Leica continues compacts with D-Lux 8 featuring four thirds type sensor: Digital Photography Review
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Image: Leica
Leica has announced that it will introduce the D-Lux8 premium compact camera on July 2nd, showing a continued commitment to compacts.
The company hasn’t issued full specs yet, but the D-Lux8 appears to be an updated D-Lux7 with both physical styling cues and an updated menu system that more closely resemble the Q3 fixed-lens full frame model.
Image: Leica
Like its predecessors, the D-Lux8 shares most of its specifications with Panasonic’s LX series of cameras, but it’s notable that there isn’t (yet) an LX100 III to correspond to the new Leica model. Until we have full specs we won’t know how much has changed, compared with the D-Lux7 and LX100 II.
Leica says the D-Lux8 will be its first D-Lux model to shoot DNG Raws and that it will come bundled with a flash.
4:3
3:2
16:9
1:1
The multi-aspect concept uses concentric crops of the sensor to maintain the diagonal angle of view even when you change aspect ratios. This means it never uses the entire sensor area.
The camera is still based around a 10.9-34mm (24-75mm equiv) F1.7-2.8 zoom and offers a series of crops from a four-thirds type (17.3 x 13mm) sensor. The lens doesn’t cover the entire sensor, so you can only get up to 17MP images from the 21MP chip, but the 3:2, 4:3 and 16:9 crops are designed to maintain the same diagonal angle-of-view, so they all maintain a true 24-75mm equivalent view. As before a switch on top of the lens encourages experimentation with these crops.
The camera gains a higher resolution 1.84M dot (960 x 640px) rear screen and an updated viewfinder. The D-Lux8 uses a 2.36M dot (1024 x 768px) viewfinder, which may sound like a downgrade compared with the 2.76M dot figure of the D-Lux7, but will be an improvement for many people. Read the spec of the old model closely and you’ll find it says the finder was 2.76M dot “equivalent,” indicating the use of a field-sequential finder that updated red, then green, then blue information one after the other. The move to a conventional OLED finder with a red, green and blue ‘dot’ at each pixel location will avoid the unpleasant ‘tearing’ effect if you moved the camera quickly or blinked between color refreshes.
The new camera will also feature a USB-C socket over which it can be charged.
The D-Lux8 will be available from July 2nd with a list price of $1595.
Image: Leica
Press Release:
Leica announces the continuation of compact digital cameras with the upcoming launch of the Leica D-Lux 8 on 2nd July 2024
Teaneck, NJ, May 23rd 2024. Leica Camera AG will launch the new Leica D-Lux 8 on July 2nd 2024. In 2003, the German premium manufacturer introduced the first D-Lux. Eight generations and numerous special editions later, the D-Lux has solidified its position in the top-quality segment of Leica’s digital compact cameras.
The new D-Lux 8 brings the quintessential Leica experience into a more compact and accessible form. The overall user experience and iconic design are a testament to the excellence of the legendary Leica brand, recognized globally as a leader in the field. For enhanced user comfort, the controls have been simplified and ergonomically repositioned, while the user interface, inspired by the popular Leica Q-Cameras, has become even more user friendly. The D-Lux 8 features a 4/3” CMOS sensor offering 21MP (effective 17 MP), the fast Leica DC Vario-Summilux 10.9–34 mm f/1.7–2.8 ASPH. lens (35mm equivalent to 24-75 mm), intuitive design and seamless connectivity with the Leica FOTOS app. The flash included with the camera further expands the versatility of the D-Lux 8.
In addition to the camera, a new range of accessories will be introduced. These include a hand grip, carrying straps, wrist straps, and leather protectors available in multiple colors. Additional accessories such as an automatic lens cap, soft release buttons, and a selection of bags, including a hip bag, crossbody bag, and equipment bag, expand the camera’s portfolio.
The Leica D-Lux 8 will be available globally on July 2, 2024 at all Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store, and through authorized dealers. The US retail price will be $1,595.
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