Balko Photo

• 9.1 Megapixels on a larger sensor than the 7.1 megapixel Lumix DMC-TZ3 it replaces as the flagship of the TZ lineup.
• New Venus IV processing engine.
• 720p HD video capture in 16:9 aspect ratio, with optical zoom plus audio during capture.
• Mega Optical Image Stabilization in both still and video modes.
• No RAW, no Manual controls — not even an either/or Aperture or Shutter Option.
• Dedicated playback/capture switch on rear of camera, instead of having playback on mode dial.
• Intelligent ISO setting analyzes 3000 quadrants in the image and can tweak ISOs in different cells to optimize exposure and image quality, so explains Panasonic.
• 460,000-dot high-resolution 3 inch LCD.
• Macro to normal focus is automatic and doesn’t require changing any settings.
• HDMI output via optional component cable.
• 2 frames per second unlimited burst at full resolution or 6 frames per second 100-frame burst at up to 2.5 megapixels.
• Dedicated one-touch wide-tele zoom button behind the shutter button.

PopPhoto Tests:

Image Quality: Excellent: ISO 100-800

Resolution: Excellent at ISO 100 (1930) through 800 (1780), Extremely High at ISO 1600 (1575)

Color Accuracy: Excellent at ISO 100 (average Delta E: 7.9 Auto White Balance.) Extremely High at ISO 1600 (Average Delta E 8.9 Auto White Balance)

Noise: Low at ISO 100 (1.7) Very Low at ISO 200 (1.45), Low at ISO 400 (1.75) Moderately Low at ISO 800 (2.0), Moderate at ISO 1600 (2.6)

Distortion: Slight Barrel Distortion at 28mm equivalent (.15%), Slight Pincushion Distortion at 140mm equivalent (.14%) and 280mm (.16%)

Contrast: Low

Shadow/Highlight Detail: Very High

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Panasonic, a leader in digital technology, is delighted to announce the launch of their second digital single-lens reflex camera (SLR) – the DMC-L10 with an interchangeable LEICA lens. The DMC-L10 features an advanced 2.5-inch free angle LCD for full time live view that offers 270 degree rotation and a versatile shooting style. A 10.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor provides beautiful images with delicate gradation and wide dynamic range. Dust reduction with a Supersonic Wave Filter system prevents dust from attaching to the sensor to degrade the pictures. The superb image processor, Venus Engine III, boasts high quality image rendering and a high speed response.

Order at Adorama 

Four Thirds System – Developed Exclusively for digital SLR

The DMC-L10 adopts the open format of the Four Thirds system for its lens mount – so the L10 can be used with lenses made by a variety of manufacturers, giving users a host of equipment options. Drawing on leading technologies while defying any stereotype ideas in SLR cameras, Panasonic’s DMC-L10 is designed to help you make the most of your photographic creativity.

One of the DMC-L10’s real talking points is the LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-50mm / F3.8-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. lens. Sold as a complete kit – the combination of the world renowned Leica lens, with Panasonic’s excellence in digital photography – makes an impressive proposition.

The full-time live view gives users more shooting flexibility and greater convenience not previously achieved by conventional digital SLR cameras without live view capability. Not one to rest on its laurels, Panasonic introduces another first for a digital SLR camera by incorporating a Face Detection and Intelligent ISO Control function. The face detection system detects human faces (up to 15 human faces can be detected simultaneously) and sets a focus and appropriate exposure to capture a face clearly and beautifully lit. The Intelligent ISO Control function detects and meters the movement of the subject and sets the suitable ISO setting and the shutter speed according to the amount of the movement to suppress the generation of motion-blur in the picture.

The live view enables the user to check the outcome image in advance after compensating the exposure or adjusting the white balance. The white balance can be adjusted in the area of two-axis of coordinates precisely. Furthermore, the DMC-L10 provides options of picture taste with a function called Film Mode. Each analog film has its characteristics, for example colour, contrast, gradation and these effect the outcome of the picture, they are ways of expression. With the DMC-L10, the Film Mode allows you to choose the one that takes the best advantage of the scene or the subject you take out of a total of nine film modes including Standard, Dynamic, Nature, Smooth, Nostalgic, Vibrant, Standard B/W, Dynamic B/W and Smooth B/W, with the capability of fine adjustment of contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction. All these settings can be confirmed before you take the picture.

Read previews at Let’s Go Digital / DPreview / item will be released on November 20, 2007.

Pre-Order at Amazon for $1,299.95 Panasonic DMC-L10 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 Mega OIS Lens

It’s a winning combination of Leica optical zoom lenses of up to 12x (35mm to 420mm in 35mm format), and Panasonic’s rock-steady MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), along with 10.1 megapixels, the Venus Engine III LSI image processor, a maximum ISO 3,200 light sensitivity rating, and the new Intelligent ISO Control (IIC). But is it worth the $600 price when dSLRs can be had for the same?

It’s not a camera to be secreted in a pocket either. At 26.53 ounces, it’s a heavy camera!

Read reviews at DPreview / Camera Labs / Imaging-Resource / DCResource /

BUY now Panasonic DMC-FZ50K 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)

Have you seen the new Panasonic Lumix L-10?

I am constantly looking at what is coming out because all of my camera equipment was stolen last month. I have been hunting for a replacement, but after you have had the Canon 5D, what is there to replace it with (that costs far less?) That is my current quandary.

I stumbled upon this L-10 this morning and am intrigued. It’s a dSLR with a free-angle LCD for live preview! It comes equipped with a LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-50mm / F3.8-5.6 ASPH./ MEGA O.I.S. lens designed specifically for a digital SLR camera to be sold as a kit, the DMC-L10K.

It offers aspect ratios of 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 and has guide lines displayed on the LCD to aid in composition. It has a 10.1-megapixel large Live MOS sensor and even has a Face Detection AF/AE function.

Instead of that kit lens, one can go with the new LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-150mm/ F3.5-5.6 ASPH./ MEGA O.I.S., lens offers an exceptionally long zoom range of 14-150mm (35mm equivalent: 28-300mm). That will be available sometime in November 2007.

Imaging Resource gives the MSRP of $1,300 so the street price is probably around $1000 and that’s for the kit.