It's been a while since Panasonic's last digital SLR announcement (the L1 was announced in February 2006) and now the time has come. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 is their first digital SLR to feature face detection AF. It has a 10.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor, 2.5 inch LCD that can rotate 270 degrees, the Supersonic Wave Filter, and a Four Thirds lens mount. The Lumix DMC-L10 will be available in October 2007 for $1300.


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Panasonic has also tossed in some of their other features to make shooting easier for beginning SLR owners, like their Intelligent ISO control, which will automatically increase the ISO, if the subject is moving, so that the shutter speed can be fast enough to capture the action.

A hybrid-AF system lets users choose between a phase difference AF system or a contrast AF system. The user can choose between Face Detection, 9-point, Multi, 3-point, 1-point and Spot focus modes. With the single point or spot focus modes, the user can also select one of 11 areas as the focus point.

Plenty of scene modes and auto modes will make a beginner feel right at home, but you'll also find a full set of manual modes - program auto, shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual. The scene modes are also a bit more advanced than your typical point and shoot. For example, if you use Portrait mode, you can further tell the camera whether the shot is indoors or outdoors. A "film mode" allows users to choose a "look" that they prefer. They can choose from: Standard, Dynamic, Nature, Smooth, Nostalgic, Vibrant, Standard B/W, Dynamic B/W and Smooth B/W, Further adjustment can be made to the contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction.

The DMC-L10 comes equipped with a LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-50mm / F3.8-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. lens, which has a focal length from 14mm to 50mm, which is more compact and lighter weight than its predecessor.


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Additional specs:

  • Venus Engine III processing engine
  • 9 point AF system
  • Sensitivity to ISO 1600
  • Metering: Intelligent multi-area, center-weighed, spot
  • Viewfinder: approx. 95% coverage, 0.92x magnification
  • White balance: Auto  / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / Flash / White Set 1,2 / Color temperature setting
  • Shutter speed: 1/4000 ~ 60 and Bulb
  • Continuous shooting speed up to 3fps
  • Battery: Lithium-ion, good for approx. 450 shots per charge
  • Dimensions: 134.5 x 95.5 x 77.5mm