Digital Camera Information

It looks like Nikon is expecting a slowdown in camera sales in 2009 with lower prices coming from their competator. Again with all companies around the world - there will be cost cutting, let’s hope it’s not in innovation.

Here’’s what they say in their first half finanical report ending 30th Sep 08

“In the market of digital cameras the increasing adverse effects of the global recession on personal consumption cannot be disregarded, and the market growth is expected to slow with intensifying price competition.”

For the purpose of realizing “Strong Nikon” and a “Truly Excellent Company” able to make a continuous growth even under the severe market conditions as currently imminent, the Nikon Group is aware of a crisis and try to be prompt and precise in management and, at the same time, promote the enhancement of product competitiveness and cost reduction and try to realize our new vision formulated last year, “Our Aspiration: Meeting needs. Exceeding Expectations.”

 

Although the Canon 40D has not been released yet, Japanese website (www.photo-cafe.jp) somehow has pictures of images taken at different ISO ratings. As expected the high ISO images taken at ISO 3200 from the Canon 40D seems pretty impressive. Images were taken with the Noise reduction turned on and off.

Noise Reduction - OFF ——————————- Noise Reduction - ON

For more pictures click here

Source

After a long and exhausting wait, the Canon 40D has finally been released and here are the final specifications:

Specifications

Type - Digital AF/AE SLR

Recording Medium - CF Card Type I and II and external media (USB v.2.0 hard drive, via optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E3A)

Image Format - 0.87 x 0.58 in./22.2 x 14.8mm (APS-C size sensor)

Compatible Lenses - Canon EF, EF-S, TS-E, and MP-E lenses

Lens Mount - Canon EF mount

Lens Focal Length Conversion Factor* - 1.6x

Image Sensor - High-sensitivity, high-resolution, single-plate, CMOS sensor

Pixels - Approx. 10.10 mega pixels

Total Pixels - Approx. 10.50 mega pixels

Aspect Ratio - 3:2 (Horizontal : Vertical)

Color Filter System - RGB primary color filters

Low-pass Filter - Fixed position in front of the CMOS sensor

Recording System - Recording Format - DCF 2.0 (Exif 2.21): JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG simultaneous recording possible. Multiple options for recording images on a memory card.

Image Format - JPEG, RAW (Canon CR2)

File Size

- JPEG/Large: Approx. 3.5MB (3,888 x 2,592)
- JPEG/Medium: Approx. 2.1MB (2,816 x 1,880)
- JPEG/Small: Approx. 1.2MB (1,936 x 1,288)
- RAW: Approx. 12.4MB (3,888 x 2,592)
- sRAW: Approx. 7.1MB (1,936 x 1,288)

Folders - Automatically created by camera; can be user-created with “Manual Reset” file naming setting

File Numbering - Continuous numbering

Auto reset - Manual reset (the image numbering is reset to 0001, a new folder is created automatically)

Color Space - Selectable between sRGB and Adobe RGB

Interface - USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini-B port. NTSC/PAL for video output

White Balance - Settings

- Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom WB setting, user-set Color Temperature (2,500~10,000K)

Auto White Balance - Auto white balance, taken from imaging sensor

Personal White Balance - White balance bracketing: Three consecutive images written to CF card for each firing of shutter; Up to +/- 3 levels in 1-step increments

White balance shift: blue/amber bias and/or magenta/green bias +/- up to 9 levels; manually set by user

Viewfinder - Type (Eye-level SLR with solid glass pentaprism)

Coverage - Approx. 95% horizontally and vertically

Magnification - 0.95x (-1 dpt with 50mm lens at infinity)

Eyepoint - Approx. 22mm

Dioptric Adjustment Correction: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter

Mirror - Quick-return half mirror (Transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60)

Viewfinder Information - AF (AF points, focus confirmation light), Exposure (shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed, AE lock, exposure level, spot metering circle, exposure warning), Flash (flash ready, flash exposure compensation, high-speed sync, FE lock, red-eye reduction light), Image (monochrome shooting, maximum burst, white balance correction, CF card information)

Depth-of-Field Preview - Enabled with depth-of-field preview button; possible in Live View Function

Eyepiece Shutter - None

Autofocus - Type

- TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS sensor

AF Points - 9 cross-type AF points, including center AF point; fully functional with f/5.6 or faster lenses

Additional high-precision, diagonal cross-type sensor at Center AF point, used with lenses f/2.8 or faster

