Wait for D-Lux 4 or just buy Pana LX3?

[freddofrog]

Hi all

I’m in the market for a serious compact and the LX3 seems to fit the bill thoughI’d prefer a Leica for a number of reasons. Does anyone know/heard a rumour if a D-Lux 4 is weeks or months away or not coming at all?

Or so should I just buy the LX3 (assuming full reviews come out positive) rather than wait potentially indefinitely for a D-Lux 4 (there's always something better coming along syndrome)?

Shane

[andybarton]

have you seen the sample shots from the Panasonic?

[freddofrog]

Ummm...what are you saying?
Yes I have seen some preview shots some are very good and some not so good though for my purposes they should be fine. But I will still wait for the full tests.
Shane

[stunsworth]

I'd wait until I read a proper review. The camera can't possibly be as bad as those sample images that were posted the other day. Panasonic aren't so stupid as to release a camera that produced images like that. The posted images looked as if they been supplied by a Canon or Nikon employee.

After saying that I'd go for the Panasonic version - cheaper and probably identical if you're shooting RAW. Provided the image quality is at least as good as the camera it replaces, I'd get one to replace my LX2. If for no other reason than I could use an optival viewfinder in the hot shoe rather than having to use the electonic viewfinder.

[budadossuburbios]

Hey....I dont know...the new Lumix looks good but i would wait, did you read the Leica Ceo? The Future of Leica - - PopPhotoMay 2008
There will be news for sure...tho it will take more then a couple of months.

[freddofrog]

Wait till end of next year! I dont' think so. Or do you think it's should have read end of this year?

[ptomsu]

Originally Posted by stunsworth

I'd wait until I read a proper review. The camera can't possibly be as bad as those sample images that were posted the other day. Panasonic aren't so stupid as to release a camera that produced images like that. The posted images looked as if they been supplied by a Canon or Nikon employee.

After saying that I'd go for the Panasonic version - cheaper and probably identical if you're shooting RAW. Provided the image quality is at least as good as the camera it replaces, I'd get one to replace my LX2. If for no other reason than I could use an optival viewfinder in the hot shoe rather than having to use the electonic viewfinder.

Yes, the Pana version will be cheaper, but you will miss the Red Dot

[leicagator]

freddo, you already gave the answer in your initial statement.

[rivi1969]

Considering the new FX-150 is the first Panasonic with raw in a long time, I would assume that will be maybe the next Dlux-4... but with 14Mp I wonder the file quality...

[andybarton]

The sample images from the Panasonic looked absolutely diabolical. They are most definitely not "Leica" images.

How anyone could possibly describe this as an "M8" killer (let alone a DMR killer) completely baffles me.

The sample images look terrible. But for $500, maybe they're OK.

They don't hold a candle to the best D-Lux 3 images that I have seen, and they, in turn, can't hold a candle to M8 images.

DMR images are well beyond these examples, of course.

[Ecaton]

Originally Posted by freddofrog

Hi all

I’m in the market for a serious compact and the LX3 seems to fit the bill thoughI’d prefer a Leica for a number of reasons. Does anyone know/heard a rumour if a D-Lux 4 is weeks or months away or not coming at all?

Or so should I just buy the LX3 (assuming full reviews come out positive) rather than wait potentially indefinitely for a D-Lux 4 (there's always something better coming along syndrome)?

Shane

I suggest to have a look at the Sigma DP1 or wait until they announce a DP2. Whether Leica or not, IQ wise the DP1 is in a class of its own among the compact digitals.

[rob_x2004]

Originally Posted by andybarton

have you seen the sample shots from the Panasonic?

Thats not fair Andy. That was the idiot that posted them. Not even a mobile phone produces stuff that bad.

[rob_x2004]

Originally Posted by stunsworth

...I'd get one to replace my LX2. If for no other reason than I could use an optival viewfinder in the hot shoe...

How come you dont just glue it on like LX1 users did?
The camera does look pretty swish though. At web resolution and small print, Id be surprised if it cant hold its own.

[freddofrog]

I’ve looked and played with at all the main options, Ricohs, Sigma DP1, Canon G9 and the new LX3 now comes out on top when you balance up physical camera size, shot to shot speed, lens speed, IQ & wide angle capability. The LX3 now has some additional features such as choice of 1st & 2nd curtain sync which is really useful for my type of shots. And the 24mm wide angle is great!

If a D-Lux 4 is a year away as suggested then forget it I’ll just get the LX3 when released. If it’s only a few months away, say Photokina in Sept, then I may be tempted to wait.

Shane