D-lux 5 vs Leica X1

[sbaruche]

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I am fully aware that these camera are really different sensor and type of camera compact zoom vs fixed lens and of course price $840 vs $2000 , however I have been quite impressed by the IQ of the D-Lux 5 so far , I just sold my D-Lux 4 with the intention to go with X1 , I am now debating whether the D-Lux 5 may come close to the X1 IQ ? I own an M8 with summicron 35 ASPH and Elmar collapsible 50mm3.5

 

Any one tested both of them and did a head to head comparison ?

Steve Hoff seems to favor the D-Lux 5 based on the characteristics but I did not find direct comparison at 35 mm focal

thanks

 

Sylvain

[h00ligan]

What do you shoot?

 

How big do you print?

 

How often and much do you crop?

 

How often do you shoot in low light?

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[sbaruche]

Most of the time still life architecture , landscape

print rarely larger than 13x 21

no crop

Low light sometimes

Having an M8 + summicron 35mm ASPH would I find a diff in IQ with the X1 ?

I like portrait as well but do not mind portrait with 35 mm

interested by the leica look of X1 IQ

thanks

Edited November 4, 2010 by sbaruche

[ECliffordSmith]

Hi Sylvain,

 

I too have an M8 and 35 Summicron ASPH which I have been using for the past 3 and a half years. Just under two weeks ago I bought an X1 as I was never happy with the results I often got with my D-lux 4 and there are times when I want a camera in my pocket.

 

My initial reaction to the IQ was one of mild disappointment. Being used to M8 files and C1 I was spoilt in the not needing to do much in the PP department if I had done the capturing part correctly. I have now though, after having taken various test pictures and started to find how best to adjust the DNG files in Lightroom found the IQ to be quite remarkable. I am talking here about base ISO (100) and optimum apertures and comparing these with the 35 Summicron ASPH on the M8 at similar settings to acheive what I found to be the opitimal image quality. The X1 is really in the same area as the M8 although the look is different. The high ISO results are also very very good.

 

I do not know what the IQ difference is between the D-Lux 4 and D-Lux 5 but I consider the jump from the D-Lux 4 to X1 to be very significant. The ability to capture the finest details in low contrast areas of a picture and capture the subtle changes in colour and increased dynamic range are reasons the X1 has such a nice look to its images. I found these to be lacking in the D-Lux 4 personally.

 

The performance, playback, focus speed etc are no better than the D-Lux 4 however. The AF is very accurate though.

 

After two weeks I am very impressed with the camera. Something that fits in a jacket pocket that can take very high quality pictures.

[sbaruche]

Thanks Ed very nice comments and helpful

 

 

Sylvain

[wahnamhong]

Hi Sylvain,

 

I too have an M8 and 35 Summicron ASPH which I have been using for the past 3 and a half years. Just under two weeks ago I bought an X1 as I was never happy with the results I often got with my D-lux 4 and there are times when I want a camera in my pocket.

 

My initial reaction to the IQ was one of mild disappointment. Being used to M8 files and C1 I was spoilt in the not needing to do much in the PP department if I had done the capturing part correctly. I have now though, after having taken various test pictures and started to find how best to adjust the DNG files in Lightroom found the IQ to be quite remarkable. I am talking here about base ISO (100) and optimum apertures and comparing these with the 35 Summicron ASPH on the M8 at similar settings to acheive what I found to be the opitimal image quality. The X1 is really in the same area as the M8 although the look is different. The high ISO results are also very very good.

 

.

 

How would you describe the look of X1 IQ re the M8?

[phancj]

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Hi Sylvain,

 

I too have an M8 and 35 Summicron ASPH which I have been using for the past 3 and a half years. Just under two weeks ago I bought an X1 as I was never happy with the results I often got with my D-lux 4 and there are times when I want a camera in my pocket.

 

My initial reaction to the IQ was one of mild disappointment. Being used to M8 files and C1 I was spoilt in the not needing to do much in the PP department if I had done the capturing part correctly. I have now though, after having taken various test pictures and started to find how best to adjust the DNG files in Lightroom found the IQ to be quite remarkable. I am talking here about base ISO (100) and optimum apertures and comparing these with the 35 Summicron ASPH on the M8 at similar settings to acheive what I found to be the opitimal image quality. The X1 is really in the same area as the M8 although the look is different. The high ISO results are also very very good.

