D-Lux 8 Online Reviews - Justified?

[flappo]

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Since I will never print the images out , the resolution is ok with me 

Have to zoom everything down tbh

My old canon was 2mp and had a great pq , so all this megapixel stuff strikes me as marketing hype 

[S Maclean]

Is it an M, or an SL, or an S, or a Q? no.

Does it have character and is it great to carry and use? yes.

My wife leaves it on A mode, F2 and walks around happily taking shots of whatever fancies her. ISO 200/400 during the day, 3200 at night. Done.

 

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[tom0511]

I also got my hands on one and so far I really like it.

The f-stop and exp wheel and the reduced button layout work great for me.

From first look the IQ seems fine, I compared to my Canon grx1III (which I plan to replace with the DLux) and the colors and flare resistance and pop of the D-Lux looked good (just first impressions).

I think this will replace the Canon and my Ricoh GRD. (nothing against the Ricoh though, but the D-Lux is just more flexible and not that much bigger.)

[davidzvi]

There are only three things I wish I could change about the D-Lux 8, the last of which has two parts.  More megapixels and a sharper lens are NOT on the list.  The first would be a game changer, the second, the D Lux 8, should have had IMHO.

1. Manual zoom lens.  Fuji's X10/X20/X30 has a manual zoom lens that includes the power switch when the lens is collapsed.  I've never understood why someone else hasn't done the same.
2. Tilt screen.  The latest Q's, Fuji's X100VI, and X-E5 show it can be done without adding that much to the thickness.  But I think many would think it would be a good trade-off.
3. New sensor.  1) Stacked CMOS  2) Phase AF   Nope, I don't need or really want more megapixels.  Take to Sony and use OM System's stacked 20MP sensor. 

The rest of my wishes could be solved with FW updates. 

1. Color profiles saved in DNGs
2. Leica looks
3. Better level gauge
4. Softer grid lines, they are just too bright

But this is the first camera I haven't wanted to change any of the options on the settings screen, unlike my Fuji cameras.  Or that have so many configuration options like my Olympus/OM System bodies, where even after 12 years and my 11th body with the two lever switch, I still haven't found a good use for it.  Then again, I've never bothered with the custom user settings either.

 

 

[Alexander108]

Am 21.3.2025 um 20:17 schrieb Thomas Scheier:

Been travelling now for 3 weeks and the D8 has been a great companion.the operating speed is amazing, everything in this camera works.There is one issue Leica should look into when thd next firmware comes up.

I wish that the ISO value indicated manually STAYS active once the camera shuts down.So whenever one switches the D8 on zgain, gone is the manual ISO value and back is AUTO.

This is annoying because one always has to go back to the old ISO mznuzlly loosing time and opportunity for a shot.

 

G

 

 

I know it's been a while. Just stumbled over this thread. The solution is: use the Default User Profile. If you use one of the three profiles it reverts back to the standard of the selected profile after switching the camera off. 

Whenever you switch to a profile switch to the default profile after switching. 

Edited August 13 by Alexander108

[Morten1389]

13 hours ago, davidzvi said:

There are only three things I wish I could change about the D-Lux 8, the last of which has two parts.  More megapixels and a sharper lens are NOT on the list.  The first would be a game changer, the second, the D Lux 8, should have had IMHO.

1. Manual zoom lens.  Fuji's X10/X20/X30 has a manual zoom lens that includes the power switch when the lens is collapsed.  I've never understood why someone else hasn't done the same.
2. Tilt screen.  The latest Q's, Fuji's X100VI, and X-E5 show it can be done without adding that much to the thickness.  But I think many would think it would be a good trade-off.
3. New sensor.  1) Stacked CMOS  2) Phase AF   Nope, I don't need or really want more megapixels.  Take to Sony and use OM System's stacked 20MP sensor. 

The rest of my wishes could be solved with FW updates. 

1. Color profiles saved in DNGs
2. Leica looks
3. Better level gauge
4. Softer grid lines, they are just too bright

But this is the first camera I haven't wanted to change any of the options on the settings screen, unlike my Fuji cameras.  Or that have so many configuration options like my Olympus/OM System bodies, where even after 12 years and my 11th body with the two lever switch, I still haven't found a good use for it.  Then again, I've never bothered with the custom user settings either.

