Panasonic DMC-LC1 5.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [10.65mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00020A8RI
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,611 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 5, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Panasonic has developed an exciting new digital camera line that will revolutionize the world of digital photography. Introducing the New Lumix Digital Camera, the first to combine world-renowned Leica Optics with advanced Panasonic digital technology for the perfect balance of art and science. These cameras produce high-quality, professional-looking photographs, their convenient user-friendly features make multimedia applications quick and easy. Featuring built-in USB ports and SD memory card slots, the new Mega-pixel digital cameras also offer networking versatility with home computers and a wide variety of compatible SD-enabled devices.

From 28mm Wide Angle to 90mm Telephoto (Converted to 35mm equivalent)
The Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens boasts a wide-open aperture value of F2.0 at wide end and F2.4 at tele end. The large aperture is extremely helpful when shooting at higher shutter speeds or for giving backgrounds a gentle soft-focus. In addition, the camera provides 3.2x optical zooming, with a focal distance of 28mm to 90 mm (converted to 35mm equivalent). Together, the bright lens with the wide-angle to telephoto capabilities keep you ready for most any situation.

An Optical System with Aspherical Lenses and Multi-Coating
Featuring 13 lenses in 10 groups, the LC1's 3.2x optical zoom lens system renders sharp images from edge to edge with high contrast and rich colors. A total of 2 dual-sided aspherical lenses, produced using extremely sophisticated techniques, corrects the spherical aberration that can occur with some large-aperture lenses. In addition, a special multi-coating process on all surfaces reduces the surface reflection of each lens to diminish ghosts and flare, dramatically improving image clarity. The result is clear, vivid images with remarkably crisp transparency.

The perfect match 2/3" CCD with 5 Megapixels
In the LC1, detailed video data from the 5-megapixel CCD is processed by the high-speed Venus Engine LSI. Together, these advanced components render images of exquisite beauty - the kind of beauty you would expect from cameras one rank above 5-megapixel class. The high-speed processing helps make the LC1 extremely responsive, too. You can snap up to nine consecutive high-speed shots (in Standard mode) with outstanding 2560 x 1920 pixel picture quality.

The Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens, when shooting at maximum aperture, combines with the large 2/3" CCD to produce a beautiful soft focus effect. This gives the LC1 a rich expressivity that expands your photographic freedom and creativity.

Direct Manual Operation
A fine camera feels like an extension of the senses. The delicate clicking as the dial turns, the rotary movement of the ring that one's fingers "remember," the gentle resistance of the shutter button...Each of these is part of the pleasurable sensory experience that one associates with a fine camera.

And each of these is part of the LC1, a camera that combines state-of-the-art digital technology with the familiar, satisfying feel of your old 35mm camera. And just like your old 35mm camera, the LC1 provides intuitive operation using dials and rings that you control with your fingertips.

Quick Manual Zoom
Simply rotate the lens ring to zoom in or out. With its direct lens operation, the LC1 allows flexible, delicate framing - unlike cameras with a power zoom.

Smooth, Precise Manual Focusing
Switch in an instant from auto to manual focus by simply turning the lens ring. Then use the lens ring for quick, precise focusing.

Aperture Ring
Turn this ring to open and close the aperture. The LC1 switches smoothly from auto to whichever aperture you choose.

Color EVF
A visual field close to 100% brings virtually the entire image into the frame of this color electronic viewfinder, and 235,000 pixels display it with crisp, clear quality. A diopter adjustment lets you match the viewfinder's optical characteristics to your vision.

Easy to see even in daytime outdoor
2.5" diagonal Polycrystalline TFT LCD Display provides a large view and clear, beautiful images. With 211,000 pixels, this monitor delivers all the resolution and detail you need for comfortable, accurate shooting.

Manual Focus Assist
When Manual Focus Assist is switched on, the image area at the center of the LCD or viewfinder is briefly magnified. This makes it easy for you to check that you're getting a sharp, precise focus. Select from two assist modes: one shows the magnified area in the center of the LCD or viewfinder with the rest of the image around it at normal magnification, the other shows only the magnified area over the entire display.

Manual Exposure Assist
In Manual Exposure mode, simply press the shutter button halfway down and the Manual Exposure Assist screen will open in the viewfinder and LCD monitor. It shows you exactly how much your exposure setting varies from the setting the camera considers optimal.

Guide Lines
Displayed in the viewfinder and LCD, these thin horizontal and vertical lines make it easy for you to compose your shots and to hold the camera level.

Real-Time Histograms
This graph, which can be displayed in the LCD monitor as you line up the shot, shows the status of the exposure and contrast in real-time.

