1. 12.1-megapixel sensor
2. 12x Leica DC Vario-Elmar 1:3.3 4.9 / 4.1 49.2mm ASPH (25-300 mm) zoom lens; focal lengths from super-wide to extreme telephoto
3. GPS module for registration of geographical data of every shot
4. 720p HD movie capture with 12x zoom range
5. Compatible with SD/SDHC/SXDC cards (not included)

Editorial Review :

The Leica V-Lux 20, with a high-performance super-zoom lens with focal lengths ranging from 25-300mm, makes it ideal for almost any photographic situation.

Customer Review :

Not quite a Leica.

I am inclined to agree with reviewer RT about the V-Lux 20. I too own the D-Lux 4, and also a Nikon D3S. I was looking for something of Leica quality, but with the added reach of the extra zoom lens. I bought my D-Lux 4 a year ago with a then-in-place rebate from Leica, so I paid exactly the same for my D-Lux 4 as I just paid for the V-Lux 20, so they are worth comparing.

What I have found upon trying the camera out for a few days:

1) GPS: Tags all your photos with place, date and time. Handy if you travel A LOT. Otherwise, a novelty and major battery suck. The GPS draws power even when the camera is off, unless you put it into airplane mode. Presumably this is to have current coordinates on hand when you power it up. The GPS can be slow to 'latch on' when taken out of airplane mode. It took 10 minutes to triangulate the signal with an unobstructed 360-view of the sky in the San Francisco area. If this were a car navigation system, you'd have arrived at your destination by then.

2) Lens: amazing range with significant extra reach over the D-Lux 4. However, the picture quality suffers. Noticeable softness when compared to the D-Lux 4. Not significantly better than Canon Powershots, which run half the price. (I own two Powershots as well.) However, color rendition and contrast are superior to Canon point-and-shoots. See the focal length sample photo I uploaded to to the V-Lux 20 product description here on Amazon. [UPDATE: I ran some side by side comparisons with my Powershots, and the Leica lens is not as soft as I first perceived. It is noticeably sharper than the Canons, and does not suffer from much edge softness at very wide angles. Also, the optical zoom in this camera is very impressive for a point-and-shoot. However, you have to be in the right mode otherwise you invoke a little extra (digital) zooming, which is not great.]

3) No RAW. May be a non-issue to some, but I always shoot RAW with my D-Lux 4 and there have been a few amazing shots that I was glad I was able to post-process and get the most out of them. The V-Lux 20 has two JPEG modes: compressed, and less compressed, and you can also choose the aspect ratio and image file size. The lowest appears to be a 'notepad' image size of about 2 mpx.

4) Slower lens: more image noise and less options for shooting in low light than the D-Lux 4, which sports an f2 lens.

5) Build quality. As RT said, definitely not up to the quality of usual Leicas, including the D-Lux 4. It feels flimsy and lightweight. The controls do not feel as smooth and precise as the D-Lux.

6) No hotshoe or viewfinder. Probably not an issue for most people, like me. I never used the external Leica flash and I don't know anyone that ever used the external viewfinder on the D-Lux 4, especially as a fixed viewfinder is fairly useless with a zoom lens. But these might be important for you.

7) Integrated hand grip. Unless you've used the D-Lux 4 without a hand grip, you won't know how important this is. On the D-Lux 4, it's an expensive option; here, it's designed into the body.

8) Integrated lens cover. Very useful.

9) Movie mode. Seemingly the same as the D-Lux 4: 720 HD. One nice touch is there is now a single dedicated button on the back of the V-Lux to start recording a movie. Handy for candid moments. Also, the full focal length of the zoom works during movie mode, which is great. The D-Lux 4 cannot zoom while shooting movies. And the zoom on the V-Lux is dampened, meaning you cannot jump from widest angle to maximum telephoto quickly -- this is a good thing in my opinion as it paces the zoom to be more pleasing to the viewer. Lastly, it seems like the maximum continuous length of movie you can shoot in HD is about 8 min 30 sec. At this point recording will stop and whatever's left in the buffer will be written to disk. Once this is done, you can start another 8 min 30 sec of movie taking. In theory this is fine, but when I was shooting my kids in a 20 minute play, I lost some in the middle. I expect the V-Lux is not being positioned as a replacement for a dedicated movie camera. Also, if you are a Mac user, the movies created with the V-Lux can be imported into iMovie and Final Cut Pro without conversion as they are Picture-JPEG format. (My Nikon D3S, on the other hand shoots 720 HD as .AVI files which cannot be used in Mac editing software without conversion.)

10) Hard-to-find case. People who spring this kind of money for a point and shoot don't want to protect their investment with a ten dollar case from China off eBay. They want the absurdly overpriced but beautifully made Leica case. However, I got an email from Leica today saying that the first shipment of cases won't be in for several weeks, and those are already pre-sold. It could be months before the case actually becomes available. [Update, 06/03/10: the V-Lux case is trickling into the channel. I managed to order one on from an authorized Leica dealer on eBay who had three in stock.]

