Leica D-Lux 8 - the wait is over!

[TL3]

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The specs so far do sound underwhelming, but it would fill the niche of a daily carry for me.  The CL/TL and X100 series cameras are too big for a daily carry for me.  I currently just shoot daily with my iPhone 15 pro and it does the job fine, but I think I would still have more fun with a D-LUX 8.

I do think it would be a good camera for a family member who wasn't that into photography to use, or a great beginner camera for someone wanting to take the craft more seriously.  I started my Leica journey with a 109 back when the M9 and T were financially out of reach.  Yes there are more budget priced options out there, but this is it if you want to stay within the Leica world (outside of getting a Xiaomi anyway).

[nicci78]

Looks like an updated EVF hopefully ! Slightly taller D-Lux 8 at 69.2mm vs D-Lux 7 66mm can allow for improved viewfinder. Clearly the new EVF looks different from the old one. 

I am quite undecided about D-Lux 8. I applaud Leica hence It is exactly what it should be from day one (typ 109 with Leica UI and controls). I always hated the lazy Panasonic rebadge with same UI and controls from Lumix. It is now a mini-Q. Bravo !

However using a 5 years old tech is very disappointed, an easy money grab to replace the mighty CL. Which is almost the same size only a little bit wider but way more competent IQ wise.

I may or may not buy one to complement my Q2. Depends on the real specs : better EVF ? Better processing ? Better sensor ? USB-C ? Improved battery life ? Weather sealing ? etc... So many unknowns. 

 

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[nicci78]

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[nicci78]

some more data with equivalent full frame focal lengths and apertures.

Quite weird to have so few megapixels in 2024 compared to Q3...

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Edited May 28, 2024 by nicci78

[Lelmer]

What is an equivalent full frame aperture?

[nicci78]

Real aperture multiply by the crop factor. It is just for reference in order to compare depth of field. 

We also multiply real focal lengths by the crop factor for comparison sake.

Edited May 28, 2024 by nicci78

[Ros58]

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On 5/23/2024 at 9:43 AM, ArjanB said:

I really like the redesign. If I understand correctly, the whole menu system now looks like that from the Leica Q3. Also it now shoots in DNG. To me this all means that this is more than just a rebadged Panasonic. Leica really did change a lot to make it more Leica.

They also changed the compensation dial. Looks like it now functions like the one from te Q3. Maybe also a button on top?

And the maximum shutter speed seems to have changed from 1/4000 to 1/2000.

 

I disagree with you, I'm afraid.  I don't particularly care if it looks like the Q3; it's more about its specs. Apart from dng files, it's an exceedingly underwhelming upgrade, if you can even call it that.  I also hate the fact they've removed the exposure comp dial, which I used frequently.  I'm not into button, then menu-diving to get at something that had a great place to begin with.  Same sensor, same lens... blah.  Huge disappointment.

[colonel]

20 hours ago, paullgj said:

78 yr. old retired geography college prof. here - have a DLUX-6.  I see a lot of folks dissing the DLUX 8 - but it might serve my purposes.  Basically - I-phone 15 pro or DLUX 8 (they're about the same price) for a backpack/overland trip to the El Peten of Guatemala for photography of Mayan ruins.  I'm a little long in the tooth to be hauling my Nikon gear, and wanted something for the inside pocket of a denim vest.  

Yeah, I could get into Nikon Mirrorless DX, but it is old tech.(5 or 6 yrs.)  also by the standards of today.  I'm interested in your comments.  Thanks.  Gene.

Phone batteries run out fast if you use them for photography. Always need another camera. Besides the D-Lux 7 pixel level is significantly better then a phone, and you get an optical zoom and 1.7

[CheEr]

Pixel peeping is not IQ. 
there is a physical limit about getting the highest resolution, contrast and noise. 
 

[jaapv]

22 hours ago, paullgj said:

78 yr. old retired geography college prof. here - have a DLUX-6.  I see a lot of folks dissing the DLUX 8 - but it might serve my purposes.  Basically - I-phone 15 pro or DLUX 8 (they're about the same price) for a backpack/overland trip to the El Peten of Guatemala for photography of Mayan ruins.  I'm a little long in the tooth to be hauling my Nikon gear, and wanted something for the inside pocket of a denim vest.  

Yeah, I could get into Nikon Mirrorless DX, but it is old tech.(5 or 6 yrs.)  also by the standards of today.  I'm interested in your comments.  Thanks.  Gene.

Such a trip? I’d go for something else: a used Q(2) 

[hepcat]

And here I am happily shooting away still with my Navy Gray Typ 109.  I didn't see a reason to get a DLux 7.  I'm glad they're doing the DLux 8.  One of these days I may find a bargain on a used one that someone bought and thought it needed to be a Q3. 

