[ad_1]
Introduction
The Leica D-Lux 8 is a premium compact digital camera with a 17 megapixel, multi-aspect Micro 4 Thirds sensor. It’s the successor to the D-Lux 7 mannequin that was launched six years in the past in 2018. The Dlux 8 options UHD 4K video recording at 30/24fps, a 24-75mm, f/1.7-2.8, 3.1x zoom lens, a 2.36m-dot OLED digital viewfinder, a 3.0″ 1.84m-dot touchscreen LCD monitor, 11fps burst taking pictures, an ISO vary of 100-25600, built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, a scorching shoe-mount for an exterior flash, and USB-C in-camera battery charging. The D Lux 8 is out there now in black priced at £1450 / €1590 / $1595 within the UK, Europe and USA respectively. A compact, attachable flash unit is included within the field. Learn our in-depth Leica D-Lux 8 digital digital camera evaluation to learn the way this premium compact carried out…
Ease of Use
Leica have basically refreshed the D-Lux 7 mannequin with a brand new management format and menu system impressed by the Q3 mirrorless digital camera system, a greater OLED viewfinder, higher-resolution LCD display, USB-C charging, UHS-II SD card assist, and DNG Uncooked output.
In any other case the brand new DLux 8 is basically the identical as its predecessor – which isn’t essentially a foul factor – utilising the identical sensor, processor, lens and auto-focus system. Because of this whereas the person expertise is markedly totally different, the ensuing photos from each cameras are very comparable if not equivalent.
Additionally fairly totally different is the asking worth. Whereas 6 years is a very long time on the earth of digital cameras, the soar from round £$€1000 to £1450 / €1590 / $1595 is fairly steep, making a second-hand D-Lux 7 or Panasonic Lumix LX100 II look very interesting if you’ll find one in good situation.
It additionally places the D-Lux 8 immediately within the firing line of the all-conquering Fujifilm X100 sequence, now in its sixth iteration. The X100VI has a hard and fast 35mm prime lens, so that you lose the flexibility of a zoom, however it does provide a bigger APS-C sensor with 40 megapixels, 4K/60p video, 20fps taking pictures and in-body picture stabilisation, while not truly being that a lot larger than the D-Lux 8.
Leica’s new providing continues to be one of many only a few premium compacts to function a zoom lens, although, the one different contender being the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII, which has a smaller 1-inch sensor with 20 megapixels and a 24-200mm lens.
You might additionally take into account the Ricoh GR III, which has a 24.23 megapixel APS-C sensor paired with a 28mm F2.8 lens, however is 5 years previous now.
So now we have recognized its important rivals, let’s take an in depth take a look at the brand new D-Lux 8 and the modifications that Leica have made.
At first look from the entrance, you would be hard-pressed to inform them aside. Not accessible in silver, the black model has a leatherette end to help grip within the absence of a correct handgrip.
The lens is similar, providing an equal attain of a wide-angle 24-75mm in 35mm movie phrases. The utmost lens aperture is an impressively quick/brilliant f/1.7, with the flexibility to regulate this manually by way of a lens ring that gives incremental settings as much as f/16. Or, after all, you possibly can simply depart the choice as much as the digital camera and shoot on computerized, which has its personal devoted setting too.
The sensor is similar 21.77 megapixel multi-aspect Micro 4 Thirds variant used on the D-Lux 7. The digital camera then crops the picture to permit for the multi-aspect taking pictures (3:2, 16:9, 1:1 and 4:3), set by a change on the lens barrel, which leads to a highest decision of 17 megapixels within the 4:3 mode.
Sandwiched in-between the aperture ring and side ratio change is a slim handbook focus ring, with a easy sliding scale proven on the LCD display to indicate the focusing distance and peaking on-board to assist decide important focus. The MF / AF/Macro / AF change on the underside of the lens barrel means that you can shortly change between these three focus modes.
Switching to the highest of the digital camera begins to disclose a few of the modifications that Leica have made to the person interface.
