Panasonic's LUMIX DMC-LF1

[DPNow]

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Panasonic's new LUMIX DMC-LF1, the latest addition to its high-end compact range, is perfect for enthusiasts looking for the very best in imaging, editing and design.



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[Ian]

Re: Panasonic's LUMIX DMC-LF1

Panasonic has come up with what can be described as a version of its premium compact camera, the LX7, with an integrate electronic viewfinder - it's called the LF1.

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Panasonic's LUMIX DMC-LF1

Some of you may have been doing some arithmetic regarding the LF1 zoom focal length range and equivalent full frame field of view.

• DMC-LF1: 6.0-42.8mm (28-200 equivalent) - cropping factor 4.67x
• DMC-LX7: 4.7-17.7mm (24-90 equivalent) - cropping factor 5.1x

However, Panasonic says the LF1 uses the same 1/1.7 inch sensor as the LX7, so why do these cameras have different focal length cropping factors and why is the LX7 10.1 megapixels and the LF1 12.1 megapixels.

The answer is that the LF1 doesn't offer multi-aspect ratio frame modes like the LX7. With multi-aspect ratio cameras the image circle fits wholly or partially inside the rectangular dimensions of the sensor. Normally the corners of the sensor frame would lie on the image circle, meaning the sensor area would be all inside the image circle. So a multi-aspect ratio camera uses less sensor pixels for some aspect ratios but more for others.

I wrote an article some time ago explaining this when Panasonic launched the DMC-GH1, which is also a multi-aspect ratio sensor camera:

http://fourthirds-user.com/2009/04/the_biggest_four_thirds_sensor_yet.php

With the LF1, by dropping multi-aspect ratio modes Panasonic has been able to increase the image circle using the same sensor and so the cropping factor is lower and the usable pixel count higher.

Ian