AF Working Range - EV -0.5 ~18 (ISO 100 at 73°F/23°C)

Focusing Modes - Autofocus (One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF), Manual Focus (MF)

AF Point Selection - Automatic selection, Manual AF point selection

Selected AF Point Display - Superimposed red illumination in viewfinder; also visible on top or rear LCD panel when AF point select button is pressed

AF-assist Beam - Intermittent firing of built-in flash

Exposure Control - Metering Modes

- 35-zone TTL full aperture metering
- Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points)
- Partial metering (approx. 9% of viewfinder)
- Spot metering (approx. 3.8% of viewfinder)
- Center-weighted average metering
- Metering Range
EV 0-20 (ISO 100 at 73°F/23°C with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)

- Exposure Control Systems
Program AE (shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Auto Depth-of-field AE (non-shiftable), Full auto (non-shiftable), Programmed image control modes, Manual exposure, E-TTL II autoflash program AE

ISO Speed Range - Equivalent to ISO 100-1600* (in 1/3-stop or whole stop increments), ISO speed can be expanded to ISO 3200

* Standard output sensitivity. Recommended exposure index.

Exposure Compensation - Exposure Compensation (user-set): +/-3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-half increments

AE Lock - Auto: Applied in One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved
Manual (user-set): By AE lock button in all metering modes

Shutter - Type - Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically controlled

Shutter Speeds - 1/8000 to 30 sec. (1/3-stop increments), X-sync at 1/250 sec.

Shutter Release - Soft-touch electromagnetic release

Self-timer - 10 sec. delay, 2 sec. delay

Remote Control - Canon N3 type terminal

Built-in Flash - Type - Auto pop-up, retractable, built-in flash in the pentaprism

Guide Number - 13/43 (ISO 100 in meters/feet)

Recycling Time - Approx. 3 sec.

Flash-ready Indicator - Flash-ready indicator lights in viewfinder

Flash Coverage - 17mm lens focal length (equivalent to 27mm in 35mm format)

Flash Metering System - E-TTL II autoflash

Flash Exposure Compensation : +/-2 stops in 1/3- and 1/2-stop increments;

Can be set on EOS 40D body or with most EX-series speedlites

LCD Monitor - TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor

Screen Monitor size - 3.0 Inch.

Pixels - Approx. 230,000 pixels

Coverage - Approx. 100%

Brightness Control - 7 levels provided

Playback - Image Display Format

Single image, 4-image index, 9-image index, Jump, Magnified zoom (approx. 1.5x to 10x), Histogram, AF point display, Auto rotate, Rotate
Live View: View image before shooting on LCD monitor; live histogram and live simulation of exposure level possible with C.Fn IV-7-1

Highlight Alert - In the single image display and (INFO) display, over-exposed highlight areas will blink

Image Protection and Erase - Protection

Single image or all images in the memory card can be protected or cancel the image protection

Erase - Single image, select images, all images in a CF card or unprotected images

Direct Printing from the Camera - Enabled with the Print/Share button

Compatible Printers - CP and SELPHY Compact Photo Printers, PIXMA Photo Printers and PictBridge compatible printers (via USB Interface Cable IFC-200U, included with camera kit)

Settings - Print quantity, style (image, paper size, paper type, printing effects, layout), trimming, tilt correction (compatibility varies, depending upon printer in use)

Menus - Menu Categories

- Shooting
-Playback
-Setup
-Custom function/My Menu

LCD Monitor Language - 18 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese)

Power Source - Battery

- One dedicated Battery Pack BP-511A

AC power can be supplied via the optional AC Adapter Kit ACK-E2

Number of Shots - Normal shooting, at 73°F/23°C:

-No flash: approx. 1100 images
-50% flash use: approx. 800 images

at 32°F/0°C:
No flash: approx. 950 images
50% flash use: approx. 700 images

(tests comply with CIPA industry test standards)

The above figures apply when one fully-charged Battery Pack BP-511A is used

Battery Check - Automatic

Power Saving - Provided. Power turns off after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30 min.

Back-up Battery - One CR2016 coin-type lithium battery. Battery life approx. 5 years

Dimensions and Weight

Dimensions (W x H x D) - 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in./145.5 x 107.8 x 73.5mm

Weight - 26.1 oz./740g

Operating Environment - Operating Temperature Range
32-104°F/0-40°C

Operating Humidity Range - 85% or less

Source

PICA (Photo Imaging Council Australia) has joined with PMA (Photo Marketing Association International) in a venture to promote a new concept for the Asia-Pacific photo imaging industry show to be held in Melbourne Australia, May 3-7, 2007. Under the terms of the agreement, the new show will become a major event in the international PMA Show program and will be actively marketed by PMA around the world.