11) Aesthetics. OK, looks matter. It's a Leica. It has a red dot. As Einstein said, "Make things as simple as possible, but not simpler." The V-Lux 20 has just enough controls, and they are laid out very well. The on-screen menu system leaves a bit to be desired, but then again I've never seen an on-screen menu on any digital camera that didn't look like it came off a DOS computer. The form factor of the body is excellent.

12) No LCD cover. The D-Lux 4 didn't have one either, but most of the back is taken up by the LCD and it WILL get scratched. Do what I did and get the excellent DuraSec adhesive screen protectors. They're made in Germany, and for a few bucks you can buy a pack of 5 that will fit both the D-Lux and V-Lux.

13) Battery life: disappointing. Leica rates it for 300 pictures. I got about 270, only five of which used flash. I suspect that the power-hungry GPS is the culprit here. Annoyingly, the V-Lux battery is very slightly different in size to the D-Lux Battery, so I cannot use my spare D-Lux battery. And the killer is that a spare V-Lux battery is a hundred dollars! Wow. My Nikon D3S uses batteries that cost about that much. But I get over 4,000 shots off one of those batteries, and it's a considerably more complex camera, powering autofocus lenses, viewfinders and 3 displays. I don't know if the V-Lux is 'chipped' -- meaning it will ONLY take the Leica batteries. The Panasonic (see below) is chipped, which has annoyed many owners.

14) Documentation: pretty much none in printed form. The manual (which you WILL need) is a PDF on a CD. I understand discount point-and-shoot makers adopting this strategy to shave a nickel off the retail price, but Leica? My D-Lux came with several printed manuals. And don't think it's Leica's effort to be more environmentally conscious... the burden of using electricity, resources and consumables is just being shifted from it to you! At this price, I expect a manual I can throw in my pocket or camera bag.

15) Camera strap: hand strap only. Leica supplies a hand strap with the camera, and that's all that will fit on the V-Lux 20. Unlike the D-Lux 4, the V-Lux only has one anchor point, so you can only fit a hand strap and not a neck strap. Unfortunately, the official Leica case for this model (Leica #18 700) also does not have a strap of any kind, and you can't add one either. It has a belt loop, so apart from (awkwardly) carrying it in your hands, you can only attach it to your belt. Personally, I like to keep a camera around my neck when I am out and about, so this decision with the V-Lux 20 is unfortunate, especially given it's aforementioned size. It won't easily -- if at all -- slip into a pocket either. Strange, for a camera aimed at the frequent traveler.

The V-Lux 20 is a curious beast indeed. It is pitched as a 'travel' camera, but it is quite big. It's about 70% larger than my Canon Powershot SD780. It's pitched as a 'family camera' judging by the 'notepad' mode and the 3 dedicated pre-defined 'scene' modes, but it's priced way beyond a family camera. It's also positioned as a 'semi-pro camera' with aperture, shutter priority and manual modes, but I doubt any pro would shoot with it due to the shortcomings mentioned above. For comparison, I have achieved results from my D-Lux 4 that are (sometimes) as good as my Nikon DSLR. Not a chance with the V-Lux.

An interesting side note: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 is essentially the same camera. It was co-developed by Panasonic and Leica, and sports a Leica lens. The offspring of this marriage yielded two cameras: the DMC-ZS7 and the V-Lux 20. My understanding is that there are three main differences: the aesthetic styling of the camera, the JPEG processor (some say the Leica is better), and the price. The Lumix is half the price of the V-Lux 20.

I was initially unsure about keeping this camera or not, but I have decided to keep it as a backup to my D-Lux 4, and as something my whole family can use. Despite its quirks, it will make a decent family camera (with occassional one-button HD video shooting), and the reach of the (optical) telephoto is quite astonishing for a point and shoot.

My advice is: if extra lens reach and geo-tagging of images is really important to you, then the V-Lux 20 is a reasonable investment. Secondhand Leicas still sell for about 90 cents on the dollar (sometimes more.) Compare that to Canon or Panasonic.

However, if picture quality and shooting in low-light are more important, I would spring the modest extra money and get the D-Lux 4. Know that you will still need to buy the hand grip and dedicated case for it, so whichever route you choose, it really is an investment.

I be interested to hear from anyone with hands-on experience of the Lumix sister camera to the V-Lux 20.

