· Batteries Included: 1 · Binding: Electronics · Brand: Leica · Color: Black · Display Size (Units: inches): 3 · EAN: 4022243183520 · Feature: 10.1-megapixel resolution and 24-60 Summicron lens f2.0 | Small, compact design with 3.0-inch TFT LCD screen | 50 MB built-in memory; capture images to SD memory card, SDHC memory card and MultiMedia cards (not included) · Label: Leica · Manufacturer: Leica · Maximum Focal Length (Units: millimeters): 12.8 · Maximum Resolution (Units: MP): 10 · Minimum Focal Length (Units: millimeters): 5.1 · Model: D-Lux4 Black · MPN: D-Lux4 Black · Optical Zoom (Units: x): 2.5 · Product Group: Photography · Publisher: Leica · Studio: Leica · UPC: 799429183523
» Compact CameraOutstanding features in a compact camera.
2009-11-17
The biggest questions I had in my mind about this camera before buying it were "Is it worth the money?" and "Can it replace my dSLR as a carry-around camera?" After about a month of using it I have some of the answers.

The old saying goes that the best camera you have is the one you have with you. This camera with it's `ever ready' case weighs about 14 ounces. My dSLR kit with 3 lenses, a TC, and a flash weighs about 25 pounds. A tripod (carbon fiber), long lens, and macro lens adds close to 15 pounds. I hiked up the lakefront last week carrying the 25 pounds, and it got a lot heavier about half way through, downright painful. If I wanted to spend a day at the zoo I'd take everything, so I'd be lugging around 40 pounds. This is a great mental block to getting out, and it's a whole lot easier to throw 14 ounces in my jacket pocket. I also really noticed that with my dSLR people were very aware of the camera, and with the Leica people didn't even notice me, making it a lot easier to capture candid `street' photography.

So, what do you give up for this portability? Surprisingly little. The only things I can think of are the ability to change lenses and a smaller sensor size.

The lens is fantastic, starting at f/2.0, being so fast that in sunlight I could not get the shutter speed slow enough at f/11 to smoothen water or blur moving objects such as a train. I've already ordered an Opteka 52mm adapter so I can use my existing CP and ND filters. Panasonic also has a wide angle lens adapter. There is no telephoto adapter, that would be a welcome addition. The lens introduces very little distortion, buildings and trees actually look straight. I had another `famous lens maker' P&S that had so much distortion that it made flagpoles look like pretzels.

The camera shoots RAW and JPEG and RAW+JPEG in varying sizes and quality. I really wanted RAW files, that's all I shoot with my dSLR, and I really like the non-destructive and enhanced editing features you get with RAW. It comes with a full version of Phase One's Capture 4, which looks pretty sophisticated, or the files can be read and rendered by CS4 and Lightroom 2. You can change the shooting aspect ratio, focus mode, and even the simulated film type to match Leica film cameras including B&W.

What I consider to be the biggest feature of this camera is the firmware. The camera will shoot in the very easiest to use up to sophisticated options as well as video. The `snapshot' mode picks out what type of scene you're shooting and adjusts everything accordingly, you do nothing. `Scene' mode lets you pick from 23 predefined settings like `baby', `party', starry night', etc. Then there are the standard Program (which you can shift using the joystick), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, and Manual modes.

Even with the latest firmware version which is supposed to fix white balance detection, it is not good. dpreview notes the bad fluorescent settings, and I noticed that even shooting a flower patch resulted in a different WB depending on the color of the flowers in the scene. Luckily, there are 4 ways around this problem, 1) shoot RAW and adjust in the renderer, 2) set WB manually on the camera, 3) set WB temperature in the ROM, 4) set a WB preset by reading a white piece of paper in the shooting light. Even my dSLR gets confused with WB, the problem is not unique to this camera.

Other dSLR type features: Exposure bracketing, Flash output bracketing, Burst mode, Custom settings (2), Rear curtain flash sync, AF tracking, etc. To see a full list of features, you can download the camera manual from Leica.

Negatives: The accessories are incredibly overpriced. A viewfinder that is little more than a hollow tube is almost half the price of the camera. I'd like to have it to steady the camera against my face, but I won't spend that much on it. The battery is twice the price of the Panasonic battery, which is 3 times the price of a generic battery. The `ever ready' case costs more than a lot of people want to spend on an entire camera.
Forget about a Leica flash, buy a 3rd party one for the LX-3 with more output. While the body of the camera is made of sturdy metal, the I/O and Battery/SD doors are cheap plastic. I'm really careful with the battery door. While I haven't had any problem accidentally moving the mode dial when pressing the shutter as a few people have reported, the camera is a little hard to hold. It would have been nice to have a built in handle like the LX-3 or at least include the now optional handle with the camera. If you do buy the handle, it will not fit in the ever ready case. The case itself has some problems which I'll address in a separate review.

