Newest Digital Compact

[Supercharged85]

Hey,

I'm really interested in buying the D-Lux 3, but it's been in the market for quite some time now. (About a year and a half). While the D-Lux 3 has 10 MP, the C-Lux 2 has 7 MP. What's the difference between the two, and why doesn't the D-Lux have a flash?

Also, more importantly, does anyone know when or if Leica are going to release new compact digital cameras, like a 12 MP one?

Thanks.

[rivi1969]

Supercharged...

The D-Lux3 is a fine camera, and yes, it does have a pop-up flash... I suggest you to read several threads here regarding the D-Lux3 capabilities, Mitch and a few more guys work extensively with that camera and have post plenty of info about it.

(I had the C-Lux Panasonic equivalent and I won't recommend it at all)

Cheers!
Ricardo

[ericperlberg]

There are a few very good compact cameras all of which have limitations and strengths. The d-lux 3 is one of them. The number of megapixels is not the way to judge a P&S camera. Generally, higher megapixels beyond about 8mpxls make for worse, not better results on small chip cameras because of the noise that gets generated by trying to squeeze so many pixels onto a small chip. The only advantage is you can make a slightly larger print (and slightly noisier print) with more megapixels but since you can print d-lux images to A3 with good quality, it doesn't really make a diff about megapixels.

The 3 offers manual control which I believe the 2 doesn't offer. If you are not an experienced photographer you may not care but to get the best out of these cameras manual control is a distinct major advantage. The second major difference AFAIK is that the C-2 doesn't save in RAW format but the d-lux 3 does. Again, if you're not an experienced photographer then this might not matter but getting the best from these cameras requires RAW and the software and knowledge of how to use it.

I can't speak to flash as I never use it.

Lastly Leica just reduced the price of the c-lux. Personally I choose the d-lux3.

Jim Radcliff's d-lux 3 pics.

[offshore]

Originally Posted by Supercharged85

Hey,

I'm really interested in buying the D-Lux 3, but it's been in the market for quite some time now. (About a year and a half). While the D-Lux 3 has 10 MP, the C-Lux 2 has 7 MP. What's the difference between the two, and why doesn't the D-Lux have a flash?

Also, more importantly, does anyone know when or if Leica are going to release new compact digital cameras, like a 12 MP one?

Thanks.

Leica have reduced the price on the C-Lux 2 and are offering a rebate on the V-Lux 1 which is usually an indication both will be replaced soon, or just dropped from the line up. The D-Lux 3 is a good P&S comparatively but does suffer from edge fall off. It's wide angle (28 mm) and wide bright screen with 16:9 aspect ratio, raw capability and some manual controls make it a top contender in its market, although a little pricey compared to its competition. You can't beat the cool retro styled leather case for it though.

[stunsworth]

As an alternative consider the Panasonic LX2, it's the same camera as the D-Lux 3 but cheaper.

[Bob Ross]

The C-Lux 2, if replaced and not dropped, will probably be the rebadged version of Panasonics newest FX series, the FX500. The FX500 has full controls for image parameters and PSAM, as well as the usual scene modes. The lens is a 25mm -125mm (eqv). I've had the FX500 for about three weeks and it is really fun. We'll probably find out in Sept. There have been enough advancements in the Panasonic P&S lines to merit integrating them into the LX/D-Lux series, so I wouldn't be surprised.
Bob

[bill]

Originally Posted by stunsworth

As an alternative consider the Panasonic LX2, it's the same camera as the D-Lux 3 but cheaper.

Seconded. That's the one I have and I am most impressed with it.

Remember also that just because a camera is superceded in the line up doesn't mean that it is obsolete. Of course, if face detection is important to you...

Regards,

Bill

[Noblex]

So, what is the real difference between the Leica and the Panasonic versions? Quality control, software, or...?

Always been curious about this aspect.

[stunsworth]

Not sure about software, but I think the Leica has a better warranty. And a red dot.

[andybarton]

Leicas used to have a different firmware from the Panasonic siblings, but I don't think this is the case any more.

You get a better warranty, and possibly different software on the CD (although most people have their own software to use in preference to the programs included in the box, these days).

Oh, and you get a very nice leather case with the Leica.

My wife is very pleased with hers, and if you are careful, they can take very nice photographs.

(I would like to see some adjustment possible on the flash output though - even my old LC5 Panasonic could do that 6 years ago)

[stunsworth]

Originally Posted by andybarton

(I would like to see some adjustment possible on the flash output though - even my old LC5 Panasonic could do that 6 years ago)

I thought that was there already - though it may be buried deep in a menu.

