On February 4th, 2010 11:50 a visitor came here looking for "leica d-lux4 german euro" and that person was viewing the following page:

Leica D-Lux 4 Digital Camera (Black)
Fantastic camera I wanted to upgrade my digital camera (a Casio point and shoot I got as a gift). After agonizing about which DSLR to buy (Canon 7D, Nikon 300S) and l ...

If somehow that page does not seem relevant to you here are some products with the description/reviews matching your search term :

1. Exceptionally fast wide angle, Leica Elmarit 1:2.8/24 ASPH Lens.
2. 12.2 megapixels, large APS-C size CMOS Sensor, 23.6 x 15.7 mm.
3. 3 Frames per second shooting speed- RAW & JPEG Capture, fastest in its class.
4. Fast autofocus with simple, intuitive controls and image stabilizer, as well as, automatic and maual options, plus built-in pop-up flash.
5. Made in Germany with a 2-year international warranty.

Editorial Review :

A 12.2 megapixels digital compact camera with a Leica Elmarit lens, 1:2.8/24 ASPH. Made in Germany, the Leica X1

Customer Review :

No review yet

1. Leica quality
2. Sharp Leica Lens
3. Easy operation
4. Extremely compact size
5. Large brilliant veiwing screen

Editorial Review :

Compact Camera

Customer Review :

The Search Is Finally Over!

Like many photographers with pro SLR digicams, I've been on a seemingly endless search for an ultracompact, truly pocketable digicam that could produce photos without great compromises in quality. And finally, my search ended with the purchase of a C-Lux 3.

Before I get to specifics, a word about what "truly pocketable" means to me. It means that I can pocket the camera in either my jeans or the inside pocket of a sport jacket without awareness of either size or weight. If there's awareness, then leaving the camera home becomes more likely, which defeats the whole purpose of buying a camera to have with you ALL the time. For example, I have a Fuji 31fd that I love, except I tend to leave it home because it feels a little too bulky and heavy for pocket carry. So its outstanding low-light performance is meaningless when the camera's sitting in a drawer.

Amazingly, many of the digicams in this category perform poorly at the type of photo for which they are most likely to be used: snapshots of people. Flash exposure is either terrible or unpredictable at best, while color balance and skin tones are anything but natural. In addition, the low power flashes on small cameras almost require a wider angle lens that allows you to get in closer, especially for group shots, and yet many of them leave you stuck at roughly 35mm. It's in all these areas that I find the C-Lux 3 really shines. Great and consistent flash exposures, speedy and accurate focus, a supersharp lens, very natural color balance and pleasing skin tones, and a lens that widens out to 25mm. I've also been very satisfied with daylight pics, as well. Compared side-by-side with a friend's Panasonic "twin" of this camera, this FX37, I overwhelmingly prefer the processing done by the Leica. You may feel differently if you're a fan of supersaturated color in your photos, and many people are, in which case the Panasonic might be your pick. In addition, Panasonic's sharpening is more agressive resulting in noisier photos at higher ISOs.

This is not, by any means, the perfect camera. The lens is pretty slow on the long end, and while low-light performance without flash is better than nearly all of its category competitors, it's a far cry from the F31fd. Once you get above 400 ISO, things start getting noisy. So if indoor available light photograhy is your thing, this probably isn't your camera. (Then again, no camera in the ultracompact category would be.)

Construction of the C-Lux 3 is first rate and very classy--having seen the camera in both black and white, you can't go wrong with either one. The white is more of a fashion statement and somewhat more feminine. Menus are very intuitive and straight-forward, with good button layout for an ultracompact. I have thick fingers and never felt cramped.

The choice of a camera should always be driven by your intended use for that camera. If you've been searching for a great, truly pocketable ultracompact--and indoor available light photography is not main interest--I think you'll find the C-Lux 3 to be a very satisfying purchase. Is it worth the significant upcharge vs. the Panasonic FX37? That's more difficult to answer. For me, the difference in Leica processing of the image made it worthwhile, since I get great pics that please me right out of the camera.

