Panasonic DMC-L1 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica 14-50mm Mega O.I.S. Lens Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After holding out for years before making the switch from film to digital, I finally made the leap with the DMC-L1. I have used a variety of DSLRs and digital point-and-shoot cameras prior to this. Specifically, when I was considering the DMC-L1, I was also considering the Canon 30D, and the Nikon D80 and D200 (I already had a number of Nikon lenses).
After trying all of the above cameras, I was completely in love with the DMC-L1's feel and ease of use. The shutter speed dial and aperture ring are extremely intuitive to use. Overall, the camera feels much less "fiddly" than the other models I looked at -- I didn't like having to drill down through multiple menus on the other DSLRs to get to what I was looking for.
Probably the single greatest selling point to this camera is the lens. It's one of the crispest that I've ever used. I have a Nikon 80mm F1.8 that has been my favorite for years, and the Leica lens has almost instantly supplanted it. The zoom range is pretty good for general shooting, and situations where you want to travel light [...].
One of the other selling points include the simple but sensible live-view mode, which allows you to compose your shots on the camera's LCD screen. This is a huge advantage for shooting static or slow moving subjects -- you can really compose your shot, re-arrange elements, and use the depth-of-field preview to get a good sense of how everything is going to look. However, because the mirror has to flip down for the camera to focus and meter, it is too slow for most high-speed action work.
The Mega OIS feature on the included lens is superb -- I've never used anything like it. There are two modes, but mode "2" is the only one I use -- it corrects for camera shake only when you take the picture, rather than continuously as in mode "1". I've taken a number of hand-held pictures at 1/4 of second or slower that would have been disasters with a non-OIS lens. Remember to turn OIS off if you are using a tripod, though.
Being able to save RAW images was a selling point for me, too. This may not matter as much to others, but I like being able to edit the RAW file before "developing" it into an image file.
Ergonomically, the camera is good. I would say that the Canon 30D is a better fit in my hand, but since I'm not going to be holding the camera for 12 hours a day it's not been a problem. I find the buttons and their locations to be sensible, and the thumb-wheel although small, works very well. My favorite elements are the two programable buttons located near the shutter release. Depending on the type of shooting I am doing, I reprogram these to my most often used functions (say EV, ISO, or film type). The film "type" feature is also worth noting, and may have some appeal to those that don't want to both with RAW images. There are a number of pre-programed "films" and two user programable "films" that affect the color and feel of the final images. This is a nice way to generate some decent images without going through the trouble of developing RAW images.
So in summary:
Cons:
OK ergonomics -- people with large hands or short fingers may have difficulties.
View-finder takes some getting used to. Information display is good, but it feels smaller than others I've used.
This camera is not for people who want to take mostly pictures of very high-speed action. It is also not for people who want 20" X 30" prints (because of the lower pixel count).
Pros:
Very intuitive feel, particularly for converts from more traditional SLRs
Fantastic lens
Live View image composition on camera's LCD screen
Mega OIS image stabilization lens
Much less fiddling than with other DSLRs -- more time shooting, less time looking through menus.
RAW + JPEG file formats
Great expansion options with the Four/Thirds lens line
[...].

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic DMC-L1 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica 14-50mm Mega O.I.S. Lens

Pan dmc-l1 w/leica 14-50mm

Click here for more information about Panasonic DMC-L1 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica 14-50mm Mega O.I.S. Lens

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After a long time contemplating buying the ZS3 I finally decided to wait and see what Panasonic would have for us in the 2010 line up. And so far I'm very glad I waited.
The ZS1 and ZS3 were Panasonic's high zoom compact cameras last year, and both of them receive great reviews. I've had a chance on several occasions to play with 2 different ZS3's that belong to friends, and this was initially the camera I was going to get being very impressed with it's performance. However, by the time I was ready to buy, the new ZS5 and ZS7 (to replace ZS1 and ZS3 respectively) were on the markets. And to my surprise, the ZS5 with several upgraded features was significantly cheaper than it's predecessors.
A few things I noticed right away comparing my new ZS5 to my friend's ZS3:
-First, physically the ZS5 has a smaller screen than the ZS3. The screen however is still sharp and clear, and perfectly usable. After a few minutes I don't even notice the difference.
-The ZS5 can zoom while recording a movie, something that my friends ZS3 can not do.
-The ZS5 image stabilization is just amazing, and seems to be much better than the ZS3. Especially noticeable at the higher zooms while recording video.
-The ZS5 now has manual controls, something the ZS3 does not have. For me, even as a complete amateur, this is a huge benefit, and the single largest upgrade over the ZS3.
-The ZS5 has a one touch zoom button on the back in addition to the normal zoom control on top. This button with one press takes you from zoomed out, to full optical zoom, then full digital zoom, then returns to zoomed out. Not a big feature but something I can see being handy from time to time.
-The ZS5 no longer has the dedicated movie record button on the back, but rather an option on the selection dial on the top, similar to other cameras I have used, and what I personally prefer.
-The ZS5 has an exposure button on the back. While in manual modes pressing this button activates the directional buttons below it to act as the adjustments to your various manual settings. I think this is a clean and easy way to get control over settings and better than other setups I've seen in compact digitals with manual settings, where you often have to navigate menus to find the settings.
-Overall the ZS5 construction feels very solid, the lens action is smooth and quite, and the buttons have the high quality feel, just like the ZS3. Perhaps the main difference being the ZS5 has a slightly stiffer mode selection wheel, while the ZS3 mode selection wheel would often be moved just by removing it from your pocket. Now to compare the ZS5 to it's bigger brother the ZS7.
From my research (not experience) the main differences are the 7 has the larger screen, on board GPS, and a slightly different image processor. For me, these first two differences actually benefit the 5 over the 7, giving it longer battery life simply because it doesn't use power on the GPS or the larger screen. The image processor might be an advantage to the 7 though, with some reviews that I have seen especially emphasizing better low light video quality on the 7. I've taken a few indoor and outdoor videos with the ZS5 and they seem very sharp and clear to me. Certainly the best I've had from a pocket digi camera, so without side by side comparison with the ZS7 it's hard to discount the 5's video quality.
Overall, this camera has exceeded my expectations in every way. I have owned 12 digital cameras, everything from ultra compact to DSLR. This camera by far has the most capability vs. portability of any camera I have owned. I've already taken about 300 pictures and several videos, color, contrast, and sharpness are all very impressive. I'm still on my first charge with an indicated 2/3 battery remaining.
The automatic mode works great and the auto focusing is the best I've seen outside of a DSLR. The focusing is so fast and accurate, combined with the quick turn on time and very short shutter lag time, this camera is the 'quickest on the draw' I have personally used.
This camera is like having my DSLR with a 25-300mm VR lens, combined with my high def video camera, all in a package I can slip in my shirt pocket. In any case I know I will have better results with my ZS5 than a DSLR or the video camera simply because I can have my ZS5 with me almost all the time, ready to get that perfect shot at a moments notice.
Amazing, and well worth the wait. 5 stars.
By the way the "Pelican 1010 Micro Case" fits this camera perfectly and makes a great water resistant/crush proof carrying case. Also highly recommended. Pelican 1010 Micro-Case (Black)


Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Point & Shoot Digital Camera - 12.1 Megapixel - 2.70" Active Matrix TFT Color LCD - Silver DMC-ZS5S Digital Cameras

Get 37% OFF

Click here for more information about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver)