ProductCritic: Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Reviews

Megapixel.net (95)

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.

DPexpert (92)

The Panasonic is a difficult camera to rate because of the price. The Olympus E330, with which it shares components, sells for about $1800 but doesn’t have a comparable lens. The Nikon D200, with a better viewfinder, more pixels but lesser optic sells for $2900. The Lumix L1 is highly recommended because it is a fine camera but whether it is value for money will be for the customer to decide. In the US the price is already dropping.

Popular Photography & Imaging (90)

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

Photoxels (90)

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 will appeal to pros and amateur photographers desiring a digital camera with superb analogue-like handling, Live View LCD, Dust Reduction System and excellent image quality.

Shutterbug (87)

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.

The Star Online (84)

All this means that the L1 is an excellent camera for landscape and portrait photography, but not when speed and low-light performance is of the utmost importance.

Digital Camera Review (83)

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.

DigitalCameraInfo.com (82)

The Panasonic L1 is more fun than the other Four-Thirds cameras we’ve tested. The interface is appealing – it’s not simply nostalgic to use an aperture ring, it’s quick and comfortable too. We’re delighted that someone – anyone – is including a fast, well-built kit lens. Panasonic’s image stabilization continues to be a big advantage for the company. On the downside, DSLRs should have flexible, fast auto focus, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 does not have it. We’re not sure what market can ignore that drawback – landscape photographers who avoid twilight?

Cameralabs (80)

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.

Digital Photography Review (80)

Overall I liked the DMC-L1 but it was never my immediate choice when I just needed to ‘grab a camera’ for a snapshot, it requires a little more consideration and can deliver great results once you work your way around it and tune the image parameters to your personal tastes. Unfortunately due to its price position it does have to go up against stiff competition such as Canon’s EOS 30D and now the cheaper Olympus E-510.

Digital Camera Resource Page (80)

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.

Your-Digital-Photography.com (80)

The Panasonic Lumix is an alternative style of Digital SLR Camera, without any really obvious focus market, the Panasonic Lumic DMC L1 could be adopted as a primary camera by both professional and amateur photographers alike with equal success.

NeoCamera.com (80)

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.

Let's Go Digital (79)

All in all, I took quite a liking to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1. It certainly is a cheeky camera with a number of equally cheeky quirks. If Panasonic manage to deal with these small issues, they will without question have a winner in hands

Luminous Landscape (79)

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.

CNET (75)

Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-L1 is a nice first attempt at a dSLR, but a clunky design and noise at higher ISOs destroy its chances for dSLR superstardom.

PhotographyBLOG (70)

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.

vnunet.com (60)

The prohibitive price, and its performance in low light, however, loses the L1 a couple of stars.

TrustedReviews (50)

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.