David Bridges
With compact and fashionable compact cameras like Fujifilm’s X100 VI all the rage for influencers, Leica has determined to soar once more into the recreation. The organization just unveiled the $1,595 D-Lux eight, a followup to the D-Lux 7 released way back in 2018. Although substantially restyled as opposed to the earlier style, it carries the precise very same 17-megapixel Micro 4 Thirds sensor and 24-75mm (35mm equivalent) f/1.7-two.eight lens as just ahead of.
The main was appropriately a rebadge of Panasonic’s LX100 II, but it can be not clear if the D-Lux eight is creating use of just the pretty very same sensor or an up-to-date version. In any case, Leica did not reveal a lot information, previous the sensor, resolution and lens, alongside with the new photos.
From the latter, we can see some important variances from the prior model. It has an all-black finish and leather-kind wrap, significantly like its complete-frame Q3 compact. The interface has also been simplified, with only a “participate in,” “menu” and d-pad style manage on the rear, with each other with two unlabeled buttons. On prime, you can uncover a electrical energy swap in place of the “4K” button. All of this is inspired by the Q lineup, the corporation reported.
Spec-wise, all the organization detailed is the sensor and lens, while saying it now supports Uncooked file capture, a initial for the D-lux lineup. Other attributes, like video clip, autofocus and far much more have nonetheless to be revealed.
Leica also has new elements which involve carrying straps, leather protectors, a flash and a hand grip. The corporation is also demonstrating an application, with no saying precisely what it does.
It would be a small bit disappointing if the D-Lux eight is just a spruced up model of the D-Lux 7, launched to take edge of compact digital camera trend created by Fujifilm’s X100 sequence. The aged model was a sound compact for its time, but offers contrast-detect alternatively of section-detect autofocus, with each other with tame photograph and on line video specs.
It certainly does appear wonderful, even even though, and that is been a important aspect in the compact digicam renaissance. And for these people today attracted to the Leica’s storied heritage and that iconic pink dot, $1,595 is as tiny a cost as you will at any time see for a new camera from the model.
Daniel Mercer
