d-lux 3 upgrade

[ecalpemos]

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Has anyone here had both the d-lux 3 and 5? I wonder because I have the 3 and frankly I am still amazed( I've had it a while) at the image quality for a compact. I have a canon 1ds as well and they are used for different tasks and have different strengths but the images I get from the dlux are amazing. (if this is just a compact I wish I had the money to get an M9) one thing I would like to upgrade for is the ability to use an external viewfinder but my question is, will I see an increase in image quality if I upgrade?

Thanks

Andy

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[ho_co]

Andy, I've got the D-Lux 2 and the D-Lux 4. The D-Lux 4 is a big improvement in image quality over the D-Lux 2.

 

As you're probably aware, the D-Lux 3 is a step up from the D-Lux 2, but their lenses were the same. I was generally happy with the D-Lux 2, but the D-Lux 4 is noticeably better. Image quality is supposed to be a bit better again in the D-Lux 5.

 

So although I don't have the cameras you're asking about, I have no doubt that the D-Lux 5 will be a big step forward from the D-Lux 3. The main reason is that, starting with the D-Lux 4, some lens correction instructions are written into the raw file and really save time in post-processing, particularly in terms of correcting for chromatic aberration.

 

I only work with raw, and the change there was between the D-Lux 3 and the D-Lux 4. If you shoot mainly JPG, the corrections are already included in the JPGs of the D-Lux 3, so the difference would be minimal moving up to the D-Lux 5.

 

The later cameras have also improved their low-light performance at each step of the way, so you'll find the range of useful ISO speeds improved in the D-Lux 5.

 

Hope that's helpful.

[vikasmg]

I've had both cameras (presently D-Lux 5) and I'd say yes, there is an improvement. It depends what you do with the pictures though. If you're shooting in normal or only slightly substandard light and printing things mostly at 3x5in size, I doubt you would notice the difference. However larger and sections of the image soomed up to print will show some difference. The lens is one stop faster and it is wider at 24mm. That alone decided it for me. I also googled the two and got this: Leica D-LUX 3 vs D-LUX 5 which you may find useful.

 

- Vikas