The flash hotshoe and shutter pace dial are nonetheless current and proper, however the On/Off change has been eliminated and changed by an On/Off button, the publicity compensation dial is now an unmarked command dial with a customized button at its centre, and the “4K” and “A” buttons have disappeared.
The command dial controls both the Publicity Compensation, ISO, Off or Auto, relying on which taking pictures mode you are utilizing, whereas the customized button might be configured to certainly one of 38 totally different settings just by holding it down for a few seconds, as can the 2 unmarked buttons positioned under the shutter pace dial and the button in the course of the four-way controller on the rear of the digital camera.
Which is the place Leica have clearly taken inspiration from the Q3 mirrorless digital camera for the brand new D-Lux 8, which solely has 6 exterior controls in contrast with 10 on its predecessor. What’s extra, nearly all of them are unmarked apart from the Play and Menu buttons, indicating that they are often customised to fit your specific method of working.
So when you don’t love the truth that the highest two buttons toggle between the EVF/LCD and between the picture and video modes respectively, or the center button within the navigation wheel toggles between the information ranges, you are free to alter them as you would like.
The discount within the variety of exterior controls undoubtedly makes for a extra refined, less complicated interface, however it does inevitably result in a larger reliance on the menu system if you wish to entry something exterior of the core publicity controls.
Fortunately the D-Lux 8 has a superb menu system, with one press of the Menu button opening a transparent settings panel with touchscreen entry to the digital camera’s most necessary choices for both Picture or Video modes, and an extra press of the both the Menu button or the three-line icon accessing the complete 5 web page, 29 choice Essential Menu.
Whereas some followers of the D-Lux/LX100 sequence will possible lament the decreased variety of exterior controls, for a lot of the extra refined interface will show extra helpful, particularly because the digital camera offers fast, absolutely configurable entry to the entire key photographic settings.
Along with the brand new, svelte management format, we’re additionally impressed by the OLED viewfinder that Leica have integrated on the D-Lux 8.
Whereas it gives barely much less decision than the D-Lux 8, the transfer from a field-sequential show to an OLED unit offers a extra nice viewing expertise, particularly because it additionally gives a barely larger magnification of 0.74x and a bigger 4:3 side ratio (0.7x and 16:9 on the D-Lux 7).
The rear LCD display has additionally been considerably improved, providing a 48% improve in decision because of the transfer from a 1.24M dot panel to a 1.84M dot panel, once more one thing that’s noticeable when evaluating the 2 fashions side-by-side.
The opposite exterior change is the shutter button is now threaded to simply accept a mechanical cable launch, once more mimicking the current Leica Q3.
There are a number of different enhancements which are pretty minor, however nonetheless nonetheless welcome. That is the primary D-Lux digital camera to output extra common DNG recordsdata, quite than the Panasonic RW2 format of its predecessor, and it is also the primary D-Lux digital camera to function quicker UHS-II SD card assist.
There’s additionally a brand new USB-C connection, which is preferable in 2024 to the micro-USB port discovered on the Dlux 7, and Bluetooth now helps the newest 5.0 LE customary.
You possibly can simply switch your photos and in addition management the digital camera remotely by way of the free Leica Fotos app, which, amongst different features, permits distant setting of the shutter pace and aperture. The app additionally means that you can ship your nonetheless photos, RAW and video recordsdata to a paired cellular system.
Yоu саn ассеѕѕ а lіvе vіеw іmаgе аnd uѕе уоur telephone аѕ а rеmоtе соntrоl, whereas the Роѕt Fосuѕ function аllоws уоu tо ѕеlесt thе fосuѕ роіnt аftеr the іmаgе hаѕ bееn tаkеn.
