Panasonic DMC-L1

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Front (7.25)

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 has a flat face, with a shallow wedge-shaped grip on the left side. The lens release button is at lower right. The AF assist light is in the upper right corner. A small window along the top edge is described by Panasonic as an infrared sensor, which helps set white balance. The Four-Thirds lens mount is off-center toward the right, with a lens release button at about the 4 o'clock position.

 

Black, leather-textured rubber covers the lower part of the camera. The metal top of the L1 is black. The boxy minimalist look is a throwback to Leica cameras, which Panasonic tends to emulate because of their relationship with the company.

 

Back (8.0)

The viewfinder is in the upper left corner, and it projects about ¾ of an inch. It has a soft rubber eyecup. The diopter control dial is on the left side of the viewfinder. A raised area takes up the left two-thirds of the back. The 2.5-inch, 207,000-pixel LCD takes up most of that space, but there are rows of buttons across the sides and top as well. Down the left side, they control white balance, ISO, flash mode and flash exposure compensation. Across the top are the live view button, the flash open button, and the AEL/AFL button. A ring around the AEL/AFL button controls the focus mode. The power button is at far right along the top. Running down the right side of the LCD are the playback button, the display information button, the depth of field button and the delete button. A control dial peeks out from the side of the raised area.

Left Side (7.25)

The left side is flat, with a chrome strap lug, and a flush rubber door covering the USB port, and a dual-purpose port for video output and remote control. The L1 is a thick camera, so the side is a wide, flat expanse. Like the Olympus EVOLT E-300 and E-330, the L1 is bigger than what we expected Four-Thirds cameras to be.

 

Viewed from above, the right side of the L1 has a rounded profile, which creates a comfortable grip. The rubber covering wraps all the way around the camera, including the media slot door. Because the L1 uses SD cards, the door is small. It slides back and then swings open. The hinge is metal, but the door itself is plastic, and does not latch. A spring mechanism in the hinge holds it closed. We prefer more secure closures. The right-side strap lug is chrome and juts out from the side, just where the metal top portion of the camera begins. For most users, this means that the index finger will have to wrap over the strap lug to reach the shutter release and other controls.

 

Top (7.25)

The shutter release is a smooth, slightly convex chrome button at the center of a large retro shutter speed dial. Two levers stick out from under the dial. The one toward the back of the camera sets the burst mode with choices of single shot, burst, bracketing or self-timer. The forward one sets the meter pattern with choices for spot, evaluative and center-weighted. Two customizable function buttons are to the right of the shutter speed dial. The built-in flash folds flush with the top. It’s positioned to the right of the lens, and the dedicated hot shoe is to the left – unfortunately, neither flash options are directly above the lens. “Panasonic DMC-L1” is screen-printed in the forward-left corner of the top.

Bottom (7.5)

The chrome tripod socket is centered under the lens axis, which simplifies aligning the camera with some tripods. The area around the socket is ridged, which may grip the surface of some tripod heads, making it easier to avoid twisting the camera on the mount. The battery compartment is under the grip, and features a large latch lever.