Panasonic DMC-L1

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The L1's optical viewfinder juts out from the back of the camera about ¾ of an inch, which gives some space between the user's face and the camera body. There is a diopter adjustment to customize the image to eyeglass-wearers; the dial is located on the left side of the eyecup. The eye-level Porro mirror viewfinder is like other Four-Thirds viewfinders: small and dark. The average DSLR's optical viewfinder starts with a focusing screen that's the same size as the image sensor. Because the Four-Thirds sensor is smaller than other DSLR sensors, the image starts out smaller, so it makes sense that the viewfinder image is small, but it seems as though Four-Thirds cameras could still be brighter than they are. The Panasonic L1's viewfinder has a magnification of 0.93x and a field of view covering just 95 percent of the recorded image.

 

The viewfinder shows the 3 auto focus sensors, aperture and shutter values, focus confirmation, exposure lock, exposure compensation, bracketing values, number of pictures left to shoot, the flash setting, and an indicator showing when the L1 is recording an image to the SD card. In a dimly lit room, the green numerical data is much brighter than the image, and it can be distracting.

 

The L1's 2.5-inch, 207,000-pixel LCD has excellent color, sharpness and brightness, but a narrow viewing angle. Off axis, the color washes out, and the black goes pale gray. It's an unfortunate weakness in comparison with the Olympus Evolt E-330, which has a tilting LCD display, and a much better angle of view even without the tilt. The L1's display doesn't tilt or swing. Its live view is more accurate than the optical viewfinder at 100 percent.

 

The polycrystalline TFT display serves three functions: in normal shooting mode, it shows camera settings for shooting and image parameters; in playback mode, it shows images for review; and in live view mode, it acts as a viewfinder. The camera settings show in white text against a black background. The aperture and shutter speed are displayed in large characters along the top of the screen, with small icons at the right, showing the auto focus sensors and the metering pattern. Down the left side it shows the film emulation mode, ISO, flash mode and battery status. Two large scales in the center of the screen show exposure compensation for ambient light and flash, or act as the light meter interface in the fully manual mode. Below the scales, the display indicates burst mode, optical image stabilization mode, custom shooting mode, file size, RAW mode, and the number of images left to shoot on the SD card.

 

The LCD is bright enough to read in sunlight. In live view mode, it features a brightness boost for full sun or off-axis viewing. The boost really works – we were able to focus onscreen even in direct sunlight. Of course, blacks go gray in boost mode, but it's really just for focusing.

 

The display can be distracting when the optical viewfinder is in use, particularly since the black background turns light gray when viewing off-axis. A couple new DSLRs such as the Canon Rebel XTi automatically dim their LCD displays when the camera’s viewfinder is at eye-level to prevent extraneous light from entering the user’s eye. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1’s display shuts off when the shutter is pressed halfway, which means the LCD blinks on and off as users press and release the shutter to refocus.

 

Flash (8.5)

The L1's built-in flash unit folds into the camera body and is hardly noticeable when closed. It is positioned to the left of the lens, when viewing from the front. Unfortunately, the other flash option is off-axis too. The hot shoe is placed just right of the lens.

 

The flash offers a bounce feature, something we remember from an earlier Leica compact. Press the flash open button once, and the small, rectangular flash pops up to about 45 degrees. Press the button again, and the unit swings up into position for direct flash.

 

We tried the bounce unit in a couple settings. At home with a 9-foot, white ceiling, it reached well enough for a snapshot of a few people standing abreast. At a hotel ballroom with higher ceilings, the small unit simply didn't have enough power to bounce. In direct flash mode, it reaches almost 20 feet at f/2.8.

 

The Panasonic L1 offers the following flash modes: auto, off, fill, slow shutter speed, auto with red-eye reduction, and slow shutter speed with red-eye reduction. The modes are available via the flash mode button on the back of the camera. The L1 can be set to front- or rear-curtain flash sync via a menu option. Flash exposure compensation of plus or minus 2 EV in 1/3 EV increments can be set with a button on the back of the camera, and the control dial. The maximum flash sync speed is a relatively slow 1/160. That speed, in combination with the built-in flash, won't work for fill flash in bright outdoor conditions.

 

The bounce feature is appealing because the flash is so small. Small light sources create harsh shadows, and when they're close to the lens, they produce flat light. These two characteristics don't add up to flattering light for portraits; they tend to accentuate skin blemishes, for instance. Bounced light is more diffused, so the shadows are soft, and the light comes from above. If it's not directly above, but above and in front of the subject, the effect adds contour and modeling to the subject.

 

Lens Mount (8.75)

The camera comes with a Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 lens with Mega Optical Image Stabilization built in. This is arguably the best kit lens available on a consumer DSLR. It's bright, mechanically robust, and stable. We see minor color fringing at f/2.8 and 14mm, but not enough to bother most users. Barrel distortion is better-corrected than in competing lenses.

 

The equivalent 28mm-100mm lens actually has an aperture ring, with click stops at 1/3-EV increments. That's a new feature for a Four-Thirds optic, and it goes down to f/22 – which makes for an awfully small hole at 14mm. Though the lens is labeled Leica, it's made in Japan, apparently by Panasonic. It is constructed of 16 elements in 12 groups with 2 lenses being aspheric.

 

The L1 can accept most other manufacturers' Four-Thirds lenses on its standard mount, although the manual indicates that not all of them are fully functional. Most other Four-Thirds lenses don't have aperture rings, and most don’t have image stabilization either. Pressing the Function 1 button activates aperture control via the control dial. Overall, the included lens with the Panasonic L1 is very impressive, but users may soon wish for a little more zoom and need to purchase a longer lens.