Digilux 2 Compared with D-Lux 4

[mbury]

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Any thoughts or experiences with respect to image comparison between the two??

 

I'm itching to sell the Digilux 2 to get a D-Lux 4.

 

 

Thanks for your insights.

 

 

- Michael

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[John Thawley]

Any thoughts or experiences with respect to image comparison between the two??

 

I'm itching to sell the Digilux 2 to get a D-Lux 4.

 

 

Thanks for your insights.

 

 

- Michael

 

Two different animals, really. I've owned the D-Lux 3 .... and had a D-Lux 4 Titanium on order (though may cancel given the confusion over the production numbers).

 

My D-Lux 3, while a neat little camera, sits on the shelf. I shoot with my Digilux 2 endlessly. I'm crazy about the camera.

 

But, you'd need to consider how you want to shoot. If you want something small and in your pocket, the D-Lux 4 seems to put out very nice files. If you've grown fond of the quick access to the camera controls of the Digilux 2, I fear the D-Lux 4 might frustrate you.

 

Of course, your Digilux 2 is only 5mp and hasn't much of a buffer... and the limited ISO can be challenging.

 

Still... definitely two different cameras.

 

JT

[mbury]

OK.

 

But what about the actual images?

 

Camera bodies aside, how do the images compare?

 

 

Thanks again!

 

- Michael

[petewayne]

I'm afraid I cannot comment on an image comparison between the D2 and D4 as I am only a recent convert to the D Lux 4. However, over the years I have used a large number of Canon, Panasonic and Fuji P&S, primarily in location reccy's or to give a comparative perspective to a landscape shoot (primarily Canon DSLR and Mamiya ZD), and this is the first P&S which I have actually enjoyed using.

 

I primarily use the camera tripod mounted, low ISO and manual setting and this produces very clean RAW images, which edge-to-edge are pretty sharp out of camera requiring minimum PP (although I tend to process to B&W). Where I have shot handheld, I shoot with OIS off as I find that with small sensors image stabilisation overly softens the image (personal view!) but these images again have held their own.

 

Overall I can only recommend getting this little camera, especially if your not concerned about the "tele-end" as the wide angle images produced are excellent up to A3 print (largest I have had time to do yet )

[Overgaard]

Generally I think what makes you enthusiastic about shooting pictures is the right camera.

 

For my part, I get enthusiastic about the D-Lux 4 from time to time. Yesterday I asked my wife is she thought it would be fun to have one.

 

– "Instead of the D2," she asked

– "No, different camera. The D2 you can use manual, the D-Lux 4 you can't use manual the same way"

– "Then I prefer D2"

 

And I guess I feel the same. So my enthusiasm for the D-Lux 4 is (again) on a low point ;-)

 

But as you have the D2 and think about the D-Lux 4, perhaps it will give you something. I nothing else, a renewed enthusiasm for the D2 ;-)

 

Recommended reading is John's blog about small cameras: Motorsports Photographer ~ John Thawley :: Photography of American Le Mans, Grand Am, SPEED World Challenge - Journal - Tools, Toys and Treasures

[Guest flatfour]

There must be a technical reason but the Digilux 2 images are markedly better than the D-Lux 4. (My son has one) Perhaps it's the Summicron or the way the files are handled but it is quite noticeable at 10x8. I'm no expert but no doubt someone can give a full explanation.

[Tenor1]

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I have both cameras, the D2 for 2 months and the DL2 for 2 weeks. Both are new to me and I use them for very different things. I used the D2 for a luncheon taking about 100 portraits at a restaurant. These are THE FINEST shots I have ever done at this event. The pictures are without flash and produced the most natural skin tones. My opinion is to have both cameras if possible. There is something quite different and unique with pictures from the D2. It's a little too large in size for some of my needs and the DL4 fits those needs.

 

You can see a couple of shots from my DL4, one in "people" called portrait of a cello and one in "other" called Long Beach Aquarium. The DL4 has great flexibility with Kelvin settings for the white balance. This is a big deal to me as a lot of my photography is of aquariums.

[John Thawley]

I like Thorsten's comments about how your relationship to the camera effects your pictures. I couldn't agree more.

 

I grab my work camera's (Canon) and sadly, it's like my mind and the process automatically slips into almost "manufacturing" mode. I assume the position and start manufacturing pictures.

 

When I pick up my Digilux 2, time slows down... there's an entirely different relationship with my mind, the subject and the camera.

 

I also have a D-Lux 3 - It's a cool little camera and produces terrific images (and files)... but it doesn't connect with my head the same way. Sadly, I don't use it. If I was to buy a D-Lux 4 it would be the Titanium... though now it's rumored to be "not-so-limited" as originally reported, I'm not so interested. I think in the end, the D-Lux camera appeals to my "cool gadget" weakness. I certainly can't knock the photos I've taken with it. But I do feel I have favorite photos that I couldn't have taken with it.

 

JT

[Overgaard]

Also, another thing. I think I can speak for both John and I in saying that the D2 is a small and light camera. When you're used to carrying a roller with stuff and/or dSLR cameras for doing pictures, a D2 over the shoulder feels like nothing.

