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I have a D-Lux5, Should I get an X1?


leicadude

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Newbie here. I love my D-Lux5. I bought it for the Red dot which did not disappoint me one bit (I don't care about the comparison to the LX5). The quality and feel, the images, the best compact I have ever owned. The Germans get something about design and engineering.

 

Now, I am really tempted with the recent price drop in used X1 models. Every time I look at X1 pictures, I am impressed with the quality and the "look" of the images.

 

For me, an important part of photography is the actual process of taken the picture which includes the physical hardware, design and engineering of the camera. I strongly believe it translates and becomes a part of the photograph in the end.

 

Would the X1 be a good companion to the D-Lux5 or perhaps even an upgrade?

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks in advance!

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In a word, yes! I have the LX5 as a companion to my X1 and find they compliment one another really well. I also have an M8 but rarely bring it out. The M8 is a great camera and I have wonderful lenses to go with but the size of the smaller cameras works for me.

 

Aside from the larger sensor and wonderful IQ, I particularly enjoy the X1 with fixed focal length. I think that even after an X2 comes out, the X1 will continue to hold it's own.

 

DwF

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I've had both, but traded X1 towards M9. The D-Lux 5 is an excellent camera capable of first-class results that are up to publication standard. It is undeniably one of the best small-sensor compacts on the market. Google "Hivemind Leica D-Lux 5" to see some inspiring photos taken with this camera, and of course check out the photo forum on this site. The 24-90 range is very useful, in fact indispensable for some shots. ISO is best up to 400; 800 and 1600 are useable but grainy. You can print to a large size, at least 11" x 18". Shutter response time is very fast.

 

That said, the X1 has excellent image quality, even at high ISOs. So it is great in low light. The APS sensor also means you can make even bigger prints if you wish. Its shortcomings are well-known, the main ones being slow AF speed and the fixed focal length lens, which can be limiting. If you don't mind those limitations, go for it.

 

Worth thinking about, although it is likely (we hope) that an interchangeable-lens version of the X1 will hit the market later this year.

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I have a M9 and my wife has an LX5. I recently got a X1 in addition for a simple reason.

 

I often shoot with my 35 cron on the M9, so I like this fixed focal length. Given this a X1 is much 'lighter' to carry around in areas where you don't want to show off your M9.

 

In addition to our LX5 the X1 has a much better IQ, I would not want to miss the LX5 of my wife in a setup for any of our trips as I can also capture small videos with the LX5. However the X1 it is one of the cameras I very mich love after I got used to its speciifics when coming from my M9 i.e. focussing in low light. In terms of size and IQ you can't beat the X1. Even though an X2 might be available in 12+ month I still recommend the X1 as it is available now!

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....Worth thinking about, although it is likely (we hope) that an interchangeable-lens version of the X1 will hit the market later this year.

Rudedog, welcome to the forum.

I back your inclination to get the X1. Since the fall in price makes it specially attractive to you, why wait for an interchangeable version which, almost certainly, will be quite a lot more expensive than the current X1? You will still have your D-Lux5 with a zoom lens to give you wider and more reach!

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I've had a Canon G1X for the last 3 days and it reminds me of the X1.

IQ is very similar , ISO performance much better and AutoFocus gives me as much pain as my X1.

 

It ain't a Leica of course and colours are a little different but it's good to see Canon moving where the X1 led - into a small fixed lens camera with high IQ.

 

Just one to watch.

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I should have also mentioned one of the best features of the X1 -- real shutter and aperture dials that make manual exposure, or aperture or shutter priority, so easy. Yes, these dials are too loose, but the design is so much better than a hunt-and-squint menu and LCD system. I hope Leica retains this system in its next models.

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