Have a CL. Thinking of swapping for a D-Lux 8. Thoughts?

[elambo]

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I'm a photography hobbyist, I'll put it that way. I know my way around a camera but I don't actually use it often and when I do I don't dig deep into the trenches with customized compositions. I'll stray away from the Auto settings but not like many here do.

So while I love the images I'm getting from the CL, and the user experience is enjoyable, I find that I don't bring it out because, with a good zoom lens (I tend to use zoom a lot), it's just too bulky. That's a shame, but that's how it is.

I had a D-Lux (109) and always liked it, but I wanted to improve my IQ a few years back so I traded to the CL. And here I am considering swapping in the opposite direction.

I've never used the newer D-Lux 8 but I imagine its IQ is a bit closer to the CL I have now than the 109 was. So maybe I'll be content with the more portable Leica, and maybe I'll bring it out with me more often.

For those who are familiar with both models, do you think I'd have regrets once I get images into LR? I know I'll be happier with the portability of the D-Lux, just curious about the final pics.

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[lct]

I gave my daughter a D-Lux 8 for her wedding but i used it only for a couple of shootings. My compact camera is an Panasonic Lx100 that shares the same Leica zoom as the D-Lux AFAIK. Compared to the CL, the latter has a larger sensor and has the advantage of compatibility with M lenses, when the D-Lux is a fixed lens camera. IQ wise they look close but this is a subjective matter. The lens of the D-Lux is faster than zooms fo the CL and its closeups capabilities are handy. Hope this helps.

[DenverSteve]

Obviously everyone's needs and shooting preferences are different.  I have used the Cl for years as well as having owned the D'lux 7 & 8.  While I found applications for the D'lux cameras, and the IQ was very good but I didn't enjoy the experience of shooting with them.  I sold the 7 when they were discontinued and after the 8 came out I purchased that.  The IQ isn't to the standard of the CL, especially when you factor in you have the flexibility of choosing the lens you carry on the CL.  I only use Leica lenses on my CL and have found it to be, unless pixel-peeping which I don't do, as good as any other Leica camera.  I almost always carry a CL when I'm shooting with a Q or M camera to allow me to have a zoom lens to compliment my fixed lens cameras.  Obviously your experience will be yours. 

I will say that after buying my Q3, I sold my original CL but after about 6 months I missed it so much I purchased another.  I won't be selling this one.  If you think the CL is too bulky with a larger zoom, every other camera would be also.  I don't find the 18-56 on the CL bulky at all.  The D'lux 8 lens has an equivalent lens of 24-75 and the CL with the 18-56 has a full-frame equivalent of 27-84 so they are pretty even as far as field of view with the CL having a greater reach and a 1.6x larger sensor.  

The most important thing, to me, is to find a camera (regardless of make or model) that will make you want to have it with you all the time. 

[elambo]

1 hour ago, DenverSteve said:

Obviously everyone's needs and shooting preferences are different.  I have used the Cl for years as well as having owned the D'lux 7 & 8.  While I found applications for the D'lux cameras, and the IQ was very good but I didn't enjoy the experience of shooting with them.  I sold the 7 when they were discontinued and after the 8 came out I purchased that.  The IQ isn't to the standard of the CL, especially when you factor in you have the flexibility of choosing the lens you carry on the CL.  I only use Leica lenses on my CL and have found it to be, unless pixel-peeping which I don't do, as good as any other Leica camera.  I almost always carry a CL when I'm shooting with a Q or M camera to allow me to have a zoom lens to compliment my fixed lens cameras.  Obviously your experience will be yours. 

I will say that after buying my Q3, I sold my original CL but after about 6 months I missed it so much I purchased another.  I won't be selling this one.  If you think the CL is too bulky with a larger zoom, every other camera would be also.  I don't find the 18-56 on the CL bulky at all.  The D'lux 8 lens has an equivalent lens of 24-75 and the CL with the 18-56 has a full-frame equivalent of 27-84 so they are pretty even as far as field of view with the CL having a greater reach and a 1.6x larger sensor.  

The most important thing, to me, is to find a camera (regardless of make or model) that will make you want to have it with you all the time. 

After having MANY cameras of all types, selling most but keeping a select few, it comes down to your last sentence for me as well. Most cameras that I'd consider at this stage will have the potential for taking great shots, but if I don't want to leave the house with it then the conversation is over.

And that's the heart of what I'm exploring: what I may lose in IQ could (so it seems) be gained in mobilization and usability, and I might be more likely to bring a camera at times when, with the CL, I wouldn't.

Great comments -- thanks!

[Einst_Stein]

You will definitely see IQ difference, at least in the sense of adajustabikity in post processing. You will definitely feel the difference in carrying. How you would compromise only you can tell. Between me and my wife, she chooses D8 while I CL/XV. 

[tom0511]

I own many different cameras, including cl system, sl3, M and some months ago added a DLux 8.