 

I do not know what the IQ difference is between the D-Lux 4 and D-Lux 5 but I consider the jump from the D-Lux 4 to X1 to be very significant. The ability to capture the finest details in low contrast areas of a picture and capture the subtle changes in colour and increased dynamic range are reasons the X1 has such a nice look to its images. I found these to be lacking in the D-Lux 4 personally.

 

The performance, playback, focus speed etc are no better than the D-Lux 4 however. The AF is very accurate though.

 

After two weeks I am very impressed with the camera. Something that fits in a jacket pocket that can take very high quality pictures.

 

It's interesting how the experience vis-a-vis the X1/M8 can be so different.

 

For me, the X1 seems to churn out consistently useable jpegs, maybe I got a standard settings applied which seems to always work. So minimal PP is required.

 

For the M8 I tried, colors seem to require PP for sure.

 

BTW, my X1 is set on everything standard except sharpening medium low.

 

I am in the midst of my M9 trial but so far it would seem the M9 requires the MOST PP, but cannot tell for sure until I shoot in more situations.

 

One thing for sure, we both agree the X1 is a great little camera.

[h00ligan]

Cj, I was thinking about shooting jpg for a week to see how that impacted my workflow. I think the x1 jogs are nice, while some seem to think the opposite.

[wda]

interested by the leica look of X1 IQ

thanks

 

"Having an M8 + summicron 35mm ASPH would I find a diff in IQ with the X1 ?"

 

If processed correctly, no difference. LR3 made a big difference to both cameras' raw files.

 

The X1 is superior in IQ to the DLux-5, but the latter is more versatile for narrative reporting. Also its high ISO is remarkable when noise reduction in LR3 is carried out with care.

[ECliffordSmith]

How would you describe the look of X1 IQ re the M8?

 

Hi,

 

Well, to be honest it is hard to put into words. I did try and come up with something in my earlier post but failed. I suspect the difference I refer to is as much the lens as anything else. I just found a certain punch as standard with the M8. With a bit more playing around though I have found that the things I love about the M8 IQ are also present in the X1.

 

I think that my statement was largely based around adjustment. I have used the same camera and lens for over three years with a compact on standby. after a fortnight with the X1 is find the camera increasingly remarkable.

 

I hope you are all having a very nice weekend.

[georgio]

I have the D-Lux 4 and the X1.

Love both, but both are so different from each other.

I use the x1 where ever I can, superb files

and use the D-Lux 4 mainly for for Macro.

Georgio

[phancj]

Hi,

 

Well, to be honest it is hard to put into words. I did try and come up with something in my earlier post but failed. I suspect the difference I refer to is as much the lens as anything else. I just found a certain punch as standard with the M8. With a bit more playing around though I have found that the things I love about the M8 IQ are also present in the X1.

 

I think that my statement was largely based around adjustment. I have used the same camera and lens for over three years with a compact on standby. after a fortnight with the X1 is find the camera increasingly remarkable.

 

I hope you are all having a very nice weekend.

 

I think the M8 files are much sharper straight out of the camera for sure, as it is also without an AA filter which the X1 has. I think the CCD in M8 is undoubtedly also of better quality compared to the CMOS in X1.

 

For the color reproduction, I think the X1 with its newer image processing seems to have more accurate colors.

 

With a great lens like the 35/50 lux, the X1 will find it hard to keep up. With the elmarit on the M8 (which I tried) the sharpness goes to the M8, the color accuracy X1. Ultimately, I do not think the X1 is in the same league as the M8 with the best lux lenses but for a tiny compact its remarkably good..

 

I wish you a great weekend of joy and shooting too!

Edited November 7, 2010 by phancj

[wda]

 

With a great lens like the 35/50 lux, the X1 will find it hard to keep up. With the elmarit on the M8 (which I tried) the sharpness goes to the M8, the color accuracy X1. Ultimately, I do not think the X1 is in the same league as the M8 with the best lux lenses but for a tiny compact its remarkably good.....

It surprises me that you even make this comparison. The X1 camera and lens cost less than half the price of the new 35mm Summilux lens. Who would buy the latter if the X1 yielded equivalent results?