Rating :

top point and shoot

THIS IS ABOUT MY TENTH POINT AN SHOOT. I GOT IT BECAUSE OF THE WIDE ANGLE LENS SO I DON'T NEED TO CARRY A SCREW ON FOR THAT TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPHY. I LIKE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT EXCEPT THE FLASH IS A LITTLE LIMITED IN THE DISTANCE IT WILL COVER BUT YOU EXPECT THAT WITH A POINT AND SHOOT. IT IS VERY COMPACT AND EASY TO CARRY WITH YOU. IF YOU GET A CASE WHICH IS RECOMMENDED BEWARE THAT THE SIDES ARE TOO NARROW AND TRIP THE ON OFF SWITCH IN USE - JUST SPREAD THEM WITH A SCISSOR HANDLES OR THE LIKE AND ALL IS FINE.

Rating :

Almost perfect. Small size, easy to use, beautiful camera

Overview:
Let me start by saying that I LOVE this camera. With that in mind, it's not perfect (I'll explain later). This camera begs you to use it and I've used this camera more in the last few weeks than I used my last camera in a year. The design is beautiful and the camera fits nicely in a jeans pocket. I've been carrying it almost everywhere when I travel. With my old camera, I almost never took it with me because it was just too big.

The camera itself:
The dial has photo and video and there is a switch for pictures/video or playback. The options are pretty basic, but the camera seems quite good at figuring out what to do by itself. It takes almost every picture at ISO 100 or ISO 160. The ones at higher ISO settings (400+) are noisier, but you can also set a maximum ISO for it to use. Image stabilization works well. It defaults to snapshot mode where there are limited options and almost everything is automatic. There is also a program mode that lets you choose and play with a few more settings. The self timer has 2 and 10 second options. The 2 second option is only available in program mode. There are also many more flash options available in program mode. For 95% of my shots, the standard snapshot mode is perfect. Turn it on, point, shoot. For the other 5%, the program mode is easy to get into and navigate around. In general, this is a camera that just wants you to take pictures and not worry about settings.

Performance:
One word- versatile. This camera is awesome at city landscape shots. The lens is fairly wide and the zoom is enough for virtually all of the shots I have taken. The quality of these shots (color, sharpness, noise, etc.) is very, very good even when zoomed in to a pixel level. For interior/people shots, this camera is usually good. The wide angle can be really useful to get the whole room and the flash is good, but sometimes the shots come out fuzzy or with quite a bit of noise. Some of the inside or low light shots I have taken were excellent and others were merely okay. Surprisingly, this camera is quite good at night shots, but you will need a tripod or other stabilized surface to make the most of it.
The 720P video mode is also nice, but the camera won't zoom while taking video. The videos files are large, but a free program like Handbrake can convert them into any form/size you want. The benefit of the video files is that they can be played in virtually any media player. Some cameras use AVCHD. It's a much more advanced codec that results in smaller size files for the same picture quality. The down side is that very few program can play AVCHD and it's a real mess to try to edit. You're not missing out on anything by not having AVCHD.

Comparison with Canon S50.
Yes, the Canon S50 is an OLD camera. It's from when 5 megapixels was considered too much. However, with it's big sensor (1/1.8"), it takes excellent shots. I did indoor side by side comparisons. Sometimes the S50 was actually better and more detailed, sometimes the C-Lux was. The much wider lens on the C-lux 3 meant that when zoomed out all of the way, the S50 and C-lux 3 had roughly the same area per pixel (Roughly twice the area, 35mm vs 28mm, and twice the pixels, 5 MP vs. 10 MP). When zoomed in all of the way, the C-lux 3 shoots the same area, but with twice as many pixels. In the end, I considered indoor picture quality to be a wash. Outside, I prefer the C-lux 3.

Summary:
Would I do it again? Absolutely. This camera is fantastic. It's small, easy to use, the lens is versatile, and the picture quality is very good (though not perfect). If you get this camera, get the Leica case. It's expensive, but the case is high quality, the leather is beautiful, and it's good to have something protecting the camera. [...].