Picture High quality
The entire pattern photos on this evaluation have been taken utilizing the 17 megapixel High quality JPEG setting, which supplies a mean picture dimension of round 6Mb.The Leica D-Lux 8 produced photos of fantastic high quality through the evaluation interval. It produces noise-free photos at ISO 100 to 3200, with restricted noise beginning to seem at ISO 6400. ISO 12500 displays fairly seen noise and lack of effective element, and the quickest setting of ISO 25000 is even noisier, however nonetheless usable for small prints and internet use.The Leica D-Lux 8 dealt extraordinarily properly with chromatic aberrations, with restricted purple fringing results showing solely in excessive distinction conditions. The built-in anti-shake system works very properly when hand-holding the digital camera in low-light situations or when utilizing the telephoto finish of the zoom vary.Macro efficiency is excellent, permitting you to focus as shut as 3cm away from the topic (though it is tough to get the lighting appropriate at such an in depth distance). The Movie Types permit you to shortly and simply customise the look of the digital camera’s JPEG photos.
NoiseThere are 9 ISO settings accessible on the Leica D-Lux 8 . Listed here are some 100% crops which present the noise ranges for every ISO setting for each JPEG and RAW file codecs.
Focal RangeThe Leica D-Lux 8 ‘s 3.1x zoom lens gives a reasonably versatile focal vary, as illustrated by these examples.24mm75mm
Side RatiosThe Leica D-Lux 8 gives 4 totally different side ratios.3:216:91:14:3
Clever Dynamic RangeAutoOffLowStandardHigh
Movie StylesThe Leica D-Lux 8 has 5 preset Movie Types, with Commonplace because the default setting. The distinction, sharpness, saturation and noise discount might be individually set for every model.StandardVividNaturalMonochromeMonochrome Excessive Distinction
Pattern Photos
This can be a collection of pattern photos from the Leica D-Lux 8 digital camera, which have been all taken utilizing the 17 megapixel JPEG setting. The thumbnails under hyperlink to the full-sized variations, which haven’t been altered in any method.
Pattern RAW Photos
The Leica D-Lux 8 allows customers to seize RAW and JPEG format recordsdata. We have supplied some Leica RAW (DNG) samples so that you can obtain (thumbnail photos proven under are usually not 100% consultant).
Pattern Films & Video
This can be a pattern film on the high quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 30 frames per second.
This can be a pattern film on the high quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 30 frames per second.
This can be a pattern film on the high quality setting of 1920×1080 pixels at 60 frames per second.
This can be a pattern film on the high quality setting of 1920×1080 pixels at 60 frames per second.
Product Photos
Conclusion
Leica have lengthy had an in depth relationship with Panasonic the place they’ve taken the latters’ compact cameras and produced their very own tackle them, however the D-Lux 8 is the primary such mannequin to really feel like a very distinctive Leica thanks largely to the adoption of the pared-back Q3 person interface.Having stated that, at its core the Dlux 8 continues to be a quite modest improve of what’s in spite of everything a 6-year-old digital camera design, which was in flip a quite modest improve of the unique Panasonic LX100 from 2014. So it is truthful to say that in lots of points the D-Lux 8 is wanting quite dated in 2024 regardless of its beauty overhaul.Alternatively, it is commendable that Leica have invested any time in any respect growing their compact digital camera providing, in a market the place you possibly can depend the variety of compact cameras, by no means thoughts premium fashions, actually on one hand.Because the gateway to the Leica system, the £1450 / €1590 / $1595 D-Lux 8 will likely be seen by some patrons as a veritable cut price given how a lot the Q3 prices, whereas for extra savvy, non-brand-loyal compact followers the close to £$€500 worth improve over the earlier mannequin will definitely be arduous to justify.We’re type of on the fence ourselves. Whereas it is undoubtedly nice to see the discharge of a high-end compact digital camera with a zoom lens, giant sensor and confirmed Leica ergonomics, the D-Lux 8 nonetheless produces precisely the identical stills and video high quality as its predecessor while costing 30% greater than the D-Lux 7 did at launch. Six years is definitely a very long time, which matches some method to justifying the worth improve however maybe not the shortage of technological developments…
Rankings (out of 5)
Design
4.5
Options
4
Ease-of-use
4
Picture high quality
4.5
Worth for cash
3
Essential Rivals
Listed under are a few of the rivals of the Leica D-Lux 8.