 

However, stopped down to normal working apertures, it would not surprise me if there would be little to separate the performances of the two lenses. The Summilux justifiably has the edge at its widest apertures, but then there is no contest.

[Paul Hart]

"Having an M8 + summicron 35mm ASPH would I find a diff in IQ with the X1 ?"

 

If processed correctly, no difference. LR3 made a big difference to both cameras' raw files.

 

The X1 is superior in IQ to the DLux-5, but the latter is more versatile for narrative reporting. Also its high ISO is remarkable when noise reduction in LR3 is carried out with care.

 

Would you have any tips for noise reduction in LR3? I'm finding the DL-5 very impressive, but would like to deal with the noise in higher ISO files.

 

Thanks.

[RichardM8]

Ultimately, I do not think the X1 is in the same league as the M8 with the best lux lenses but for a tiny compact its remarkably good...

 

As much as I like the M8, the X1 does beat it at anything from ISO 640 on. And not by a small margin either. The M user experience is second to none, low ISO IQ is very good, medium and high(er) ISO IQ is disappointing to say the very least. Taking the price into account... well...

 

This is an important one of a few major points that still keep me from cutting the knot to go for an M.

[phancj]

As much as I like the M8, the X1 does beat it at anything from ISO 640 on. And not by a small margin either. The M user experience is second to none, low ISO IQ is very good, medium and high(er) ISO IQ is disappointing to say the very least. Taking the price into account... well...

 

This is an important one of a few major points that still keep me from cutting the knot to go for an M.

 

I agree totally with you on high iso performance. But the sharpness of the images straight from the M8M9 is on a different league from the X1, without sharpening. Despite that, when using fast lenses like the lux the difference is negated somewhat. My experiments with the M8/M9 shows beyond a doubt that the digital Ms produce images of a different level but are more clunky for me compared to the X1. The X1 is simpler and fun. So I also differ with you on the user experience. LAck of AF is a consideration for me. The X1 AF is slow, but the Ms got no AF.

 

he M8 has a heavy shutter, the X1 is silent the M9 in between. I find the M8 shutter downright annoying.

 

Also, the M9 has atrocious AWB for the shots I took, and because of FF the images ALL exhibit significant vignette , at least from wide up to the 50 lux. It is more these reasons why I have not picked up the M9. Still taking my time....also digesting quality issues in the M9 which will matter more to me since I am paying so much more! But the 50 lux sure is a great lens other than vignetting and when the 35 cron & lux is here I will be privy to trying them. I'll base my purchasing decisions on those trials...

 

One thing for sure, the X1 sure is value for money. I bought a nikkor 85 f/1.4G for almost the price of it and my 35mm f/1.4G is on its way same deal. So in Leicaland the X1 is so much of a bargaain.

Edited November 7, 2010 by phancj

[ECliffordSmith]

Hi All,

 

It really is remarkable that we can even be metioning these cameras in the same sentence. That it fits in your pocket too, well that is something else again.

[RT_NEY]

I have both the X1 and D-Lux 5...The X1 churns out some amazing quality. I have taken some shots from the X1, D-Lux 5 and Canon s90.

I thought the s90 was a really nice camera..but compared to the Leica's it just OK. I will post the comparisons later.

[wda]

Would you have any tips for noise reduction in LR3? I'm finding the DL-5 very impressive, but would like to deal with the noise in higher ISO files.

 

Thanks.

Paul, sorry for the delay in responding.

Generally I try to avoid using high ISO settings unless vital. For static scenes indoors I use a small Leica tripod or similar and low ISO. In extreme circumstances, such as shooting young children indoors, I treat noise in LR3 or, if something really special, I use Noise Ninja for finer control. However, any NR succeeds at the expense of sharpness, to some degree. Hence my working within its generally accepted range.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[jippiejee]

I own both and each camera has its own advantage. Last week I went to couple of concerts and under those low-light circumstances the Leica X1 outperformed the dlux-5 by far in IQ and sharpness of the files. The X1 is just an excellent iso1600 shooter whereas the dlux-5 starts to look quite like an average point-n-shoot when cranked up that high. But if you want zoom and macro, and use it in daylight, the dlux-5 is excellent too. I mostly try to bring both.