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Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1

Posted: 22 June 2006 01:07 PM
Last Update: 20 July 2006 09:04 AM
6 comment(s)
Categories: News,  Photo News
Author: James Wiseman ( james )
Related Link: Hands On Preview

Panasonic has announced their entry into the 4/3rds DSLR arena with a 7.5 megapixel camera and Zeiss lens.  This camera is very similar to the Olympus E-330 and uses the same sensor, which we have come to learn is actually manufactured by Panasonic.  The Lumix offers a live preview on the rear LCD in a similar fashion to the E-330’s “B” mode.  The kit lens is a 14-50mm f2.8-3.5 zoom which looks excellent, and according to Phil Askey, will also work on the E-330.  The kit price is $1,999 - and it will be interesting to see how this camera is received by underwater photographers and housing manufacturers.

6 Comment(s):

  1. What does 4/3rds mean? I keep seeing this term but haven’t seen a description.

    Posted by synthetic  on  06/27  at  11:46 AM

  2. Hi,

    It’s a new lens mount and sensor design combo - like the Nikon F-mount and DX sensor.

    The 4/3 system is a consortium of camera and sensor manufacturers, with the majors being Panasonic, Fujifilm, and Olympus.

    The sensor is 1/2 the size of a 35mm film negative.

    HTH
    James

    Posted by James Wiseman  on  06/27  at  12:02 PM

  3. Ah, thanks. I thought maybe the sensor was 133% of the size of a 35mm or something.

    Posted by synthetic  on  06/27  at  12:18 PM

  4. Ah, the 4/3rds name probably comes from the fact that the aspect ratio for the sensor is 4w x 3h - like a computer monitor - instead of the traditional 3w x 2h

    Cheesr
    James

    Posted by James Wiseman  on  06/27  at  12:31 PM

  5. to me the 4/3 doesn’t make sense, because most of the new monitors/displays getting wider and the 16/9 format will be most likely become even more popular with hdtv.

    Posted by lars  on  06/27  at  11:51 PM

  6. I have learned that the lens is a Japanese branded Leica lens.

    Cheers
    James

    Posted by James Wiseman  on  07/20  at  11:04 AM

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