Operating under the PMA banner, the format of the show will also be changed to include special buying offices for major retailer groups in Australia. These will be built right on the show floor. This approach is expected to attract nationwide interest from major consumer electronics, mass merchant and specialty photo store groups. Special dedicated conference facilities will also be included for these groups.

Professional market support will be expanded to include graphic artists, sign makers and photographers who will all benefit from a revitalized conference program with special emphasis on wide-format printing and printing technology. The Australian Institute of Professional Photography will also be conducting its regular awards and seminar programs at the event. Professionals, government, business and photo retailers will benefit from a new series of talks on emerging technologies.

For more information click here

Due to increased competition from Nikon with the popular Nikon D80 and the Nikon D40, Canon needs to release the Canon 30D successor soon. The rumors so far are that the Canon 30D successor will be the Canon 40D with the following specifications:

10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor (28.7 x 19.1mm)

2.5 inch widescreen (250,000 pixels)

Self-cleaning sensor unit

Memory -Compact flash cards.

ISO 100 -3200 with a possibility of a high mode ISO 6400?)

Processor - DIGIC III

Dimensions 14,8 x 10,9 mm, 720 grams

Only time will tell.

Here are the links to the Canon Hong Kong and English websites where a alleged leaked information appeared briefly.

According to Reuters, fewer shoppers reached for digital cameras as a gift during the holiday season, leading to the first-ever quarterly decline in U.S. shipments, according to an industry report issued on Thursday.

In a clear sign the U.S. market has matured, shipments of digital cameras fell 3 percent in the fourth quarter to 12.1 million units from 12.4 million units a year ago, research firm IDC said in its “U.S. Digital Camera Market Share Review” report.

That was a sharp contrast from double-digit gains in previous years, when the attraction of film-less cameras swelled as consumers replaced their traditional film devices.

“Demand has definitely cooled,” IDC analyst Christopher Chute said. “There was (also) a move away from giving an inexpensive camera as a gift and about 85 percent of those sold were to people buying another camera, maybe as upgrade.”

Canon Inc. (7751.T: Quote, NEWS, Research) led the market with 2.5 million units shipped in the quarter, followed by Eastman Kodak Co. (EK.N: Quote, Profile, Research) at 2.4 million and Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, NEWS, Research) at 2.2 million.

Kodak, which bowed out of the low-end camera market in an effort to sell more profitable models, surrendered its top ranking to Canon for the full 2006 year. Canon had a 20 percent market share, followed by Sony with 17 percent and Kodak at 16 percent, IDC said.

For the whole of 2006, U.S. shipments of digital still cameras, including digital SLRs - or single-lens-reflex - models, reached 29.8 million units, driven by price drops and rebate programs. This represents only 5 percent growth over 2005.

Shipments to the United States are expected to rise, but only slightly in 2007, to about 30 million units, Chute said, as consumers continue to replace older models in order to get more powerful features.

IDC added that Samsung Electronics (005930.KS: Quote, Profile, Research) and Matsushita’s (6752.T: Quote, NEWS, Research) Panasonic (6752.T: Quote, NEWS, Research), which has large marketing strategies in place, may be threats to top tier players.

Digital cameras have been around since the 1980s, but only became a mass-market item in the 1990s.

What is interesting is that that the hottest selling items are now LCD TV. According to CNet, LCD televisions beat out digital cameras to become the top-selling gadget during the 2006 holiday season.

From 2003 to 2005, digital cameras generated the most revenue when it came to U.S. holiday spending on consumer electronics, computers and cameras, NPD analyst Steve Baker said. But this year, the $925 million spent on televisions with liquid-crystal displays topped the $825 million spent on digital cameras.

“Clearly, price was a huge driver this year, and availability,” Baker said of the LCD TV surge. In addition, LCD TVs spread to the more lucrative 30-inch-and-larger category, which plasma and rear-projection TVs previously had had largely to themselves, he said. A total of 1.3 million LCD TVs shipped in the holiday season, he said.

Canon continues to power ahead in 2006. In their latest financial results for the 4th quarter 2006, total sales from cameras were over 1 trillion Yen with an operating profit from 25.8%. Although DSLR made up 12% of all cameras sold, it made up 35% of the value.

