Trade.Information

Product Name: Lumix DMC-L1

Product Description

21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic Corporation of North America (NYSE: MC) today announced the availability of its first digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera with an interchangeable lens, the DMC-L1, in the United States . The camera will be available beginning early September for a suggested retail price of $1,999. The camera comes equipped with a LEICA DVARIO-ELMARIT lens featuring the industry's first optical image stabilization system - MEGA O.I.S - designed specifically for the Leica lens.

"With the DMC-L1, we confirm Panasonic's position as a leader in the imaging category," noted Rich Campbell , Director of the Imaging Group for Panasonic. "In this camera, we have incorporated today's most advanced digital technologies while maintaining the attractive look and operating feel of the traditional film camera. The DMC-L1 is the flagship model in our digital camera line. It delivers clear, detailed, beautiful imaging, free of unwanted digital characteristics, and allows advanced photographers and hobbyists alike satisfying, intuitive shooting from a digital SLR."

The DMC-L1 features a magnesium-alloy body, which closely resembles thebody design of a rangefinder camera from days past, and combines an aluminum-alloy lens section to offer both high rigidity and a high-grade appearance. When combined with the shutter speed dial on the camera top and the aperturering on the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 lens, the user receiveseasy, intuitive control of the exposure, rendering superior images.

The DMC-L1 ensures picture quality through incorporation of a Live MOSimage sensor and a lens mount system that conforms to the Four Thirds(TM)Standard. A full-time Live View function uses a signal output directly from the Live MOS sensor, allowing users to view the same image on the LCD screenas seen by the sensor and to compose shots with greater ease and accuracy.

The camera also offers a dust reduction system that eliminates digital SLR cameras' long-standing problem of dust adhering to the sensor. Panasonic hassolved this problem by equipping the DMC-L1 with a Supersonic Wave Filter system that uses supersonic vibration to shake off any dust clinging to thesensor. This simplifies camera maintenance and eliminates worries about dust entering the camera body when lenses are being changed.

By incorporating advanced imaging and power management with its Venus Engine LSI, optical image stabilization, and Leica lenses, Panasonic hascreated a premium line of digital cameras, now led by the DMC-L1.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America , the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations.Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com.Additional company information for journalists is available atwww.panasonic.com/pressroom.

Extended Notes

A pleasure to hold and use

The DMC-L1 design reflects Panasonic's diligent pursuit of more than just high functionality. A shutter speed dial on the camera top enhances the user's sense of control. An aperture ring, along with a focus ring and zoom ring, is provided on the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8 ASPH lens. These rings andthe shutter dial combine to give the user quick, intuitive camera control for comfortable shooting in a range of situations. With the DMC-L1, users experience the responsive, satisfying performance that one would expect in afinely crafted camera.

The DMC-L1 also offers a high-grade appearance and high reliability and durability thanks to the use of a lightweight, high-rigidity magnesium alloy for the camera body. The body periphery and grip are covered with a textured, simulated leather that helps ensure a secure, slip-free hold.

Superb image rendering

The LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT lens, the first interchangeable lens designed specifically for digital cameras to bear the Leica name, is a standard zoomlens developed jointly by and combining the optical technologies of Leica Camera AG and Panasonic. A new set of quality standards were createdspecifically for this lens, to ensure that it would bring out the best performance of the camera it is coupled with.

With a focal length range equivalent to 28mm (wide) to 100mm (mediumtelescopic) on a 35mm film camera, the Leica D lens provides exceptional results with everything from portraits to landscapes. This bright F2.8-3.5lens allows maximum use of the out-of-focus techniques possible only with anSLR camera.

The lens also provides outstanding macro shooting, thanks to a 29 cmminimum shooting distance (0.32x maximum magnification, 35mm equivalent)across the entire zoom range. From landscapes to portraits to macro close-ups,the Leica D zoom lens excels in a wide variety of shooting situations.

The lens system comprises 16 elements in 12 groups and features two large-diameter glass-molded aspherical lenses. Meeting the Leica D lens loftyquality standards, this lens unit provides a superior optical performance and matches perfectly with the digital SLR camera body. The result is exquisiter endering, with images that offer clarity, depth, and rich expression from corner to corner, even at a fully open aperture.

