR I've ever used, hands down. Gorgeous photos right out of the box. Color is perfect, white balance is great, and that Leica LENS, oh what a lens. Sharp, no distortions, even at wide angle. I've been shooting at ISO 100-400, and there is no noise. The camera itself is solid and well-built, and even the sound of the shutter feels luxuriously deluxe. I have another Leica, so I expected the lens to be amazing, but who knew the Panasonic camera body would be just as fabulous?

The folks that complain about button placement and accidentally changing settings must have big thick fingers or something. I'm a woman with normal-sized hands, and it all seems perfectly comfortable to me. The controls are so intuitively designed, and you don't have to drill down through a dozen menus to find what you need. If I could give this camera 6 stars, I would.

I preface this review with the note that I am a professional photographer of some 37 years. I have used nearly every camera from sub-miniature to 11x14 view cameras. I liked this camera for the past year but was hesitant to purchase it because of the price. When the price dropped to below $1000 I just had to jump on it. I am very pleased with the results. The lens is one of my best. It is very sharp and I love the fact the f stops are on the barrel. It handles like my old film cameras. The only downside I have found thus far is the rather dim viewfinder.
All in all Panasonic has a winner here.

I have had this camera for about 3 months now and like it even better than before. Make sure you update the firmware. It will now take photos even while writing raws. It works much faster.