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Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 Hands-on Preview

Preview based on a pre-production DMC-L10

Eighteen months ago Panasonic's first digital SLR caused quite a stir at an otherwise lackluster PMA 2006, due in now small part to its unique Leica-inspired styling and Vario Elmarit 14-50mm optically stabilized lens. But ultimately the DMC-L1, failed to translate all that launch interest into actual sales. This was thanks in part to its high price (the kit lens accounting for half the $2000 ticket) and rather slender feature set. But the other problem - shared with the Olympus E330 (on which it was based and with which it shared many components) - was that the bulky unconventional styling, dismal viewfinder and clunky Live View Implementation sent potential purchasers scurrying back to the 'safe' choice of an SLR from a more mainstream manufacturer.

And now we have the second Panasonic Lumix DSLR, the DMC-L10, a far more conventional affair (it actually looks a lot like a reflex version of the FZ50) that offers some significant new features including a fully articulating LCD monitor, user interface improvements, a resolution hike to ten megapixels and the ability to use contrast-detect autofocus in Live View mode using the sensor itself (though only with compatible lenses - basically the two new zooms announced today). There are also several features that have migrated from Panasonic's compact Lumix range, including Intelligent ISO mode, quick 'FUNC' menu and a sprinkling of scene modes.

Like the L1 the new model is the fruit of the partnership between Panasonic and Olympus, and once again it features a Live MOS sensor and SSWF dust removal filter, (we don't have definite information yet, but the mirror box and sensor are, we suspect the same as the E-410). Once again the kit lens is a Panasonic/Leica collaboration, complete with optical image stabilization, though (presumably to keep costs down) it is a lighter, slower zoom (F3.8-5.6) and it doesn't have an aperture ring. The L10 also does away with the L1's traditional shutter speed dial in favor of twin control dials.

Simon: we've actually been using the DMC-L10 for a few weeks now and were under the impression we'd be able to post a full 'Beta' gallery today and so I've actually taken several hundred gallery shots. Unfortunately last night Panasonic informed us that we could only post low resolution versions as image quality has not been finalized. Since we have a policy of only providing 'the whole truth' when it comes to image samples we've decided not to publish any sample images until we have a final production camera.

Compared to the DMC-L1, feature and specification differences

The L10 is a very different beast to the camera that came before it, and is obviously aimed at a very different segment of the market. Where the L1 was a solid, heavy lump of a camera with a semi professional build, traditional 'shutter speed and aperture dial' operation and styling that owed more than a nod to Leica's rangefinder models, the L10 is a lightweight, conventionally styled SLR with a control interface and feature set that matches mid-range models from the bigger players in the market. You don't get the L1's tank-like build, and some users will bemoan the loss of the unique 'bounce' 2-position flash and aperture ring, but I think it's safe to say that the L10 is far more likely to lift Panasonic out of its niche position in the DLSR market than the L1 ever could.

The main spec differences (as we know them today) are shown below, but first let's start with a summary of the important stuff:

• New lightweight compact body.
• Resolution increase (from 7.5 to 10 megapixels).
• Slightly brighter viewfinder (with optional 1.2x magnifier eyepiece included) .
• Articulating screen (180° swing and tilt).
• New smaller, lighter kit lens (around a stop slower max aperture too).
• All-new control interface.
• Contrast detect autofocus in live view (mirror stays up) - with compatible lens
• Less expensive than L1 at launch (though recent L1 price drops may reduce gap in store).

	Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10	Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1
Image sizes (4:3	• 3648 x 2736 • 2816 x 2112 • 2048 x 1536	• 3136 x 2352 • 2560 x 1920 • 2048 x 1536
File Formats	• Raw • Raw + JPEG • JPEG	• Raw + JPEG • JPEG
JPEG compression	• Two level	• Three level
ISO sensitivities	• Auto • Intelligent ISO (Live View only) • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600	• Auto • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600
Kit lens	LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14–50mm/ F3.8–5.6/ASPH.	LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/ F2.8-3.5/ASPH.
Shutter speed	Via control dial	Shutter speed dial on top of camera
Aperture	Via control dial	Lens aperture ring (with kit lens)
DOF preview	No	Yes
Focus	• Phase detect (3 point) • Contrast detect (9 area), Live view only	• Phase detect (3 point)
Focus modes	• S-AF • C-AF • MF • AF & MF • Face Detect (Live View only)	• S-AF • C-AF • MF • S-AF & MF
WB fine tuning	Yes	No
Quick 'FUNC' menu	Yes	No
Continuous	• 3.0 / 2.0 fps • RAW: 3 frames • JPEG: Unlimited with fast card	• 3.0 / 2.0 fps • RAW: 6 frames • JPEG: Unlimited with fast card
Self timer	• 10 sec • 2 sec • 10 sec / 3 frames	• 10 sec • 2 sec
Param presets	9 preset modes ('film') 2 user modes	7 preset modes ('film') 2 user modes
Flash	• Manual pop-up • Fixed position • GN 11 (ISO 100, m)	• Manual pop-up • 2 position (straight ahead / bounce) • GN 13 (ISO 100, m)
Scene modes	Yes (9)	None
Viewfinder	• Eye level penta mirror type optical view finder • Eye point 14 mm at -1 dioptre • 1.2x Magnifier Eye Cup supplied • Eye piece cap supplied (no shutter)	• Eye-level TTL Optical Porro Finder • Eye point 18 mm at -1 dioptre • Eye piece shutter built-in (activated by lever)
LCD monitor	• 2.5" TFT LCD monitor • Tilt and swivel • 207,000 pixels	• 2.5" TFT LCD monitor • 207,000 pixels
Dimensions	134.5 x 95.5 x 77.5mm	146 x 86 x 64 mm
Weight	• No battery: 480 g	• No battery: 530 g
Other	Slight changes to viewfinder info

