Is there a C-LUX 3 coming out soon?

[chengmento]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know, or heard, if the C-LUX 2 replacement/successor model is coming out soon? If so, when? When do new models from Leica traditionally appear?...in Autumn?

If the C-LUX 2 is to be replaced, will it be based on the Panasonic Lumix FX-36 or another model from Panasonic?

I have never bought a Leica before until I started doing some research on whether to buy the C-LUX 2. But since the C-LUX 2 has already been "out in the market" since February 2007, it seems wise to wait a bit longer for its successor. (The Panasonic Lumix FX-36 has some minor but nicer features than its predecessor, FX-33. I read that the C-LUX 2 is based on the even older, FX-30.)

Any help and views would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Cheng

[Bob Ross]

We'll probably find out at Photokina in Sept. My guess is that it will be the FX500 in Leica livery.
Bob

[chengmento]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

We'll probably find out at Photokina in Sept. My guess is that it will be the FX500 in Leica livery.
Bob

Thanks, Bob! Until you informed me, I didn't even know of Photokina.

[offshore]

Originally Posted by chengmento

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know, or heard, if the C-LUX 2 replacement/successor model is coming out soon? If so, when? When do new models from Leica traditionally appear?...in Autumn?

If the C-LUX 2 is to be replaced, will it be based on the Panasonic Lumix FX-36 or another model from Panasonic?

I have never bought a Leica before until I started doing some research on whether to buy the C-LUX 2. But since the C-LUX 2 has already been "out in the market" since February 2007, it seems wise to wait a bit longer for its successor. (The Panasonic Lumix FX-36 has some minor but nicer features than its predecessor, FX-33. I read that the C-LUX 2 is based on the even older, FX-30.)

Any help and views would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Cheng

I'd tell you but I'd have to kill you all.

[earleygallery]

Almost definatley.

I'm guessing it will be one of the 10MP models with a 25mm wide zoom. Dealers with stock of the Clux2 seem to be discounting them now - it's a great little camera and 8MP is plenty given the size of the sensor (I have the Panasonic FX30 version).

[chengmento]

Originally Posted by earleygallery

Almost definatley.

I'm guessing it will be one of the 10MP models with a 25mm wide zoom. Dealers with stock of the Clux2 seem to be discounting them now - it's a great little camera and 8MP is plenty given the size of the sensor (I have the Panasonic FX30 version).

Dear Earl,

Thanks for your comment. I am hoping it'll be based on the latest Panasonic FX36 which has some nice features: 10MP and 25mm wide zoom (as you suggest to be possible new upgraded features), the iA Intelligent Auto function for Shake Detection, Motion Detection, Face Detection and Scene Detection functions, Light Dectection function, among other new features.

Based on your experience with the brand (I am very new to it, only having started to consider it about a month ago), do you know if Leica will offer a product (future C-LUX 3) that looks basically the same as the previous version (current C-LUX 2)? Is that part of the way in which they operate?

If the future C-LUX 3 ends up bigger in physical size than the current C-LUX 2, I will run out and buy the C-LUX 2 now!!

Thanks. Have a good weekend!

[chengmento]

Originally Posted by earleygallery

Almost definatley.

I'm guessing it will be one of the 10MP models with a 25mm wide zoom. Dealers with stock of the Clux2 seem to be discounting them now - it's a great little camera and 8MP is plenty given the size of the sensor (I have the Panasonic FX30 version).

Hi,

Do you know how much the dealers are starting to discount the C-LUX 2? Assuming the future C-LUX 3 is based on the FX36, and its features as I listed above, do you think it's worth it to pay more for the newer version?

Or should I just save a few bucks and just buy the discounted C-LUX 2?

Thanks again.

[Bob Ross]

The newest of the Lumix FX series is the FX500/FX520 which seems to be an upgrades FX35, in that it has PASM and NR controls and a new 25mm - 125mm (35mm eqv) lens. The lens at the wide end is almost distortion free, but at the long end it may be diffraction limited depending on print size. I have one and it is nice.
The Lumix site link is
DMC-FX500/DMC-FX520 | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic
Bob

[chengmento]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

The newest of the Lumix FX series is the FX500/FX520 which seems to be an upgrades FX35, in that it has PASM and NR controls and a new 25mm - 125mm (35mm eqv) lens. The lens at the wide end is almost distortion free, but at the long end it may be diffraction limited depending on print size. I have one and it is nice.
The Lumix site link is
DMC-FX500/DMC-FX520 | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic
Bob

Dear Bob,

Thanks for the information. I'm going to check it out. I appreciate it.

I think the FX-36 and FX-500 are "brothers." I recall going to the shop a few weeks ago and the shop assistant told me that the mechanics of both are the same, with the FX-500 having a different outer case with gives a "grip" on the side, while the FX-36 is smaller and sleeker. I don't know too much about the inner mechanics of cameras, so I can't compare the two. All I know is that both seem to be 10MP and 25mm zoom.