Rating :

Over Kill

First let me start by saying I have never bought a digital camera that did not come with a memory card.(this is my 3rd). This $699 camera did not. I called Willoubhy's and they said I would have to buy one. So I bought an 8GB card for $42. It works fine for still pictiues but not for video. I called again and they said someone should have told me that I needed a HIGH SPEED memory card. I am waiting for Willoughby's to send me one. No where in the instructions that came with the Leica was that stated. You must first put in a disc that comes with the Leica in you computer for instructions on how to use the camera. What if you don't have a computer. It is well over 100 pages if you deside to print it all. Still, I could not find anything on the memory card for taking video's. If not for the name "LEICA" I think a Japanese camera, that has a Leica lens, would do just as well for one quarter of the price. There is just too much on the camera that you will never use. The pictures are good but so is my Cannon Sure Shot. I had to end up buying a $200 case for the Leica because no other case would fit. I do have to say that the 25MM to 300MM zoom is the best part of the camera.

Rating :

Too much money for an average camera

I bought this camera with the idea of having a compact multi-purpose camera that I could take everywhere. I was specially excited about the 12x zoom. However, this little camera is far, far from getting anywhere close to any existing Leica camera. I own the D-Lux-4, which is an amazing little camera. Its fast wide angle lens are superb, the construction of the camera is very strong and the camera has a very nice look. The only problem is that I can't take pictures of subjects that are far away. As I read somewhere, in this case my legs are my zoom. And that doesn't always work.
D4's shortcomings made me think of the V20 -with its 12x zoom- as the camera that I could take to every trip or event, without having to pack my DSLR with all its bulky lenses. I knew the lens aperture was not as good as the one you find on the D4, but I was ready to give that up. To my disappointment, the V20 was not up for the task. First of all, it seems like it is going to break if it falls off my hands. Its construction feels extremely weak, i.e. the V20 doesn't qualify for long trips or any harsh conditions. I wasn't impressed by the quality of the pictures I took either. For any practical matters, I couldn't find any significant differences between the pictures I took with the V20 and the ones that you can get with any point and shoot camera available at lower prices, i.e. Sony or Panasonic. Why should anybody pay USD 700 for a regular point and shoot? Maybe this little camera is just for the ones who want to add another red dot to their collection.
I am sorry Leica. The V20 went back to the seller today.



Rating :

Own Both the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7, And............

......I do notice several things the V-Lux 20 does better than the DMC-ZS7.......

The color rendering seems to be more true on the V-Lux 20 (the ZS7 has a slight "cyan" cast), fewer blown highlights (maybe the biggest drawback of the ZS7), and most-importantly- superior noise reduction. The Leica's internal NR is in my opinion comparable to the very best post-process noise-reduction products out there, including Topaz DeNoise 4. (Most point-and-shoot cameras I prefer the minimum NR setting, the Leica I prefer the default setting. I actually get better results from the camera's own NR, with either no or minimal post-processing. On the other hand, the ZS7's NR is more typical for in-camera NR, where I use the minimum settings, and then fixed with more-intense post-processing.) The video also seems to have more resolution and less highlight clipping. (Although the vertical streaks from bright lights is exactly the same as the ZS7.) The question will come down to whether these advantages justify the price difference. I say it's a close call. But if I were to sell one of the cameras, I'd sell the ZS7, only because I do think the V-Lux 20 does yield noticeably better performance, and I think it's the best mega-zoom point-and-shoot available as of right now.

PROS:

- Best image quality of the currently-available mega-zoom compacts I've tried.
- Superb color rendering- Superior to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7.
- Good low-light performance (although can be improved with post processing).
- Very good resolution with videos. (Comparable to the Sony DSC-HX5V in spite of 720p specs.)
- Superb autofocus during videos. Rarely loses focus during zoom. Minimal "motor noise" during zoom.
- Fewer blown highlights relative to the Panasonic ZS7.
- Camera's internal noise reduction comparable to the very best post-process products out there.

CONS:

- The long zoom range and small sensor still cause noise and low-light problems.
- Requires settings adjustments for best IQ. ("Sharpness" set to "-1" reduces "edge artifacts" without sacrificing resolution; "ISO" set to "ISOMAX1600" and "I.EXPOSURE" set to "Standard" improves low-light performance.)
- Image quality still not at a level of the Leica X1 or D-Lux 4.
- Video has exact same vertical streaking from bright lights as the Panasonic ZS7. (The Sony HX5V does not have this flaw.)
- Sample variation/quality control: Had to exchange camera due to a misaligned lens.
- Somewhat excessive "distortion correction" at widest zoom angle. Image slightly "stretched" radially toward the edges. (Although most recent compact cameras have this flaw.)
- High price a judgment call for the stated advantages. If zoom or video isn't a requisite, better IQ can be had elsewhere for the price.

Rating :

Legendary Leica Quality

This is just a wonderful little camera.

High quality, superb build, legendary Leica quality. I love having that little red dot that speaks luxury and quality to all those that see it.

Nice quality photos with excellent contrast and color rendition. The image processor in the Leica is different than in the Panasonic sibling to this camera and produces better looking photos. They are just gorgeous !

