Panasonic Launches Its First DSLR Camera In July
Panasonic, the brand for which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is known, announced today the company will launch its first digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, the 7.5-megapixel LUMIX DMC-L1, on July 22, 2006 in Japan.
The DMC-L1 is promised to offer a variety of innovative features, which include the Leica D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50 mm/F2.8-3.5 lens, the world's first Leica lens designed for digital SLR cameras. The interchangeable lens is based on the new Four Thirds system open standard ensuring interchangeable lens mount capability. Adoption of the system lets users combine bodies and lenses made by other makers. The Leica D lens also incorporates Panasonic's MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer and the newly developed Venus Engine III LSI. The gyrosensors and the image processing LSI can detect every slight hand-shake at a sampling rate of up to 4,000 times per second to assure blur-free pictures.
The DMC-L1 has a full-time Live View function that allows users to compose a scene through the high-resolution LCD, in addition to an optical viewfinder. The Live MOS sensor has a full-time image output function that sends images directly to the LCD. The Live View function can be selected in both Auto Focus and Manual Focus modes. In Manual Focus, it allows the user to choose the focusing area and enlarge it as much as 10 times.
Other key innovations include the Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system. The system uses supersonic vibration to instantly shake off any dust that can accumulate on the electrically charged sensor during lens changes.
The DMC-L1 has a shutter speed dial on top of the camera body and an aperture ring on the lens barrel, providing the intuitive control of a conventional film camera. The black magnesium-alloy body is not only sturdy and lightweight but also stylish and chic in design.
Like all LUMIX cameras, the DMC-L1 is compatible with the SD Memory Cards.
Panasonic plans to produce 3,000 units of the DMC-L1 per month.
Source: Panasonic
Write a comment below. No registration needed!
