Berlin, 30 August 3pm BST: Panasonic has today unwrapped its second digital SLR in the shape of the 10.1-million-pixel DMC-L10, a Four Thirds model – alongside two new Leica branded lenses.
Due to land in UK shops in October the L10 sports a 2.5in ?free-angle? LCD screen, delivering 270° rotation, according to Panasonic.
Panasonic announced the L10 at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, Germany, attended by AP?s news editor Chris Cheesman.
Panasonic?s first DSLR was the DMC-L1, launched last year and the product of a tie-up with Olympus (see AP 18 March 2006).
The new L10 features a new 10.1MP Live MOS imaging sensor (the L1 used a 7.5MP Live MOS).
On board functions include a Film Mode which aims to emulate the different characteristics of film, such as colour and contrast.
Photographers can choose from nine film modes: 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? according to Panasonic.
These settings can be confirmed in Live View mode, along with the effects of white balance and exposure adjustment, before the picture is taken.
Claiming a first for DSLRs, Panasonic has introduced Face Detection and Intelligent ISO Control function (using Live View). A spokesman claimed: ?The face detection system detects human faces and sets a focus and appropriate exposure to capture a face clearly and lit beautifully. 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.?
Equivalent ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO 100-1600, according to the spec sheet.
Also new is a ?hybrid-type? AF system which introduces a contrast AF system when using the Live View.
A TTL phase detection system operates when shooting using the viewfinder.
The 10.1MP (effective) imaging sensor incorporates a new noise reduction system and, claims Panasonic, has the same light receiving area as a 7.5MP sensor, maintaining its sensitivity despite the ?decreased pixel area?.
Using one-point AF or spot AF the user can choose from up to 11 AF points.
The L10 features a Venus Engine II image processor and dust reduction using Panasonic?s Supersonic Wave Filter system. This uses vibrations to ?shake-off any dust clinging to the sensor,? claims Panasonic.
Like the L1, the L10 offers three picture formats, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. Armoury also includes a 49-zone multi-pattern metering. The Live View mode uses a 256-zone multi-pattern sensing system. Shooting is possible in JPEG or raw formats.
The LCD screen?s brightness alters according to the light conditions (using the Intelligent LCD function).
The L10 will be launched in a kit that includes a new Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 lens featuring the firm?s Mega O.I.S (Optical Image Stabiliser) system to help reduce camera shake.
Billed as more ?compact and lightweight? than its 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH sister ? where it is positioned ?below? – the lens will be available separately, also from October. It boasts two aspherical lenses to help minimise distortion.
Meanwhile, November will see the debut of new telephoto zoom in the form of the Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-150mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH/Mega O.I.S.
The Four Thirds optic delivers the equivalent of a 28-300mm lens in 35mm viewing angle terms and includes four aspherical lenses and an ED (extra-low dispersion) lens.
?This is the first Leica D lens to incorporate Extra Silent (XS) technology which assures quick, quiet accurate auto focusing control,? claims the company in a statement.
UK prices were not available at the time of writing.
For details call Panasonic on 0844 844 3852.