The GPS is so handy. It works great with the "places" feature in iPhoto on my MacBook and iPad. I love being able to geo-tag all my photos, especially when traveling.

The 25-300 mm zoom is excellent and offers very good results throughout the entire range. Very handy for traveling.

I am extremely pleased with my purchase. Highly recommended.

Rating :

More reviews...

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 :

Best camera I have ever owned!

Can't say enough positive things about this camera. I have had it for just about a month and the pictures I've taken so far are just absolutely out of this world gorgeous! I'm an aspiring amateur photographer and still learning a lot, but this camera makes it a dream to take photos. It's easy to use and very intuitive. There is no zoom which I love...the colors are rich and images crisp. They look beyond real...now I just need to get a Leica M9 to fulfill my dream. The only con is that I do have to verify that the exposure and f-stop wheels on top of the camera are correctly positioned before each use. The knobs (or settings) have a tendency to be easily displaced due to friction between the case and the camera when the camera is being removed from it. But it's no major issue at all.

Rating :

Out of this world Wonderful!

Are you like me? Do you find yourself cropping photos for better composition only to see them pixelated when you enlarge them, even to the relatively small size of 8x10? This was the dilemma I found myself in, especially when processing photos taken with a zoom lens. I thought to myself, "What kind of camera do I need to compensate for this method of photo processing?" To my mind, it seemed that I would need a camera that (1) has extremely high image quality and (2) performs well in low light (I mean, who doesn't want to take beautiful night shots, right?).
I read as many reviews on the Leica X1 as I could find on the web and in magazines, as well as reviews for other cameras, and almost cried when I settled on the Leica X1, due to the expense, but boy, is it ever worth it! This camera delivers! It does exactly what I want it to do--sharp, gorgeous photos even when cropped severely and the color is just amazing...must be that Leica look (I'm serious--some photos look like a work of art, and I am only an amateur photographer). By all means, buy it if you can afford it. After all, it's the photo image that counts. Oh, did I mention it comes with Adobe PhotoShop Lightroom, a very intuitive photo processor? One last thing: Enjoy.

Rating :

Leica X1 a New Favorite

In mid-March 2010 I spent a week abroad with the Leica X1 and the Leica M9. The X1 competes well with the superlative M9 and among the results of my trip the photos taken with the X1 -- many in the fog and at night, all hand-held -- are among the best of some outstanding photos being requested by people who see them. Charging the battery using the (provided) European plug inserted in place of the American plug was (contrary to one review) much better than using a hinged American plug, which would require a separate adapter, spacing the charger too far from the bathroom wall receptacle. At home, also, photos of family and little kids moving around fast indoors at birthday party and similar events yielded an unexpectedly large number of superior photos which coulc be cropped aggressively to get a no-noise individual portrait out of a group shot. This little camera is more fun to use than most any other camera I've ever owned. I would compare it with the superlative Rollei TLR cameras of a couple of decades ago. The X1 is well worth the price.

Rating :

Not for everyone

I love this camera but let's be clear there are things about it that make life difficult ; you have to be sure that supreme image quality in the smallest size is really your ultimate goal.
On the downside are things like slow-ish ( but very accurate ) autofocus , a fixed lens and of course the price.
But where this little device scores big time is in the quality of its images.
It is the absolute perfect companion for things like weddings where you can get close and personal to your subjects and then snap away in almost silence ( Yes a quiet shutter )
In dark bars you can shoot in silence at ISO 3200 ( no flash needed) and still be amazed at the image quality.

This is a true Leica.
It is clear that in the design there was no compromise on image quality and like most other owners I'm happy to live with the result.
Blow your photos into Posters and be amazed at the quality.

I also own a Lumix GF-1 which produces good results ,is much cheaper ,more flexible and can be recommended without hesitation. BUT the pictures are not the same.
The "Leica look" is often mentioned and you can see it in many of your images ; that creamy , sharp desaturated look.

Truly the one camera I'll still be using in 6 years time.

Rating :

Three Stars for Value, Five Stars for Everything Else.

Three Stars for Value, Five Stars for Everything Else.

I'll just get to the meat and potatoes of this review.

Looks just like the steel gray mini M9. Makes me wish I had the M9 versus the M8 (yes, just for looks!). Very nice and sleek, definitely not boxy and boring as the online reviews made it appear. The camera is sturdy for a point and shoot, and fits well in my hands. I tested the dials. They are not flimsy on my camera as has been mentioned in previous internet reviews. I have small fingers, however, so I may not trigger a dial to move as other shooters. The screen is BAD. I'm sorry, but for $2K, I need a $2K screen. At least 920K dots. I'm disappointed at the screen...the subjects appeared grainy and the screen kept locking up as I tried to maintain focus. This is subpar. The other buttons and the flash are easy to use, nice and fits well on the camera.

