D Lux 8. My review after 2000 images

[leicam62003]

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vor 4 Stunden schrieb ColdShower:

Autofocus is slow and not very accurate. Even with focus confirmation, I’ve had several missed shots.

Thank you very much for your assessment, which shows a good classification of the camera for other interested parties. Whether the LUX 8 is directly comparable with other models can be discussed at length. Comparisons are made when features can be compared, such as display, but not folding display, or no folding display? Or just display or with viewfinder and display.
But that's not the point and I've owned a few other compact cameras.

What I would like to say, however, is that the autofocus is fast and accurate. In any case, it is faster than my organic focus on my analog M Leicas

I was able to test the D-LUX for 8 days on vacation and my rejected pictures were due to operating errors. So my fault.

I think that if you are looking for a compact camera with a zoom lens, with very good optical properties, with an extended zoom M=105mm / S=135mm depending on the image resolution, very good workmanship, a good operating concept and easily explanatory menu navigation, you will hardly find any other option in the Leica?

[Lelmer]

15 hours ago, leicam62003 said:

...

What I would like to say, however, is that the autofocus is fast and accurate.

....

Also on moving subjects, like vehicles, kids...?

[SJH]

@ColdShower thanks for your review and I watched it a few times before getting my 8, overall I'm really pleased with it as a small compact travel camera but the one big grip I have is that compared to the Panasonic LX100 II (which it's based on clearly) there is no sleep function, which exists in all my other Leica's (M11's, SL3 and Q3). The camera simply power's off after a set time up to 10 minutes i.e. you can't wake from sleep when you're out shooting in a city say by just touching the shutter button!!

I started another thread on this issue here so everyone is aware:

 

[gharel]

2 hours ago, Lelmer said:

Also on moving subjects, like vehicles, kids...?

My experience has been no. Continuous tracking is a little hit or miss, and I can't entirely rely on it. Good thing is that the small sensor makes it pretty natural to end up with a very deep depth of field so it's not a huge issue. I find the focus ring also too easy to knock out of place so zone focusing is frustrating.

[leicam62003]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb Lelmer:

Also on moving subjects, like vehicles, kids...?

caught me......... you got me
I haven't tested that yet - sorry. I'm going to push my nasty neighbor off the balcony and chase him in AFc................
Jokes aside, I actually have to take test shots here. But I suspect that, in the end, there will be enough good pictures on the card (?).

vor 2 Stunden schrieb SJH:

you can't wake from sleep when you're out shooting in a city say by just touching the shutter button!!

That's true and I noticed it too. It would be good if the camera could simply restart as soon as you activate the shutter button.

[davidzvi]

On 9/9/2024 at 12:12 PM, ColdShower said:

Hey guys, I’ve been using my new D-Lux 8 for a while now, and a detailed long-term review is coming soon. Here are my main thoughts:

    •    The camera is super easy to use.
    •    The 17MP sensor is enough for me but limits heavy cropping.
    •    I do wish it had an APS-C sensor, but the lens would’ve been huge.
    •    The lens isn’t super sharp at any aperture, but it’s sharp enough for 17MP.
    •    I shot wide open for most of my initial review to showcase the lens’ flaws, and I’m impressed despite that.
    •    Having owned the Sony RX100 M4-7, I think Sony’s image output is more pleasant straight out of the camera, even with its 1” sensor. However, I prefer the D-Lux 8 for its handling and better battery life.
    •    Autofocus is slow and not very accurate. Even with focus confirmation, I’ve had several missed shots.
    •    The best way to minimize misses is by using the cross-hair focus mode.
    •    Face detection isn’t reliable at all, nowhere near what Sony or even the iPhone offers.
    •    The tracking feature exists but can’t be fully trusted either.
    •    The D-Lux 8 is great to use and fun, but it’s not as fast or reliable as the RX100 M7, which never misses.
    •    I’ve paired it with my Leica M11M + 35 APO setup, and together they cover all my needs.
    •    Surprisingly, the D-Lux 8 performs well in low light, with pleasant noise levels. The little flash makes it my go-to for casual night shots.
    •    Is it better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max? Yes and no. The iPhone has impressive computational photography but lacks the viewfinder and flexibility of the D-Lux 8’s zoom lens. In some situations, like long exposures, the iPhone might outperform the D-Lux.
    •    For video, the D-Lux 8 isn’t great unless conditions are perfect. The iPhone easily outperforms it for video.
    •    Bang for the buck? For me, sticking with Leica makes it worth it. But if I were unbiased, I might choose the RX100 M7—it’s more pocketable, better for both photos and video, and even has a mic input.
    •    Would I recommend it? It depends. Try it out—it may or may not be your ideal camera. For me, it’s Leica’s best option in terms of size, features, and price.
    •    Ricoh GRIII vs. D-Lux 8: If you want ultimate pocketability and don’t need zoom, the Ricoh GRIII has better image quality, though its battery life is lacking. But if you need zoom options, the D-Lux 8 is the better choice.
    •    I hope to see an APS-C 35mm equivalent that’s as small and portable as the D-Lux 8 one day. 
 

I’ll keep you posted with my latest review. I shot a ton of street photography with just the D Lux 8 and I’m really please with the results. Getting a few images out of focus is not as important to me. I miss a few with my M11M anyway  😂so I’m used to. 

Your videos were helpful, thank you.  

I just sold my RX100VII in order to get the D-Lux 8. While I agree with many of your points comparing the two cameras, I like out-of-camera JPEGs better from the D-Lux.  But handling was a big one for me; I never really enjoyed using the RX100.  Conversely, the D-Lux 8 is a pleasure, and the interface is a welcome change.