These are very impressive numbers by any standards, but particularly so for a multinational manufacturing company. Particularly impressive is the huge decrease in debt over the last 4 years while increasing cash flow. An extremely well-run company. With access to all this cash, they will have no problem channeling funds back into Research and Development.

Here what they write for their digital camera section in 2006:

“Within the camera segment, strong demand for digital SLR cameras has fueled continued growth with particularly strong sales for the advanced-amateur-model EOS 30D, launched in the first half of 2006, and the EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi, launched in the second half. This, in turn, led to expanded sales of interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras. Sales of compact digital cameras also continued to expand steadily with the introduction of 16 new models in 2006, including six stylish ELPH-series models and 10 Power Shot-series models that cater to a diverse range of shooting styles. As a result, unit sales of digital cameras for the year increased by more than 20% from the year-ago period”

In 2007 they plan to maintain their top brand position with a 7% projected increase in digital camera sales.

Full financial results for the 4th Quarter 2006 (pdf).

Will the Fujifilm S3 Pro successor be the S5 Pro rather than rumored S4 Pro? Information has started to circulate and it seems the number 4 is a bad omen in Asian cultures and so that number may have skipped a step and jumped to number 5.

According to the Fujifilm Cable release, it mentions the words S1, S2, S3 and S5. There is absolutely no mention of the word S4.

See below and judge for yourself.

Source

With increasing competition Nikon continues to grow stronger and expand steadily in the digital SLR camera market. This is despite increasing sophisticated functionality and a downward trend in prices.

With the latest financial figures indicating a doubling of profit in the April to June quarter due to increase net sales and profit, it looks like Nikon will only go higher in the future. According to the business model shown below, Nikon aims to expand its DSLR camera market by more than 40%. I’m sure the Nikon D80 will help push this even further.

It seeks to do this by:

1. Seeking to maintain its position as the leading pioneer in the digital SLR camera market. By going forward, it will combine various outstanding features with other elements that win the hearts of customers and ensure long-lasting loyalty. The Nikon D80 is one of many to come.

2. Continue the timely introduction of new products is imperative to secure profitability in the digital compact camera market. Achieving this requires the swift development of products that directly satisfy customer needs. Besides strengthening marketing capabilities, Nikon will bolster ties between product development, production, advertising and sales to facilitate sharp response to market trends.

3. Investing heavily in fast-advancing digital technology with the aim of releasing appealing and unique products.

Panasonic (otherwise known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co) says it would launch its first DSLR camera in July 2006. This will really spark competition as Sony will also be releasing their first DSLR called the Alpha around the same time. Both are aiming to chip away market share from the two dominant players, Nikon at 28.3% and Canon at 53.3%.

The camera will have a suggested retail price of $1,999 which is considerably higher than the Sony Alpha; however Panasonic claims it will be their flagship model.

The camera will be equipped with a LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT lens with the industry’s first optical image stabilization system - MEGA O.I.S - designed specifically for the Leica lens.

Director of the Imaging Group for Panasonic, Rich Campbell has this to say “With the DMC-L1, we confirm Panasonic’s position as a leader in the imaging category. In this camera, we have incorporated today’s most advanced digital technologies while maintaining the attractive look and operating feel of the traditional film camera. The DMC-L1 is the flagship model in our digital camera line. It delivers clear, detailed, beautiful imaging, free of unwanted digital characteristics, and allows advanced photographers and hobbyists alike satisfying, intuitive shooting from a digital SLR.””

Overall, the Panasonic DMC-L1 will feature a magnesium-alloy body which will closely resemble the body design of a rangefinder camera. It will be constructed from an aluminum- alloy lens section that offers both high rigidity and a high-grade appearance.

When combined with the shutter speed dial on the camera top and the aperture ring on the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 lens, the user will receive an easy, intuitive control of the exposure, rendering superior images. The DMC-L1 ensures picture quality through incorporation of a Live MOS image sensor (Same as the Olympus E-330) and a lens mount system that conforms to the Four Thirds (TM) Standard. A full-time Live View function uses a signal output directly from the Live MOS sensor, allowing users to view the same image on the LCD screen as seen by the sensor and to compose shots with greater ease and accuracy. This is the second DSLR camera in the world to have this feature.

