Lumix DMC-L1 Digital SLR from Panasonic

Panasonic has announced the development of its first digital SLR camera, the Lumix DMC-L1, created in conjunction with Olympus. The company showed a prototype of the camera at the recent PMA show in Orlando. The two companies announced they would jointly develop digital SLR technologies and components in early 2005; Olympus introduced its new Evolt E-330, which also resulted from this agreement, earlier this year.

The DMC-L1 will be a 7.5-megapixel camera that features: a full-time live-view function through its 2.5-in. high-resolution LCD viewfinder; a Supersonic Wave Filter dust-reduction system; and a Venus Engine III LSI for superior color reproduction and smoother images. It also has an old-fashioned aperture ring and a film-SLR-like shutter-speed dial.

The camera complies with the Four Thirds System standard for interchangeable-lens-type digital SLRs. At PMA, the camera was shown with a Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 ASPH lens–the first Leica lens developed exclusively for digital SLRs. The lens incorporates Mega OIS, an image-stabilization system that makes it possible to shoot in low-lit or macro-shooting situations without a tripod.

The camera is compatible with SD memory cards as well as the upcoming SDHC memory cards.

The DMC-L1 will ship later this year; price has yet to be announced.

PANASONIC
www.panasonic.com