I get it. It is a Leica. Look at it.
I would not fault anyone for purchasing one.
- A good looking thing… That matters.
- Has an impressive lens blessed with Leica credentials.
- Surely it will create a fine image.
- You get to say you have a Leica.
I also understand why some will balk. $1,600 is a big ask for what could be called a rebadged, refreshed Panasonic LX100 II. But if it makes one happy, why not?
Regular visitors know the drill here. Whatever floats your boat.
But, I lean towards the latter camp personally. I am not built to pay such a premium for features I could get elsewhere. And having a Leica name is not enough.
My fascination with Leica centers on their rangefinder offerings. I found this out when I purchased a different non rangefinder Leica years ago. The Leica Q.
It took a wonderful photo.
The issue was as nice as it was it was not a rangefinder. The main reason why I want a Leica. What I had was a very nice Leica lens perma-fixed to a very un Leica like camera (Not a rangefinder.) that was missing features I could find elsewhere. Namely:
- Tilty-flippy screen.
- Top notch phase detect AF.
- Other lenses/focal lengths.
After much camera and lens experimentation, a more versatile setup won the day.
A better solution for me. But I do understand the allure of a Q.
Back to the D-Lux 8.
Here we are looking at a different class of camera. A truly tiny camera class rather than the small for a full frame camera options above.
Many raise the prior D-Lux cameras and LX100 cameras that they are based on as options. And they are right. But while less than $1,600 they are still quite pricey for what are MFT cameras with a zoom lens. A fine Leica zoom, but a zoom where I prefer primes. Also similar to the Q, with no rangefinder I have no interest. And for mainly that reason I would go a different way. More accurately as a coincidence, I already did go that way.
There are significant compromises compared to the D-Lux 8.
- Fewer MP.
- No built in EVF.
- No companion app.
- While not a bad looking camera, the D-Lux 8 has been hit with the Leica appearance stick.
But if one wishes an optional (much lower resolution) EVF is available. Or one could step up to a larger GX8 or the like for a bit more spend. They also share a fixed back screen but the D-Lux 8 has a touch screen. But the GF1 also has its advantages.
- Much lower cost.
- I paid less for the GF1 than the price of the D-Lux 8’s grip.
- I paid about the same for the GF1 and 20mm f/1.7 as the price of the case and strap for the D-Lux 8.
- Even smaller.
- Built in flash.
- Interchangeable lenses.
That last one is enough for me alone. And they share another thing. They are both capable of creating great images.
So. No Leica on the front. But this would be my choice.
That being said I wish those the best who do purchase the Leica D-Lux 8.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 