Leica D-Lux 4

[buckpago]

sorry mr. admin, I dont know where to put this one.

anyway, I just want to ask some thoughts and review from the owner of the leica dlux 4.

im thinking to get this instead of m8 due to bad reviews of it. I dont use digital alway anyway. Im just going to use it from snapshot for everyday.

I been using Leica Ms for my assignments since my career started.

also I want to know whats the pros and cons over the panasonic version before I buy one.

thanks.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

It is identical to the Panasonic version in every way but cosmetics. And I highly recommend it! The Panasonic one, anyway. It's in a different category from the M8, but for a small-sensor point-and-shoot, it is terrific.

 

[adavis47]

I own the Panasonic and I'm really pleased with the images. Most reviews on the Web consider it the best point and shoot camera available and I would agree. Only inconveniences: the lens doesn't retract which makes it a bit bulky in the pocket; you have to fiddle with a lens cap. Great camera.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Of course the lens retracts!

 

[johnastovall]

It's not a Leica. It is a Panasonic with a licensed red dot.

 

[Rob-F]

I'm very happy with mine, and with my D-Lux 3. I got the 4 to use along with the 3, so I could have the two different focal length zoom ranges. They are so small that the one that isn't in use can stay in a pocket. I carried the D-Lux 3 and the 4 all through our trip to France last month and took many hundreds of shots, all very sharp and with great color. The LCD panel is very bright and useable in full daylight, and is large enough to actually see what I'm doing. And I've come to consider the variable aspect ratio essential! I can shoot all day and then some on a battery, charge it overnight, and be ready for the next day's shooting. I brought extra batteries to France but rarely needed to change during the day's shooting. High ISO performance is, of course, limited with such a small sensor, but ISO 800 looks generally very acceptable. Nighttime skies at 1600 or 3200 make the sky look blotchy. But, you also get to have a picture--which you would not have gotten had you not had the camera with you. So when walking across the pont returning to the apartment from dinner at night, you get to have a shot of Notre Dame that you could not have gotten with a 5D, because the 5D (or D700, etc.) would not be with you. That heavy monster would be back home where you left it.

 

[adavis47]

Of course the lens retracts!

Correct. I should have said it doesn't retract flush with camera body like many point and shoot.

 

[Ken Shipman]

I don't own one, but I've been impressed by shots I've seen others take, esp in panoramic mode. My only question is about relying exclusively on the lcd for viewing. Doesn't it wash out sometimes in bright daylight?

 

[Pablito]

Love the panasonic. Would not dream of paying double for the same camera with another name on it

 

[Pablito]

My only question is about relying exclusively on the lcd for viewing. Doesn't it wash out sometimes in bright daylight?

Somewhat, but not too bad. The camera has very good low light capabilities for an P&S though.

 

[chris00nj]

As an recent purchaser of the D-Lux 4, I must say I like it. I normally shoot film, but it's a highly capable camera for one-off snapshots and for use by the Mrs.

I like the equivalent 24mm lens and the f/2.0 maximum aperature. Since the lens is in actuality a short focal length, having any oof is severely limited.

The different control settings are a better for more advanced photographers than a lot of consumer p&s. Instead of a wheel with choices of "Nightime" and "Sports", there is a full Auto, Shutter Priority, Aperature Priority, Manual, and then a couple options which you can program. It is a bit more intuitive to me and I like having a bit more control.

ISO performance drops off sharply after 400, but there is a feature which can limit ISO.

The Leica vs. Panasonic debate: There is different software and a longer warranty with the Leica. So it is a bit more than a red dot, but not a tremendous amount. I also do like hte Leica finish bit more. However, the current big difference is that availablity of the Panasonic is non-existant. Sure it says $460 at B&H,which is $240 less than the Leica, but they are out of stock. Same with Adorama and every other reputable dealer that I know of. It's available over Amazon... for $699, the same price as the D-Lux4.

 

[majid]

I bought one, and ended up returning it within 2 weeks. Pictures taken with it are very flat due to limited dynamic range, and exhibit quite a bit of noise even at base ISO, becoming very prominent at ISO 320, let alone 800 or 1600.

The Sigma DP1 or DP2 are much better choices.

BTW, the lens on the D-Lux 4 does retract, but you still need to use a lens cap and the lens assembly protrudes from the body so it is not as pocketable as, say, a Canon Elph. It is roughly the same size as a DP1.

I would suggest you wait another month for the reviews of the DP2 to come out, and also Olympus to annonce its new compact micro four thirds body on June 15.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Correct. I should have said it doesn't retract flush with camera body like many point and shoot.

OK, yes, I get it! There is always something of a protuberance on the front...

 

[vrgard]

My personal opinion, and nothing more, is that while it's easy to nitpick things like having to keep up with a removable lens cap and having a protruding lens even when fully retracted, and putting aside the Panasonic vs. Leica difference/debate, I really enjoy using my Panasonic LX3. Is it perfect? Of course not. Is it good and do I get pictures that I probably wouldn't have gotten otherwise? Absolutely. So count me as a happy customer/user.

-Randy