Rating :

Fantastic little camera

I love my new Leica... It's design is simple, it is very easy to use, and very portable. I find myself taking a lot more pictures.

Rating :

Two years out...

My father bought this camera first, and really liked it, so for Christmas 2 years ago he bought one for my sister and one for me. It's a very nice size and weight, and the pictures were good quality.

My dad's went first, which makes sense since he bought his first. The flash went, and then the autofocus stopped working. He called to ask them about fixing it, and it was going to cost almost as much as the camera was worth.

Then the autofocus on my sister's went, rendering it useless.

A few months ago, the lens on mine stopped retracting, and the flash stopped working: it would take literally 90 seconds to recharge between shots. Which was a minor inconvenience, but not as bad as the day I took a photograph, shut the camera off, and the lens wouldn't go back in. I mailed it back to Leica and it was going to cost $400 to fix. Ridiculous! I took good care of this camera, and there is absolutely no good reason why the 3 out of 3 cameras all stopped working within two years.

Don't be taken in by the Leica name: this was an extremely poor quality camera and a complete waste of money.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. First Digilux camera with an interchangeable lens for the Leica D system
2. 7.5-megapixel LiveMos sensor for magnificent standard of imaging
3. Leica D Vario-Elmarit f2.8-3.5/14-50 aspherical lens
4. Shutter speed, focal length, aperture, and focus can be set by hand on the camera and the lens
5. High-quality materials and precision craftsmanship ensure reliability under tough conditions of reportage photography

Editorial Review :

The new Leica D system gives ambitious amateurs and professional photographers a whole new range of possibilities. The LEICA DIGILUX 3 is the first Digilux camera with an interchangeable lens and therefore forms the basis for the Leica D system, a completely independent digital SLR system. The clear design of the camera housing and the operating concept of the Digilux are in keeping with the best Leica tradition. The shutter speed, focal length, aperture and focus can be set by hand on the camera and the lens - a fast, precise and creative solution in comparison with conventional SLR cameras. The interplay of Leica's legendary performance and the latest technology is almost revolutionary: the newly designed lens LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT f/2.8-3.5/14-50 ASPH. combined with state-of-the-art optical image stabilization and a 7.5 megapixel LiveMos sensor result in a magnificent standard of imaging. High-quality materials and precision craftsmanship ensure that the LEICA DIGILUX 3 will work reliably for many years, even under the tough conditions of reportage photography. The Leica D system is a valuable companion made to last.

Customer Review :

Leica Digilux3 review

Recently purchased my first Leica. As I am a great Nikon fan, this is quite a change, but this time I wanted something different.
The Leica deliver excellence. It is easy to use, and deliver fantastic picture quality right out of the box. As I'm used to manual photography, I also like the "oldfashioned" but very effecient way of using the Leica just as an old SLR. A bit pricy, but the kit lens is probably the best normal zoom you can get anywhere.

Rating :

Leica digilux 3


Hmmm,

'
AMAZON, I dont get it. How can a Leica digital camera, ( the Digilux 3) that I bought a year ago go from $1,200 go to $3999.????? It has good ratings, but not great. It is not a collectors item. I think it is not a bad camera for 7.5 MP but my Nikon D-90, new at the same price,is the same price new, and much better, I say that mindfully as I love Leicas.. well... you'd expect a bit more from a Leica.

But the main thing is, how could you let it be sold less that a year ago for $1200, then jack it up to $4000.? It's interesting, I sent it back for a repair, and they decided to refund my money, not repair it. ( very simple repair) They said there were no more being made/available. I guess they wanted to sell mine instead.

I"D BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT BUYING IT FOR $4000.!

Rating :

An outstanding camera for serious photographers

I bought the Leica version of this camera after getting Leica's offer of a $[...] rebate, making it closer in price to the Panasonic version. I use Leica rangefinders and will perhaps benefit from the JPG tweaks that are special the the Leica version. Most of my remarks would probably apply to the Panasonic edition, though.

