Panasonic DSLR?

[liquidigital]

It's supposed to debut at PMA 2006. I own a Canon 20d, but I'm really amped to see what Panasonic does in this market. Hopefully they'll include O.I.S. (that they have in the Lumix) and do a better job about noise than Olympus (e-500 doesn't really look good over ISO 400.)

The four thirds ratio would be cool. Like 645. Isn't it ironic that I've wanted 16:9 ratio for digital video, and 4:3 for digital pictures? And it's been opposite. 4:3 ccds in the DVX, and 3:2 APS-C CMOS sensor in the Canon 20d. :)

Anyway, any pics of this upcoming Panasonic DSLR?

Best-

Mike

[liquidigital]

No love for the panasonic dslr. Guess it's going to do real good.

[bgundu]

I can't imagine how it would survive in this market.

[mmm]

The lumix is pretty good isn't it, so they may come up trumps.

Wonder how lenses will be sourced..?

[liquidigital]

Lumix chips size won't cut it for noise or DOF. Panasonic will be using the 4/3 standard for their DLSR. The four thirds Kodak CCD chip (used in the Olympus E-1, Evolt 300, 500 and the new Panasonic respectively) is still a bit smaller than the APS-C CMOS chip in the Canon 20D.

Bad things about four thirds standard are 2x crop factor for wide angles (meaning for example a 20mm lens would have a 40mm field of view in any Olympus DSLR, and the upcoming Panasonic DSLR), lack of 4/3 mount lenses, and subpar low light performance (can't really use ISO over 400.)

Good things would be if Pansonic includes O.I.S., brings LEICA aboard to make some 4/3 mount lenses (they obviously have a good partnership :)) and of course, personally, I like 4:3 ratio for still photography. Some do, some don't.

Right now I'm a Canon guy. I've owned Nikon. I'm still a Canon guy. Will I ever be a Panasonic guy? We'll see. I was so impressed with the DVX when it first came out, and I'm still impressed. They listen to us. Hopefully the DLSR department will too. And include a Flash Exposure Lock like Canon. :)

[Policar]

I can't stand 4:3, personally, and I haven't seen a decent 4/3 camera since all of them produce tons of grain. Still camera and video have nothing to do with each other, unfortunately, so I doubt Panasonic will bring much to the table. The digital rebel xt, for the price, is just too good, although the D50 isn't bad either. But outside of those two, it's hard to seriously compete although I applaud the efforts (and surprisingly good products) others have put out.

[liquidigital]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022609panasonicdmcl1.asp

Rangefinderesque. Lets see how this sensor holds up against APS-C. Hopefully they can find a way to keep down the noise. The fact that it runs cooler than the Kodak CCD in a couple of the Olympus models should contribute to less noise. Guess we'll see. Oly 330 has the same sensor (made from Pani), so reviews of that one should give some indication as to how the Pani will be.

[Asa]

The main obstacle to the Panasonic, IMO, is being taken seriously as a professional camera. Panasonic has mainly concentrated on consumer models with its still cameras, so this is a new step. Pro photographers are going to have to be very impressed if they're going to ditch their entire collection of lenses and bodies and move to a whole new system, and frankly a 7.5 megapixel camera isn't going to raise any eyebrows today. I haven't yet seen the array of lenses available for it, but they're going to have to do quite a bit to compete with Nikon and Canon. Best thing would be if they could talk Sigma, Tamron, or Tokina into developing lenses for it. And what about a flash system? If Panasonic is serious about getting into this market, they'll have to invest a lot on it, and shouldn't expect very much return on their investment until they're well established.

[liquidigital]

To be honest, don't think they're aiming to topple Canon or Nikon, but secure a third place in the dslr market. Definitely a prosumer, rather than pro, camera. But Sigma is supporting 4/3 and more importantly, LEICA. What kills it for me is the chip size. A lot is going to depend on how well Pani's Live MOS chip performs. And I really don't see how they could pack anymore megapixels into a chip that size without really having obscene noise levels. 'Course, megapixels aren't everything and it is supposed to run cooler. Will be interesting.

[dougspice]

If it were actually a rangefinder, I might be interested. However, I likewise don't see it gaining much market share in this arena. Panasonic's still cameras have never performed particularly well, as far as I know, either in specifications or in the marketplace.

