By PHOTOgraphic Staff

February 18, 2004 — Panasonic is moving into the upscale digital SLR market with the DMC-LC1 Lumix, a $1599 camera due to arrive in March.

Crafted to offer the look and feel of a fine 35mm SLR, the DMC-LC1 has a 5-megapixel image sensor illuminated by a 13-element Leica lens. The camera's designers intended to blend the best of traditional photography with the advantages of digital technology. Zoom, focus and aperture are manually controlled by ring settings on the lens; a dial on the top of the unit controls shutter speed.

"The camera's full manual operation serves as a natural extension of the photographer's hands and eyes," states a February 12 press release from Panasonic, distributed at the Photo Marketing Association confab in Las Vegas.

The new DMC-LC1 incorporates a finely crafted, F2.0 - 2.4 Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens (13 elements in 10 groups) with 3.2X zoom capability equivalent to 28 - 90mm on a 35mm camera. Leica lenses have a legendary reputation for creating images that capture the most delicate nuances of light and shade, the elusive ambience of "air", and subtle gradations of color. Panasonic's Venus Engine LSI handles all image processing functions simultaneously - from displaying the image on the LCD to writing data to the memory card - as soon as the CCD captures the image signal. The claimed result is "superb image rendering and outstanding responsiveness."

Other features include 3X digital zoom for total zoom exceeding 6X, and a pop-up flash with auto or manual settings and red-eye compensation, which can tilt 45 degrees to create a bounce flash. The camera can also accept and synchronize with optional external flash units. A large 2.5" LCD monitor offers all data as well as image review. Auto bracketing mode automatically takes three or five shots at different exposures, and burst shooting mode allows capture of rapid events. A remote shutter function eliminates vibration caused by contact with the camera. The DMC-LC1 has three light metering modes: "Intelligent Multiple," center weighted, or spot. A built-in microphone enables capturing audio with AVI clips, and internal speakers let users monitor such recordings.

The DMC-LC1 can capture image in the RAW format as well as Super Fine/Fine/Standard JPEG and QuickTime motion JPEG images. Sometimes called a "digital negative," the raw file format stores uncompressed data directly off the camera's CCD with no in-camera processing. This raw image can then be manually manipulated in a photo-editing program. The DMC-LC1 features a built-in USB port and SD Memory Card/Multimedia Card slot, offering consumers networking versatility with PCs and a wide variety of compatible SD-enabled devices.

Packaged accessories include 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, and strap. Bundled software includes SD viewer software, ArcSoft PhotoBase, ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft PhotoPrinter and ArcSoft Panorama Maker.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 is slated for March 2004 delivery, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1,599.00.