 

At least I carry mine to cafés, in supermarkets and all (I do that with the DMR as well, but that's a different story ;-)

 

The D-Lux 4 for me would be with a viewfinder (either the 24 mm that goes with it or the 21-24-28 one can get) so as to carry it in the pocket and take real sneaky pictures around places without anybody noticing. In my case, I would take out my lightmeter I always carry in the inner pocket and put the D-Lux 4 in there.

 

That would make me feel really sneaky and invisible )

 

As for IQ, I have no experience, except we played around with a D-Lux 3 last time skiing and that was really awful. But as with any equipment, I think it's a matter of getting to know the ins and outs - and then take control over the technology (as the D-Lux 4 was really born to be in control; and that's never the right position for a camera)

[Tenor1]

There is an error in my first response. I've had a DL4 for two weeks and I've also have a DL2 for a couple of years. These are two totally different cameras in performance but similar with the controls layout. The Digilux 2 is completely different from either of them.

 

For my use, the DL4 offers a lot of control compared to the DL2.

 

Regards,

Carlos Marques

[jeffkoontz]

Carlos,

 

I've been happy with my D-Lux 2 for several years, and am curious what you see as the most meaningful upgrades of the D-Lux 4? Picture quality is really that much better? Hot shoe? What other kind of control are you referring to..

 

Was scrolling through the forums to see exactly where the D-lux 4 really comes in compared to my D-Lux 2.

[Tenor1]

Welcome to the forum Jeff,

 

There is the hot shoe, but I was referring to a Kelvin control for the white balance. It's a great thing for aquarium pictures and that's what I like to take. I have not done any A-B testing in a controlled situation because I use the two cameras for completely different things and it never even occurred to me. Thus far my D2 pictures are all on auto, while the DL4 is all manual. I'm going to play with them tonight and post some pics. I really can't imagine any camera doing better than the D2. It's the small size of the DL4 that comes in more handy for many of my situations.

 

What is funny between the two is when I use the D2 I never have to take it off from auto. When I use the DL4 my first impulse is to change settings. But like I said, my use of them is totally opposite.

 

Regards,

Carlos Marques

[rycm]

SOld (D2) mine off due little us.. hated electronic viewfinder that is slow, laggy, and zero buffer for RAW. Happy with the D-lux 4 (LX-3). I use the M8 in place of the D2.

[Tenor1]

Hi rycm,

 

Does the M8 make a better picture than the D2? I've never felt the same irritations as you with the D2.

 

Regards,

Carlos Marques

[John Thawley]

I use the M8 in place of the D2.

 

I use the D2 and the extra $6K in place of the M8.

[Tenor1]

John, have you done low-light shooting with the D2? I have not and wondered how it compares to the M8 in that regard.

 

Regards,

Carlos Marques

[pleeson]

I use the D2 and the extra $6K in place of the M8.

 

Likewise.

Selling the M8 and using a Digilux 2 (and a V-Lux 1) was the smartest move I've made recently...

[cfc247]

I have both the D2 and the DLux4 and have to say that they are two very different cameras. The D2 is a dream ergonomically with more than competent image quality. Its only weakness would be low-light moving subjects, but what camera isn't weak here except for cameras like the Nikon D3.

 

The DL4 serves as my go everywhere camera and slips into my coat pocket. It is the p&s that is able to capture the spontaneous moment with creative control given to the user. For its class it is head and shoulders above others. The D2 is on paper a p&s but really more of a digital rangefinder.

 

Bottom line, I can't imagine not having either. Though I also have the Digilux 3 with R glass, the D2 is my camera when I want to be discreet without having the feeling of using a toy in my hands (as is the case withe D-lux 4). If you can help it get the dl4 and keep the D2. If you have to choose I would say it depends on what your greater need is: portability (dl4) or photographic quality in both the shooting experience and image (d2).

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Michael, I own both. Really 2 different animals, both very good. The D2 is in many ways a perfect Digital Leica. It just feels right in your hands. Virtually silent, light weight & handsome. The D-Lux 4 offers lots more options and is relatively more compact. You can't make a mistake with either camera. The D2 is a real classy classic. It will always have a mystic, always.

[farnz]

Any thoughts or experiences with respect to image comparison between the two?? I'm itching to sell the Digilux 2 to get a D-Lux 4. ...

Michael,

 

I've had the D2 for some years and traded the DL2 for the DL4 early on. Despite the DL4 having roughly twice as many pixels than the D2, I prefer the D2's pictures.

 

There's something special (and indefinable) about the D2's pictures, which have a certain glow 'straight out of the box' that, so far, the DL4 hasn't yet shown me. Don't get me wrong, the pictures from the DL4 are excellent and in my opinion are probably the pick of the bunch for p&s cameras, but the D2's pictures have something extra.

 

But don't take my word for it, have a look through this thread, which contains a large number of pictures taken with the D2: Do Digilux 2 Photos Have a Distinctive Look?.

 

Pete.