edit @ 13 Dec 2007 03:09:51 by steven

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Review

Review based on a production Panasonic DMC-FZ18

Barely half a year after the introduction of the DMC-FZ8, Panasonic added another model to its popular range of compact 'super zoom' Lumix cameras in the shape of the FZ18. Although obviously based on the FZ8 (they are externally almost identical), the FZ18 doesn't replace it; it's a sort of 'big brother' with a bigger zoom, more pixels and a smattering of new features.

The biggest news is the optically stabilized lens, which has 'grown' at both ends and now sports a whopping 18x (28-504mm equiv.) zoom, putting the FZ18 into direct competition with Olympus' SP-550UZ (now updated to the SP-560UZ) and Fujifilm's recently announced FinePix S8000fd.

Almost inevitably the FZ18 squeezes even more pixels onto its 1/2.5-inch sensor, although the increase has been fairly moderate from 7.3 to 8.3 megapixels. Other new features include a dedicated AF/AE button, Face Detection and a new Intelligent Auto mode which integrates Image Stabilization, Intelligent ISO, Face Detection and Scene Detection into a 'Super' Auto Mode.

Despite the usual noise issues you would expect from a tiny sensor/big zoom camera (and our dislike of Panasonic's approach to noise reduction), overall we were pretty impressed with the FZ8 when we reviewed it a few months ago. This was to a large degree due to the superb LEICA lens. So let's find out how Panasonic have tackled the noise challenge - and if the new lens, with it's much more ambitious zoom range, can match its predecessor, starting with a look at what's changed:

Major differences to DMC-FZ8

• 18x optical zoom (28-504mm equiv.) - FZ8 has 12x (36-432mm) zoom
• Smaller maximum aperture at long end of zoom (F4.2 vs F3.1)
• 8.3 megapixel sensor (vs 7.2 megapixel)
• Face Detection
• Intelligent Auto mode
• Manually selectable ISO 1600
• ISO 6400 High Sensitivity mode
• AF/AE lock button and dedicated AF/MF button
• 1cm macro (was 5cm)
• Custom mode and extra scene modes (plus 'advanced scene modes')
• Five level Noise reduction (was three level)
• Slower continuous shooting (burst)
• Heavier and slightly larger

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 specifications

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Review

Panasonic - the company that is more than any other responsible for the renaissance and continuing success of the 'big zoom' bridge camera - launched the original 'Travel Zoom' TZ1 back in February 2006. The formula - a big zoom on a small camera - isn't exactly new, but the combination of Leica's lens design expertise and Panasonic's technology (image stabilization, fast performance) made the TZ1 the first serious alternative to bigger 'SLR-style' super zooms. And now the TZ1 has been superceded by two models with a new 28-280mm equiv. lens, the TZ2 (6MP, slightly lower spec) and the camera on test here, the TZ3. As well as the new wide lens the TZ3 also ups the sensor resolution to 7 megapixels, increases the screen size and throws in a few new features. The big question is, has Panasonic managed to improve some of the image quality issues that dogged the otherwise superbly capable TZ1? Let's find out, starting as usual with the headline specification:

• 7.2 million effective pixel / 8.5 million pixels total 1/2.35" CCD
• 10x (28-280mm equiv.) Leica DC Vario-Elmarit optical zoom
• MEGA OIS image stabilization
• Larger sensor for 28mm equiv. angle of view at 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 aspect ratios
• Venus III Engine processor
• Fast Linear autofocus system
• High Resolution (230,000 pixel) 3.0-inch LCD
• Movies up to 840 x 480 pixels (WVGA) @ 30 fps
• 20 scene modes plus Intelligent ISO mode

TZ3 (and TZ2) vs TZ1: Key changes

As is the case with most of Panasonic's Lumix models the TZ1 is available in either silver or black (though this may not be the case for every country and / or every retailer).

• Wider (and shorter) 28-280mm (equiv.) lens range (TZ1 was 35-350mm)
• Built in lens cover (TZ1 had a lens cap)
• Smaller and lighter camera
• Increased sensor resolution (TZ3: 7MP, TZ2: 6MP, TZ1: 5MP)
• Larger 3.0-inch screen (TZ3 only)
• Intelligent ISO mode
• Clipboard function
• ISO 1250 at full size (TZ1 was 'only' ISO 800), High Sensitivity mode now to ISO 3200
• White balance adjustment and extra 'Shade' WB preset
• Slightly improved burst mode (TZ3 only)
• Slightly better battery life

Color options

The TZ3 is available in three colors; blue, silver and black (though this may not be the case for every country and / or every retailer).

DMC-TZ3 specifications

check price at link menu  , right hand

edit @ 12 Dec 2007 05:37:20 by steven