So, can this camera replace a dSLR? Yes, with the reservation that there is not a long lens available. The options common with a dSLR are there. The image quality is there.
I have a couple of other P&S's and I rarely use them mostly due to distortion, noise, slow lenses, and lack of RAW capability. I'm not willing to haul around 25 pounds everyday, but I keep the Leica next to the door ready to go.

Is the camera worth the money? A qualified maybe. It depends on how much you value two hundred dollars, that's the premium over a LX-3 or G11. Then you have to consider whether you are going to add accessories and if they will be genuine Leica accessories. The whole system is getting near fifteen hundred dollars. The two hundred does mean something to me, but if you're going to pay as much for a P&S as you are an entry level dSLR you might as well go for the Leica. And, it takes better pictures than my 10K+ worth of equipment sitting at home.Leica D-Lux 4
2009-11-13
I bought this camera to supplement my Canon Eos 5d SLR. This camera is extremely well made. The controls are intuitive. I really did not need to read the manual. It handles much better than my Canon G9 which I sold on Ebay. The ability to add an external flash and viewfinder also add to the utility of this camera. This is fairly expensive for a camera without interchangeable lenses, etc. It is much smaller than the Canon G11, which is cheaper. There is now way to add any filters, since there is no threading for this on the lens. I confirmed this with Leica today. I normally put a filter on an expensive lens right away. This camera can shoot in RAW, so you can use it with Photoshop. I think it is worth the price. One other consideration for those looking for a fine camera that is small would be the Panasonic GF1 or the soon to be released Olympus EP2. These take interchangeable lenses, including some made by Leica. These cameras are larger though and cannot go into a coat pocket. The auto focus on this camera is also fast and for a point and shoot that is not a DSLR, there was very little shutter delay.

· Batteries Included: 1 · Binding: Electronics · Brand: Leica · Color: Black · Display Size (Units: inches): 2.5 · EAN: 0799429183349 · Feature: Leica quality | Sharp Leica Lens | Easy operation | Extremely compact size | Large brilliant veiwing screen · Label: Leica · Manufacturer: Leica · Maximum Focal Length (Units: millimeters): 22 · Minimum Focal Length (Units: millimeters): 4.2 · Model: C-Lux3 Black · MPN: C-Lux3 Black · Optical Zoom (Units: x): 5 · Product Group: Photography · Publisher: Leica · Studio: Leica · UPC: 799429183349
» Compact CameraFantastic little camera
2009-11-08
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.Almost perfect. Small size, easy to use, beautiful camera
2009-08-19
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. [...].

· Batteries Included: 1 · Binding: Electronics · Brand: Leica · Color: White · EAN: 4022243183339 · Feature: Leica quality | Sharp Leica Lens | Easy operation | Extremely compact size | Large brilliant veiwing screen · Label: Leica · Manufacturer: Leica · Model: C-Lux3 White · MPN: C-Lux3 White · Optical Zoom (Units: x): 5 · Product Group: Photography · Publisher: Leica · Studio: Leica · UPC: 457109496256
» Compact CameraLittle pocket fun
2009-11-20
This was my first point&shoot from Leica, and I have to say, it is a very attractive unit, more so in person.
Although cheaper Panasonic version is always available, I find the build quality of Leica better in many ways. It's not just the red dot you're paying extra for, IMO.
It's an excellent point&shoot camera with a wide-angle zoom lens (although I don't like the extreme tele-end on P&S in general). What it's lacking is manual controls, but you have D-LUX 4 for that. I ended up selling mine to get a point and shoot with manual controls (GRD from Ricoh) but would have kept it if I wasn't tight on budget. Will surely miss this little piece with the red dot.excellent go anywhere fit anywhere camera
2009-09-30
the best camera i have used. it takesexcellent pictures without having any need to make adjustments

· Binding: Electronics · Brand: Leica · Color: Black · EAN: 0799429186906 · Label: Leica · Manufacturer: Leica · Model: 18690 · MPN: 18690 · Product Group: Photography · Publisher: Leica · Studio: Leica · UPC: 799429186906
» The Leica D-LUX 4 has a strikingly clear and classic design. This and the "reduction to the essentials" show the camera's genuine Leica lineage. The high-quality leather case in black matches this purist design in both form and function.