The brand new Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is a premium compact digital camera that is clearly been re-designed to tackle the all-conquering Sony RX100 sequence of cameras while providing some class-leading options of its personal, together with an extended zoom lens, touchscreen interface and larger grip. Uncover what’s new in our Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II evaluation, full with full-size pattern photos and movies…
Canon’s PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a model new compact digital camera that gives quite a lot of bang in your buck, for each stills photographers and vloggers alike. Discover out simply what the newest technology of this digital camera is able to by studying our in-depth Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III evaluation, full with full-size pattern JPEG and Uncooked photos…
The X100VI is the sixth technology of Fujfilm’s traditional 35mm mounted lens premium compact digital camera sequence. It now has a 40 megapixel sensor, 6K video recording, in-body picture stabilisation (IBIS) and model new Reala Ace movie simulation. Learn our in-depth Fujifilm X100VI evaluation now, full with full-size pattern photos and movies…
The D-Lux 7 is Leica’s tackle certainly one of our favorite ever compact cameras, the Panasonic LX100 II, sporting a big Micro 4 Thirds sensor and a flexible 3x zoom lens. Learn our in-depth Leica D-Lux 7 evaluation with pattern images and movies to seek out out if we charge it simply as extremely because the Lumix equal…
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 is a premium compact digital camera like no different. The LX100 options a big Micro 4 Thirds sensor, 4K video recording, quick 24-75mm lens, class-leading digital viewfinder, all in a digital camera that you would be able to slot in a jacket pocket. Learn our in-depth Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 evaluation with pattern JPEG, RAW and video recordsdata to seek out out simply what this thrilling new digital camera is able to…
The Panasonic Lumix LX100 II is the successor to certainly one of our favorite compact cameras of all time, the ahead-of-the-game LX100, which was launched method again in 2014. Learn our in-depth Panasonic LX100 II evaluation with pattern JPEG, RAW and video recordsdata to seek out out if we charge it simply as extremely as the unique…
The brand new GR III is a big replace of Ricoh’s standard GR premium compact digital camera sequence, providing a 28mm mounted focal size lens, 3-axis picture stabilisation system, giant 24 megapixel APS-C sensor, 1080/60p video recording, 3 inch LCD touchscreen, flash hotshoe, and built-in wifi and bluetooth connectivity. Learn our in-depth Ricoh GR III evaluation full with full-size JPEG and RAW pattern photos to seek out out if this digital camera nonetheless has what it takes in 2019…
Sony’s venerable RX100 compact digital camera sequence has now reached its seventh iteration with the launch of the RX100 VII. What might Sony have presumably added to make this already glorious digital camera even higher? Discover out now by studying our in-depth Sony RX100 VII evaluation, full with an enormous gallery of full-size pattern photos and movies.
Evaluate Roundup
Evaluations of the Leica D-Lux 8 from across the internet.
The brand new Leica D-Lux 8 is a much-anticipated addition to the vary, hailed because the lacking entry mannequin within the true Leica household. Its predecessor, worthy because it was, all the time suffered from solutions that it was only a rebadged Panasonic. This criticism was unfair, after all, however there isn’t any avoiding the truth that the looks, management format and menu choices have been extra Lumix than Leica.
Learn the complete evaluation »
So it makes good sense for firms comparable to Leica to basically re-release older fashions to fill the demand out there. Thus, the $1,595 D-Lux 8 has hit the cabinets and I obtained to see if it has a spot in 2024. The expertise was enjoyable for all the fitting causes however got here with a significant case of deja vu.
Learn the complete evaluation »
The compact Leica D-Lux 8 pairs a decently giant sensor with a flexible zoom lens, however the digital camera’s focus and video tech really feel dated.
