Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 - Fifteen Glorious Years Later

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 - Fifteen Glorious Years Later
April 2018, Carl Garrard

Although the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 wasn't officially announced till PMA in 2004, its near twin, the Leica Digilux 2 was announced in late December 2013, and both were developed in that year. Only aesthetics on the exterior separate the two from being identical (black paint vs silver, grip added vs flat, minor different looking on/off switch). It's amazing to think that fifteen years has passed since this camera was announced. And it's also unthinkable (more on that later) that Panasonic and Leica haven't collaborated to make a true successor to these cameras considering how wildly popular they are with the subculture who rave about them. These two cameras have become cult status icons, because they are two of the most beautifully designed digital cameras of all time. Most owners covet them, some have bought and sold them several times, but ultimately you cannot escape the draw of the beautifully designed LC1 (and Digilux 2). And that's one reason why I took so much time to write this article.