This camera and lens replaced a Canon 20D kit with a similar IS zoom lens. In other words, the Leica replaced an excellent SLR with roughly the same resolution (8.x megapixels, versus 7.5 megapixels on the Leica).

I have been pleased in every way with the Vario-Elmarit lens, which is as sharp as I would expect for a Leica-branded lens. The controls (both on the lens and the top-mounted shutter speed dial) are very nice and familiar for an RF user like me.

The body is larger and "blockier" than a Leica rangefinder, as are all SLRs. However, I am excited that this 4/3 mount camera not only comes with an excellent lens (I think better than the Canon 17-85mm it replaced) but also gives me access to quite a few fine 4/3 lenses, such as the Olympus macro and telephoto lenses.

A couple of camera body features that I like a great deal and, in my opinion, are better than the Canon:

1. Nicely designed built-in flash that first comes up in "bounce" position and then on a second button-press moves into "straight-ahead" position. It fits flush into the body when not in use.

2. VERY accessible and easy to use control for adjusting flash power for fill flash and similar applications.

3. Equally accessible and easy to use back-panel control for exposure compensation--important on any digital camera, since you will want to dial back in sunlit and other contrasty scenes to avoid blown-out highlights!

4. Top-mounted MECHANICAL switches for shutter speed, sequence/single shooting, and metering mode, plus two preset buttons, are always there, always visible--no waiting for or squinting at an LCD display.

5. Lately I have not done much macro shooting, but I do like it. I expect to use the live view feature with all its strangeness. (The camera does two mirror-blips per exposure in this mode.) It beats hunching down on the ground photographing insects with a right-angle viewfinder.

As much as I liked the Canon 20D and 30D I used to use, I think this camera is better designed for easy and fast shooting.

I was going to say this is a camera for photographers at all levels. However, I will still likely use my Leica rangefinders for professional work. That's not a slam on the Digilux 3. The Canon 20D and 30D occupied about the same position in my mind--if I were using a DSLR for professional work I might want a higher end camera for more ruggedness, better dirt sealing, and so on.


Rating :

It's not a Leica....

It's not a Leica and don't buy it you think you are getting Leica quality you aren't. It's just a Panosonic with a faux red dot on it.

Forty year Leica shooter and not fooled by this.



Rating :

Leica Digilux 3, Digital SLR

I sent the Leica Digilux 3 back to Amazon because of missing parts. I did however get to examine the camera and my conclusion is that while the lens is superb as all Leica Lens are, the camera body had a cheap plastic feel. With 7.5 megapixels (I recommend at least 8 mg) and a price of $2,499, a bit overpriced I went back to the drawing board.

My suggestion for anyone really desiring this camera is to buy the Panasonic model which comes with the same Leica lens and a metal body (actually just about the same camera) for less than 1/2 the price.

Reviewing Popular Photography Magazine and JD Powers for the best Digital SLR Cameras I discovered that the Nikon D300 and Olympus E-3 digital slr cameras released in Nov. 2007 are the top rated new cameras along with a Canon model.

After examining the D300 and the Olympus E-3 in person, I decided to purchase the E-3 with the cost just about what the Leica Digilux 3 is. However, the Olympus has 10 megapixels, a metal frame body, and the lens is also metal and not plastic. The Olympus is almost a carbon copy of the familiar 35mm SLR cameras with less weight and bulk and a lot more features. Ditto for the Nikon D300.

Anyway I digress, for those of you who can afford the Leica Digilux 3 I recommend examining the Olympus E-3, or for diehard Nikon fans the D300. Either camera is great and, you can use the Leica 4/3 lens on the Olympus if you happen to have one.

For further information on the Olympus or the Nikon just type in the Amazon search "Olympus E-3" or "Nikon D300". Read the company and Amazon information on both cameras. Then more importantly, read the comments of the people who actually bought and use the product.....their comments are what you want.

Hope this has helped you in deciding which camera to buy.
Happy Shooting!
-Ray

Rating :

More reviews...