PRESS RELEASE: Panasonic And Leica Announce Development Of First Leica D Lens With Range Up To 300mm*
Telephoto Zoom Digital SLR Lens to Comply With the Four Thirds System and Feature MEGA O.I.S.
Las Vegas, NV (March 7, 2007) - Panasonic and Leica Camera today announced that they have launched the development of a new Leica D large-diameter telephoto zoom lens, specifically designed for Panasonic's first digital SLR camera, the LUMIX DMC-L1 and other Four Thirds System compatible digital SLR cameras. The new LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-150mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. lens will also feature Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and become the first Leica D lens with range up to 300mm*.
The new large-diameter 10.7x telephoto zoom lens, which meets Leica's stringent quality and performance standards will be just as light and compact as the previously released LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm F2.8-3.5 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens, but provide a considerably longer telephoto range as a result of incorporating four aspherical lenses in the unit. The aspherical lenses and an ED (extra-low dispersion) lens will also improve optical performance of the lens by minimizing distortion, even at the 28mm wide end.
"This powerful new Leica D Lens will become the ideal lens for shooting with the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-L1 in almost any condition because it will combine the lens' extraordinary zoom power with Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S technology," said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "With this lens, MEGA O.I.S. will deliver unparalleled telephoto shooting performance, especially when shooting without a tripod."
Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S. also allows for slower shutter speed use and the ability to detect and correct hand-shake accurately using Panasonic's Venus Engine LSI, which will be incorporated into the lens. Additionally when the lens is mounted on the LUMIX DMC-L1, or the LEICA DIGILUX 3, photographers will be able to use the aperture ring provided and enjoy easy, intuitive shooting. This combination of an extended 28-300mm shooting range, Mega O.I.S., and an aperture ring for intuitive control makes the new lens perfect for capturing clear, beautiful, expressive images when shooting a wide variety of subjects and in a host of conditions.
Other features include:
- The First Leica D lens with Extra Silent Motor (XSM) Technology, which will assure quick, quiet control and exceptional responsiveness, accuracy and focusing stability.
- Minimum focus distance of 50 cm over the entire zoom range provides a maximum photographic magnification of 0.36x (35mm equivalent), which when combined with MEGA O.I.S. will allow for macro shots at the tele-end without using a tripod.
- circular aperture diaphragm that produces an attractive smoothness in out-of-focus areas.
- Multiple lens coatings will minimize ghosts and flare and help deliver premium optical performance.
The LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-150mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens will be available in March for $999.95.
*35mm equivalent
| LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-150mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. Specifications |
| Lens Construction | 15 elements in 11 groups (4 aspherical lenses and 1 ED lens) |
| Mount | Four Thirds mount |
| Focal length | f=14 mm to 150 mm (35mm film camera equiv. 28 mm to 300mm) |
| MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) | Yes |
| Aperture type | 7 diaphragm blades / Iris diaphragm |
| Number of Blades | 7 (Circular Aperture Diaphragm) |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.50m at all focal lengths |
| Maximum magnification | Approx. 0.18x (35mm film camera equivalent: 0.36x) |
| Diagonal angle of view | 75 degree [W] – 8.2 degree [T] |
| Filter size | 72 mm |
| Dimensions (Diameter x Length) | 78.5mm x 90.4 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 520 g |
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.