For the 25th anniversary, Panasonic is announcing a camera that so many of us have wanted for a very long time now. It’s being called the Panasonic LUMIX L10 — and it doesn’t have dedicated video features that content creators will care about. Instead, it’s said to be, “Very much photography focused.” Currently, I’m writing this article in the middle of a meeting celebrating the fact that photographers finally have a new camera mostly dedicated to us. So here are the details that photographers are going to care about.
Did I mention that this is a photography camera? 😉 In fact, our Gear Editor said to me, “For a second, I thought it was the X Pro 4.”
Here’s what you want to know:
LUMIX L10 Specs Photographers Will Care About
- 26.5MP 4/3 BSI sensor that has 24MP used and around 20MP output. Much different from the Leica D-LUX 8
- f1.7-2.8 24-75mm zoom lens equivalent with 5 aspherical elements and lens-based stabilization
- Same processors as in the Panasonic LUMIX S1 II series of cameras
- AI-based autofocus, Phase Hybrid AF with 779 focus points
- Designed with the “Mushin” philosophy to be free of unnecessary distractions
- L Classic and L Classic Gold looks in addition to Leica Monochrome
- Leaf shutter for flash via the hot shoe that uses all the same triggers that you might’ve used in the past.
- Real Time LUT features. LUTs can stack
- 2.36MP OLED viewfinder
- LUMIX Lab integration that now has a magic LUT feature that can analyze and image and use AI to make the look of the image into a LUT. LUMIX Lab can now also edit RAWs
- Textured exterior with magnesium front plate and aluminum top
- 508g / 1.12 lb
- Silver and black camera bodies: available for $1,499 USD
- Titanium Gold edition: $1,599 available only on Panasonic’s website. Come with screw in shutter release buttons, a special titanium gold menu design with special accessories.
Overall Thoughts
This is currently the closest thing we have to the LX100 Mk II. LUMIX is saying that it’s got the same heritage, but it’s a totally new camera type in many ways. It’s also not the same as the Leica D-LUX 8 due to the megapixel count being different and the processor being completely different. Additionally, Leica’s camera doesn’t have Real Time LUT features nor does it even offer Leica looks from what I remember.
But overall, Panasonic LUMIX finally did it. They gave us a camera meant for photographers and put the 4/3rds sensor to good use. Additionally, it’s using the same battery as the S9. I’m not very big on using zoom lenses for street photography, but I can respect it. And I also think that providing you’ve checked your intentions, telephoto lenses for street is very acceptable. For events, protests, etc. the Real Time LUT feature and the leaf shutter will be very nice.
I’m still waiting to get a unit in for review. But I can see myself using this camera and a small flash for several of the events I’m paid to shoot on the side in my gig as a photographer (not just as a journalist reporting on cameras.) And I see myself thoroughly enjoying it. Only time will tell for sure: and I really hope that it will survive harsh weather because global warming likes to play tricks on us and randomly rain.