ropo54 Posted November 19, 2015 Share #1 Posted November 19, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I was considering buying a new D Lux 109 vs. X vario. The x vario on the used market runs similar in price to a new D Lux 109, so price is not a determinant. I know the D Lux has a built in viewfinder and is much more compact. How does picture quality compare between the two? Smaller sensor, but faster lens on the D Lux. Thoughts? Thank you. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 Hi ropo54, Take a look here D Lux 109 vs. X Vario. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wda Posted November 19, 2015 Share #2 Posted November 19, 2015 Rob, I have both cameras and treat them as complemenary to one another. In quality terms, the XV benefits from having a larger sensor. However the DL109 has a usefully faster lens. I use it mainly for informal family portraiture for which it is excellent. For travel photography I favour the XV, but I am very careful when using the auto-focus which can, very occasionally, confirm AF yet yield out-of-focus results. So any important shots are double checked before moving on. Both are good at close ranges, but work differently. The DL109 has its macro mode linked to its widest zoom angle which means getting uncomfortably close to your subject. In contrast, the XV operates in the reverse mode. That is to say the zoom has to be set to 70mm for macro to be effective. That implies a greater distance between lens and object which I generally find is preferable. Hope that helps you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropo54 Posted November 19, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted November 19, 2015 David, Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Not so much concerned about macro, but did want to make sure that the 109 could render adequate depth of field and beautiful bokeh for portraiture. Rob (I actually have the X vario but was thinking about trading it at my local LEICA store for the DL 109, which they raved about). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted November 19, 2015 Share #4 Posted November 19, 2015 The 109 will have greater depth of field for a given lens aperture and focal length because of its shorter actual as opposed to equivalent focal length. Sometimes that can work to your disadvantage when you want your subject separated from the background. Disposing of a camera is a very personal decision. Make sure you really want to sacrifice the greater inherent image quality of the larger format XV before trading it. That would not be an issue if your desired output is modestly small prints or essentially screen based. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropo54 Posted November 19, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted November 19, 2015 Thank you again. Yes, I understand your point. I was just wondering whether the 1.7 on the DLux might do a better job of creating that separation when compared to the slower 3.5 aperture on the X Vario (which I don't believes can go beyond 35mm). (I suppose I will stop by my local Leica store and try out the DLux at 1.7 before committing to a trade) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernd1959 Posted November 19, 2015 Share #6 Posted November 19, 2015 Hello Rob, look here by my Images photographed with the D 109. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/237496-bilder-aus-der-d-lux-typ-109/page-58?do=findComment&comment=2932074. Regards Bernd 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropo54 Posted November 19, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted November 19, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you, Bernd. Some very compelling black and white photos. Where was the Jewish cemetery? Regards, Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrethorst Posted November 20, 2015 Share #8 Posted November 20, 2015 I have neither camera but have followed posts with images and about both, since my Digilux 2 that I love so much may some day need replacement. Either would be a good choice, but my primary impression is that while the D-Lux does well overall and has very nice colors, the XV's IQ just knocks my socks off. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernd1959 Posted November 20, 2015 Share #9 Posted November 20, 2015 Thank you, Bernd. Some very compelling black and white photos. Where was the Jewish cemetery? Regards, Rob The Jewish cemetery is in Worms , Germany . It is the oldest in Europe . The oldest Grav stone is dated to the year 1058 a.C. Regards Bernd Germany 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manoleica Posted November 20, 2015 Share #10 Posted November 20, 2015 Go the XVario route - it astounds me every time I take it out... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted November 21, 2015 Share #11 Posted November 21, 2015 Well, given you already know the X-Vario, all you can do is try the D-Lux. Try them together, at the same time, same subjects, and decide from there. Me? I would say you'll keep the X-Vario, I love mine. As anyone who has one will attest, the IQ is something else. D-Lux will be smaller though, and more portable. Gary 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropo54 Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share #12 Posted November 21, 2015 Yes, I will visit my local Leica store this weekend! Thank you for your advice. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
freitz Posted November 23, 2015 Share #13 Posted November 23, 2015 I would which has the faster Auto Focus speed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Posted November 23, 2015 Share #14 Posted November 23, 2015 As well as taking picture quality into account my major concern would be which camera has the least shutter latency. I am so used to my M taking the picture instantly that I often get frustrated by my D-lux missing the moment. Johnny Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
freitz Posted November 23, 2015 Share #15 Posted November 23, 2015 As well as taking picture quality into account my major concern would be which camera has the least shutter latency. I am so used to my M taking the picture instantly that I often get frustrated by my D-lux missing the moment. Johnny I would think the opposite of the D lux. I find the x2 misses the moment constantly. Esp. with an Infant. Was thinking of switching to Dlux for my wife. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Lei Lux Posted November 26, 2015 Share #16 Posted November 26, 2015 habe beide kameras XVario - excellente bildqualität - perfect leica like colours - D-Lux - sehr gute bildqualität - viele möglichkeiten = beste all-in-one - kind regards klaus-michael www.flickr.com/photos/klamihb 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropo54 Posted November 26, 2015 Author Share #17 Posted November 26, 2015 I ordered a Leica Q, so I have traded in my X Vario. For portability, I also ordered a D Lux 109. If I had not purchased the Q, I would likely have stayed with the X Vario if I were to have only the choice of the X Vario or the D Lux 109. All of your thoughts have been most helpful and appreciated. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted November 26, 2015 Share #18 Posted November 26, 2015 An interesting combination. Do let us know, in due course, how you find this pairing for your fields of photography. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropo54 Posted November 26, 2015 Author Share #19 Posted November 26, 2015 An interesting combination. Do let us know, in due course, how you find this pairing for your fields of photography. I would suspect that I will use the Q much more frequently, particularly since one can also shoot with in camera cropping at 35mm and 50mm with the push of a button. Opted to go with the DLux 109 alternative because of the in-carmera viewfinder (which is an absolute pleasure on the Q!) and faster auto focus, portability and perhaps better low light performance. Rob 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mono Sound Posted November 26, 2015 Share #20 Posted November 26, 2015 I have used the dlux for the past 10 months. While it is portable, it's not small enough to be "pocketable". In terms of IQ it falls short of what the X and Xv files i have seen. Pleasant to use but miles of the Leica user experience (my main camera is a m9). i am thinking of replacing my dlux with an X or XV (and am even looking at a ricoh gr for full pocketability ;-)) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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