Learn the complete evaluation »
Specs
Digicam typeDigital compact cameraDimensions (WxHxD)130 x 69 x 62 mm WeightApprox. 397 g/357 g (with/with out battery)Sensor size4/3“ CMOS sensor, 21,77 MP/17 MP (whole/efficient)BufferDNG™: 14 or larger*, JPG: 100 or larger**Primarily based on CIPA requirements and a reminiscence card with excessive learn/write pace. Capability, relying on body charge and film format, estimated amount (variety of doable photos within the buffer reminiscence)Storage mediumUHS-II (really helpful), UHS-I, SD/SDHC/SDXC reminiscence cardMaterialFull metallic housing: magnesium die-cast, leatherette coveringLensLeica DC Vario-Summilux 10.9–34 f/1.7–2.8 ASPH. (35 mm equal: 24–75 mm)aperture vary: 1.7–16/2.8–16 (at 10.9/34 mm)Lens filter threadE43Aperture rangeDepending on zoom degree, F1.7 to F16 in 1⁄3 EV increments (large angle) F1.7 to F16; (tele zoom) F2.8 to F16 in 1/3 EV incrementsOperating conditions0°C to +40°CInterfacesISO accent shoe with further management contacts for Leica flash items, HDMI jack Sort D, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Sort CTripod threadA 1⁄4 DIN 4503 (1⁄4”) with chrome steel within the baseImage stabilizationVisual compensation system for images and video recordingsFilterRGB colour filter, UV/IR filterFile formatsPhoto: DNG™ (uncooked information), DNG + JPG, JPG (DCF 2.0, Exif 2.31)Video: MP4, H.264, AAC stereoPhoto decision DNG™16:9 – 5152 x 2904 (15 MP)3:2 – 4928 x 3288 (16.2 MP)4:3 – 4736 x 3552 (16.8 MP)1:1 – 3552 x 3552 (12.6 MP)L-JPG16:9 – 5152 x 2904 (15 MP)3:2 – 4928 x 3288 (16.2 MP)4:3 – 4736 x 3552 (16.8 MP)1:1 – 3552 x 3552 (12.6 MP)M-JPG16:9 – 3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP)3:2 – 3504 x 2336 (8.2 MP)4:3 – 3360 x 2520 (8.5 MP)1:1 – 2528 x 2528 (6.4 MP)S-JPG16:9 – 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP)3:2 – 2496 x 1664 (4.2 MP)4:3 – 2368 x 1776 (4.2 MP)1:1 – 1776 x 1776 (3.2 MP)File dimension DNG™approx. 31 MB, relying on decision and picture contentJPGdepending on decision and picture contentVideomax. size: 29 minColor depth DNG™12 bitJPG8 bitColor spacePhoto: sRGBVideo Decision 4K3840 x 2160Full HD1920 x 1080HD1280 x 720Video body charge/bit charge 4K 30 p29.97 fps – 4K 4:2:0 / 8 bit – h.264 L-GOP 100 Mbps4K 24 p23.98 fps – 4K 4:2:0 / 8 bit – h.264 L-GOP 100 MbpsFHD 60 p59.94 fps – FHD 4:2:0 / 8 bit – h.264 L-GOP 28 MbpsFHD 30 p29.97 fps – FHD 4:2:0 / 8 bit – h.264 L-GOP 20 MbpsHD 30 p29.97 fps – HD 4:2:0 / 8 bit – h.264 L-GOP 10 MbpsViewfinder/LCD panel Viewfinder (EVF)OLED, Decision: 2,360,000 dots, 60 fps, magnification: 0.74x, at side ratio: 4:3, exit pupil place: 20 mm, setting vary -4/+4 dpt, with eye sensor for computerized switchover between viewfinder and LCD panel, time delay 0.005 sLCD panel3” TFT LCD, approx. 1,843,200 dots, 384 ppi, side ratio 3:2, contact panelShutter Shutter typeMechanical central shutter or non-obligatory digital shutterShutter speedsMechanical shutter: 60 s to 1⁄4000 sElectronic shutter perform: 1 s to 1⁄16000 sShutter buttonTwo-stage (1st stage: Activation of the digital camera electronics together with autofocus and publicity metering, 2nd stage: Taking the image)Self-timerDelay time: 2 s or 12 sDrive Mode Single , Interval Taking pictures , Publicity Bracketing Steady