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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 Used: $559.00
You Save: $940.95 (63%)
New (4) from $699.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  28 reviews
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 3
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
Release Date: August 31, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: BODY ONLY with battery , charger, and sd card THERE IS NO LENS WITH THIS BODY!!
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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
The ability to shoot while viewing the LCD monitor is an advantage offered only by digital cameras. With a viewing angle that approaches 100%, the LCD monitor makes it easy to frame shots and gives you a wealth of information at a glance. Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 is, in partnership with Leica, a pro-grade camera that's easy to use for everyday and toward creative potential. Focusing Area - 0.29m at all focal lengths; Focus Type - TTL Phase Difference Detection System; Modes - AFS / AFC / MF AF Assist Lamp ISO Sensitivity Auto / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 White Balance - Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / Flash / White Set 1,2 / Color Temperature Setting 2500k to 10,000K in 31 steps Exposure - Program AE / Aperture Priority AE / Shutter Priority AE / Manual Exposure Compensation - 1/3 EV Step, +- 2 EV Auto Bracketing (AE) 1/3 - 1EV Step +2EV, 3 or 5 Frames TTL Full Aperture Light Metering by 49 Zone Multi-Pattern Sensing System (optical viewfinder) / 256 Zone Multi-Pattern Sensing System (Live View Mode) Shutter Speed 1/400th to 60 and bulb (up to approximately 8 minutes) Self Timer 10 seconds / 2 seconds Recording Format JPEG (Design rule for camera file system based on Exif 2.21 standard); DPOF corresponding; RAW Electronic-Flash - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced On/Off / Shoe for external unit 2.5 LCD Power Supply - Lithium-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 1500mAh) (Included) / Battery Charger/AC Adaptor (Input - 110-240V AC) (Included) PictBridge USB and NTSC/PAL interface Uses SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, Multimedia Card for recording images Unit Dimensions (H x W x D) 3.42'' x 5.74'' x 3.15'' / Weight 1.17 lbs
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| Customer Reviews: Read 23 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
[...].
 Terrific DSLR for those with traditional values February 9, 2007
50 out of 53 found this review helpful
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.
 Too much hype; too little camera April 17, 2007
46 out of 56 found this review helpful
I purchased the L1 in December 2006 for a then-great price of $1,299, tried it out, and then returned it. Since then, that price is more the norm.
The Leica lens, of course, is the strength of the kit. It's much better than other kit lenses. It's solid and sharp. Some online sites have suggested that the lens will list for about $1,300 (when sold alone), but I don't think it's worth that. It's not on par with Canon L lenses or Nikon's top lenses.
The Panasonic body has drawn attention because of its design, with retro features such an exposure dial on the camera, as well as an aperture ring on the lens. It's built like a tank, but that's where my complements end. As has been mentioned in various online reviews, the camera has major problems, including the viewfinder (incredibly dim; the worst I have ever used), the grip (way too small for medium or large hands), the metering (quite limited and inconsistent), the auto focus (slow and inconsistent), and the noise (very high at ISO 800 and above).
These qualities of the camera really take away from the user experience. The camera is OK in daylight when shooting still subjects/objects. However, indoors, at dusk or in any low light, the camera is terrible. You can see almost nothing through the viewfinder (and I have good eyesight), the auto focus doesn't work, metering is off, and noise is problematic.
These troubles completely overwhelm the strengths of the Leica lens. Even at $1,299, the L1 kit is not a good purchase. Let's figure the lens is worth $1,000 (not the $1,300 that I have seen online). That means the body is worth about $300 (maybe $350, if you figure you get a deal by purchasing a kit). It just didn't make sense to me to use a $300-$350 digital SLR (which had so many limitations) with a lens of such a higher standard. In addition, purchasing an L1 completely goes against the idea of choosing a system and, thus, being able to keep excellent lenses to use on future bodies. (OK, it took me too long to figure this out one.) Is Panasonic planning to sell the L2 and L3 without a similar lens? I doubt it.
I would suggest considering another camera--Nikon D80, Nikon D200, or Canon 30D. All are just as well-built (if not better) and much, much better when it comes to viewfinder, grip, metering, auto focus, and noise (as well as myriad other camera specs and functions). In addition, Nikon and Canon provide two enormous advantages: 1) a proven and guaranteed system that you can use for years to come; and 2) a choice of myriad lenses, including some that are of higher quality than the Leica lens of the L1 kit.
Anyway, these are just my thoughts, per my own experiences with different cameras. I'm sure some people will like the L1 and enjoy using it. Others, like me, will not. I suggest that you consider other options.
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!
 WARNING - Panasonic's quality control and customer support September 29, 2007
35 out of 43 found this review helpful
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...
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