Panasonic has also come up with a smaller, lighter 28-100m equiv. kit lens for its DMC-L10 - the Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm F3.8-5.6 Mega OIS (note the ELMAR label which in Leica nomenclature denotes a simpler lens than the existing ELMARIT). The new lens also omits an aperture ring and focus distance scale from the specifications and provides a larger zoom ring as well as supporting the L10's contrast-detect AF in Live-View.

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Press release:

New Leica Standard Zoom Lens for Digital SLR Camera

Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm F3.8-5.6 Mega OIS

Panasonic, the leading brand for which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is known, has unveiled today a new interchangeable lens designed specifically for the digital SLR camera - the LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-50mm/F3.8-5.6 MEGA O.I.S. This new lens is also included with the Panasonic DMC-L10 digital SLR as a complete kit for those looking to express their photographic creativity. The combination of the world renowned Leica lens, with Panasonic’s excellence in digital photography – is an impressive proposition.

Complying with the Four Thirds System, this large diameter standard zoom lens features a focal length from 14mm to 50mm (35mm equivalent: 28mm-100mm). Positioned below the previously released LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/ F2.8 -3.5 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S., the new lens comes in a more compact and light-weight body while keeping the optical design and meeting Leica`s stringent quality and performance standards. It delivers high resolution and contrast from edge to edge especially at the telephoto end and captures beautiful portrait photos with an attractive smoothness in out-of-focus areas, produced by the seven-blade diaphragm aperture.

Mega O.I.S – Panasonic’s advanced hand-shake correction technology
The new lens also incorporates Mega Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S.), an optical image stabilization system controlled by the integrated Venus engine LSI that provides outstanding hand-shake correction. Mega O.I.S. helps avoid the blurring that can be caused by shaky hands – a problem that’s particularly severe when taking telephoto shots – so you can capture clear, beautiful zoom shots even without a tripod.

Two aspherical lenses and two ED lens for a superb optical performance
The LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR comprises 15 lens elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical lenses, minimising distortion and peripheral vignetting at the wide end. Two ED (extra-low dispersion) lenses reduce chromatic aberration to an absolute minimum. Across the entire 28-100 mm zoom range, it captures high-resolution, high-contrast images that are clear from corner to corner.

Minimum focus distance of 29 cm over the entire zoom range
With a minimum focus distance of 29 cm even at full zoom, the new lens provides a maximum photographic magnification of 0.42x (35mm equivalent). This combines with Mega O.I.S. hand-shake correction to let you capture outstanding macro shots even at tele-end without using a tripod.

Circular aperture diaphragm
Seven aperture blades give the aperture a rounded shape that, when shooting at larger aperture, produces an attractive smoothness in out-of-focus areas.

Contrast AF system support
When mounted on the new DMC-L10, the lens supports the contrast AF system newly integrated in the camera and allows the photographer to use new functions such as face detection.

Multiple lens coatings minimize ghosting and flare
The new lens system uses multi-coated lens elements that reduce ghosting and flare to an absolute minimum, helping deliver an optical performance that meets Leica's lofty standards.

The DMC-L10 SLR kit with the LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-50mm/F3.8-5.6 MEGA O.I.S. lens will be available from October 2007. The new lens is also offered separately and will be available in the market around October 2007.

Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm specifications