 

 

I would like to add better weather sealing, specially for dust ingress to this list, otherwise my list of improvements on a new D-Lux is on the same path as you, add tilt-screen, and the stacked sensor they use in the OM-1 and OM-3's!

[MinRas]

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Hi,

My short review

Normally I am M shooter M11P and M3 and last year bought Q3 28 for travel, fishing and cycling activities as smaller and faster camera but found that Q3 bigger than my M's  and no benefits at all when carry, as for sharpness yes but for my taste too much then added mist filter to add some character and look but no help clinic sharp pictures with no character at the end. I have sold Q3 and kept taking pictures with M's , but ... my eye accidentally caught dlux8 anniversary edition, first reaction was - whaat micra no way  for that price ... nope   but after some reviews said OK let it be will try, because I prefer real world testing by my self and wow I found ir very good balanced camera in size and image quality with plenty of sharpness and character with good SOOC and leica color science for jpegs.

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[Okiedokie]

I’ll never understand the negativity around this camera.  
 

I’ve owned a lot of smaller, every day carry cameras. The DL8 has been in my bag every day since I bought it. It’s a joy to use, it’s reliable and it produces images far beyond what people expect from it. And makes it look easy. 
 

I think a lot is lost in translation when people look at specs on a sheet. But much like a Toyota may share common elements with a Lexus, one has been engineered and refined to be premium.  

I think there’s a trap we’ve fallen into where we expect new every year or every generation. New sensors, new lenses. I don’t think that’s always necessary. Leica has built a refined and capable camera that can handle about anything you throw at it and produces excellent images.  
 

In my opinion, the images on this camera are superior to the competitors: Ricoh GR, X100VI, etc. The only exception I’ve seen mentioned is tbe LUMIX S9, which is compact and full framed. That camera is phenomenal and I love it but the lenses make it too bulky for every day carry for me. 

[F-train]

Keeping an eye open for a used D-Lux 8, I did notice there are quite a lot in supply at MPB.
Odd for a new model.

[maxinmanhattan]

I like d-lux 8.  it is so small and easy to use, and the auto-focus is so fast.  the image quality is very good for such a small camera, especially if you view it on bigger screen. one just needs to use it more, get familiar with its strength and weakness.   

I like this YouTube review.  the guy used d-lux 8 to produce great portraits.  if you are not pixel peeping, you will be extremely happy with d-lux 8.

 

Edited August 15 by maxinmanhattan

[maxinmanhattan]

On 4/15/2025 at 11:12 AM, S Maclean said:

Is it an M, or an SL, or an S, or a Q? no.

Does it have character and is it great to carry and use? yes.

My wife leaves it on A mode, F2 and walks around happily taking shots of whatever fancies her. ISO 200/400 during the day, 3200 at night. Done.

 

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well said.  bringing back the pure joy of taking photos.  

[maxinmanhattan]

and this guy is using d-lux 8 for street photography, a superb job.

 

https://youtu.be/5aKxCQJFUWE?si=TxAAYojwEtsbxksP

Edited August 17 by maxinmanhattan

[mdrips]

I’ve been shooting photos since the 60s when my father gave me a Leica he brought back from the war.

I’ve owned a lot of camera gear over the decades.

That said, I love my D Lux 8. The camera just grows on you.

I have to make a special effort to carry my larger cameras now, because the D Lux 8 is so convenient to carry.

[tedsalad]