I think it may only be an option when the flash has popped up.

[andybarton]

Found the option. Thanks.

[jdlaing]

Originally Posted by Noblex

So, what is the real difference between the Leica and the Panasonic versions? Quality control, software, or...?

Always been curious about this aspect.

Quality Control is different.
Warranty is different.
Firmware is different.

[audidudi]

One other thing to consider is that the C-Lux is truly able to be carried in a pocket, as the lens retracts fully into the body. The D-Lux, on the other hand, has a lens bulge that tends to make it easier to carry in a belt case ... as such, I have one of each (as well as a Sigma DP-1, which is an awesome performer but limited in its appeal) and choose the appropriate one for whatever it is that I'll be doing.

[rivi1969]

Quality control is exactly the same; Panasonic produces both and there is a nonsense myth that they take more care while producing the Leica versions. Even if the firmware is different, the file output is the same in both. There is no "Leica glow" any different from the C-Lux or the Pani. I used to have one and there are far better P&S, like the Ricoh cameras.

Cheers
Ricardo

[Virgil]

Originally Posted by Noblex

So, what is the real difference between the Leica and the Panasonic versions? Quality control, software, or...?
Always been curious about this aspect.

1) Dlux comes with photoshop elements and SD card, the Panny comes with other software, and a smaller or no SD card.

2) Dlux supposedly has Leica's image processing software. This means it will render JPEGs slightly differently. There are a few sites out there on the Interwebs comparing them side by side (just Google "D-lux-3 vs. Lumix DMC-LX2").

3) The Leica comes with 2 year parts and labor warranty, the Panny is 90 days parts only (or something like that).

4) About $150 in price, depending on where you buy.

Re: the original post. I too was worried about this, since I only just bought a D-lux-3. As far as I can tell from the rumor-mills of the InterWeb, they will probably announce a successor at the Big Photography show "Photokina" this September. It will probably then be a couple more months until actual release. For me, I needed a new camera now (my old Canon S200 was dying and having a new baby necessitates the ability to take good pix) so I couldn't wait.

Like all technology, at some point you gotta take the plunge - if you wait for the ultimate device and are too scared to buy because your purchase will be obsolete as soon as you walk out of the store, then you'll wait forever! Thankfully, I expect to keep the Leica for at least as long as I had the Canon (6 years), hopefully longer.

[jimmy pro]

The big advantage to the DLUX3 over the CLUX2 is it shoots RAW. Panasonic camera's have horrendous noise starting at the first setting above the lowest, and there jpeg noise reduction just obliterates details horribly. The $150 diff over the Panny version buys you an extra year and nine months warranty, which covers labor too, which the Panny's doesn't. Considering the number of these cams that have had to have there guts replaced, to be its a no-brainer to buy the Leica.

The big disadvantage of the DLUX3 over the CLUX2 is that the DLUX3 has a lens that protrudes half an inch even when it's retracted. It is not a shirtpocket cam by any means. Not to mention it has a stupid retro clip-on lenscap that you have to remember to remove/replace.

[stunsworth]

Originally Posted by jimmy pro

The big advantage to the DLUX3 over the CLUX2 is it shoots RAW. Panasonic camera's have horrendous noise starting at the first setting above the lowest, and there jpeg noise reduction just obliterates details horribly. The $150 diff over the Panny version buys you an extra year and nine months warranty, which covers labor too, which the Panny's doesn't. Considering the number of these cams that have had to have there guts replaced, to be its a no-brainer to buy the Leica

The RAW issue is the reason I bought the Panasonic LX2 equivalent over their version of the CLUX2.

Warranty depends on where in the world you are. In the UK - and I suspect the rest of the EU if not Europe - there's a standard one year warranty on the Panasonic.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by jimmy pro

Panasonic camera's have horrendous noise starting at the first setting above the lowest, and there jpeg noise reduction just obliterates details horribly.

Just a note on the new FX500. It does have adjustable NR (two notches). I have mine set to -1 NR, ISO200, Sat -1 and intelligent contrast. My printer likes the noise and munches on it while it spits out the prints. Prints up to 8" X 10" seem to hold the fine detail quite well.
No, there will be no forthcoming shoot out between my M8, E-3 and FX500.......
Bob

[drstefanlenz]

hi guys, how do you process the raw files from the d-lux3, or lx2? any m8 users used to c1 here that would like to process these files with capture one as well? is this possible, for example with applying adobe DNG-converter? i did it but have problems in the end when processing jpegs..

regards
s.