In the field of compact cameras Leica is a name that has earned the respect of many photographers from the very beginning. These are characterized by their slim and stylish outlook, superb lens and excellent performance. The new Leica D-Lux 8 is no exception to this rule and with it the company have produced yet another great companion for both the advanced amateur and professional alike. It is that camera which is almost similar to the D-Lux 7 but has a new look, new user interface and the viewfinder has been boosted to a new level. This camera is not exclusive for the professional photographers, but for enthusiasts who will benefit from a powerful, portable and yet compact camera.
What is New in the Leica D-Lux 8?
The D-Lux series was already a powerful one, and Leica has made it even better with the D-Lux 8. Following are the features that are new in this model and make it better than the previous model, namely the D-Lux 7. Right from the body of the camera to the interface, Leica has made enough tweaks in this model that would suit today’s photographer.
The most apparent changes are the improved, 2. 36M dots OLED viewfinder that gives another level of clarity and involving feel to shooting and with a renewed user interface that is far more understandable and responsive. Also, the D-Lux 8 has a SD card slot that accepts UHS-II cards and this means that the write speed is much faster as well as the speed in which the files can be handled.
Key Specifications
To anyone who would be in the market making a purchase, it is important to understand the specifications of a camera. The Leica D-Lux 8 has quite a comfortable set of features that helps it to surpass the majority of the rivals in the compact camers. Here’s a quick rundown:
• Sensor: From the sensor of Four Thirds (17. 3 x 13mm) CMOS sensor to gain the best quality picture up to 17MP from total 22MP.
• Lens: Included variable F1. 7-2. 8 24-75mm equivalent (10. 9-34mm) Power OIS lens.
• Shooting Speed: 7. 2fps in Single autofocus, up to 11fps without Single autofocus.
• File Formats: Stores DNG Raw files to allow a photographer to make as many edits as possible on an image.
• Viewfinder: Larger 2. 36M dot OLED viewfinder to make what you’re shooting much easier to see.
• Display: A 1. 84M dot rear touchscreen for an easy and comfortable operation.
• User Interface: More user friendly interface for better user convenience.
• Card Compatibility: It supports the UHS-II cards for handling data at a faster rate than other standards, not limited to the following.
• Port: USB-C 5Gbps port for the enhanced data transfer speed.
These specifications depict a camera that is tasked not only with abilities to snap pictures but to do this with certain accuracy and in detail.
Design and Build Quality
Leica brand is closely associated with high build quality and the same can be said with the D-Lux 8. The camera also comes with a stiff well built compact body which feels very strong in our hands. The matte finish makes it look rather professional and the metal construction guarantees the product’s longevity. But it is surprising to know that the D-Lux 8 houses a multitude of factors that make it an efficient companion for photographers despite it small stature.
Control placement is user friendly and the main parameters to change are located on the first page – shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Some of the buttons and dials are of rubber like material and they offer good feedback while turning them for making adjustments on the devices. All in all, i can say that the Panasonic D-Lux 8 does not compromise a lot of things in terms of portability and capability.
Sensor and Image Quality
The Leica D-Lux 8 is home to a Four Thirds CMOS sensor of 22MP and an effective resolution of up to 17MP. This sensor is one of the biggest enablers of this camera’s potential of producing high quality images. The primary advantage of a larger camera sensor in comparison with other compact cameralogger designs is that it contributes to more light being captured and thus the formation of finer detailed resolution images irrespective of the darker environment.
When it comes to colors the D-Lux 8 stands out with the outstanding colors that are typical for the Leica cameras. The D-Lux 8 excels in landscape, portrait photography and even the good old fashion street photography because it produces crispy images.
Lens Performance
The Leica D-Lux 8 is built around a lens that has to be considered one of this camera’s most powerful selling points. The camera is comes with a 24-75 mm equivalent (10. 9-34 mm) F1. 7-2. 8 OIS lens. This zoom is perfect to play around from wide angle shots like the whole scene of a landscape to close up shots of a face.
The lens is also bright, with aperture range whereby sufficient amounts of light can penetrate through this lens, best for a variety of shooting conditions. They added the optical image stabilization which is really helpful in achieving very clear pictures even while taking a picture at slower shutter speeds while holding the camera. It’s easy to take really good pictures with this device regardless of whether you are in the middle of the day or at night.
User Interface and Controls
Leica has enhanced the usage of camera’s interface in D-Lux 8 to make it easier to use and simple. Organizers were able to make the interface more minimalistic with the simplified menu that is also easy to understand. This is especially important for the photographers, especially when they have to tweak up their camera settings on the go.