4/3 is still just a baby and may yet gain ground, but I'll be sticking with what I have for quite some time.

[Digigenic]

I really like where this camera fits into the grand scheme of things.
Understandably, it doesn't do direct battle with Nikon and Canon breed of DSLRs, but really, who's asking it to?

- 7.5 MP Live MOS sensor (allowing it to compose shots through the LCD, which is something NO other DSLR except for the latest Olympus can do)

- 4/3 lens mount (sensor might not be as large as the traditional APS sensors in this price range, but it isn't necessarily exclusive to lens selection considering the compatibality with the Olympus lens line up, Panasonic/Leica, and of course Sigma, as mentioned above)

-Solid body with easily accessible controls on the camera; i.e. shutter speed on body, and the Lieca lens offers aperture control.

-Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system, previously exclusive to Olympus.

-Uses Secure Digital memory cards

[dougspice]

-Solid body with easily accessible controls on the camera; i.e. shutter speed on body, and the Lieca lens offers aperture control.


How is this a plus? Or a feature? I can't think of a single camera that doesn't offer this.

[Digigenic]

How is this a plus? Or a feature? I can't think of a single camera that doesn't offer this.
Hello Dougspice,

Which cameras were you thinking of that were like this one?

See, most camera bodies, particularly among the lower range DSLR models have exhibited rather weak attributes, this camera is engineered to the contrary as it's build is based around a traditionally rugged, rangefinder-like frame.

The controls, i.e. ergonomics on this body are very straight forward; accessibility of said controls enhances usability.

The Leica D 14-50 mm F2.8-F3.5 lens - which also happens to feature optical image stabilization is the first of its kind to have a mechanical aperture ring.

As a result, these were features of a 4/3 camera worth addressing, IMHO.
If you found them to be on the contrary, then I'm interested in knowing why.

When compouned with those other unique features identified in my previous post (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=453794&postcount=11), this camera still manages to hold strong without having to do direct battle with Canon and Nikon...and again, why would it need to?

If my response doesn't provide enough clarity, and if the features on this camera still do not interest you, then you may want to keep your alternatives limited to the other manufacturers' makes and models.
:dankk2:

[dougspice]

I'm just genuinely interested in if this is an actual unique feature that's new in some way. I can't figure out what it's supposed to mean.

I've used rangefinders. I like rangefinders. The only thing interesting about how they operate is the focusing screen, though.

I have owned or used most of the major dSLRs from the last couple of years, and every one of them without exception has had aperture and shutter speed control right on the body. Some of the lenses (generally, the good ones) have manual aperture rings as well, but most of these cameras require that to be locked down and take it over electronically. Is this what you're talking about?

[MattC]

(allowing it to compose shots through the LCD, which is something NO other DSLR except for the latest Olympus can do)

That's because no serious shooter would ever do this....

[Digigenic]

That's because no serious shooter would ever do this....
Serious people often do unserious things, seriously.

[michael33]

a hand's-on that dpreview did at the pma show. link is also at the bottom of the page that liquidigital linked to above http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022801panasonicdmcl1handson.asp

in theory leica will be introducing their 10mp digital M body at photokina in sepember... we'll see what their ship date for those things will be though, and at what price...

[liquidigital]

Michael,

I think the digital M will be way up there cost wise. Looking forward to Photokina.

[kprince]

I have really good OIS on my 5D, it's connected to a manfrotto tripod. As for composing and shooting via the LCD..???? Who would EVER do this and why. Can't beat optical.

[SPZ]

This is going to be my next still camera. I have a DMC-LC1, and have taken gorgeous photos with it. This looks to be an improved lc1, with the bonus of interchangeable lenses... From all the cameras I had, the LC1 was the closest I got from producing the rich colors of film... But 'm just a hobbyist photographer...

[Digigenic]

As for composing and shooting via the LCD..???? Who would EVER do this and why. Can't beat optical.
Well, I guess that's why they have both, OVF and EVF/Live LCD, to appease both parties. I think it's pretty cool to be given an option.

[galluses]

Try this site for all news on digital cameras. Theres also a whole section on Panasonics website which details the operation and tech specs of the 'Lumix' L1 . The leica lens with OIs is going to be a big draw. Like others though I suspect that the chip (shared with olympus) will produce too much 'noise' to make it a worthy dslr contender.http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022801panasonicdmcl1handson.asp