Panasonic's new DSLR packs 10-megapixels and an impressive live-view viewfinder, but can it stack up to the heavy hitters?
Review summary of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10:
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 Panasonic's Lumix DMC-L10 packs 10-megapixels, a decent lens (in the kit version), and a detachable live-view viewfinder. Still, it doesn't exactly accomplish all this cheaply, and given the camera's so-so image quality, it's difficult to justify the four-digit sticker-price when compared to what can be purchased for three-digits elsewhere. Our advice is to stick with Sony or Pentax for lower-end prosumers and, of course, Canon or Nikon for everything else. Release: October 2007. Price: $1299.
Pros: Full time live-view. High-quality lens with optical stabilization.
Cons: Subpar image-quality. Not much headroom in RAW captures. Very pricey.
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Full review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10:
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Design - Very good
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 feels solid and purposeful, both necessary qualities for an expensive, prosumer DSLR. The body is pleasingly shaped and suitably proportioned, and with the lens attached (the Leica D Vario-Elmar from Panasonic's standard kit), it's appreciably massy without being too heavy for a full day of shooting. Moreover, it simply looks nice, complete with that imposing, pro-chic allure typical of SLR cameras.
The bevy of controls and buttons could make for a learning-curve with neophytes, but seasoned SLR users should quickly find themselves at home with the design. Panasonic seems to have elected for more buttons over an increased reliance on menus, so the DMC-L10 is a bit control-happy, but with familiarity the controls proved intuitive. Best yet, Panasonic has included a second dial to control aperture-selection, instead of requiring a button-press/dial-wheel combo typical of many prosumer SLRs.
The lens itself has high-quality grips both along the focus and the zoom rings, and, along with the plushy thumb-grip on the back of the body, the DMC-L10 is ultimately a comfortable, well-made device. Throw in a fully rotatable, 2.5" LCD viewfinder with full-time liveview, and there's very little to complain about with the camera's exterior.
Features - Good
Panasonic's DMC-L10 kit comes with an optically-stabilized Leica lens with a good f-stop range (f/3.8 – f/22) and a 14-50mm focus range, making it a solid choice for an initial lens. The DMC-L10 itself features a shutter range from [bulb] – 1/4000 and an ISO range from 100 – 1600, both acceptable if unremarkable capabilities, though we felt Panasonic would be better able to justify the camera's lofty price if an ISO under 100 or a super-quick shutter speed were available. At least give us an ultra high-sensitivity mode.
The lens mount uses the four-thirds system, which comes with all the advantages and disadvantages therein. Namely, it's a manufacturer-independent standardization, meaning lenses are cross-compatible; also, the sensor itself is slightly smaller and allows for lighter cameras, smaller telescopic lenses with comparable focal-lengths, and overall deeper focusing. On the other hand, smaller sensors are more susceptible to noise and distortion, wide-angle lenses are larger and more complicated in the four-thirds system, and deep focus is not always desirable. It's a trade-off, and we're more in favor of large sensors and dynamic images, but the four-thirds system makes sense for manufacturers outside the Canon / Nikon stronghold.
Otherwise, the DMC-L10 features two burst modes (one continuous and one burst), both of which are suitably fast; complete RAW support, including simultaneous RAW+JPEG recording; and the full manual-mode required on a DSLR. The camera also has a built-in flash, though serious photographers, or anyone willing to plunk down this much on a camera, should opt for an external unit.
Interface / Software - Very good
Like most of Panasonic's Lumix line, the DMC-L10's interface is intuitive and easy to maneuver. The addition of a second dial to control the aperture independently of the shutter is a huge plus for manual shooters, and the menu system provides quick access to all functions and settings within two menu layers at most. The camera is also laden with shortcuts, placing most selections only a button-press away.
The software bundle includes an image viewer and the arduously named SILKYPIX, a standalone RAW developer. Serious users would be well advised to just use Adobe's Camera RAW plugin for Photoshop, but, alas, Panasonic's variation of the format is only supported in Photoshop CS3, so users of older versions will have to rely on SILKYPIX. SILKYPIX itself is at least usable, but it is slow and not exactly overloaded with features.
Image quality - Good
As expected, noise is a problem with the DMC-L10, presumably a result of its undersized sensor, and it becomes easily apparent as low as ISO-400. By 1600 noise is visible at sub-100% zooms, though it is tightly packed and not distractingly dense. Still, the DMC-L10 is affected by the same bizarre distortion we saw with Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ18, where some underexposed areas in high-sensitivities images take on webby pattern of neon greens. The problem is by no means as bad as it was with the DMC-FZ18, but all the same, this sort of issue is particularly disappointing in such an expensive camera.
Scene test
Scene test [RAW]
Overall performance in this scene test is good, with clean edges and an accurate white-balance. The second sample (taken simultaneously with the first) demonstrates the more pleasing, if stylized, possibilities of developing photos from RAW files. It should be noted that there is very little headroom in the DMC-L10's images – note the color distortion clearly visible at full zoom – when compared to cameras with larger sensors.
Telescopic test
This sample demonstrates the extent of the kit lens's zoom, which is decent for a standard bundle. In terms of geometric accuracy, the lens performs quite well in both wide and telescopic focal-lengths, as very little pincushioning or barrel distortion is evident in either shot, and focus is consistent across the image.
Edge test
Edge test [RAW]
The DMC-L10 performs well in this edge test, as no halo or fringing is visible. However, there is a noticeable amount of noise for ISO-400, especially in the sky and along the shadowed edifices. The second sample is another example of RAW development, and again SILKYPIX allowed for more arresting colors, though this is even more marred by distortion and color speckling.
DOF test
This depth-of-field test shows that the DMC-L10 is not quite capable of the blurry portraiture seen in larger-format cameras. However, the background is still appreciably defocused, at least more so than would be possible in a 1/2.5" sensor in a compact digital camera.
Comparison
Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 with similar products
Who is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 for?
Camera enthusiasts
Price and availability
Available in the U.S. in October 2007, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 is priced at $1299 .
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![Scene test [RAW]](http://www.infosyncworld.net/resources/products/panasonic/panasonic_lumix_dmc-l10_s01.jpg){kind=link}
![Edge test [RAW]](http://www.infosyncworld.net/resources/products/panasonic/panasonic_lumix_dmc-l10_s04.jpg){kind=link}
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