Features are not overwhelming. As a mini M, I'm not surprised at the simplistic usability. I like it...but for a point and shoot, I have a nagging feeling I could be missing something. I don't know: perhaps the "kids and pets" feature would just make me feel at home. That's a joke. However, I would l like zoom features...5x if possible. The menus and buttons are easy to use, although I would like a toggle button (versus button/menu) for AF/Macro similar to the D-Lux 4.

Image quality is indeed SLR-like. Reviews and comments online usually have images attached that have been photoshopped to a degree. My out of camera jpeg photos are wonderful! I guess I had to see this to believe it. I have a D-Lux 4, and the difference is very evident (not to discredit the D-Lux 4). Now, is the image quality $2K worth? All of Leica's cameras are incredibly overpriced, but I know of no other point-and-shoot that gives the image quality of this camera. I had a hard time believing it before it got into my hands. Still, my answer is leading to, "no, still too expensive".

AF: The minimum focusing distance is far, almost two feet for accurate focusing. Ensure AF Macro is enabled for those "close-up" situations. In this manner, zoom would really be seen as a positive in order to get those close personal shots. It would be difficult to hand this camera to someone (a point/shooter) and say, "please take my photo...no wait, move farther" For my M8.2, I understand when folks have a hard time using it, but for the X1?

ISO quality is superb. Blown up on my screen, it's very comparable to my 7D, with a Leica flare to it.

What I've stated are the few things that I value; there are plenty more pros to this camera. In the end, like most Leicas, the X1 is definitely not a camera for the budget, quick shooter. To the ones who just want a point and shoot to capture moments, the price of the X1 is difficult to justify. One can even get an Micro Four-Thirds camera with excellent image quality for 25% the price of the X1. This camera is out of stock as we speak, but perhaps a lower price would make it maniacal to the masses. Also, a closer minimum focal distance, and a better screen. But I cannot let myself unhand this fine piece of hardware. I find myself foregoing essential pieces of clothing, toothpaste and soap, and a few meals a day in order to have the chance to master the equipment so painstakingly made from the company called Leica. By the way, I didn't really give up soap, that was a joke.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. Smallest full frame digital camera in the world; first Rangefinder camera with a 24 x 36mm format sensor
2. 18-megapixel sensor allows the full 35mm format; custom-designed CCD sensor for optimal performance
3. Newly-developed cover glass to eliminate infrared light contamination, i.e. no IR filters needed
4. Simple Menus and easy handling
5. Body only, lenses sold separately; compatible with SD cards up to 2 GB, SDHC cards up to 32 GB (not included)

Editorial Review :

The world's smallest full frame digital camera. This 18 megapixels camera continues the legacy of the Leica M rangefinder with the most modern digital technology.

Customer Review :

More Leica hype?

I have a camera bag of Leica M series lenses collecting dust waiting for the right digital Leica. I have been reviewing the Leica M9 photos taken with a series of Leica M lenses that are posted on the Internet. There seems to be nothing but rave reviews of the results and images are presented in various galleries across the Internet. I then reviewed the galleries of images taken with Canon digital cameras with the better lenses such as the 85mm f1.2 and the 24mm f1.2. In my opinion there is no comparison. Either the Leica glass is inferior to Canon glass or the M9 has some serious problems. To my eye most images presented by the Leica are muddy and too contrasty. The canon images with various bodies and with their best lenses to my eye clearly has the edge. There is such a difference that the term edge is too generous to Leica. There is really no comparison. Before you purchase the M9 in an attempt to dust off your expensive Leica glass take a tour of the images posted on the Internet and compare them to those posted for the Canon system. Hands down Canon wins.

You will fall in love with your Canon all over again...

Glenn Tisman, M.D.
Amateur Photographer

Rating :

The finest digital camera.

Leica have hit a home-run with the M9, it combines the finest modern (digital) technology with old-world, original camera functionality. The Leica M9 is one of the best designed cameras, it is really easy to use with just the shutter-speed dial up on top instead of the usual cluster of stuff found on every other digital camera. And then there's the focusing rangefinder - it is the only camera on the market where you know FOR A FACT that your subject is either in or out of focus before you take the shot.

The Leica M9 is comparably priced to other top of the line professional digital cameras - but this camera will actually engage your photographic skill and talent! Buy it.

Rating :

1. 7.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
2. 3.6x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
3. High-speed wide-angle lens allows for creative framing
4. Classic, ultra-compact metal body measures 3.5 x 2 x .9 inches
5. Powered by lithium-ion battery (battery and charger included); stores images on SD memory cards (64MB memory card included)

Editorial Review :

Leica Digital Camera C lux 2 3.6x 7.2 megapixel USA in Silver - Leica C lux 2

Customer Review :

Excitment turns to "meh".