The camera also offers a dust reduction system that eliminates digital SLR cameras’ long-standing problem of dust adhering to the sensor. Panasonic has solved this problem by equipping the DMC-L1 with a Supersonic Wave Filter system that uses supersonic vibration to shake off any dust clinging to the sensor. This simplifies camera maintenance and eliminates worries about dust entering the camera body when lenses are being changed. By incorporating advanced imaging and power management with its Venus Engine LSI, optical image stabilization, and Leica lenses, Panasonic has created a premium line of digital cameras, now led by the DMC-L1.

Source

Features of the Panasonic DMC-L1

A pleasure to hold and use
The DMC-L1 design reflects Panasonic’s diligent pursuit of more than just high functionality. A shutter speed dial on the camera top enhances the user’s sense of control. An aperture ring, along with a focus ring and zoom ring, is provided on the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8 ASPH lens. These rings and the shutter dial combine to give the user quick, intuitive camera control for comfortable shooting in a range of situations. With the DMC-L1, users experience the responsive, satisfying performance that one would expect in a finely crafted camera.

The DMC-L1 also offers a high-grade appearance and high reliability and durability thanks to the use of a lightweight, high-rigidity magnesium alloy for the camera body. The body periphery and grip are covered with textured, simulated leather that helps ensure a secure, slip-free hold.

Superb image rendering
The LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT lens, the first interchangeable lens designed specifically for digital cameras to bear the Leica name, is a standard zoom lens developed jointly by and combining the optical technologies of Leica Camera AG and Panasonic. A new set of quality standards were created specifically for this lens, to ensure that it would bring out the best performance of the camera it is coupled with.

With a focal length range equivalent to 28mm (wide) to 100mm (medium telescopic) on a 35mm film camera, the Leica D lens provides exceptional results with everything from portraits to landscapes. This bright F2.8-3.5 lens allows maximum use of the out-of-focus techniques possible only with an SLR camera.

The lens also provides outstanding macro shooting, thanks to a 29 cm minimum shooting distance (0.32x maximum magnification, 35mm equivalent) across the entire zoom range. From landscapes to portraits to macro close-ups, the Leica D zoom lens excels in a wide variety of shooting situations.

The lens system comprises 16 elements in 12 groups and features two large-diameter glass-molded aspherical lenses. Meeting the Leica D lens lofty quality standards, this lens unit provides a superior optical performance and matches perfectly with the digital SLR camera body. The result is exquisite rendering, with images that offer clarity, depth, and rich expression from corner to corner, even at a fully open aperture.

The optical image stabilization system – MEGA O.I.S – provided in the lens unit helps minimize blurring to ensure that photos are sharp even in situations when hand-movement is typically a problem, such as when taking macro close-ups, indoor shots, or night portrait shots. Thanks to the gyrosensors and Venus Engine Plus LSI built into the lens, the system detects camera movement at a rate of 4,000 times per second, so hand-movement compensation is extremely precise.

There are two image stabilization modes. In Mode 1 the hand-movement compensation function remains active at all times, so the image in the LCD and viewfinder is clear, which makes shots easier to compose. In Mode 2 the system activates only when the shutter button is pressed; this provides a more precise compensation performance. Users can select whichever mode they prefer in a specific situation.

*The image stabilization system may not prevent blurring in all situations, such as when the shutter speed is extremely slow or there is excessive hand-movement or camera vibration.

Full-time Live View
Panasonic has developed a full-time Live View function that lets users accurately compose photos while viewing the high-resolution 2.5″ LCD screen. In previous digital SLR cameras, a “live” image could be seen only through the viewfinder. The new full-time Live View function thus represents a dramatic change in digital SLR photography, giving users new ways to shoot.

Full-time Live View provides a 100 percent view field coverage (that is, the same image seen by the image sensor) on the DMC-L1’s large, 2.5″ LCD monitor. Users can compose a shot easily and accurately while viewing the screen. The screen also displays critical information such as a live histogram and white balance, which users can easily check prior to snapping the shot. When a tripod is used, full-time Live View lets users compose the image without bending to peer through the viewfinder. In these ways, users will find that full-time Live View gives them both more shooting flexibility and greater convenience.

The Live MOS image sensor must remain ON when full-time Live View is in use. The Live MOS sensor has a full-time image output function that sends a signal directly to the LCD, allowing high-quality display on the LCD screen of the same image seen in the sensor. Note that when the full-time Live View function is active, the internal mirror is in the raised position, which means that there will be no image visible in the optical viewfinder.