taking pictures: Steady Taking pictures – 2 fps, 12 bit, AF , Steady Taking pictures – 7 fps, 10 bit Steady Taking pictures – 11 fps, 10 bit Focusing Focus range50 cm to ∞With macro setting: from 3 cm (large angle), from 30 cm (tele zoom)Focus modeAutomatic, Computerized (macro), or ManualAutofocus systemContrast detectionAutofocus modes Clever AF (autonomously selects AFs and AFc ), AFs , AFc Autofocus metering strategies Spot (might be shifted), Area (might be shifted and scaled), Multi-Area , Zone (might be shifted), Eye / Face , Monitoring Autofocus metering fields49Exposure Publicity meteringTTL (publicity metering by means of the lens), with working apertureMetering principleExposure metering is finished by the picture sensor for all publicity metering methodsExposure metering strategies Spot , Middle-Weighted , Multi-Area Publicity modesProgram AE mode (P)Aperture-priority mode (A): handbook aperture settingShutter-priority mode (S): handbook shutter-speed settingManual (M): handbook setting for shutter pace and apertureVarious absolutely computerized variants ( Scene Mode ): Auto , Portrait , Panorama , Night time Surroundings , Miniature Impact , One Level Shade , HDR Publicity compensation±3 EV in 1⁄3 EV incrementsAutomatic bracketing3, 5 or 7 frames, graduations between shoots as much as 1 EV, in 1⁄3 EV incrementsadditional non-obligatory publicity compensation: as much as ±3 EVISO sensitivity vary Auto ISO Picture ISO 100–ISO 25 000 | Video ISO 100–ISO 6 400ManualPhoto ISO 100–ISO 25 000 | Video ISO 100–ISO 6 400White balanceAutomatic ( Auto ), default ( Daylight , Cloudy , Shadow , Tungsten , Flash ), handbook metering ( Grey Card ), handbook colour temperature settings ( Shade Temperature , 2500 Ok to 10000 Ok)Flash Flash unitIncluded within the supply: Leica CF DFlash angleAligned with the shortest focal size of the lens of 10.9 mmGuide number10/7 (at ISO 200/100)Flash rangeApprox. 0.6–14.1 m/0.3–8.5 m (at shortest/longest focal size)Flash unit connectorVia the accent shoeFlash sync time: 1⁄4000 s, slower shutter speeds availableFlash publicity compensation±3 EV in 1⁄3 EV incrementsEquipment MicrophoneStereoSpeakerMonoWLANWLAN perform for connecting to the Leica FOTOS app. The Leica app is out there from the Apple App Retailer™ or the Google Play Retailer™.IEEE802.11b/g/n Channel 1–11 (2412–2462 MHz), most output (e.i.r.p.): 5.9 dBm, encryption methodology: WLAN-compatible WPA™/WPA2™BluetoothBluetooth 5.0 LE: Channel 0–39 (2402–2480 MHz), most output (e.i.r.p.): 1.2 dBmGPSNot accessible in all places on account of country-specific laws; might be added by way of the Leica FOTOS app. Knowledge is written to Exif header of the image recordsdata.Menu languagesEnglish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Conventional Chinese language, Simplified Chinese language, KoreanPower provide Rechargeable battery (Leica BP-DC15)Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, rated voltage: 7.2 V (DC), capability: 1025 mAh (min.), producer: Panasonic Vitality (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Made in ChinaCharging by way of USBWith digital camera switched off: 5 V/1500 mA (2.5 W or larger)Rated values for enter voltage/power7.2 V 0.9 A (battery), 5 V 1.0 A (USB)
Your Feedback
[ad_2]