I was hoping to find something different. Something better than the rest. Sometimes you just don't feel like the usual selection is good enough. I already had a Canon, everyone and their brother had a Nikon.
I was thinking about the slim line Casio, but who wants to buy a Casio?
So one late night / early morning I found this Leica. It looked different than the Canon/Nikon/Casio/Olympus and plus it had that little red badge on the front. I had to have it.
I found a local dealer on the Leica website and the next day I bought it for the same price as Amazon.
BTW, I knew there was a Panasonic version for half the price. I bought into the cosmetic of the Leica, the story, and that little red badge.
Supposedly this model has different firmware than the Panasonic which gives your JPEG files a color palette similar to classic Leica cameras.
It does not shoot in RAW.

Design

The look of this camera is gorgeous. It is very understated but an instant classic design. The build quality is also very good. It doesn't attract unwanted attention but once you put your hands on it you know it is a well built product.

Ease Of Use

The button layout is nice. It is simple and clean with access to shortcuts for flash, exposure, self timer, and review.
Choosing auto settings or manual mode is easy and the icons make sense.
I wish there were shortcuts for shutter speed and ISO settings. To access those you have to get into the menu which is time consuming and cumbersome. PS most cameras are like that though.

Ergonomics

It is so small and thin that it is kind of hard to hold steadily. Definitely use the wrist strap because it has slipped out of my hands a few times.

Picture Quality

This is very subjective. With good lighting I love the way my pictures turn out. Colors are very natural and not over saturated at all. It is very hard to get "tac sharp" shots with it but I don't think that is the point of a point and shoot.
With average or difficult lighting this point and shoot really struggles. I hate using high ISO settings because anything over 400 has a lot of noise of this camera. The flash blows out the picture if you are less then 6 feet away. It isn't powerful enough in a dim room if you are more then 8 feet away. There are no controls to dial down the flash. To get a good picture with or without flash you spend a lot of time changing exposure, ISO, and shutter speed. There is a +/- 2 exposure control but the shutter speed can only be set to a maximum of 1 second in manual mode. ISO can be set from 100-1250 but again anything over 400 has a lot of noise. Using "simple mode" usually jacks up the ISO settings in dark rooms or uses the flash which is useless most of the time. You can get a good shot in a dark room or outdoors but it will take some time to set it up.

Extra

Includes a copy of Photoshop Elements which is a fun program to add effects to your photos.

Overall

If you are thinking about this for outdoor day trips to the beach or mountains then this might be a good choice for you. If you want something to take to parties and nights out with your friends then you need to find something with better low light performance and a smarter auto mode. I don't regret buying it but it is not all that I hoped for considering Leica's reputation and premium price.


Rating :

Amazing Colors

I purchased this camera because it is very small and easy to carry on. As all Leica products, this camera produces very great images, the color contrast is amazing, and every color appears to be real when you get the image printed.



Rating :

wish I had not bought it

I bought this camera with full faith in Leica products despite the high price tag
Five months after light use (about 300 photos in all), the camera was not working.
Leica repaired but refused to replace bad product with same or equivalent model.
Customer service was completely insensitive to my troubles with their product and my
request for replacing it. If I have problems with it again, I will have to pay for repairs since
the warranty expires soon. For professional photography Leica may be worth the investment.
For non-professional, social use, Leica is a waste of money. My friends are happy with their
$100 equipment while I am stuck with a lemon.

Rating :

Extremely impressive pocket camera

I am *extremely* impressed by this little Leica.

This will be a rather short review since this camera model is already, like, 300 years old in dog years.

I was able to pick a new one up for less than [...] on the internets from someone who clearly didn't know what they were parting with. When I inquired into why the party was selling she only told me that her husband needed something newer.

I have owned and used dozens of cameras (Leica, Nikon, Canon, Rollie, Mamiya) in my career.

The C-LUX 2 is an amazing unit in terms of color authenticity, image quality, zoom quality, sensitivity, precision, workmanship, and most of all: usability and convenience.

I cannot stress how perfect the menu system is on this camera. It's perfect and the controls are precise, accurate, and delightful to use.

Convenience means that having this camera in your pocket you will never miss a great shot no matter where you are. Yes it really is that good. With controls from scene mode to nearly manual you have precise control of your pictures. There is no reason you cannot achieve a National Geo picture with this camera.

When the C-LUX 2 debuted at [.........] it was really a Euro-jet-setting no-show. Now that you can find this gem below [....] it is a must have.

5 stars based on current market conditions and availability in late 2008. Good luck finding a mint unit. If you are indefatigable you will find no better camera in the same class at any price.

