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83 of 85 found the following review helpful:
 Finally the right digital camera for me.Nov 25, 2006
By P. Hodges
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
[...].
57 of 60 found the following review helpful:
 Terrific DSLR for those with traditional valuesFeb 09, 2007
By J. Boutilier
"Jim Boutilier"
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.
28 of 29 found the following review helpful:
A True 5 Star Digital S.L.R. Panasonic's DMC L1Jan 04, 2007
By Jack B. Kane
Panasonics DMC-L1 SLR is perhaps the most underrated DSLR on the market.
It is a unique deign to those who have only used film SLRs but to those who have used cameras such as the Leica M series, Canon, Nikon, and Contax range finder cameras should fell right at home with this jewel.
It is one of only two DSLR on the market that has "Live View" LCD
The lens that is supplied with the camera is the finest kit lens of ANY brand camera. It is a Leica lens of 28mm to 100mm (based on 35mm film size) AND the lens has built in stabilization as well for razor sharp pictures even with aging hands.
The camera lens mount is the new four-thirds system so that many of the lens made by Olympus, Sigma and Leica will snap right on the body
Of all the reviews I have read on this camera there are only three negatives that show up (1) Price. (2) It does not feel like a DSLR.
(3) Why only 7.4mp at that price?
Retail price of the camera ($1995.) covers about 90% of the negatives.
However the Leica lens with the built in stabilization alone would be about $1,200. so the body itself would be $800.
As for not feeling like a DSLR that covers 5%. See above about range finder cameras.
Why only 7.4mp any honest expert will tell you that a mega pixel range of 5 to 7.5 is all you need to make up to 16x20 photos. The race to higher mega pixcels at this time is pure media hype.
43 of 50 found the following review helpful:
OMG, OIS!Oct 12, 2006
By Real Person
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!
21 of 23 found the following review helpful:
it's beautiful and it worksNov 17, 2006
By new parents
spin the shutter-speed knob and the shutter-speed changes. twist the aperture ring and the aperture changes. press the shutter release and the shutter releases. for the first time since my k-1000 I feel like my camera isn't trying to outsmart me. everything does what it ought to do. every piece is where it ought to be.
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