For people who own the X1 and a D-LUX 4...

[MPJMP]

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...which do you use most frequently?

 

If you were going on a trip and could only take along one, which would you choose: The X1, with its outstanding image quality, manual controls and photos with that "Leica look," or the D-LUX with its wide-angle zoom, multiple aspect ratios and HD video capabilities?

 

I've been enjoying the versatility of my D-LUX 4 since I bought it last January, but sometimes miss the simplicity and great IQ of the minilux I used to own. I was all prepared to trade the D-LUX 4 in for the new 5 later this month, but handling the X1 at the local dealer again gave me minilux nostalgia and I'm thinking that I might prefer to trade up to the X1 instead. Obviously, these cameras each have their place and aren't designed to compete with one another, but I'm curious if anyone here has chosen one over the other as their primary compact, and if so, what your reasoning was.

 

-Mike

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[prk60091]

i had the minilux, digilux 2 and the dlux4 and now have the x1

 

i really enjoyed shooting the minilux- and the x1 reminds me alot of the minilux- both in its operation and IQ

 

the dlux4 can make outstanding images- but usually after alot of postprocessing....

the IQ of the Dlux4 out of camera does not come close to that of the X1 out of camera.

 

if you can live with the X1 "shortcomings" (the so-called slow focus) and fixed focal length then the x1 would be the one to go with.

[MPJMP]

Why not just bring both?

 

Because your carry-on bags are stuffed so full of other goodies that there is only room to squeeze in one compact camera (hey, it's my hypothetical scenario so I can make up what I want ).

 

jsrockit: didn't you have a D-LUX 4 at some point? I recall you went through some trial and error with various Leica digital cameras before arriving at your present kit. Why did the X1 stick for you while the D-LUX didn't?

 

-Mike

[Douglasco]

I use the X1 most of the time now. mainly due to its image quality

[jsrockit]

 

jsrockit: didn't you have a D-LUX 4 at some point? I recall you went through some trial and error with various Leica digital cameras before arriving at your present kit. Why did the X1 stick for you while the D-LUX didn't?

 

I did have the DL4, but it wasn't for me. I'm not big on zoom lenses at all...in fact, I hate them.

 

The reason the X1 stuck is because it has shutter speed and aperture knobs (this is huge to me), the menus make sense, I prefer fixed lenses, and the IQ is great. It was the compact I was waiting for.

[Dan States]

Have both. It depends on what you are shooting. If you do candid street photography or plan to shoot in bars or music spots the Dlux4 is faster and more predictable. The X1 advantage in ISO performance is eaten up by it's failings in low light focus and lack of image stabilization.

 

If you shoot landscape and are in good light the image quality of the X1 is on another level at any comparable ISO setting. The Dlux4 needs to be at 80 ISO to extract maximum quality, but at that setting it's pretty darned good.

 

Here is a shot with the Dlux4 that is typical of what you can get IF you used RAW and a good converter like LR3. Use JPEG or cheapo RAW converters and all bets are off, take the X1.

 

Best wishes

Dan

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[nippa]

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I could really enthuse about the DL4 because it is a worthy camera but sadly it gets used less and less. Limited zoom was always an issue for me. Great as it is , it never had the Leica Look.

 

I then got into m4/3 cameras and saw the IQ improvement but have never really come to terms with the huge size of the kit ( unless it's a GF-1 with the 20mm lerns it's still too big for me)

 

And now the X1.

It has tended to be the only camera I carry because when it works it is quite brilliant. Sadly it is really a one trick pony camera quite incapable of responding to any action.

 

Yesterday I bought an LX5.

I'm happy to report it's everything that the DL4 is plus some more so my hope is that will now fit my jacket pocket to fill in some of the X1 weaknesses.

 

I had half ordered a DL5 but in the end Amazon were selling the LX5 at such a good price and one click buying is just so easy!!. I'm now convinced I'm missing nothing by switching Brand the only drawback is that the RAW files aren't liked by Lightroom 2.7 so need conversion.

[phancj]

Depends on your priorities. it's the same with zoom vs prime.

 

The X1 is like a prime, the dlux4 a zoom.

 

One more versatile, one better IQ.

 

I go for IQ every time. For me, having a shot that is half good I rather not have. But thats just me.

 

If I want a shot just for the picture with not much emphasis on IQ my phone performs adequately.

[NZDavid]

It's a tricky trade off... and not just IQ and the price.

 

X1: better handling, better in low light ... but slow AF, fixed lens.

 

D-LUX4/ LX5: more versatile lens, cheaper, faster AF ... but worse in low light, more fiddly.

 

How much worse is the D-LUX 4 for IQ in bright light, even at big sizes, really? How often do you make huge enlargements? How often do you shoot indoors in dim interiors? What focal lengths do you use most often? How often do you need fast AF? It all depends on the individual. Now if they could only combine the best features of both...

