The DSLR market continues to attract new competition - Panasonic announcing the release of the LUMIX L10 at IFA in Berlin.
Naturally ThinkCamera were there to get our hands on one and pick up the latest news.
The L10 is an entry level 10.1megapixel FourThirds sensor system that is akin to the recent Olympus E-510 DSLR - most prominent is the application of Live View which allows for real-time composition via the camera's LCD screen.
Increasingly DSLR manufacturers are offering more fun and useful applications to encourage consumers toward their products - the L10's 2.5” LCD screen is complimented by “free angle” technology which allows for rotation of the screen up to 180degrees left and right and 270degrees front to back away from the camera.
The kit comes complete with a Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm f3.8-5.6 Asph. MEGA OIS lens - which (much like Nikon lenses) has inbuilt Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS). (What is exactly so 'mega' about this remains to be seen - given that when using any additional four thirds compatible lenses without inbuilt image stabilisation, there is no option built into the L10's body to maintain OIS).
Given the camera's 11point auto-focus system, IFACE face detection technology, intelligent ISO system (that judges if the subject is moving and auto-adjusts ISO to counter motion-blur) and inbuilt dust reduction system, there's enough features here to keep you busier than Michael Jackson's plastic surgeon.
Whilst not the sleekest looking of DSLR on the market, it seems as though Panasonic have fitted in the kind of features that make an entry-level package that much more enticing to the consumer - assuming the price (TBC) remains competitive then this could well be the ideal start-up package.
