Help Me Decide: Should I Buy the Leica D-Lux 8 or the Leica Q Typ 116

[R1enco]

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Hey everyone,

I'm in the market for a new camera and have narrowed it down to two options: the Leica D-Lux 8 and the Leica Q Typ 116. I've been going back and forth between these two, and I could really use some advice from those who have experience with either (or both).

Here's where I'm at:

Leica D-Lux 8:

• Compact and more portable
• Versatile zoom lens
• Great for travel and everyday use

Leica Q Typ 116:

• Full-frame sensor with exceptional image quality
• Fixed 28mm lens, perfect for street and landscape photography
• Beautiful design and build quality

I love the portability of the D-Lux 8, but the image quality and full-frame sensor of the Q Typ 116 are hard to ignore. I’ve also seen some example shots taken with the Q, and I’ve absolutely fallen in love with the colors and sharpness.

I'm torn because I enjoy both street photography and travel, and I'm not sure which one will suit me better in the long run. If you've used either of these cameras, I'd love to hear your thoughts on their strengths and weaknesses. Which one do you think would be the better investment for someone who values both versatility and image quality?

Thanks in advance for your help!

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[dkCambridgeshire]

https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/leica-q-typ-116/sku-2699510

.... better build quality and more Leica DNA.

Friends' (plural) Pana-Leica cameras developed faults, e.g., sticky controls and body cracks. 

Edited August 28, 2024 by dkCambridgeshire

[MikeD70]

Sadly, you are the only one able to answer that question.  If you want more reach that a 28 the answer is obvious, if you can live with cropping options in post, then, not so much.  All a matter of personal choice and style.  Good luck with your eventual pick.  I'm sure you will like it.

[jgeenen]

I had the LX100 II, when it was new. I liked the size and the quality of the results and the D-LUX8 would clearly be a step up in usability. But there had been one feature I disliked on the LX100 - that was the motorized zoom. This feature is still shared by the D-LUX8. For that reason, the DLUX 8 is no option for me. But other than that, the DLUX is a nice, compact and versatile camera.

The Q is much more bulky than the DLUX 8 and does not feature the same user experience (They type 116 menu style is different from today's model).  For that reason - albeit the Q Type 116 is a very nice camera - you can't really compare both cameras. 

One major topic you did not cover in your list - the DLUX has less light gathering capability at most focal lengths (aka max. aperture) and the sensor does exhibit noise when raising ISO too far. That is very important if you mainly shoot under low light conditions. 

 

[Olaf_ZG]

To me, most important question to ask is, will only a 28mm do? If yes, take the Q, if not, don’t take the Q.

I tried the Q twice, just to discover that 28mm aint for me, so I also sold off the Q twice.

[Dazzajl]

The fact that you're comparing those two cameras does suggest you're trying to pick between being practical and being a romantic. 

The practical choice will serve you well, taking shots in all situations and being adaptable. The romantic choice will force you to make shots and be the adaptable part of the equation.

Personally, I think I'd like to be the romantic.

[SrMi]

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3 hours ago, jgeenen said:

One major topic you did not cover in your list - the DLUX has less light gathering capability at most focal lengths (aka max. aperture) and the sensor does exhibit noise when raising ISO too far. That is very important if you mainly shoot under low light conditions. 

 

Per P2P measurements, Q has as much DPR as LX100 II (same sensor as D-Lux-8) at lower ISOs. The noise advantage disappears if you stop down Q to have the same DOF as Lx100II.

I think Q (or any of the successors) is a better photographic tool, but D-Lux 8 is nice, small, and portable.

Edited August 30, 2024 by SrMi

[microview]

But when will it become generally available/ That may be a factor.

[bobtodrick]

I’ve got a Q.

Sold my D-Lux 7 to free up funds for the Q…and wish I’d kept the D-Lux…and still bought the Q.

Most of my ‘saleable’ work…either prints sold through a gallery that I work with, or images made for the culture department of our local government (I have a couple of projects on the disappearing rural life) are made with the Q.

But I miss the reach of the D-Lux’s lens and its compact size.  It truly was a great travel camera.  And the images quality held up fine, I’ve images printed to 16x20 inches that look great.

I really like my Q…but would have no problem recommending the D-Lux 8 to anyone wanting a versatile camera.

