State-of-the-art digital and optical technologies developed for
our compact digital cameras have been crystallized to make LUMIX a top camera
brand while helping establish a new photographic culture for the digital age.
Panasonic is drawing on these leading technologies, and the emotional
excitement of true-to-life photographic images, as we announced in our entry
to the digital SLR market in 2005.
The DMC-L1 being introduced today is an entirely new kind of digital SLR
camera. It is operated much like a traditional film camera but provides a
variety of innovative features that increase the fun of shooting photos. While
the DMC-L1 is digital, it has a classic design that will remind users of
traditional analogue cameras. These characteristics, together with a shutter
speed control dial on the camera body and an aperture ring on the LEICA D
VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 lens (also being introduced), distinguish the
DMC-L1 from conventional digital SLRs in both design and operation.
Because it is digital, the DMC-L1 can offer features such as a full-time
Live View function through the large 2.5″ high-resolution LCD, which offers a
shooting style different from conventional digital SLRs that have only an
optical viewfinder. The full-time Live View is made possible by the new Live
MOS sensor, developed using Panasonic’s original Maicovicon(TM) technology.
Used in the DMC-L1, the 4/3-type Live MOS sensor with 7.5 million pixels
provides both the outstanding image quality of a CCD and the low energy
consumption for which CMOS sensors are known. The DMC-L1 also incorporates the
Venus Engine III image processing LSI, which teams up with the Live MOS sensor
to achieve stunning picture quality and responsive performance, with features
such as rapid consecutive shooting.
The DMC-L1 further incorporates a Supersonic Wave Filter that serves as a
dust reduction system, so you don’t have to worry about dust entering the
camera during lens changes.
The LUMIX DMC-L1 debuts as a state-of-the-art digital SLR camera that
maintains the intuitive control and operability of familiar analogue cameras,
unlike digital SLRs that simply offer extended functions and specifications.
The DMC-L1 is a finely crafted, truly satisfying camera that makes it easy for
people who have never even used a digital single lens reflex camera to take
beautiful shots and gives professionals a powerful tool for creating
photographic masterpieces that visually express the emotions of their
subjects.
A shutter speed dial on the camera body and an aperture ring on the lens
barrel
To enhance the sense of camera control, the DMC-L1 features a shutter
speed dial on top of the camera body. The LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-
3.5 lens (also being introduced today) is equipped with an aperture ring, in
addition to a focus ring and zoom ring, for easy, direct aperture setting.
Full-time Live View for a whole new style of digital SLR shooting
By combining the full-time image output function of the Live MOS sensor
and a mirror-up mechanism, the DMC-L1 achieves a full-time Live View function
that displays the image on the LCD directly from the sensor signal. This
function can be selected in both Auto Focus and Manual Focus modes. In Manual
Focus, it allows the user to enlarge an image within the frame and then select
the area focusing. This makes it easy to check the focusing condition on the
large 2.5-inch, high-resolution, 207,000-pixel LCD. The depth of field can
also be easily checked by pressing the Aperture button.
High-image-quality, low-energy-consuming 4/3-type Live MOS sensor with 7.5
million pixels
The Live MOS sensor used in the DMC-L1 not only makes full-time Live View
possible, it also helps capture the beautiful images of a CCD sensor with
delicate gradation and a wide dynamic range. And it suppresses energy
consumption as only a CMOS sensor can do. Noise is also minimized thanks to a
special processing technology that runs on voltage as low as 5 V.
Venus Engine Ill LSI: High image quality, quick response, low energy
consumption
The Venus Engine III is an image processing LSI that was newly developed
to maximize the performance of the Live MOS sensor. While inheriting the
earlier Venus Engine’s high resolution, superior color reproduction and
detailed gradation, the Venus Engine III also reduces noise to the level
expected from a digital SLR camera, to help render smooth images. The Venus
Engine III improves camera responsiveness too, supporting high-performance
consecutive shooting and a short shutter interval. Despite the considerably
higher performance, the Venus Engine III consumes only 80% as much power as
the Venus Engine II. This combines with the Live MOS sensor’s low energy
consumption to provide longer battery life.
Dust reduction system to prevent annoying contaminants
The most critical and annoying problem with digital SLRs with
interchangeable lenses is the possibility of dust getting inside the camera
during lens changes, contaminating the image sensor. If this happens,
professional cleaning is often required. The DMC-L1 takes care of this problem
by incorporating a Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system. The system
uses supersonic vibration to instantly shake off any dust that might otherwise
affect the image.
