Leica Digilux 2First let me say, this is probably the coolest camera I’ve ever owned. To be fair, I should state I own the Panasonic Lumix DMC LC1, which is the identical camera… with the only exceptions being it is completely finished in black and doesn’t carry the little Leica red dot. It’s also about $300 less than its $1895 Leica counterpart.

This is the first point and shoot I’ve owned that allows me to leave my big rigs at home while giving me the peace of mind that I’ll come home with shots I’m proud of. Sure, I don’t have a bag full of lenses that allow me to create on a whim… but so what? This minimal tool make me think. What’s more important is I know the image quality and camera’s performance will be top notch.


Leica Digilux 2What I really get a kick out of is how the LEICA DIGILUX 2 camera combines the best of two worlds. Modern digital technology and the proven concepts of traditional analog photography are joined in a harmonious combination. The sharpness, aperture, focal length and shutter speeds can be controlled just like those on a classic single-lens-reflex camera. Just adjust setting rings on the lens and a shutter speed dial.

The lens, sensor and the electronics are optimally tailored to one another. And the 2/3-inch CCD sensor pretty large for its resolution of 5 million pixels. The combination of high-performance lens and large surface per picture element produces great pictorial quality.

The feel of this camera is great. It’s like holding the classic Leica range finder. It’s a solid piece. And having the controls right where they’re “supposed to be” is very cool. There’s an air of simplicity to whole experience of using this camera.

The lens is superb… and why not? It’s Leica. You have a nice zoom range that is the 35mm equivalent of 28 - 90mm. A little longer on the telephoto end would be nicer, but the quality more than makes up for it. I’d have to say that the image quality (at a glance) of this glass nearly rivals that of my favorite Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L Series lens. I should also give a nod to the Macro feature on the lens too… it does a pretty nice job.


The secret is in the Leica lensOne gripe is the viewfinder. While the LCD screen on the back is nice and big, looking through the viewfinder also reveals an LCD image. First, I don’t like the “look”… and second, the image freezes while the camera records each shot. Considering the camera has a pretty darn good handle on shutter lag and burst shooting, the post shutter image freeze kind of ties your hands a bit.

However, I’m not using the camera under stressful conditions, so it’s not a big deal, and… believe it or not, I’m starting to use the back screen for composing and actually beginning to like it.

I’ve noticed I need to be careful in post processing not to push to hard on the contrast. Images shot at 400ISO can bring up some color noise if you’re not careful. The good news is, the images and crisp, colorful and saturated right out of the camera. So a lot of post is not usually needed.

You’ll need a bigger SD card than the 64mb one that comes with the camera. A 512mb is probably a pretty good match for the battery as it tends to yield about 350 - 500 images per charge. I use a 1gb and it works out perfect.

As I said, this has to be the coolest walk-around camera I’ve ever owned. It’s nice to go casual and know your images will live up to your standards. This camera makes taking fun pictures fun again.

If you get a chance to hold one in your hands, be forewarned, you’re going to fall in love.

IMAGE GALLERY

The LEICA DIGILUX 2 (Panasonic Lumix DMC LC1) at a glance

Fast 7 – 22.5 mm LEICA DC VARIO SUMMICRON f/2 – f/2.4 ASPH. zoom lens (equivalent to a 28 - 90 mm zoom lens on a 35 mm camera)
 
2/3” CCD sensor with 5.0 million pixels
 
Analog photography feeling conveyed by manual setting possibilities directly at the lens
 
Its traditional clear design readily identifies it as a typical Leica
 
Transfer-reflexive 2,5“ display with a resolution of 211,000 pixels and outstanding brilliance
 
Electronic viewfinder with 235,000 pixels that covers 100% of the picture being taken
 
fast Autofocus:
- only 500ms/600ms including focusing (with 28 mm/90mm settings)

short shutter release delay:
- only 94ms with manual focusing
 
Extra large picture storage card with 64 MB
 
Interval timing and control via the PC
 
Connections:
USB 2.0 (High Speed); DC IN; AV output with option of PAL or NTSC; Remote release cable
 
Extremely robust and long-lived because of the use of high-grade materials and precision fabrication