Users can take advantage of the revolutionary full-time Live View function in both Auto Focus and Manual Focus modes. When using Manual Focus, users can select a particular area within the frame and enlarge it up to 10x. Then, viewing the DMC-L1’s 2.5″ 207,000-pixel LCD screen, it is easy to check the focus. It is also possible, by pressing the aperture preview button, to check the depth of field. When the aperture is being adjusted, the DMC-L1 automatically adjusts the brightness of the full-time Live View image on the LCD screen to prevent it from becoming too dark to see. This makes it easier to check the depth of field.

4/3-type 7.5-megapixel, high-resolution, energy-saving Live MOS sensor
The Live MOS sensor used in the DMC-L1 provides beautiful images with delicate gradation and wide dynamic range that only a CCD image sensor can provide. To this it adds the low energy consumption only a CMOS sensor can offer. The use of dedicated processing technology enables operation at a low voltage of 5 V, minimizing noise in darker parts of an image. Also, photodiodes embedded deeply in the silicon layer create a structure that suppresses noise generated on the substrate surface. As a result, the white-spot pixel defects and textural roughness that often characterize images captured in dim lighting are minimized, so photos are crisp and clear.

Dust reduction system
One of the most critical issues with digital SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses is the possibility of dust entering the camera body during lens changes. This dust can adhere to the image sensor and show up as spots on photos taken. Panasonic has solved this problem by equipping the DMC-L1 with a Supersonic Wave Filter system that uses supersonic vibration to shake off any dust clinging to the sensor. This simplifies camera maintenance and eliminates worries about dust entering the camera body when lenses are being changed outdoors, so users can enjoy themselves and just concentrate on shooting.

Venus Engine III image processing LSI
The Venus Engine III is an image processing LSI developed by Panasonic to maximize the performance of the Leica D lens and Live MOS sensor. This advanced LSI not only helps reproduce images with outstanding resolution, superior color and detailed gradation, it also distinguishes chromatic noise from luminance noise and selectively reduces the chromatic noise, one of the chief sources of image quality problems. This helps the DMC-L1 deliver the superb image rendering one expects from a quality SLR camera. The Venus Engine III also works swiftly, helping give the DMC-L1 a quick startup time of 0.8 seconds, shorter shutter interval, and improved consecutive shooting performance.

Further, the Venus Engine III consumes 20% less power than its predecessor, the Venus Engine II. This combines with the Live MOS sensor’s low energy consumption to give the DMC-L1 longer battery life. Users can take around 450 shots (CIPA standard) on a single battery charge.

Film mode
In film cameras, the brand of film used affects the color characteristics, gradation and color saturation of the photos taken. This gives photographers the option of choosing a particular brand of film to attain a particular desired effect. The DMC-L1 provides a similar option by giving the user a total of seven “film” modes to choose from, including four color settings (Standard, Dynamic, Natural and Smooth) and three monochrome settings (Standard, Dynamic and Smooth). Just as photographers can switch film brands to change the imaging characteristics, DMC-L1 users can switch modes to achieve a similar effect.

Two-axis white balance adjustment
In addition to the conventional white balance setting, the DMC-L1 features a two-axis setting system that allows even finer white balance adjustment. Making adjustments along a horizontal amber-blue axis and a vertical green-magenta axis, users can set the camera for detailed color cast compensation over virtually the entire color space.

Extra Optical Zoom*
When the camera is set to record at less than the maximum number of pixels, users can take advantage of an Extra Optical Zoom function*. This function alters the 7.5-megapixel Live MOS sensor’s operating area, to vary the angle of view and increase the maximum zoom ratio.

Unlike a digital zoom, the Extra Optical Zoom function extends the focal length 1.5 times** (when shooting at 3-megapixel or a lower-resolution mode) without degrading the image. Users enjoy extra zoom power without loss of picture quality.
*Only applicable in using full-time Live View function.
**When the DMC-L1 is used with the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 ASPH lens provided.

Other features and functions
* Supports SDHC format
* Compatible with external TTL flash units (models DMW-FL500, DMW-FL360)
* Auto bracket function - shoots three or five photos at exposures changing in steps of +1/3 to 1 EV
* Equipped with a shutter-speed Bulb setting (8 minutes max.)

Variety of accessories
Leather Bag DMW-BAL1
Shoulder Strap DMW-SSTL1
Battery Pack CGR-S603
Remote Shutter DMW-RSL1
MC Protector DMW-LMCH72
PL Filter DMW-LPL72
External Flash (GN50) DMW-FL500
External Flash (GN36) DMW-FL360