Panasonic DMC-L10 Flash

Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 Flash

The Panasonic L10's built-in flash has a guide number rating of 36 feet (11 meters) at ISO 100, translating to a range of about 12.9 feet at ISO 100 with an f/2.8 lens or 6.4 feet at f/5.6. That's a little weaker than most DSLRs, but we're not sure if that's in full auto or manual mode (power in TTL auto flash mode is usually less, as the preflash used to determine exposure discharges the flash capacitor somewhat just before the main flash fires). The flash is released manually by sliding the Flash Open lever toward the front. Raising the flash enables it, though it can be defeated using a menu selection. It never pops up automatically like some models, which can be good or bad, depending on your point of view. For a novice, auto popup would probably be appreciated, but for someone with experience it can be a nuisance.

When open, the flash extends fairly high, to reduce the chance of red-eye and to help avoid shadows from the lens, though as you can see from our test results below, it doesn't always clear the longer-than-average 14-50mm kit lens at wide angle. Although the L10 has a dedicated AF assist lamp, the built-in flash can also act as an auxiliary AF assist while using phase-detect autofocus, which I thought was a neat feature. The L10's flash is disabled by simply closing it, pressing down until it clicks.

The built-in flash has seven modes: Auto, Auto with Red-Eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On with Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync with Red-Eye Reduction and Forced Off. Flash modes are changed via the Record menu, and available settings vary depending on exposure mode. There is unfortunately no direct access flash mode button, so menus must be used for all flash adjustments. Second curtain synchronization can also be enabled via the menu system. X-Sync (the maximum shutter speed with the flash enabled) is 1/160s, a bit below average these days, and there is no mention of a higher-speed FP (focal plane)mode. There doesn't appear to be any wireless flash support. That could be added via a firmware update as Olympus's new wireless RC flash system rolls out, since Panasonic's current external flashes are rebadged Olympus designs.

The Panasonic L10 allows you to adjust flash and ambient exposure independently of each other, by providing flash exposure compensation between -2 and +2 EV in one-third EV increments. Flash exposure bracketing is not supported.

Like all SLRs, the DMC-L10 also has a dedicated hot shoe, for mounting external flash units, like Panasonic's DMW-FL500 or FL360. Olympus flash units such as the FL-50, FL-36, FL-20 should also work. The advantages of a good external flash are many: more power for increased range, faster recycle times, longer battery life, reduced red-eye, auto zoom to match coverage to the current focal length, and the ability to adjust the tilt and swivel of the head to allow light from the flash to be bounced off nearby surfaces such as a ceiling, for a diffuse affect. Most external flash units have a more powerful AF assist illuminator built-in than the one on the body, and other useful features such as modeling flash, and super FP mode for higher shutter speeds are common on higher end models.