X1 in for repair - loan camera has me thinking

[budhudson]

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Hello all

 

Just had to send my X1 back for pop up flash repair (i commented in the 'travelling' thread)

 

My local Leica dealer (Harrisons in Sheffield who always give great service and advice etc) didnt have a spare X1 so they have loaned me a D-Lux 4 while mine is away

 

I have only had it for a few hours and have messed about taking some 'snaps' while out walking my 2 dogs in local country/woods.

 

Got back and uploaded them just to see what it could do. Please be aware that i didnt take my time to make any proper settings and used the 'Snapshot Mode' straight to jpeg at 4.5MB with a swap between the 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 ratios

 

After the initial shock of the first few flash on/off inside messing about shots then we came to the outside shots. These are really very good. Considering i did nothing but point and shoot then the results are superb. With a bit of getting used to it (as with the X1) i am pretty sure it could be a capable machine.

 

I have this for the next 2-3 weeks while mine is away so will play properly with it in the meantime. Remember this is the D-Lux 4 so i assume the 5 is better still?

 

This has now made me think quite hard about getting one to fill the gaps that the X1 leaves (macro and minizoom)

 

I have read all the D-Lux 4 comments but would like real D-Lux 5 owner/user comments to see what the general opinion is

 

Thanks in advance

 

Mark

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[wda]

Mark, I have both and reported in a thread similar to yours . Worth searching for alternative views already expressed. Briefly, they are distinctly dissimilar cameras intended for different purposes. The quality is markedly better in the X1, but the rival has the merits of an excellent zoom lens with closer macro ability. They work very well together; However I prefer to twin my X1 with a digital M camera so that I cover two focal lengths with very high quality results suitable for stock use. Your needs might be different. Anyway, you have the opportunity to test the D-Lux for yourself while your X1 is away.

[budhudson]

David

 

Thanks for the (only) reply

 

I have looked at other comments in the forum but find that they mainly refer to the D-Lux 4 rather than the newer 5?

 

My needs are, indeed, probably different to yours and whilst i did look at the M9 i dont feel that i warrant one with my current capability so cant justify one at present

 

I suppose the easiest way to ask (knowing that the X1 & D-Lux 5 are both very different) is do they compliment each other in the ways i would like? Such as macro and minizoom

 

Or, dare i ask, is the LX5 the safer bet from a cost view seeing as though i dont need the bundled software? Do the pictures really differ in favour of IQ in the Leica? I dont really like the inbuilt grip of the LX5 but £hundreds difference is better in my pocket? Does the EVF work on both models?

 

Again, i appreciate these have probably been covered elsewhere but would like to update now the firmware is updated and people have really used the D-Lux 5 (again not the 4 as i have that at present)

 

Thanks in advance

 

Mark

[wda]

David

 

Thanks for the (only) reply

 

I have looked at other comments in the forum but find that they mainly refer to the D-Lux 4 rather than the newer 5?

 

My needs are, indeed, probably different to yours and whilst i did look at the M9 i dont feel that i warrant one with my current capability so cant justify one at present

 

I suppose the easiest way to ask (knowing that the X1 & D-Lux 5 are both very different) is do they compliment each other in the ways i would like? Such as macro and minizoom YES, they do.

 

Or, dare i ask, is the LX5 the safer bet from a cost view seeing as though i dont need the bundled software? Do the pictures really differ in favour of IQ in the Leica? I dont really like the inbuilt grip of the LX5 but £hundreds difference is better in my pocket? Does the EVF work on both models? Can't really comment. In theory the results should be identical, but Leica firmware sometimes varies to give the Leica look. Probably more imagined than real. No harm in twinning the Panasonic with the X1

 

Again, i appreciate these have probably been covered elsewhere but would like to update now the firmware is updated and people have really used the D-Lux 5 (again not the 4 as i have that at present)

Thanks in advance

 

Mark

Notes above

[JonasHallstrom]

Hi Mark

 

I use the D-lux 5. Unfortunately, I always look for a different camera when I just bought one. I'm probably looking for the perfect. Which right now seems to be M9 :-). And then it's of course a matter of usage. I would say that I'm unqualified for an M9 but it seems very exciting. And then it's stuff going on May 10 So we might see an M10 or X2 or a D-Lux 6, what do I know?

 

When I look at pictures taken with the X1, I'm a little jealous. D-Lux 5 does not reach the same sharpness, of course depending on the sensor size. However, the D-Lux 5 is having more possibilities as mentioned above.

 

Last fall I bought a Sony NEX-5N, which, according to tests, is level with the X1 and even the M9, with a better lens. But I did not get the interface. Pure PC to operate. I sold and bought the D-lux 5th

 

D-Lux 5 is very sharp at ISO 80 or 100 but then subside. The aperture is quite nice quality all the way up to 3.3. Not the same proportion as the ISO.

 

Do not know if I helped. But the picture quality of the X1 is in my opinion, better.

 

Regards

Jonas

[budhudson]

Gents

 

Thanks again for the replies and information

 

Seems like a good partner for the X1 so definately up for consideration. I have dismissed the LX5 because i dont like the inbuilt hand grip and prefer the cleaner look of the Leica

 

Will keep playing with the D-Lux 4 until my X1 comes back and by then, hopefully, we will have a bit more info re May 10 so can hold off until then to make a move

 

Lets see where this goes..................

 

Kind regards

 

Mark

[markrune]

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I have an Panasonic LX3 and it is my take anyplace camera, the 24 - 60 mm equivalent lens is a bit limiting and would love the extra scope of the LX5's and this is the main benefit. Otherwise the LX3 is very good but compare to even the M8 at High ISO is is not brilliant, but then you can slip in pocket and take anywhere.

 

Hope this helps