Panasonic has wisely chosen to ally itself with two veterans of the photographic business for its debut digital SLR.

It has teamed up with Olympus, which uses the same Four Thirds technology at the L1’s heart, and Leica, which provides the whopping yet thankfully optically stabilised (to counterbalance any hand wobble) 14-55mm lens.

Everything about the Panasonic DMC-L1 screams ‘more’, from its tank-like build to that eye-watering price tag.

Its physical size and brick-like weight is a surprise when you consider the Four Thirds standard was supposed to enable smaller camera bodies and lenses, due it being developed as a digital system from the ground up, not based around a 35mm frame of film like the majority of digital SLRs (DSLR).

Another difference is that the likes of the DMC-L1’s aperture - how much light the lens lets in - is controlled via a ring around the lens itself, which also has manual rings for focus and controlling the zoom. In the place of a familiar mode dial atop the camera you get a means of controlling shutter speed – how long the shutter stays open when you take a shot.

The result is a camera that provides enthusiasts with creative control over their Jpeg or better quality RAW images. But those users upgrading from a compact face a steeper learning curve than that demanded by cheaper DSLRs (such as Nikon D40, Pentax K100D, Olympus E-400) that allow you to point-an-shoot on auto to begin with.

Unlike most DSLRs, however, you can use the L1’s screen to preview shots as well as review them, courtesy of a dedicated live view button that sits above the back screen. This comes into its own when shooting interiors as we found the optical viewfinder’s visibility suffered in murkier conditions.

The Panasonic also had more trouble than expected finding focus in low light, despite a built in focus illuminator to help, meaning that we missed a few shots that less expensive rivals wouldn’t have. Still, the L1 powers up in a couple of seconds and processing of images is commendably nippy, so no complaints in the response department.

Although the L1 has built in noise reduction, grain was visible when selecting light sensitivity of ISO400 and above (maximum setting is ISO1600). Panasonic says this matches the level you’d expect from a DSLR, and we’d be inclined to agree if only it was a third of the price. The colours delivered are satisfying natural if the ‘standard’ film - yes, film - mode option is selected, the others being ‘dynamic’, ‘nature’ and ‘smooth’.

Heavy hitting – and indeed physically heavy – the DMC-L1 crams in a high level of photographic control for those who wish to get hands on with every aspect of image taking. The less dedicated will face a steep learning curve and an argument with the bank manager, though.