[phancj]

Dan,

 

Checked out your photos, they are awesome!

 

CJ

[MPJMP]

Thanks for the responses. I went back yesterday and handled the X1 again. It is very tempting. However, I thought about it some more and for a few hundred more I can probably nab a used M8 body, which I think in my heart is what I really want. So, it looks like I will most likely stick with the D-LUX to cover my compact needs. I will upgrade to the 5 when it comes out later this month.

 

At least that's my thought for today. How I feel tomorrow is anyone's guess.

[wda]

Mike, take both on vacation. I would never go without a backup camera. In many ways the two camera work well together. Your best quality pictures will come from the X1, whereas the DLux4 should score in macro mode and in low light with its F/2 aperture. However, the X1 will give you less noise in low light.

 

The X1 was my dreamed-for digital replacement for my Leica CM, successor to the Minilux. So I was well-prepared for working with a fixed focal length lens.

[prk60091]

Thanks for the responses. I went back yesterday and handled the X1 again. It is very tempting. However, I thought about it some more and for a few hundred more I can probably nab a used M8 body, which I think in my heart is what I really want. So, it looks like I will most likely stick with the D-LUX to cover my compact needs. I will upgrade to the 5 when it comes out later this month.

 

At least that's my thought for today. How I feel tomorrow is anyone's guess.

 

if you already have "M" Glass then an used M8 would run 2000-2500USD but if you don't have any lenses- then add for the lens- eg an used 24mm f 2.8 Elmerit M Mount would run $1000-$1500 (that being the equivalent of what you get on the X1)....just saying it's not that close in price assuming you get deals on the M8 and the lens you are paying at least 3000 and probably closer to 3700USD for a M8 equivalent of an X1= and with the M8 you need an IR filter....just saying

[jsrockit]

You can get an M8 for $2000 and a Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 for $329 plus $60 for a B&W 486 filter.

[MPJMP]

if you already have "M" Glass then an used M8 would run 2000-2500USD but if you don't have any lenses- then add for the lens- eg an used 24mm f 2.8 Elmerit M Mount would run $1000-$1500 (that being the equivalent of what you get on the X1)....just saying it's not that close in price assuming you get deals on the M8 and the lens you are paying at least 3000 and probably closer to 3700USD for a M8 equivalent of an X1= and with the M8 you need an IR filter....just saying

 

I've got a spectrum of M lenses (28,35,50,90) for my MP, so I'm covered there.

 

But you're right, if I didn't already own the glass the X1 would be substantially cheaper.

[prk60091]

jsrockit

You can get an M8 for $2000 and a Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 for $329 plus $60 for a B&W 486 filter.

 

 

I've been looking and I haven't seen a m8 go for less than 2200 in the recent past. And as good as a 35mm voightlander lens it is not equal to a 24mm elmerit

 

Don't forget that the m8 isn't FF

[jsrockit]

jsrockit

You can get an M8 for $2000 and a Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 for $329 plus $60 for a B&W 486 filter.

 

 

I've been looking and I haven't seen a m8 go for less than 2200 in the recent past. And as good as a 35mm voightlander lens it is not equal to a 24mm elmerit

 

Don't forget that the m8 isn't FF

 

Yes, if you are patient... they do go for $2000. The rangefinder forum had one recently even. The 24mm elmarit on the X1 is not the same as an elmarit for the M. While the CV may not be great... it is surprisingly good... and not that far off of the X1 in reality. I've used both extensively. So, the M8 isn't fullframe... neither is the X1.

 

I'm not trying to make a match focal length for focal length to the X1. However, the claim that you need to spend $3500 to have an M8 that rivals the X1 is nonsense. I own both and I can tell you that if someone wants an M8, then the X1 is not replacement.

[JeTexas]

3X is really not much of a zoom. I have not examined 100% crops of the X1 and the D-LUX 4 side by side, but I'd be willing to bet the image quality of the APS-C sensor in the X1 will still give you a better photo cropped down to 3X than the D-Lux4 would give you with the lens at full zoom.

 

(For the record, I also think the APS-C sensor in the X1 does color far better than the APS-H sensor in the M8.)

 

Whether or not you want video would be the real question as to whether to choose the X1 or the D-Lux4.

 

If I planned to make large prints or sell/display anything I shot on the trip, I'd take the X1. If I was on vacation and these photos were for funsies, I'd stick with the D-Lux4.

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[MPJMP]

Just to be clear, I'm not really going on a trip. It was just a hypothetical.

 

Wish I were, though. :-(

[Guest badbob]

I had the LX3 for a year, and it was a good compact, especially for indoor shots. The LX3 (and presumably the DL4) was extremely well made, as good as the X1 or better. And the zoom lens was a plus, not to forget the excellent macro. But in the end, the LX3 was just too small for comfortable use, and sadly, the image quality, especially at ISO 400 and up, was terrible compared to the X1.