[stuny]

I use a Q and a V-lux5, which gives me an incredible range of situational coverage, although my carry every day camera is the Q. 

I've had D-Lux 5 and D-lux 109, and liked them a great deal, but prefer my current paring.  However, just about every PanaLeica (D-Lux and V-Lux series, for example) have a function that's available only when shooting jpeg, and it might figure into your decision making:  It's called iZoom, and uses a virtually lossless algorithm to allow you to extend the long and of the zoom to double its native length.  In the case of the D-Lux 8, the lens becomes a 25-150 equivalent.  Below are some photos I shot with iZoom turned on when I still had my D-Lux109

 

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[R1enco]

On 8/31/2024 at 6:57 PM, stuny said:

I use a Q and a V-lux5, which gives me an incredible range of situational coverage, although my carry every day camera is the Q. 

I've had D-Lux 5 and D-lux 109, and liked them a great deal, but prefer my current paring.  However, just about every PanaLeica (D-Lux and V-Lux series, for example) have a function that's available only when shooting jpeg, and it might figure into your decision making:  It's called iZoom, and uses a virtually lossless algorithm to allow you to extend the long and of the zoom to double its native length.  In the case of the D-Lux 8, the lens becomes a 25-150 equivalent.  Below are some photos I shot with iZoom turned on when I still had my D-Lux109

 

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

Those photo’s are looking great to my eyes and i didnt know about that iZoom function thanks for the info!

[R1enco]

On 8/30/2024 at 9:58 PM, bobtodrick said:

I’ve got a Q.

Sold my D-Lux 7 to free up funds for the Q…and wish I’d kept the D-Lux…and still bought the Q.

Most of my ‘saleable’ work…either prints sold through a gallery that I work with, or images made for the culture department of our local government (I have a couple of projects on the disappearing rural life) are made with the Q.

But I miss the reach of the D-Lux’s lens and its compact size.  It truly was a great travel camera.  And the images quality held up fine, I’ve images printed to 16x20 inches that look great.

I really like my Q…but would have no problem recommending the D-Lux 8 to anyone wanting a versatile camera.

Still did not figure out what to choose but i think the Q will not be a option because im leaning toward a zoom lens and a the q is little pricy. now i am deciding between a sony a6600 + sigma 18-50mm and the D-lux 8 😅

[R1enco]

On 8/30/2024 at 9:24 PM, microview said:

But when will it become generally available/ That may be a factor.

In the netherlands it’s available 

[R1enco]

Everybody,

thank you for al the replies and help ✌🏻 Does anyone have another alternative to consider?

Edited September 2, 2024 by R1enco

[R1enco]

On 8/30/2024 at 6:55 PM, Olaf_ZG said:

To me, most important question to ask is, will only a 28mm do? If yes, take the Q, if not, don’t take the Q.

I tried the Q twice, just to discover that 28mm aint for me, so I also sold off the Q twice.

Thats why the Q is not a option anymore for me i want to have some range to play with

[ravinj]

After years of moving between fixed and zoom lenses, my answer is.....it depends. Some of my favorite shots in Iceland were taken with a zoom - a fixed lens would not have allowed me to get the exact composition I wanted. "Zooming with you feet" does not work when you are at the edge of a cliff. 

Other times, the Q / Q2 has been a perfect companion. I also used the Sony RX1R in Glacier National Park, Montana - lovely sensor and Zeiss lens combo with stunning results. 

I would toss a coin and pick one of Q or Dlux-8. And then "focus" on getting the shots with the camera I have, rather than worry about "missing the shots". 

Edit: While I am not a fan of cropping after the fact, the ability to crop the files from the Q and still get superb quality surprised me when I tried it. On this front, I would consider the Q a 28-50mm camera. If you use Capture One, you can actually go down to ~ 26mm on the wide end with little noticeable degradation. 

Edited September 2, 2024 by ravinj

[Le Chef]

I would start with the DL-8 and get used to how it operates. Actually you could start with a DL-7 that someone has traded in with their dealer for a DL-8.) I still have a DL-109 that gets used regularly. The DL-8 has a very broad "footprint" for such a compact camera. You can start shooting jpg's, you can shoot manual. You can focus manually. You can migrate to using RAW images and post processing which extracts a lot more out of the camera's capabilities. It's a camera that might be the one you need.

Edited September 2, 2024 by Le Chef