The optical image stabilization system -- MEGA O.I.S -- provided in the lens unit helps minimize blurring to ensure that photos are sharp even insituations when hand-movement is typically a problem, such as when taking macro close-ups, indoor shots, or night portrait shots. Thanks to the gyrosensors and Venus Engine Plus LSI built into the lens, the system detects camera movement at a rate of 4,000 times per second, so hand-movement compensation is extremely precise.

There are two image stabilization modes. In Mode 1 the hand-movement compensation function remains active at all times, so the image in the LCD and viewfinder is clear, which makes shots easier to compose. In Mode 2 the systemactivates only when the shutter button is pressed; this provides a moreprecise compensation performance. Users can select whichever mode they preferin a specific situation.
* The image stabilization system may not prevent blurring in all situations, such as when the shutter speed is extremely slow or there is excessive hand-movement or camera vibration. Full-time Live View 

Panasonic has developed a full-time Live View function that lets users accurately compose photos while viewing the high-resolution 2.5" LCD screen.In previous digital SLR cameras, a "live" image could be seen only through the viewfinder. The new full-time Live View function thus represents a dramaticchange in digital SLR photography, giving users new ways to shoot.

Full-time Live View provides a 100 percent view field coverage (that is,the same image seen by the image sensor) on the DMC-L1's large, 2.5" LCDmonitor. Users can compose a shot easily and accurately while viewing the screen. The screen also displays critical information such as a live histogramand white balance, which users can easily check prior to snapping the shot. When a tripod is used, full-time Live View lets users compose the image without bending to peer through the viewfinder. In these ways, users will findthat full-time Live View gives them both more shooting flexibility and greater convenience.

The Live MOS image sensor must remain ON when full-time Live View is inuse. The Live MOS sensor has a full-time image output function that sends asignal directly to the LCD, allowing high-quality display on the LCD screen ofthe same image seen in the sensor. Note that when the full-time Live Viewfunction is active, the internal mirror is in the raised position, which means that there will be no image visible in the optical viewfinder.

Users can take advantage of the revolutionary full-time Live View functionin both Auto Focus and Manual Focus modes. When using Manual Focus, users canselect a particular area within the frame and enlarge it up to 10x. Then, viewing the DMC-L1's 2.5" 207,000-pixel LCD screen, it is easy to check thefocus. It is also possible, by pressing the aperture preview button, to check the depth of field. When the aperture is being adjusted, the DMC-L1 automatically adjusts the brightness of the full-time Live View image on the LCD screen to prevent it from becoming too dark to see. This makes it easierto check the depth of field.

4/3-type 7.5-megapixel, high-resolution, energy-saving Live MOS sensor

The Live MOS sensor used in the DMC-L1 provides beautiful images with delicate gradation and wide dynamic range that only a CCD image sensor canprovide. To this it adds the low energy consumption only a CMOS sensor canoffer. The use of dedicated processing technology enables operation at a low voltage of 5 V, minimizing noise in darker parts of an image. Also, photodiodes embedded deeply in the silicon layer create a structure thatsuppresses noise generated on the substrate surface. As a result, the white-spot pixel defects and textural roughness that often characterize images captured in dim lighting are minimized, so photos are crisp and clear.

Dust reduction system

One of the most critical issues with digital SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses is the possibility of dust entering the camera bodyduring lens changes. This dust can adhere to the image sensor and show up asspots on photos taken. Panasonic has solved this problem by equipping the DMC-L1 with a Supersonic Wave Filter system that uses supersonic vibration toshake off any dust clinging to the sensor. This simplifies camera maintenanceand eliminates worries about dust entering the camera body when lenses are being changed outdoors, so users can enjoy themselves and just concentrate onshooting.

Venus Engine III image processing LSI

The Venus Engine III is an image processing LSI developed by Panasonic tomaximize the performance of the Leica D lens and Live MOS sensor. Thisadvanced LSI not only helps reproduce images with outstanding resolution, superior color and detailed gradation, it also distinguishes chromatic noisefrom luminance noise and selectively reduces the chromatic noise, one of thechief sources of image quality problems. This helps the DMC-L1 deliver the superb image rendering one expects from a quality SLR camera. The Venus EngineIII also works swiftly, helping give the DMC-L1 a quick startup time of 0.8seconds, shorter shutter interval, and improved consecutive shooting performance.

Further, the Venus Engine III consumes 20% less power than its predecessor, the Venus Engine II. This combines with the Live MOS sensor's low energy consumption to give the DMC-L1 longer battery life. Users can takearound 450 shots (CIPA standard) on a single battery charge.