Thanks for taking an interest in my questions. FYI, I don't usually spend this much on a camera, so I want to make an informed decision. And I also use my camera for a long time--my last one was for 5 years. I am very excited to soon be a part of the Leica "club" of owners. Even this forum is giving some good insight into how great it is to own the brand--everyone is so helpful. I never had this level of support and cameraderie for my old brand of camera.

Cheng

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by chengmento

Dear Bob,

Thanks for the information. I'm going to check it out. I appreciate it.

I think the FX-36 and FX-500 are "brothers." I recall going to the shop a few weeks ago and the shop assistant told me that the mechanics of both are the same, with the FX-500 having a different outer case with gives a "grip" on the side, while the FX-36 is smaller and sleeker. I don't know too much about the inner mechanics of cameras, so I can't compare the two. All I know is that both seem to be 10MP and 25mm zoom.

Thanks for taking an interest in my questions. FYI, I don't usually spend this much on a camera, so I want to make an informed decision. And I also use my camera for a long time--my last one was for 5 years. I am very excited to soon be a part of the Leica "club" of owners. Even this forum is giving some good insight into how great it is to own the brand--everyone is so helpful. I never had this level of support and cameraderie for my old brand of camera.

Cheng

I think the FX500 is 2mm taller than the FX35. The Zoom ranges are different and the FX35 is an "auto only-use the scene modes" type of camera. The FX500 has the touch screen (which actually works). The lens on the FX500 seems to me to be a rework of the one on the FX35 and that is what leads me to believe that it might be the next C-lux.
Bob

[earleygallery]

Originally Posted by chengmento

Dear Earl,

Thanks for your comment. I am hoping it'll be based on the latest Panasonic FX36 which has some nice features: 10MP and 25mm wide zoom (as you suggest to be possible new upgraded features), the iA Intelligent Auto function for Shake Detection, Motion Detection, Face Detection and Scene Detection functions, Light Dectection function, among other new features.

Based on your experience with the brand (I am very new to it, only having started to consider it about a month ago), do you know if Leica will offer a product (future C-LUX 3) that looks basically the same as the previous version (current C-LUX 2)? Is that part of the way in which they operate?

If the future C-LUX 3 ends up bigger in physical size than the current C-LUX 2, I will run out and buy the C-LUX 2 now!!

Thanks. Have a good weekend!

Hi, I've no idea really but I expect it will look - as with the current C Lux - similar to the Panasonic version of whatever camera it ends up being the Leica badged version of.

[earleygallery]

Originally Posted by chengmento

Hi,

Do you know how much the dealers are starting to discount the C-LUX 2? Assuming the future C-LUX 3 is based on the FX36, and its features as I listed above, do you think it's worth it to pay more for the newer version?

Or should I just save a few bucks and just buy the discounted C-LUX 2?

Thanks again.

This dealer is offering £120 off - I guess most dealers will be similar. But I only paid £100 for my Panasonic version........

Croydon Photo Centre

[chengmento]

Dear Bob and James,

OK, I think I will leave it here for now. I will wait a bit longer and see if the future C-LUX 3 is announced at Photokina.

If there is no such product, then I will buy the C-LUX 2 (in silver). If there is a product, I'd have to see if its new size and features are worth the money. Also, I'd prefer a smaller camera, much like the size of the C-LUX 2, so if the new one is bigger than that, I'd probably still opt for the current one. As James has noted, the featuers of the C-LUX 2 make it an already great camera.

Thank you both for taking time to share your thoughts on my questions. Thanks.

Cheng

[Copenhagenmail]

Originally Posted by chengmento

the featuers of the C-LUX 2 make it an already great camera.

There are important differences between the Panasonic original cameras, and their Leica derivatives. See the info I have gathered here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...tml#post610121

It is worthwhile to get the Leica model.

[earleygallery]

Originally Posted by Copenhagenmail

There are important differences between the Panasonic original cameras, and their Leica derivatives. See the info I have gathered here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...tml#post610121

It is worthwhile to get the Leica model.

You're comparing the wrong cameras, the Clux2 is the sames as the Panasonic FX30 (the CLux1 was based on an earlier Panasonic model).

Firmware is said to differ and the Leica comes with better software but essentially they are the same camera. I would be interested to see direct comparisons between the two - to see what if any difference there is in the final image.

[Copenhagenmail]

Originally Posted by earleygallery

You're comparing the wrong cameras.

Note that I am not comparing the cameras. It is the reviewers in the reviews which I have quoted that are comparing them.

The reviews quoted do actually contain the direct comparisons which you are asking to see.

[earleygallery]

Originally Posted by Copenhagenmail

Note that I am not comparing the cameras. It is the reviewers in the reviews which I have quoted that are comparing them.

The reviews quoted do actually contain the direct comparisons which you are asking to see.

The Blorge review you link to is just inaccurate. Take it up with them. But I still don't see direct photographic comparisons.