Benefits of the D-Lux 5 over the D-Lux 4

[farnz]

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I feel sure that this information will also be useful to others wondering whether to upgrade or which camera to buy so I've listed the benefits that I'm aware of and please feel free to add ones that I've missed.

 

1. Extended zoom lens: 24 to 90 mm

2. Stepped lens control: pre-set it to 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, or 90 to match an ovf. (And, yes, 70 not 75.)

3. Additional setting on the lens barrel for 1:1

4. Right-hand arrow button alters ISO setting directly

5. Horizontal thumbwheel for reviewing shots

6. Video control button on the top deck

 

Pete.

[JackTheRipper]

Has a slightly better sensor too, right?

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[Michael Hiles]

This camera sounds very nice indeed. I like the 90mm equivalent - 60mmon the D-Lux 4 was not enough for me.

 

I like the preset focal lengths - I use 50mm very often with my M2/3 and I love that length.

 

I also like the optional viewfinder. To me, the glory of the M system is the viewfinder. And I like holding the camera to my eye.

 

The D-lux 4 looked very good - the new one looks like a winner to me. A logical extension and upgrade. And if the technical quality of the results is as good as the "4", it will be outstanding.

[ho_co]

An assumed but unverified difference:

 

The D-Lux 5 is likely to require a proprietary battery, whereas the D-Lux 4 can use some generic work-alikes.

 

 

This is a guess based on the fact that in Panasonic's comparison of their LX3 and LX5, they specify that only the latter requires an "ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack."

[Rexbo47]

How do the dimensions differ between the D-lux 4 and D-lux 5?

 

It would be nice if the accessories were interchangeable.

[farnz]

How do the dimensions differ between the D-lux 4 and D-lux 5?

 

It would be nice if the accessories were interchangeable.

D-Lux 4: 109 x 60 x 44 mm

D-Lux 5: 110 x 66 x 43 mm

 

so the DL5 will be 6 mm taller than the DL4. It's not yet clear whether the longer lens has required the filter ring to get larger but hopefully it's unlikely.

 

Pete.

[MPJMP]

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When taking video you now have the ability to zoom in and out and adjust focus. This is not a minor improvement and will effectively put my camcorder out of business.

[MPJMP]

I almost forgot.... the inclusion of Adobe Lightroom 3 software vs. Capture One that came with the D-Lux 4. Although it's all a matter preference, I much prefer LR3 over C1, and was planning on purchasing it separately ($300) when the D-Lux 5 announcement was made. For me, that alone justifies the Red Dot price discrepancy over the Panasonic equivalent.

[farnz]

Two good points there, MPJMP.

 

So the updated list reads:

 

1. Extended zoom lens: 24 to 90 mm

2. Stepped lens control: pre-set it to 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, or 90 to match an ovf. (And, yes, 70 not 75.)

3. Additional setting on the lens barrel for 1:1

4. Right-hand arrow button alters ISO setting directly

5. Horizontal thumbwheel for reviewing shots

6. Video control button on the top deck

7. Ability to focus and zoom HD video

8. LR 3 v C1

 

Pete.

[JackTheRipper]

I almost forgot.... the inclusion of Adobe Lightroom 3 software vs. Capture One that came with the D-Lux 4. Although it's all a matter preference, I much prefer LR3 over C1, and was planning on purchasing it separately ($300) when the D-Lux 5 announcement was made. For me, that alone justifies the Red Dot price discrepancy over the Panasonic equivalent.

 

Definitely agree with you!!! Good point!

 

Also, I know this isn't necessarily an upgrade from the D-lux 4, but the warranty is longer with Leica than Panasonic right?

 

I'm sooo excited about this camera! Can't wait to get it!

[viramati]

Bought LX5 today. Great little camera and as I already have LR3 I really couldn't see any reason to wait for and pay more for D-Lux 5

[MPJMP]

The only thing I don't like about the D-LUX 5 specs over its predecessor is purely cosmetic: the silver ring around the lens barrel. I thought the all black barrel on the 4 looked classier.

