The Panasonic DMC-L1 is a camera designed for the experts, and for those who enjoy the process of photography as much as its results, for they are the ones that most likely will appreciate the analog controls of the L1, and its big stabilized Leica lens. The capabilities of the L1 are impressive, and the controls available to obtain specific results are excellent. All that the camera needs now is a greater range of stabilized Leica lenses.

With its excellent stabilized zoom lens, live preview, and bright-image DOF capability, the L1 offers some significant benefits over most other DSLRs.

Aside from price, styling sets this Panasonic model apart from all of its competitors. Friends in the under 30 age category unanimously agreed that “it looks old-fashioned.” Others, in the over 40 group, considered the camera and Leica lens to be more desirable than models that “seem plasticky” or “look the same.” Several said they would be willing to pay extra for the kit, particularly because of the lens.

Overall, I liked the camera, but the only purchase option is a relatively expensive kit. I’m also not sure that the camera has enough added value to compare against similarly (and cheaper) priced kits, like the Nikon D80 and Canon EOS 30D.

Ultimately the Lumix L1 is a unique proposition which, while offering worthwhile benefits to anyone, is a camera you’ll either love or hate. The styling alone will be enough to turn you on, or turn you away. It’s certainly designed for a specialist audience and also fair to say most people will be better served by one of the cheaper and more traditional 10 Megapixel DSLRs, especially if they also upgrade to a superior lens.

The Lumix DMC-L1 is an intriguing product, and a good first digital SLR for Panasonic. It offers a lot of features, some of which are quite unique, though some of its frustrations (namely noise at high ISOs, so-so image processing, and poor ergonomics) really stick with you. The biggest problem I have with the L1 is its price: no matter how nice the lens is (and it IS nice), $1700 is a steep price to pay for a 7.5 Megapixel camera that’s far from perfect.

Panasonic’s first DSLR, the Lumix DMC-L1, stands out from norm. Even though it is largely based on the Olympus E-330, which is already an exotic camera, the L1 adds even more distinction. There are two special aspects to this DSLR: its rangefinder-inspired design and its image preview feature.

In the case of Panasonic what I find very attractive is the partnering with Leica. The Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 that comes bundled with the L1 is almost worth the price of admission by itself. The L1 camera body though is a mixed offering. There’s a lot to like, but also a lot that simply says “first generation”. This is surprising, because last year’s LC1 should have provided the necessary experience and feedback so that the L1 didn’t seem so much like a first attempt.

The L1 is certainly a high quality if slightly flawed product that I feel is more a way of Panasonic establishing itself as a premium brand among DSLRs than actually producing something it is going to sell in any great numbers. The fact that it feels not quite there yet is the reason for the rather average score; let’s hope that the Panasonic L2 builds on the positive points of this model.

Although the Panasonic DMC-L1 is an interesting first SLR and the retro styling will no doubt appeal to some, and while its performance and build quality are excellent, the uncomfortable handling, dark viewfinder and fiddly controls are a handicap. It suffers from the usual Panasonic image noise problems, and the optical quality of the Leica-branded lens isn’t all its cracked up to be. There are better DSLRs with better lenses for a lot less money.