Panasonic's Lumix DMC-L10 gets reviewed: solid, but pricey

We've already played around some with Panasonic's DMC-L10, but the folks over at PhotographyBlog have given the consumer-oriented cam a thorough going-over, and it looks like Panny's second attempt at a DSLR is a solid effort that's both elevated and hampered by the inclusion of a high-end Leica lens. That lens, a Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm unit with optical image stabilizer, enables the L10's 10.1 megapixel sensor to capture solid images with very little distortion, but increases the overall cost of the camera to $1300 -- well into prosumer territory. That number doesn't jive with the beginner-oriented design of the camera, sadly -- and although the flip-out rotating LCD, Live View, and face detection features seem like they'd be useful on any DSLR, PB doesn't think the DMC-L10 has the jones to compete with Canon EOS 40D, Nikon D200, or Sony A700. For the beginner with cash, however, it looks like the L10 is a solid option -- now let's see how Panny brings the price down the next time around.