Film mode

In film cameras, the brand of film used affects the color characteristics,gradation and color saturation of the photos taken. This gives photographers the option of choosing a particular brand of film to attain a particular desired effect. The DMC-L1 provides a similar option by giving the user atotal of seven "film" modes to choose from, including four color settings(Standard, Dynamic, Natural and Smooth) and three monochrome settings(Standard, Dynamic and Smooth). Just as photographers can switch film brandsto change the imaging characteristics, DMC-L1 users can switch modes toachieve a similar effect.

Two-axis white balance adjustment

In addition to the conventional white balance setting, the DMC-L1 featuresa two-axis setting system that allows even finer white balance adjustment.Making adjustments along a horizontal amber-blue axis and a vertical green-magenta axis, users can set the camera for detailed color cast compensation over virtually the entire color space.

Extra Optical Zoom*

When the camera is set to record at less than the maximum number of pixels, users can take advantage of an Extra Optical Zoom function*. This function alters the 7.5-megapixel Live MOS sensor's operating area, to vary the angle of view and increase the maximum zoom ratio.

Unlike a digital zoom, the Extra Optical Zoom function extends the focal length 1.5 times** (when shooting at 3-megapixel or a lower-resolution mode)without degrading the image. Users enjoy extra zoom power without loss ofpicture quality.
* Only applicable in using full-time Live View function. ** When the DMC-L1 is used with the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 ASPH lens provided. Other features and functions * Supports SDHC format * Compatible with external TTL flash units (models DMW-FL500, DMW-FL360) * Auto bracket function - shoots three or five photos at exposures changing in steps of +1/3 to 1 EV * Equipped with a shutter-speed Bulb setting (8 minutes max.) Variety of accessories Leather Bag DMW-BAL1 Shoulder Strap DMW-SSTL1 Battery Pack CGR-S603 Remote Shutter DMW-RSL1 MC Protector DMW-LMCH72 PL Filter DMW-LPL72 External Flash (GN50) DMW-FL500 External Flash (GN36) DMW-FL360 Specifications DMC-L1 TYPE Type Interchangeable Lens Digital SLR Camera Recording Media SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, Multimedia Card Image Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm Mount Four Thirds mount IMAGE SENSOR Type Live MOS Sensor Total Pixels 7.9 Mega-pixel Camera Effective pixels 7.5 Mega-pixel Aspect Ratio 3:4 (Vertical : Horizontal) Color Filter Primary color filter Dust Reduction System Supersonic Wave Filter RECORDING SYSTEM Recording File Format JPEG(Design rule for Camera File system, based on Exif 2.21 standard), DPOF corresponding, RAW Aspect Ratio 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 (3:2,16:9 with Live view only) File Size 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 3136 x 2352 pixels, 2560 x 1920 pixels, 2048 x 1536 pixels 3:2 Aspect Ratio: 3136 x 2080 pixels, 2560 x 1712 pixels, 2048 x 1360 pixels 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 3136 x 1760 pixels, 1920 x 1080 pixels Color Space sRGB, Adobe RGB VIEWFINDER Type Eye level Porro Mirror type Optical View Finder Field of View Approx. 95% Magnification Approx. 0.93x Eye point Approx.18mm (-1[m-1]) Diopter Adjustment -3.0 ~ +1 [m-1] Focusing Screen Fixed type Mirror Quick Return Mirror Depth-of-Field Preview Enabled with Aperture Preview button (with Live view only) Eyepiece Shutter Detachable AUTO FOCUS Type TTL Phase Difference Detection System Focusing Mode AFS/AFC/MF Focusing Area 3 points Focusing Area Selection Auto / 1fixed point, left / 1fixed point, center/ 1fixed point, right AF Detective Range EV0-19 (ISO100) AF Assist Lamp YES AF Lock AFL/AEL button or Shutter button halfway pressed in AFS mode EXPOSURE CONTROL Light Metering System TTL Full Aperture Light Metering by 49 Zones Multi-pattern Sensing system (Optical view finder ) 256 zone Multi-pattern Sensing system (Live view mode) Light Metering Mode Intelligent Multiple/Center Weighted/Spot Metering Range 0 - 20EV with Optical view