L1 review at Camera Labs

[amvrobin]

Hi guys,

its interesting that L1 (7.5mp) with 14-50 out-resolved e-500(8mp) with 14-45.

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/PanasonicL1/

One more thing is the diff in quality b/w JPEG and RAW files which is huge than other DSLRs.
one more firmware update may fix this. RAW brings more details and does justice to 14-50.

u can shoot RAW+JPEG in L1 but not RAW alone as in other DSLRs.
just for info: 393 RAWs in E1 with 4GB CF card where as 220 RAWs + JPEGs in L1 with 4GB SD card.

Robin.

[tomcat]

The reason why the test result showed that the L1 (7.5mp) with 14-50 out-resolved e-500(8mp) with 14-45 could be because the optical quality of the Leica 14-50mm lens is much better than the 14-45mm kit lens of the E-500. The Leica lens is at least on par in optical quality to the ZD 14-54mm lens.

The size of the RAW files of the L1 is similar to those from the E-330. So I don't think that this would be 'fixed' any time soon via firmware updat.

Difference in the no. of RAW images that could be stored between the E1 and the L1 is most likely due to the difference in resolution... the E1 is 5 Mp and L1 is 7.5 Mp.

[amvrobin]

Originally Posted by tomcat The reason why the test result showed that the L1 (7.5mp) with 14-50 out-resolved e-500(8mp) with 14-45 could be because the optical quality of the Leica 14-50mm lens is much better than the 14-45mm kit lens of the E-500. The Leica lens is at least on par in optical quality to the ZD 14-54mm lens.

i dont think so. Even with 7-14mm and 50mm, e-500 managed only 1800lpph (7-14mm review in camera labs). Its consistent with dpreview's e-500 review as well (1800 hlph and 1650 vlph). One of the main reason for this is the strong AA filter in front of sensor in e-500.
for note: Leica M8 wont have AA filter and leaves it to RAW converters to deal with CA and aliaing,.. i think thats the better option bcoz many wd shoot only RAWs in such cameras.

Originally Posted by tomcat The size of the RAW files of the L1 is similar to those from the E-330. So I don't think that this would be 'fixed' any time soon via firmware updat.

actually, i meant the IQ difference b/w JPEG and RAW. Its bigger gap than its supposed to be. i saw one thread in dpreview where detail in JPEG is much lesser than RAW-converted.

Originally Posted by tomcat Difference in the no. of RAW images that could be stored between the E1 and the L1 is most likely due to the difference in resolution... the E1 is 5 Mp and L1 is 7.5 Mp.

my point is if L1 allows you to store only RAW, rather than RAW+JPEG, you may get more than 220.

BTW, i liked your some of the shots posted here. i agree with your other posting that DMC-L1's WB looks more accurate than e-500 (or may be e-330 also).

- Robin.

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by amvrobin for note: Leica M8 wont have AA filter and leaves it to RAW converters to deal with CA and aliaing,.. i think thats the better option bcoz many wd shoot only RAWs in such cameras.

In that case the M8 would be great for infra red photography as the CCD would be super-sensitive to IR.

Originally Posted by amvrobin actually, i meant the IQ difference b/w JPEG and RAW. Its bigger gap than its supposed to be. i saw one thread in dpreview where detail in JPEG is much lesser than RAW-converted.

Most likely it is due to the Venus Engine III image processor then. The version of the Venus Engine III in the LX2 made mush of the details in its attempt to suppress noise. Maybe the same thing is happening in the L1. Luckily for me, I always shoot RAW.

Originally Posted by amvrobin BTW, i liked your some of the shots posted here. i agree with your other posting that DMC-L1's WB looks more accurate than e-500 (or may be e-330 also).

Yes, definitely more accurate than the E-330.

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by tomcat In that case the M8 would be great for infra red photography as the CCD would be super-sensitive to IR.

What does the lack of antialiasing filter have to do with infrared?

I can understand if there's a lack of the IR Cut Filter (aka Hot Mirror).

[tomcat]

Because the IR-blocking filter is usually integrated into the anti-aliasing filter.