Only joined this forum last week. Not sure what’s going on with this site, posted my first review of this camera last week and the site not showing it from what I can see. 
Did loads of research into this camera before buying as it’s very expensive for what it is. Had a D Lux 4 in 2010 that took fantastic pictures, pin sharp. Sold all my Fujifilm XT4 etc to buy this as wanted a compact camera again. Returned from holiday last week and loaded my 100 images into LightRoom on my Mac. 
Blimey, they are so bad lol. Fuzzy, soft, no detail, very disappointed! I shoot in RAW (DNG). Went out again to take some more photos around where I live, setting up the camera with the aperture myself and let this camera pick the ISO and shutter speed. I know for a fact that if I use f 11 ( normally lol ) and focus in the correct place I’ll get front to back sharp focus in the image. Not with this camera, had to edit the life out of the ones that I have saved. I have a small personal website if anyone wants to check out (www.lightartist.uk ) the few I’ve posted there from this camera, it’s in “ images” then the Leica D-Lux 8 folder. Give you an example of one of those images, the leaves on the ground with the people at top of image, nothing in focus at all, shot at f 11 , ISO 640 @ 1/60 sec. Edited that image a lot to get something. Maybe it’s me ? I’ve only been into photography for about forty five years. Maybe there’s something wrong with the camera? My old iPhone 6s took better pictures. Maybe the ISO is too high as I normally set the camera manually at  around 100/200, but all the YouTube reviews I saw were raving about the images shot at ISO’s in the thousands. 
Next time I take it out I’ll also set the ISO low myself and just let the camera pick the speed , see what happens then. I can get sharp hand held images at 1/20th second, quite a few on my site are at that speed or thereabouts. 

[Le Chef]

I’m only taking my DL8 to the LSI conference in Montreal this week. No issues whatsoever.

If your DL8 is not working to your satisfaction have you checked all your settings e.g. you’ve not set the camera to shoot macro. Also as  @jaapv says show your images here so we can see for ourselves and also share your settings.

Edited October 20 by Le Chef

[tedsalad]

1 hour ago, Le Chef said:

I’m only taking my DL8 to the LSI conference in Montreal this week. No issues whatsoever.

If your DL8 is not working to your satisfaction have you checked all your settings e.g. you’ve not set the camera to shoot macro. Also as  @jaapv says show your images here so we can see for ourselves and also share your settings.

Sorry new to this site. The site only letting me add one image (around 500k), no idea why it won't let me add more. It was shot at ISO 500, 1/60 sec @ f11. F stop I use a lot to get focus all the way through the image, focus about a third of the way in on the leaves. I also tried focusing on the person sitting and got a similar result. The image is the edited version, done in Lightroom.

Further info I shoot RAW DNG, at the moment I let the camera do the ISO and shutter speed and I choose the f stop, but may change that to just letting the camera choose the shutter speed as I normally set my cameras at lowest possible ISO, 100/200. I've set the focus area to "field view" (think that's what it is) on a YouTube recommendation for the camera. On doing my research into this before buying I watched many YouTube programs about this camera and most were good reviews with some like mine here. They kept going on about great image quality at very high ISO settings into the thousands. I don't suffer from shaking hands lol, the image stabilisation is set on anyway. I have many images on my website taken at f 11 with a shutter speed of 1/20.

Please tell me I'm doing something wrong lol . I'm open to criticism.

 

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Edited October 20 by tedsalad

[Le Chef]

It looks like you are focusing on the leaves rather than the individual farther away. Do you focus and half press the shutter to retain focus? Did you try focusing on the individual?

[tedsalad]

51 minutes ago, Le Chef said:

It looks like you are focusing on the leaves rather than the individual farther away. Do you focus and half press the shutter to retain focus? Did you try focusing on the individual?

At f11 focusing on leaves about third of way into image, holding down shutter half way , recomposing and took. Also took another two focused on man sitting down , recomposing and took . Both coming out same, no detail at all as if took with a 30 year old Nokia mobile phone lol. To say I’m disappointed with this camera is an understatement. I also took a few more that afternoon trying to get that detail using f11 front to back in focus like I’ve done thousands of times using other cameras, not one came out any good . 
Been into photography since mid 1970’s, I know what I’m doing and have never experienced such bad images as from this camera. I had a D-Lux 4 many years ago which I loved , one of the reasons I got this one. 

Edited October 20 by tedsalad
Add more info

[Le Chef]

You could post your settings here and ask this forum to check and see if any setting might be problematic. I would also check that you have the appropriate corrects set in whatever post program you are using. 

If you search for “Posting images” on this site, you will see what the accepted specs are.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Lux

[jaapv]

Focus rule no.1: If you want something to be critically sharp, focus on it. Don’t rely on DOF. DOF is the zone of acceptable UNsharpness.