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| Click photo for more images of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-L10. |
Panasonic's new DSLR is meant for those trading up from a compact or electronic viewfinder (EVF) camera. The 10.1MP Lumix DMC-L10 is small, simple to use, and feature-packed.
The 2.5-inch LCD has 207,000-pixel resolution, gives you a live preview, and even swivels. Inside is Panasonic's Venus III processing engine, and, like the newest Lumix compacts, it detects and tracks up to 15 faces in a scene for optimal skin tones and portrait exposures. Advanced scene modes are also part of the package.
There's even a lot for serious shooters to like. Remember film? This DSLR can mimic the look of classic emulsions. You also can save in RAW + JPEG. (The burst mode, however, is just 3 fps for up to 3 RAW or unlimited highest-quality JPEGs).
Impressive, too, is the kit glass -- a Leica 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 lens. Like the earlier 7.5MP Lumix DMC-L1 and all Olympus DSLRs, the new L10 uses a Four Thirds-standard sensor with a 2X lens factor.
As part of a partnership with Leica, Panasonic pairs its DSLRs with lenses bearing the famous German marque. That was a perfect fit for the earlier DSLR, aimed at the advanced amateurs. But for this one, it may be overkill. After all, the lens alone sells for $699 (estimated street). Yes, it has an improved MEGA Optical Image Stabilization system with three settings. But it's far more expensive than other kit lenses. And the camera isn't available without it -- which explains the $1,300 (street) package price.
Will the Leica glass push the L10's performance far ahead of the pack? Will this DSLR dramatically outshine, say, the 10MP Olympus E-510 with its comparable Zuiko lens? We won't know until we put the Lumix/Leica through the Pop Photo Lab. But it's hard to believe the lens will make much difference.
Still, this innovative new Lumix could challenge the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, Nikon D80, and Pentax K10D -- if potential buyers realize the value of the Leica lens.
If not, that crowd will stay with sub-$1,000 DSLRs, and be content with low-buck kit lenses and whatever IS system they might get.
-- Michael J. McNamara
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