Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 Pro Reviews

A point and shoot compact priced the same as an entry level DSLR, and which doesn’t bear the famous red Leica dot? Who’d have thought it of Panasonic? Yes, there are not actually that many alternatives for those looking to shoot with a set up that presents twin lenses and twin sensors, pioneering technology never came cheap, and it’s always the early adopters who pay through the nose. That seems to be very much the case here. Yet on the plus side, the 3D1 joins a very small band of digital stills cameras generating stereoscopic images the traditional way, by which we mean utilising two lenses at slightly differing angles and here coupling them with twin sensors, and it’s a more portable and stylish solution for those wanting 3D without the fuss than Fuji’s previous interesting attempt in W3 (now available online for under £200, bargain hunters).

With the price of the camera, you are only going to buy it if you want to shoot 3D. This means spending over £300 on the camera, as well as requiring a 3D TV and glasses for your audience. If you're not worried about the cost, then the pictures really don't disappoint. It's also very good that the camera is pocket sized, although it could do with a better menu system and some help with grip would be appreciated.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 is not cheap, but it is clever. But strip away the fancy 3D gubbins, and image quality - while up there with Panasonic’s best 2D snapshots - is not match for what you might achieve spending between £400 and £450 elsewhere on another camera. Battery life is also pretty poor. While the blurb states that up to 200 shots can be taken, we struggled to get up to 100 before it was begging for a recharge. Still, perhaps the 3D1 should be viewed first and foremost as a marvel of engineering; it’s far less bulky than its Fuji rival, but still manages to cram two lenses and two sensors into a chassis not a great deal wider than a single lens and sensor point and shoot. And if you can justify the extra expense of a 3D TV over a regular 2D one, and a 3D Blu-ray player to boot, perhaps your finances can also stretch to the 3D1. Panasonic will be hoping so, anyway.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 is the company's latest compact system camera, and its most refined and elegant to date. It's officially unveiled today, but last week we were ushered into an unmarked vehicle, taken to a secret location and given a chance to get hands-on with a pre-production model.