· Batteries Included: 1 · Binding: Electronics · Brand: Leica · Color: Green · EAN: 0799429184100 · Feature: Leica Summicron lens | Limited Edition | 3 year warranty | Ultra versatile | All metal body · Label: Leica · Manufacturer: Leica · Maximum Resolution (Units: MP): 10 · Model: D Lux4 Safari · MPN: D Lux4 Safari · Optical Zoom (Units: x): 2 · Product Group: Photography · Publisher: Leica · Studio: Leica · UPC: 799429184100
» Limited editon D Lux4 in Safari Green color with special case

· Binding: Electronics · Brand: Leica · EAN: 0799429186456 · Feature: Compatible with Leica C-Lux 1 and D-Lux 2 digital cameras | Lithium-ion battery | Rechargeable and long-lasting | Lightweight and compact, making it perfect to bringing along when you travel · Label: Leica · Manufacturer: Leica · Model: 18645 · MPN: 18645 · Product Group: Photography · Publisher: Leica · Release Date: 2006-05-11 · Studio: Leica · UPC: 411378016591
» Leica creates precision optical products for work and leisure. The superlative photographic results brought about by the precision optics and mechanics, the brilliant image in the slide projection, or in nature as observed through binoculars or spotting scopes, all bring enjoyment to their users. A sense of achievement arises when intense involvement with the products leads users to discover and perfect new capabilities and new ways of seeing, whether in photography or - using the binoculars and scopes - in the field of sports.You get what you pay for
2009-06-10
While some aftermarket batteries are somewhat underwhelming in their longevity, this is the gold standard in batteries for your Leica D-lux series camera. Much more expensive, but so is the camera. Excellent performance and it keeps your outfit all Leica.

· Binding: Electronics · Brand: Leica · EAN: 0799429144647 · Label: Leica · Manufacturer: Leica · Model: 14464 · MPN: 14464 · Product Group: Photography · Publisher: Leica · Studio: Leica · UPC: 799429144647
» The Lithium-ion battery was specially designed for the M8 and provides enough power for about 575 pictures. A charger, (Leica #14463) for the M8 battery is sold separately and can be used in nearly all countries and it includes a car adapter for 12-24 volts. The charger recognizes the different charging parameters and reacts accordingly to ensure a long life of the battery.Leica M battery - good for about 400 exposures
2009-02-14
Not much to say about the M battery. There are a couple of "generic" batteries for the M, personally I don't understand why anyone with a $5000 camera would think about saving $20 and risk less than 100% compatibility with the camera.

I have never managed to use more than 2 batteries in one day, each get about 350-400 exposures with average image review on the screen.

This is maybe the worlds smallest camera battery. you can easily have two in a jeans pocket without even noticing.

One could wonder why its not bigger, personally I prefer changing memory card more often than 400 images,mostly out of my own irrational fear of the card going corrupt and loosing a days worth of images.. changing the battery at the same time is not a big deal.

Bottom line... if you are a digital M owner, just do it.

· Binding: Electronics · Brand: Leica · EAN: 0799429186692 · Feature: Interior Dimensions 2.3 x 4.2 x 1.0 (5.9 x 10.6 x 2.6 cm) (HxWxD) · Label: Leica · Manufacturer: Leica · Model: 18669 · MPN: 18669 · Product Group: Photography · Publisher: Leica · Studio: Leica · UPC: 799429186692
» This camera case is designed to match the color of your Leica C-Lux 3. It features a shoulder or handy wrist strap, which allows the camera to be carried elegantly over the shoulder or securely hand held.A BEAUTIFUL CAMERA CASE - WORKS FOR LUMIX LX-3 TOO!
2009-11-02
BOUGHT THIS FOR MY PANASONIC LUMIX LX-3 - ITS A BIT OF A TIGHT FIT BUT THE LEATHER STRETCHES OVER TIME AND IT HAS LOOSENED SINCE I FIRST GOT IT.
THE D-LUX 4 IS PROBABLY A BETTER FIT AS IT LACKS THE LX-3'S HANDLE. ALSO THE METAL TABS ON THE LX-3 FOR THE NECK STRAP PROTRUDE A BIT. SOME OWNERS OF THIS CASE THAT USE IT FOR AN LX-3 HAVE REMOVED PADDING AND/OR CUT HOLES IN THE CASE BUT IT IS SO PRETTY I CAN'T BRING MYSELF TO DO THAT. I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE LOOK, QUALITY AND PRICE.Satisfied
2009-03-14
Delivery on time, no particular problem, although the strap is really too thin, and does not come with the additional enlargement leather piece seen on some other Websites.