[Shootist]

An assumed but unverified difference:

 

The D-Lux 5 is likely to require a proprietary battery, whereas the D-Lux 4 can use some generic work-alikes.

 

 

This is a guess based on the fact that in Panasonic's comparison of their LX3 and LX5, they specify that only the latter requires an "ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack."

 

I would suspect the D-Lux5 uses the same battery as the Panasonic LX5. And even if it doesn't someone/company will make a aftermarket battery. To my knowledge all digital cameras made today take proprietary batteries. It's not like you can use a Nikon battery in a Canon, Panasonic, Pentax, whatever other make camera. And there are aftermarket batteries for all of them.

[Shootist]

Bought LX5 today. Great little camera and as I already have LR3 I really couldn't see any reason to wait for and pay more for D-Lux 5

 

Can you post some pictures from the LX5 and maybe put some RAW files someplace for people to download?

[Shootist]

Does the D-Lux5 take DNG RAW files as opposed to the RWL files of the Panasonic LX5.

That to is a plus in my book as with DNG RAW images there is no need for the add-on XMP files to store the adjustments you make to the RAW file.

 

As I have been a owner of LR from the start I would only save the $100 upgrade price but that is another selling point over the LX5.

LX5 $499 + $100 for LR3 upgrade = $599. DL5 $799 - $100 = $699. Only $100 difference and I get a Leica.

 

At one point there was some talk about Leica keeping the best lenses made for the DL4/LX3 and sending the off ones to Panasonic. Not sure how true that is.

Edited September 28, 2010 by Shootist

[ho_co]

I would suspect the D-Lux5 uses the same battery as the Panasonic LX5. And even if it doesn't someone/company will make a aftermarket battery....

Thanks, Ed. I didn't express myself clearly.

 

The Panasonic LX5 uses a battery with a Panasonic ID according to their specs. The camera checks the ID to see that it has the proper Panasonic battery rather than an aftermarket look-alike.

 

Several people have commented here that they dislike having to use the original brand rather than generics on other recent Panasonic cameras.

 

I doubt that a battery for the D-Lux 5 would have the same internal 'Security ID' as that of the LX5. In other words, the Panasonic camera requires a Panasonic battery, and I assume that the D-Lux 5 will similarly require a Leica battery.

 

 

That is different from the LX3 / D-Lux 4, which didn't use an "ID-Security Battery Pack" and did allow use of aftermarket batteries.

 

Image is from the Panasonic LX3/LX5 comparison page. Center column shows LX3; right column shows LX5:

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Edited September 28, 2010 by ho_co

[ho_co]

Pete, I would definitely add to your list at http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/143096-benefits-d-lux-5-over-d.html#post1466268 the availability of the accessory EVF that Michael mentioned above.

 

And you might want to consider mentioning also that the D-Lux 5 is unlikely to allow aftermarket batteries (as noted above), while the D-Lux 4 does accept them.

[farnz]

Howard,

 

Happy to add the EVF point (thanks) but reluctant to speculate about the batteries until it's confirmed either way.

 

Latest:

 

1. Extended zoom lens: 24 to 90 mm

2. Stepped lens control: pre-set it to 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, or 90 to match an ovf. (And, yes, 70 not 75.)

3. Additional setting on the lens barrel for 1:1

4. Right-hand arrow button alters ISO setting directly

5. Horizontal thumbwheel for reviewing shots

6. Video control button on the top deck

7. Ability to focus and zoom HD video

8. LR 3 v C1

9. Takes an optional, clip-on electronic viewfinder.

 

Pete.

[ho_co]

... reluctant to speculate about the batteries until it's confirmed either way....

Understood, proper choice.

The matter isn't helped by the fact that Leica lists one product number for the European battery and another for the rest of the world.

 

 

 

 

BTW, nothing I've seen indicates DNG for RAW storage (as speculated above).

Edited September 28, 2010 by ho_co

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[d2mini]

I would also like to know what makes the D-Lux 5 $300 better than the Panny LX5?

Is there any difference other besides outer casing and red dot?