I habe used the DLux 8 much more than I thought I would. Its the smallest cam Inhabe used which still feels like a real camera. I like the aparture wheel, the viewfinder, its shutter noise is not as loud as the cl, but its still very Compact to carry.

if it was my one and only camera system I might prefer the flexibility, MP of the CL. 
as a smaller alternetive to another system the dlux8 is really fun. It has replaced my ricoh grd3.

two things I dont like about dlux8…if you switch off and on again it takes forwever. Also sometimes the focus point moves accidently in the corner, dont know whx. Maybe my nose on the display.

and I wish for step zoom.

If you dont print big, and if you want a small flexible camera, which still feels like a real camera in regards of user interface, the D Lux 8 is attractive.

[elambo]

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2 hours ago, tom0511 said:

I own many different cameras, including cl system, sl3, M and some months ago added a DLux 8.

I habe used the DLux 8 much more than I thought I would. Its the smallest cam Inhabe used which still feels like a real camera. I like the aparture wheel, the viewfinder, its shutter noise is not as loud as the cl, but its still very Compact to carry.

if it was my one and only camera system I might prefer the flexibility, MP of the CL. 
as a smaller alternetive to another system the dlux8 is really fun. It has replaced my ricoh grd3.

two things I dont like about dlux8…if you switch off and on again it takes forwever. Also sometimes the focus point moves accidently in the corner, dont know whx. Maybe my nose on the display.

and I wish for step zoom.

If you dont print big, and if you want a small flexible camera, which still feels like a real camera in regards of user interface, the D Lux 8 is attractive.

I often had that problem with my nose adjusting the focal point. An annoyance for sure. And I remember that long startup time with the 109. I missed quite a few shots because of it. I was actually hoping that had improved with the newer 8.

[tom0511]

the startup is better, but for some reason shutting off and on without a break takes forever. Ihad this when accidentally shutting off and immediately shutting on again to take an image.

Edited 6 hours ago by tom0511

[Photon42]

On 10/23/2025 at 3:44 AM, elambo said:

I'm a photography hobbyist, I'll put it that way. I know my way around a camera but I don't actually use it often and when I do I don't dig deep into the trenches with customized compositions. I'll stray away from the Auto settings but not like many here do.

So while I love the images I'm getting from the CL, and the user experience is enjoyable, I find that I don't bring it out because, with a good zoom lens (I tend to use zoom a lot), it's just too bulky. That's a shame, but that's how it is.

I had a D-Lux (109) and always liked it, but I wanted to improve my IQ a few years back so I traded to the CL. And here I am considering swapping in the opposite direction.

I've never used the newer D-Lux 8 but I imagine its IQ is a bit closer to the CL I have now than the 109 was. So maybe I'll be content with the more portable Leica, and maybe I'll bring it out with me more often.

For those who are familiar with both models, do you think I'd have regrets once I get images into LR? I know I'll be happier with the portability of the D-Lux, just curious about the final pics.

A camera which you bring out will always make better photos than the one which you do not bring along. That is a first level decision. The second level may be about IQ then. I had the CL for some time as a kind of autofocus version of an M. You can easily do things with the CL you cannot do with the DLUX8. I have the Eight (and other toys) and enjoy it for exactly the times where a larger cameras feels out of place. Image quality is great in my eyes and Lightroom can always help in getting noise down and resolution up if required.

I suggest you buy or rent the DLUX and photograph with it for some months. Maybe it turns out it is still to large to bring it along ... You can always sell the CL later. I do not think the prices of CLs on the secondary market will tank a lot until then.

[ceflynn]

9 minutes ago, Photon42 said:

A camera which you bring out will always make better photos than the one which you do not bring along. That is a first level decision. The second level may be about IQ then. I had the CL for some time as a kind of autofocus version of an M. You can easily do things with the CL you cannot do with the DLUX8. I have the Eight (and other toys) and enjoy it for exactly the times where a larger cameras feels out of place. Image quality is great in my eyes and Lightroom can always help in getting noise down and resolution up if required.

I suggest you buy or rent the DLUX and photograph with it for some months. Maybe it turns out it is still to large to bring it along ... You can always sell the CL later. I do not think the prices of CLs on the secondary market will tank a lot until then.

Jono Slack: Testing the Leica CL

[elambo]

I'd mentioned this in my CL post but didn't put it here. Yesterday as I was cleaning up the CL to sell it I removed the case and put the tiny Elmarit 18mm lens back on and it was suddenly, once again, a compact camera, not much unlike a D-Lux 8 would be. I also reset all settings and was forced to reconsider everything from scratch. After taking these steps I'm having trouble justifying a sale as it has once again become a portable Leica with great image potential. So, for the time being, I'm keeping it and hoping to remind myself to take it with me more often. I feel good about this because even the best offer for a used CL wouldn't be anywhere near what it's actually worth, and I'd lose money in a swap for a new D-Lux 8, which makes no sense.

The only real loss is the zoom capabilities of the D-Lux. That's a major loss in some situations, but I could get more comfortable with cropping in LR as many others do.

[lct]

Not really the same size though.

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As much as i liked it, i could not make my CL a pocketable camera, even with pancake lenses like this.

Let alone with zoom lenses that are more bulky.

Edited 2 hours ago by lct

[Einst_Stein]

Pocketable leica, Leica grip is the answer! Or, even without Leica grip, just any smart phone.