Digital Camera News and Reviews

Photography Blog has tested a high end compact camera from Leica with a beautiful design. The camera is called Leica D-Lux 5 Titanium and is targeted at users with a thick wallet.

Some key features for the Leica D-Lux 5 Titanium:
-10.1 megapixel image sensor
-3.75x optical zoom lens (24-90 mm)
-720p HD video
-3″ LCD screen
-ISO up to 12800

Photography Blog ends up giving the D-Lux 5 Titanium a “Recommended” rating with an overall score of 4 out of 5 possible stars. The Leica camera scores highest on image quality, design, ease of use and features, while it scores very low on value for your money. It is expensive to walk around with a Leica camera and it is the same with this model, but if you have the money and want the red and white logo on your camera this is a good choice, or you could buy the Panasonic branded version for a lot less.
Read the full review of the Leica D-Lux 5 Titanium premium compact camera here.

CNET UK has tested a superzoom camera from Leica called Leica V-Lux 2. When I think about Leica a superzoom compact camera is not the first thing that comes to my mind, but Leica have a good relationship Panasonic and the V-Lux 2 is almost the same camera as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100.

Some key features for the Leica V-Lux 2:
-14.1 megapixel image sensor
-24x optical zoom lens (25-600mm)
-Able to record high-definition 1080i video
-3″ fold out LCD screen
-Supports RAW file format

CNET UK ends up giving the Leica camera an overall rating of 3.5 stars out of 5. It does not get a top score because of the very high price tag compared to the Panasonic FZ100. There are several good points with the camera including useful zoom range, the video mode is good, stereo microphone and the fold out screen is nifty. On the negative side the reviewer finds aspects such as high price tag, the design is not Leica-looking and there is quite a bit of noise at higher ISO levels.
Read the full review of the Leica V-Lux 2 superzoom digital camera here.

Leica V-Lux 20
CNET UK has tested one of the newest digital cameras from Leica. This camera is very similar to the Panasonic ZS7/ TZ10 compact, but has a few changes and of course a higher price tag. The Leica camera is called Leica V-Lux 20 and features over 12 megapixels, 12x optical zoom and even built-in GPS.

Some key features for the Leica V-Lux 20:
-12.1 megapixel image sensor
-12x optical zoom lens (25-300mm)
-3″ LCD screen
-Built-in GPS
-720p HD video recording
-Uses SD and SDHC memory cards

CNET UK ends up giving the Leica V-Lux 20 a total score of 3.5 stars out of 5 possible. On the positive side we find aspects such as useful zoom range, good construction, the camera is easy to use and the GPS-tagging is handy. On the negative side the reviewer finds only one major point and that is hefty price tag that comes with the red Leica badge.
The V-Lux 20 is a very good compact camera, but is the Leica tag worth the extra money or maybe one should look at other compacts that has more features?
Read the full review of the Leica V-Lux 20 digital camera here.

Leica has announced a new compact camera. The camera is called Leica V-LUX 20 and seems to be a rebranded version of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 digital camera, but the Leica comes with a higher price tag. The Leica V-LUX 20 comes with 12 megapixels and 12x optical zoom.

Some key features for the Leica V-LUX 20:
-12.1 megapixel image sensor
-12x optical zoom lens (25-300mm)
-3″ LCD screen
-ISO sensitivity from 80 to 6400
-Able to record HD videos
-Geotagging
-Uses SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards

The Leica V-LUX 20 digital camera will be available in April 2010 and cost about £495.

Press release:
Capture the world with the LEICA V-LUX 20: high-performance compact digital camera with super-zoom and GPS tagging

20 April 2010: Leica Camera AG has announced the LEICA V-LUX 20, a 12.1 effective megapixel digital compact camera with a powerful 12x optical zoom lens and built-in GPS tagging*, making it ideal for recording special memories when travelling – wherever you are in the world.

The integrated, high-performance LEICA DC-VARIO-ELMAR 4.1-49.2mm f/3.3-4.9 ASPH. zoom lens with a focal range of 25-300mm (35mm equivalent) means the V-Lux 20 is perfect for any photographic situation. Whether shooting expansive landscapes, detailed close-ups or shots of distant subjects using the super-telephoto setting, the V-Lux 20 captures them all in breath-taking quality.

The V-Lux 20 is the first Leica camera to feature GPS tagging. For anyone travelling regularly – whether on exotic safaris, family beach holidays or even those important business trips – this innovative feature allows photographers to record the exact geographical co-ordinates of their location (in the Exif data of each photo) automatically, as well as the local time for every shot, ensuring the user always has a useful and accurate record of their trip. In addition, the V-Lux 20 can display the names of interesting sightseeing locations from a total of 500,000 ‘points of interest’ across 73 countries.

The built-in GPS feature also makes archiving and organising photos quick and easy, during or after a trip. Furthermore, for photographers posting images on social networks, image portals or map sites such as Google Maps or Google Earth, the data automatically reveals exactly when and where the photos were taken.*

For those who want to make movies as well as still images, the LEICA V-LUX 20 enables movie recording in HD quality. Its intelligent automatic features, such as face recognition, automatic scene modes and smart exposure, are all available in movie mode, together with the camera’s zoom functions.

The V-Lux 20’s generous three inch LCD display has a diagonal of 7.5cm and a resolution of 460,000 pixels, and offers an extremely bright, sharp view for precise composition and framing of shots, as well as accurate quality control for captured shots in playback mode.

Beautifully styled in a matt black finish, the V-Lux 20 has been designed with simple, ergonomic controls and user-friendly menus, and offers fully automatic functions for those who prefer to ‘point and shoot’. It also provides a complete range of manual shutter speed and aperture settings for more creative freedom and image control. In addition, the integrated image stabilisation assists the photographer by reducing the chance of blurred pictures, whether due to camera shake or difficult lighting conditions. The compact dimensions and light weight of the camera also make it easy to pack into a bag or rucksack, or simply carry in a pocket, so users can ensure the LEICA V-LUX 20 is with them on every trip.

Full technical specifications at: http://www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk/news/new-V-LUX20.html

Accessories and software

The LEICA V-LUX 20 includes Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for quick and easy image editing. A high quality brown leather case for the camera is available as an optional accessory from authorised Leica dealers.

Pricing and availability

The LEICA V-LUX 20 will be available in the UK from May 2010 from authorised Leica dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair: http://www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel: 020 7629 1351. A full list of authorised Leica dealers is available at http://www.leica-camera.co.uk. The suggested retail price of the LEICA V-LUX 20 is £495. The optional brown leather case has an SRP of £70.

* GPS tagging may not function in China and neighbouring regions. Strength of satellite signal reception depends on location, and when restricted, positioning data may be recorded inaccurately or not at all.