Flash Light Adjustment / Bounce Lighting
The LC1 flash offers several convenient settings, including Auto, Auto/Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync./Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Forced ON/Red-Eye Reduction, and Forced On/Off. You can adjust the flash intensity by ± EV in 1/3 EV steps. And if desired, you can mount the optional DMW-FL28 external flash onto the LC1.

What's in the box:
Panasonic digital camera, Battery Charger/AC Adapter, Battery Pack, 16MB 6 SD Memory Card, AC & DC Cable, Lens Cap & Lens Hood, Hood Cap, A/V & USB Cable, MC Protector, Remote Shutter, Strap, CD-ROM.

Product Description

Lumix Digital Cameras 2/8/200615-19-32

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One (two) of a kind..., January 2, 2005

By 

Anthony C - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic DMC-LC1 5.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

So here's the scenario that led me to purchase this camera. After years of photography with a Contax RTS II system, I dropped photography almost completely for 10+ years. The problem? Enjoying the medium without the expense, overly complex process and lugging around 18 lbs of equipment. So I recently started to look at digital photography to completely replace my film equipment. I didn't want an SLR because a)while $1200 buy's a 20oz. technological marvel, it's still made like a disposable $100 EOS Rebel and b)I would be back in the trap of buying lenses and overcomplicating the process. I wanted to get back to simple pure photography withough relying on fancy equipment.

Here was the problem though. There are virtually no non-slr digicams that offer full manual controls in a user friendly, old style manor. Even the SLR's all rely on LCD displays, cheesey dials and buttons.

There was only one (two including the Leica branded version) camera made that offers a rugged classic rangefinder design, an APERATURE RING!, a SHUTTER DIAL!, and manual FOCUS! and ZOOM! rings. While some of these are only emulate mechanical linkages, the end result is a camera that feels exactly like a Leica "m" or other traditional camera would. Oh and by the way did I mention it comes with a fantastic bright Leica f 2.0 lens?

In all honesty, I am not embarrassed to say that it boiled down to style and build quality. Sure there are histograms, program shifts, multiple spot and zone metering/focusing options, a bounce flash (neat feature), 30fps video mode, RAW image format, etc. etc. etc. blah blah blah. All $1000+ digicams have lot's of features, and franklly they are all capable of fantastic images. In the end if you want a camera that is SIMPLY designed the way cameras were made 20-50 years ago with all the bells and whistles if you want them, this is the ONLY choice.

Are there problems? Sure... The low light focusing capabilities leave something to be desired as with most EVF cameras. There is no RAW buffer so RAW images take a few seconds to store. But my initial feeling for this camera is that it is a joy to use.

This is not a cheap camera! With a list of $1599 and a street of $1099-$1399, it will be hard for some to justify not getting a Nikon D70 and 2 lenses in order to get this instead. It will be a certain type of buyer (you know who you are) that will buy this camera regardless of what I write. If you are a poser, buy the Leica Digilux 2 for $1850 street price and throw away $750. It is identical but the body on the Panasonic has a beautiful rubberized surface with just enough of a grip at the right to be effective. The black finish is very nice as well. It does however come with a few extras that would easily add $100+ to most DSLR's like an electronic cable release, a lense shade and filter.

So in the end I got exactly what I wanted and if you are like me, you will not be dissapointed.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Nothing I've Ever Seen, October 26, 2004

By 

Unblinking Eye "Unblinking Eye" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic DMC-LC1 5.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

A friend had one of these at a camera event in Amsterdam. He took my SD card and put it in his camera and took a few pictures, then gave the SD card for me to put back in my Optio S4. I then took the same pictures with my camera. The difference in the quality of the photographs was absolutely astounding! The Leitz Summicron lens gives stunning quality. The camera also had a fold up shade for the large LCD on the back (don't know if this is an accessory or standard) like the old Speed Graphic cameras had for their ground glass--so you can see it in bright light. I have never seen a digital camera that produced such a high quality image, and the fit and finish is worthy of the Leitz lens.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheaper, But Still Superb Leica Digilux Sibling, December 30, 2004

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic DMC-LC1 5.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

The Panasonic DMC-LC1 reminds me of an overgrown Contax G2 autofocus 35mm film rangefinder camera and handles nearly as well as its more expensive sibling, the Leica Digilux 2. Panasonic and Leica have joined forces to create a line of digital cameras, of which this camera and the Leica Digilux 2 comprise a second generation. The Panasonic DMC-LC1 is very easy to use and the picture quality is superb, thanks to its new Vario-Summicron lens. This is not a camera meant for the casual user, but instead, one who is either a serious amateur or professional photographer interested in a high grade non-interchangeable lens digital camera. It will attract those interested in a much less expensive version of the Leica Digilux 2; at its lower cost, it lacks some of the software features present in the more expensive Leica digital camera.