Rating :

Not really worth the money

I found this gorgeous little camera at a thrift shop completely broken and priced by someone who obviously had no clue what it was. I sent it to the Leica shop to get it fixed which cost several hundred dollars. For $260 (which is what I ended up paying for it total), it was completely worth it. It's stylish, it takes great photos, it's tiny; basically it's perfect. But honestly, there's no way it's worth the full price new. The photos are really nice, but maybe I'm spoiled by my DSLR, which takes photos whose quality easily rivals film. I mean, they're just not that nice, if you get what I'm saying. If you can find one of these cameras used, I say snap it up. But really, it's not worth it's price tag.

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1. Package contents - Camera with lens cap, carrying strap, lens hood, 512 MB SD card, charger, lithium-ion rechargeable battery, A/V cable, USB cable
2. Lens - LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 7.4-88.8 mm f/2.8-3.7 ASPH.; 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 35-420 millimeters for 35 mm format) / 4x Digital-zoom
3. Optical Image Stabilizer - 2 Modes
4. 4 - 3 Normal and 16 - 9 Widescreen modes
5. Still pictures resolution up to 3648 x 2736 pixels; Movie mode 848 x 480 pixels at up to 30 fps

Editorial Review :

The compact V-Lux 1 is a match for entry-line digital SLR systems any time. The V-Lux 1 combines top-class optics, magnificent image quality, 12x zoom and 10 megapixel image resolution in an ultra compact, convenient design. The V-Lux line makes photography in the compact class more professional than ever before. The all-purpose digital camera for universal use combines the best Leica image quality with the convenience of an intelligent all-in-one solution. Equipped with the 12x optical zoom and the optical image stabilization, there is hardly any photographic situation you won't be able to master with your V-Lux 1. It takes delicate macro shots, space-grabbing wide-angle views and super telephoto nature images without having to change the lens. Everything works in perfect harmony: the LEICA VARIO-ELMARIT lens, the optical stabilizer, the fast and precise auto focus, and the ultra fast image signal processor. USB and AV Out mode LCD Monitor - Swiveling 2.0? TFT color display with 207,000 pixels, electronic viewfinder with 235,000 pixels Exposure modes - Choice between program automatic, aperture automatic, automatic mode and manual setting / Exposure compensation +-2 EV in stages, settings from 1/3 EV Flash modes Choice between automatic ON with or without preflash (red-eye reduction), manual ON (fill-in flash) with or without preflash, SLOW sync for longer shutter speeds, flash OFF Sensitivity Setting - Choice between automatic or manual ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 3200 (in high-sensitivity mode) File formats Still - RAW, JPEG (Fine/Standard), Movie - QuickTime Motion JPEG PictBridge and DPOF compatible for easy printing Unit Dimensions (W x H x D) - 5.5 x 3.3 x 5.6 inches (141 mm x 85 mm x 142 mm); 25.9 ounces

Customer Review :

great photos

I just got this camera V lux-1 few days ago. As soon I received the package, I was very excited and used the camera right away. As of now, I am testing Auto mode with different type of scenes. I have tested indoor scenes using no flash and was very amazed with the quality of the natural colors and contrast of light. The light temperature was very good, just like real natural scenes. I found the focusing speed was fast enough to capture my young restless kids. Lag time was not noticeable.

Having this great quality photo camera, I am very much enjoying taking photos more now. I will update more later after I use this camera more. Overall, I am very satisfied with this great camera.



Rating :

The proof is (not) in the pictures! Disappointing!

To anyone thinking of buying this camera in 2009 -- there must be better options available than this now 2 1/2 year old model. I tried it because I wanted the 12x zoom, Leica optics, feature set, build quality, etc. but after trying it out over the weekend at the Yankee game and for nature photography (which is what I mostly purchased it for) I was extremely disappointed when I loaded the photos into the computer. Noise levels for images shot at ISO 200 are totally unacceptable. I could not work with ISO 100 because the weather was overcast. But hey -- I need to be able to use the camera in all conditions, not just when the sun is shining. All images are smudgy and soft and start breaking up when viewed at 1/2 size let alone at actual pixel size. As for cropping -- forget it! Also the auto-focus does not work well in a variety of situations. At the upper end of the telephoto range, the camera cannot be hand-held at slow shutter speeds even with the level 2 shake reduction on. Plus for my 52 year old eyes the small viewing screen and the coarse optical viewfinder are definitely no longer state of the art (if they ever were).

For the past few years I have owned the Lumix TZ1 and LX2 and have been happy with them. I have gotten used to their smudgy noise reduction but the Leica V-Lux 1, instead of being better in this regard, seems worse. I was hoping for an improvement in zoom range over the TZ1 (which is a compact automatic which goes to 350 optical zoom but only 5 MP) but from what I have seen so far, this camera is not only not an improvement, I don't even think it is as good. Your money (and mine, once I return this) will be better spent on a newer model camera that has hopefully dealt with some of these problems. I will try the Lumix G1.

