Panasonic today announced the date at which consumers will be able to acquire the company's first DSLR, the DMC L1.

Announced on February 27, 2006, the digital single lens reflex camera produced together with Olympus will be available starting early September for $1,999, which also includes the Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 lens.

The circuits and components of the DMC-L1 are housed in a magnesium alloy body, which closely resembles the body design of a rangefinder camera from past days. Another particularity of the model is the presence of the shutter speed dial, found only in analogical cameras.

Adding to the resemblances to the film cameras, Panasonic's DSLR allows users to choose from seven "film" modes, giving images in such a way that it creates the feeling of watching a film. Additionally, photographers also have four color settings (Standard, Dynamic, Natural and Smooth) and three monochrome settings (Standard, Dynamic and Smooth).

The camera incorporates a 4/3 type Live MOS sensor with 7.5 million pixels and a Venus Engine III image processor, which offers high resolution, superior color reproduction and detailed gradation ,also improving the camera's responsiveness.

Similarly to the Olympus E-330 SLR model, the Panasonic DMC-L1 includes protection from dust with the Supersonic Wave Filter and the Live View, which allows image composition on the LCD.