· Binding: Electronics · Brand: Leica · Color: Black · Display Size (Units: inches): 2.5 · EAN: 0799429107017 · Feature: Low-noise 10.3-megapixel CCD image sensor specifically matched to the compact lens design | Full compatibility with nearly all M lenses means unique imaging performance | Incorporates rangefinder system with its advantages of discreet and quiet operation, speed, and precision | Future-guaranteed raw data format (DNG) and the raw data converter Capture One LE | Main settings clearly structured in menus on the bright 2.5-inch display · Label: Leica · Manufacturer: Leica · Model: 10701 · MPN: 10701 · Product Group: Photography · Publisher: Leica · Studio: Leica · UPC: 799429107017
» The dream of many Leica photographers has come true: the Leica M system is now open for professional digital photography. Breaking completely new ground, the LEICA M8 doesn't only look like an M - it utilizes all the benefits of the analog Leica M system for sophisticated and creative digital photography. It is the only digital camera for professionals to incorporate the rangefinder system with its advantages of discreet and quiet operation, speed and precision. And the no-compromise quality criteria of the M system continue to apply to the M8. Full compatibility with nearly all M lenses means that their unique imaging performance is now available for digital photography, too. The low-noise CCD image sensor with a resolution of 10.3 megapixels has been specifically matched to the compact lens design to guarantee superlative photographic quality. The controls and functions of the digital M still concentrate on the essentials. The proven M concept is complemented by the intelligent extra functions that digital technology has to offer. The LEICA M8 is the first timeless digital camera "Made in Germany". Fascinatingly new and yet still a real Leica M.Exceptional performance in every detail For Leica, image quality is not only a catchword, but a value attainable by optimizing all the links in the performance chain: Leica's M high performance lenses, now performing even better in the digital system with the new 6-bit coding. The low-noise CCD sensor whSparkling digital images for Leica M-users, with a few niggles
2009-09-02
The Leica M8 gives you great digital images right out of the box. Contrary to another reviewer's comments, M8 images need little or no Photoshop / Lightroom tweaks for printing or web display.

I also use Canon dSLRs and find myself doing a lot more contrast, level and sharpness adjustments with those images. The M8 helps my images look very good to clients.

**Using Aperture-Priority A-Mode
Exposure compensation is just about required in aperture-priority A-mode with the built-in metering. If you're shooting live theater or concerts where the lighting is similar shot-to-shot, you can use A and set compensation with the camera's `Set' menu.

And that's one of the problems. You shouldn't need to go to a menu to set exposure compensation. Any of Canon's EOS cameras let you do it from control dials, not menus.

You can use shutter speeds from the A-mode as a starting point for manually-chosen speeds. The viewfinder shows you what the camera chose, and you just set that speed. Then you can shoot and tweak the speed for best exposure after you chimp your shot in the LCD.

**Auto White Balance A Bit Off
Leica also needs to work on its auto white balance algorithms. Either use a white balance target for a session in relatively constant light, or use Auto White Balance in Lightroom's Develop module to fix this. 90% of the time, that's enough. Rarely, you'll need to hand-tweak color temperatures and tint to get it right. The colors are in there - sometimes you just gotta pull `em out.

If you or your clients are less picky, daylight exposures have nice untweaked color.

**Noise At High ISO
High-ISO performance is outdated. Shoot at ISO 1250 or grit your teeth at 2500, and you'll get lots of color speckling and other noise. Does this make the M8 unusable? No. You get great-looking images at ISO 640 and below. Heck, ISO 1250 is usable if you have adequate exposure and get close to your subject. You'll be using nik DFine or Noise Ninja when you edit, though.

The latest offerings from Canon and Nikon have much better high-ISO and auto white balance performance. But they don't mount Leica lenses, and they weigh a lot more. I carry the M8, two spare batteries, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 90mm lenses in a LowePro Orion Mini fanny pack only 9 inches wide.

**.DNG Raw File Format
Shoot raw (doesn't everyone?), and you get files in the universal .DNG format. This should be supported long after proprietary raw formats like .NEF and .CR2 are history. .DNG images also store all your Lightroom adjustments directly, without the space-sucking .XMP sidecar files required by other raw formats.

My first serious camera was a Leica M3 I found in my parents' basement in 1968, and I've been photographing with a combination of Leica M, Nikon and Canon gear ever since. Digital makes editing and delivering photography to clients very easy. The `right where it should be' controls, outstanding color rendition, sharpness, contrast, outstanding glass, and small size make this the camera system I carry most of the time.

If you have a collection of Leica M-lenses and shoot editorial feature-style, it's time to switch over from film.
Not satisfied
2009-06-15
I bought a used Leica M8 camera recently and used it for a while. It was not as good as I expected. The image quality really relys on your PS skill. Without the UV/IR filter, the outcome was frustrating. It quite easy to leave mark on the black chrom top plate. With spending 3k on M8, I rather to have the new Leica MP film camera body.

· Binding: Electronics · Brand: Leica · EAN: 0799429148676 · Label: Leica · Manufacturer: Leica · Model: 14867 · MPN: 14867 · Product Group: Photography · Publisher: Leica · Studio: Leica · UPC: 799429148676