Rating :

Just as good, if not better, than an entry level SLR

This is the best sub-SLR (bridge) camera there is out there.
Enough has been written about this camera by others so I am not going to go over the same things again.
Here are just a few points that I think are important, or have not been covered before.
1. I saw that some people wrote that if you want to spend this money, you might as well buy a SLR camera kit. That is a misleading idea.
Leica V-Lux 1 comes with a 35 to 430 mm original, best quality lens. There is no SLR kit on the market that covers that range at the same lens quality under $1000.00, let alone the fact that you don't have to carry two lenses to cover the same zoom range (focal distance).
2. This is the only bridge camera that offers exactly the same controls like true SLR cameras, including dial controls for aperture and speed, placed just like the controls in the Nikon SLR series. Without taking the camera from your eyes you can adjust with your index and thumb, the aperture and the exposure speed (or the Program Shift as the case may be). In the same time, with your left hand you can adjust the zoom and the manual focus rings.
3. Leica V-Lux 1, has some features encountered only in SLR-s much more expensive. In example, on the left side of the lens there is a "forced" Focus button. Even with the focus set to MANUAL mode, one can still touch with the left thumb this button and the lens focuses automatic. Then it remains further in manual mode, so you can continue to adjust it further by turning the focus ring.
3. Here is one example of how great the image stabilization works. Last week I was at my son's convocation ceremony that took place indoors in a sports arena, but it was not lit enough. My son was sitting in the middle of the stadium. I was standing all the way up. With the camera held in my hand and with the maximum zoom, I took about three pictures. One out of three came out perfectly clear. Now consider this: the exposure was 1/16sec which would absolutely require a tripod.
Further I just leaned my right elbow on a railing and then took some more pictures, and they all came out very clear at 1/8 and 1/16 sec!
4. One word of caution: If you are used to other cameras that in Auto mode allow choices on metering, focus area, etc, this camera in Auto mode offers very little options. If you want access to all the settings, you have to set it to "P" (Program Mode) which is also an "automatic" mode that allows all the settings to be changed.
5. If money is tight, but you would really like to get the Leica as opposed to the equivalent Panasonic, if you shop around you find this camera at around $750 - $800. Also, look on the Leica web site as they are offering a $150 mail in rebate (March-Apr 2008, and again July-Aug 2008, and I am sure they will offer it again), so you end up paying $600 - $650, which all of a sudden looks a lot more as a very good value.
A great, high quality camera.

Rating :

great camera

This is one of the most amazing cameras I've owned, it's easy to use and has a great macro. Well worth the price!

Rating :

Just as good, if not better, than an entry level SLR

This is the best sub-SLR (bridge) camera there is out there.
Enough has been written about this camera by others elsewhere so I am not going to go over the same things again.
Here are just a few points that I think are important, or have not been covered before.
1. I saw that some people wrote that if you want to spend this money, you might as well buy a SLR camera kit. That is a misleading idea.
Leica V-Lux 1 comes with a 35 to 430 mm original, best quality lens. There is no SLR kit on the market that does that under $[...], let alone the fact that you don't have to carry two lenses to cover the same zoom range (focal distance).
2. This is the only bridge camera that offers exactly the same controls like true SLR cameras, including dial controls for aperture and speed, placed just like the controls in the Nikon SLR series. Without taking the camera from your eyes you can adjust with your index and thumb, the aperture and the exposure speed (or the Program Shift as the case may be). In the same time, with your left hand you can adjust the zoom and the manual focus rings.
3. Leica V-Lux 1, has some features encountered only in SLR-s much more expensive. In example, on the left side of the lens there is a "forced" Focus button. Even with the focus set to MANUAL mode, one can still touch with the left thumb this button and the lens focuses automatic. Then it remains further in manual mode, so you can continue to adjust it further by turning the focus ring.
3. Here is one example of how great the image stabilization works. Last week I was at my son's convocation ceremony that took place indoors in a sports arena, but it was not lit enough. My son was sitting in the middle of the stadium. I was standing all the way up. With the camera held in my hand and with the maximum zoom, I took about three pictures. One out of three came out perfectly clear. Now consider this: the exposure was 1/16sec which would absolutely require a tripod.
Further I just leaned my right elbow on a railing and then took some more pictures, and they all came out very clear at 1/8 and 1/16 sec!
4. One word of caution: If you are used to other cameras that in Auto mode allow choices on metering, focus area, etc, this camera in Auto mode offers very little options. If you want access to all the settings, you have to set it to "P" (Program Mode) which is also an "automatic" mode that allows all the settings to be changed.
5. If money is tight, but you would really like to get the Leica as opposed to the equivalent Panasonic, if you shop around you find this camera at around $[...]. Also, look on the Leica web site as they are offering a $150 mail in rebate (March-Apr 2008, and again July-Aug 2008, and I am sure they will offer it again), so you end up paying $[...], which all of a sudden looks a lot more as a very good value.
A great, high quality camera.

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