Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1

[benny]

Hi guys,

This is one sexy camera. Launched in Asia since Feburary, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 is a top end compact digital camera that capable of bounce flash. Yup. Bounce flash. Pretty cool!

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0402/panasonic/DMC-LC1_L_Angle.jpg

The 5-megapixel DMC-LC1 has a digital brain but the heart and soul of a finely crafted 35mm camera, right down to its controls. Zoom, focus and aperture are manually controlled by ring settings on the lens; shutter speed is controlled by a dial located on the top of the unit. The DMC-LC1 incorporates a finely crafted, F2.0 - 2.4 Leica DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens (13 elements in 10 groups) with zoom capability equivalent to 28 - 90mm on a 35mm camera.

Other features include:

Built-in pop-up flash which can tilt 45 degrees to create a bounce
flash. The camera can also accept and synchronize with optional
external flash units. Auto-flash and manual flash settings.

Red-eye compensation.

Large 2.5-inch LCD.

3.2x optical and 3x digital* zoom.

Burst shooting mode.

Real-time histogram.

Auto bracketing mode automatically takes three or five shots at
different exposures.

Remote shutter helps prevent even slight shaking or vibration caused
by contact with the camera.

Three light metering modes: Intelligent Multiple/Center Weighted/Spot
Microphone and speakers for audio recording.

Included accessories: Battery charger/AC adaptor, battery pack, SD
Memory Card, AC cable, DC cable, lens cap, A/V cable, USB driver, USB
connection cable, lens hood, hood cap, MC protector, remote shutter,
strap, SD viewer software, ArcSoft editing software: ArcSoft
PhotoBase(TM), ArcSoft PhotoImpression(TM), ArcSoft PhotoPrinter(TM)
and ArcSoft Panorama Maker(TM).

Suggested retail in the US should be around $1,599.00

And for the purists.....

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/LeicaDigilux2/Images/leicavspanasonic.jpg

The same camera is available as a Leica Digilux 2! It has a unique 'retro' design and style with an all metal case and rubber coating which look more like an analogue film camera of the 1970's.


Here's a closer look...
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/LeicaDigilux2/Images/specsview.jpg

Obviously, the Leica will cost more and will have less accessories.

All pictures are from www.dpreview.com. More details can be found there.

So tempting......

Cheers,

That looks sweet and the flash feature alone is amazing, plus the ring design for adjusting manual features is much better than the on-screen bull you have to deal with when taking pics. Sharp, I hope it hits US sometime soon.

[benny]

For those interested in how the bounce flash works...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/LeicaDigilux2/Images/flash03-001.jpg
Normal position

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/LeicaDigilux2/Images/flash01-001.jpg
Flash position 1 (Frontal flash)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/LeicaDigilux2/Images/flash02-001.jpg
Flash position 2 (Bounce flash)

For those interested in aquatic photography with flash, this will be a very very useful feature.

Cheers,

[ccplim]

Have seen some shots from this camera before. It's a masterpiece.

[Cichlid Lover]

Too bad it ranges from 1200.00 - 1600.00 for that bad larry... [smilie=fear2.gif]