The camera also holds a 1. 84M dots rear, fully touch sensitive interface, which of course is an added bonus. The control on the camera is well designed and is touch screen hence the user can easily change the settings, view images and also use the menu. In case you do not like the touch screen controls the camera offers mechanical dials for shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation making shooting a more classic affair.
Viewfinder and Display
A new feature for the photographers seen in the Leica D-Lux 8 includes the larger, 2. 36M dot OLED viewfinder. Here, the manufacturers have stepped up their output from the D-Lux 7 by providing a better and more detailed viewfinder. The OLED technology gives rich and accurate colors and awesome blacks, which makes it easier to get your shots right especially when shooting in broad daylight.
The reverse display is also bright and it has a 1. 84M dot resolutions enabling you to view your pictures clearly and without any blur. A few other things that anyone would appreciate are the touch screen feature associated with the device as this ensures that one can zoom, swipe through a photo, or even adjust a setting.
Performance and Speed
It is where the Leica D-Lux 8 really excels in offering me the quality performance that I want for my photography. The camera powers up in a blink of an eye and the autofocus of the camera is very fast and very precise. It is a high shooting speed digital camera that has a shooting speed of up to 11fps without the autofocus option therefore making it capable of capturing fast action.
This mode comes in handy in action shots most especially because you do not want to miss that shot. The processing power is also a great feature of the camera especially when it comes to taking stills or issuing a video. The digital and optical zoom capability allows for good handling of complex scenes making the D-Lux 8 ideal to be used by photography enthusiasts.
Video Capabilities
Aside from being an excellent still image taker, the Leica D-Lux 8 is also a good video cam. Video recording is demanding offering 4K at 30fps, characterized by excellent image detail and accurate colours. Stabilised lens and af system makes it easy to produce sharp, cinematic nice looking videos.
Moreover, with multiple video format support in camera, there is room for enhancing on the post-production stage. With features targeting vloggers, content creators, or those who love recording family events the video quality of D-Lux 8 does not fall short.
Battery Life and Storage
Another key determinant in the camera is its battery life and in the Leica D-Lux 8, I noted an adequate outcome. Battery performance is also promising; having a battery charge akin to that of a DIGIC 6, the camera can shoot about 300-350 shots per charge in normal use. In case of extensive shooting it is recommended to carry a back up battery along.
UHS-II cards which not only increase the write speed but also increases speed of data transfer is supported by the D-Lux 8. This is especially important especially when taking pictures with the burst feature active or when performing high definition video recording. The 5Gbps USB-C port provides higher speed to transfer or back up the captured moments or emotional stories and all the pictures of beautiful moments that can be stored in other devices.
Comparison with Competitors
Among the compact cameras available in the market today, it is easy to notice that the Leica D-Lux 8 with the following features: large sensor, a bright lens, and high build quality. It may lack the removable lens of a mirrorless camera but it offers most of the convenience that such a camera offers to the use.
In a way of direct comparison, D-Lux 8 can be compared with the Fujifilm X100 series with large sensor and a prime lens. However, the D-Lux 8 comes with a zoom lens which can be advantageous since the photographer does not have to carry different lenses in different moments since everything has been incorporated in one camera.
Pros and Cons
Pros
• Build is of quite a high quality and the design matches the series’ aesthetics well.
• Very good image quality due to the big Four Third photographic sensor.
• Convenient, all-around glass with Optical Image Stabilization.
• Ease of use, and adding well-designed touch screen.
• A better viewfinder for enhanced subject framing.
• Speed as fast focus with fast focus on capabilities and high rates of shooting.
Cons
• Battery life could be better.
• Limited zoom range compared to interchangeable lens cameras.
• Price point may be high for some users.
Who Should Buy the Leica D-Lux 8?
The Leica D-Lux 8 is an ideal camera for photography lovers, who seek to have excellent image quality, but do not wish to carry heavy camera around. It is a great film for people with a point-and-shoot style of photography, g bank photography, as well as travel photography. Depending on one’s needs and budget the D-Lux 8 is a decent second camera for photographers who use a professional DSLR or Mirrorless camera and is a fine Camera for beginners.
Conclusion
The Leica D-Lux 8 is an extremely powerful compact camera which reflects the best of what Leica manufactures. It has a large sensor coupled with a bright lens shade, together with a clearly arranged operating system, it is the camera that is prepared to capture almost anything. It can be viewed as perfect for the enthusiasts needing want a step up from their current mirrorless or for professionals requiring a small companion.