finder), 0 - 16EV with Live view mode (with F2.0 lens, ISO 100) Exposure Mode Program AE / Aperture Priority AE/ Shutter Priority AE / Manual ISO sensitivity Auto/100/200/400/800/1600 Exposure Compensation 1/3EVStep +/-2EV AE Lock AFL/AEL Button or Shutter button halfway pressed AE Bracket 3 frame 5 frame 1/3~1EV Step +/-2EV WHITE BALANCE White Balance Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / Flash / White Set 1,2 / Color temperature setting White Balance Adjustment blue/amber bias, magenta/green bias Color temperature setting 2500K to 10000K in 31 steps SHUTTER SYSTEM Type Focal-plane shutter Shutter Speed 1/4000 ~ 60 and Bulb (up to approx. 8 minutes) Self Timer 10 sec / 2 sec Remote Control Remote control with bulb function by DMW-RSL1 (Optional) BURST SHOOTING Burst Speed 3 frames/sec or 2 frames/sec Number of Recordable 6 pictures (when there are RAW file), Unlimited consecutive shooting (when there are no RAW file) (depending on memory card size, battery power, picture size, and compression) BUILT-IN-FLASH Type TTL Built-in-Flash, GN10 (ISO100,m), Built-in Pop-up, Bounce flash Built-in Flash Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On/Red- eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced On/Off X-Sync speed Less than 1/160 second Flash output adjustment 1/3EVStep +/-2EV Flash synchronization 1st. Curtain Sync. and 2nd Curtain Sync. (Selectable) Hot Shoe TTL Auto with FL360/FL500 (Optional) LCD MONITOR Type Low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD Monitor Size 2.5 inch Pixels 207K pixels Filed of view Approx. 100% in LIVE VIEW MODE OSD language English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Traditional), Japanese LIVE VIEW Type YES (LCD monitor can be used as view finder, with Live MOS sensor set to monitor mode. Digital zoom 2x, 4x (with Live view only) Extra Optical zoom Max.1.5x (With Live view only. Not effective with full pixel recording. Magnification ratio depends on the recording pixels.) FILM MODE Color Standard / Dynamic / Nature / Smooth Color Black and White Standard / Dynamic / Smooth Color PLAYBACK Playback Mode Single / 9, 25-thumbnail display, Calendar display, Zoomed playback (16x max.), /image rotation (except for RAW) Slide show (duration is adjustable, also manual controllable), Playback of favorite pictures/ Resizing (selectable number of pixels) Trimming / Protection / Aspect conversion / DPOF print setting PROTECTION/ ERASE Protection Single / Multi or Cancel Erase Single / Multi / All DIRECT PRINT Print PictBridge(Print size, Layout, Date setting is selectable ) INTERFACE Digital USB 2.0 (High speed) Analog Video NTSC/PAL Composite (Switched by menu) POWER Battery Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 1500mAh) (Included) Battery Charger/AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (Included) Battery Life Approx. 450 images (CIPA Standard) DIMENSIONS/ WIGHT Dimensions (W x H x D) 145.8 x 86.9 x 80mm Weight Approx. 530g(Body only) OPERATING CONDITION Operating temperature 0 to 40 Celsius Operating humidity 10% to 80% STANDARD ACCESSORY Software LUMIX Simple Viewer, PhotofunStudio -viewer- SILKYPIX DEVELOPER STUDIO Quick Time USB Driver Standard Accessory Battery Charger/AC adaptor, Battery Pack, Eyepiece Cap, Body Cap, Video Cable, USB Connection Cable, AC Cable, DC Cable, Strap, CD-ROM LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-F3.5 ASPH. Lens Construction 16 elements in 12 groups (2 Aspherical lenses) Mount Four Thirds mount Optical Image Stabilizer YES On/Off (selectable Mode1 /2 with only DMC-L1) Focal Length f=14mm to 50mm (35mm film camera equivalent 28mm to 100mm) Aperture Type 7 diaphragm blades / iris diaphragm Aperture Range F2.8(wide) - F3.5(Tele) Minimum Aperture F22 Closest Focusing Distance 0.29m at all focal lengths Maximum magnification Approx. 0.32x (35mm Equiv) Diagonal Angle of View 75 Degree(W)~ 24 Degree (T) Filter Size 72mm Max. Diameter f78.1 Overall Length 102.8mm Weight 490g Standard Accessory Lens Cap, Lens Hood, Lens Rear Cap, Lens Storage Bag 

SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America 


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