[nicci78]

It may be better to wait for the X3 at the end of the year. Leica rumors was confused about an APS-C compact camera and an updated D-Lux. There are just two different cameras. 

I am not totally sure but my source but he seems to be trustworthy : another baby Q is coming with 40mm fixed lens and APS-C sensor. 

There is a spot available between D-Lux 8 at 1,590€ and Q3 at 5,950€

 

[Topsy]

1 hour ago, hepcat said:

And here I am happily shooting away still with my Navy Gray Typ 109.  I didn't see a reason to get a DLux 7.  I'm glad they're doing the DLux 8.  One of these days I may find a bargain on a used one that someone bought and thought it needed to be a Q3. 

You and me both. 👍 Except I'm not even looking for that bargain, I'm happy with my Typ 109 and my M9s.

[SrMi]

36 minutes ago, nicci78 said:

It may be better to wait for the X3 at the end of the year. Leica rumors was confused about an APS-C compact camera and an updated D-Lux. There are just two different cameras. 

I am not totally sure but my source but he seems to be trustworthy : another baby Q is coming with 40mm fixed lens and APS-C sensor. 

There is a spot available between D-Lux 8 at 1,590€ and Q3 at 5,950€

 

X3 would be interesting, but it would be a different camera than the 8. A new X Vario would be more of an alternative.

[TL3]

11 hours ago, nicci78 said:

Looks like an updated EVF hopefully ! Slightly taller D-Lux 8 at 69.2mm vs D-Lux 7 66mm can allow for improved viewfinder. Clearly the new EVF looks different from the old one. 

I am quite undecided about D-Lux 8. I applaud Leica hence It is exactly what it should be from day one (typ 109 with Leica UI and controls). I always hated the lazy Panasonic rebadge with same UI and controls from Lumix. It is now a mini-Q. Bravo !

However using a 5 years old tech is very disappointed, an easy money grab to replace the mighty CL. Which is almost the same size only a little bit wider but way more competent IQ wise.

I may or may not buy one to complement my Q2. Depends on the real specs : better EVF ? Better processing ? Better sensor ? USB-C ? Improved battery life ? Weather sealing ? etc... So many unknowns. 

 

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Are these photos to scale?  I don't have a 109 anymore, but I thought it was quite a bit smaller than the CL.  Size would be the main reason I reach for the D-LUX over my CL.

[rjans]

Size comparison from technical data sheet:

W/H/D in mm

CL 131 x 78 x 45 body only!*

D-Lux 7 118 x 66 x 64 including lens closed

D-Lux 109 117.8 x 66.2 x 55 including lens closed

Q (P)130 x 80 x 93 including lens

*Did not find dimension of all the Leica lenses for the CL/TL2

 

Edited May 28, 2024 by rjans
Editorial changes

[jrichie]

5 hours ago, nicci78 said:

It may be better to wait for the X3 at the end of the year. Leica rumors was confused about an APS-C compact camera and an updated D-Lux. There are just two different cameras. 

I am not totally sure but my source but he seems to be trustworthy : another baby Q is coming with 40mm fixed lens and APS-C sensor. 

There is a spot available between D-Lux 8 at 1,590€ and Q3 at 5,950€

 

All I can say is I hope your source is right .  That sounds perfect - 40mm and APS-C [40MP?]

There certainly is a spot between the Q3 and DLux and I am that customer.

[JohnSantaF4]

On 5/27/2024 at 12:30 PM, paullgj said:

78 yr. old retired geography college prof. here - have a DLUX-6.  I see a lot of folks dissing the DLUX 8 - but it might serve my purposes.  Basically - I-phone 15 pro or DLUX 8 (they're about the same price) for a backpack/overland trip to the El Peten of Guatemala for photography of Mayan ruins.  I'm a little long in the tooth to be hauling my Nikon gear, and wanted something for the inside pocket of a denim vest.  

Yeah, I could get into Nikon Mirrorless DX, but it is old tech.(5 or 6 yrs.)  also by the standards of today.  I'm interested in your comments.  Thanks.  Gene.

Easy decision; go for the D-lux 8. The iPhone has no soul.

[TL3]

I guess I would still feel the size difference between the D-LUX 8 vs CL plus zoom lens.  The CL is compact with the 18 mm but I don't feel all that comfortable with an 18 as my only lens.  If we could set a default zoom length for the D-LUX 8 on start up that would be indeed very nice.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Lux

[Indeepthought]

The thing is, the new ‘8’ is a very nice camera, well proven tech together with a damn good lens.. At $1250 it would imho be a bargain! But, being a Leica the extra few bucks is acceptable.. My ‘7’ pushes out damn good images and I’m sure the ‘8’ will have been tweaked to produce  somewhat better images.. it is as it is, a great little camera straight out of the box… and a lovely looking Leica to boot..

😎