Digital Camera News and Reviews

Leica X1

My favourite camera related site on the internet, Dpreview.com, has reviewed the highly anticipated camera Leica X1. The X1 is very special by that is has a fast and fixed lens, and by that it has a large APS-C sized sensor. The Leica X1 comes with a hefty price tag so it is interesting to see if the reviewer thinks the $2000 is asking for the camera is worth it.

Some key features for the Leica X1:
-12.2 megapixel large APS-C size CMOS Sensor
-Fast wide angle, Leica Elmarit 1:2.8/24mm ASPH Lens
-3 frames per second
-ISO sensitivity from 100 to 3200
-11 point autofocus mode
-2.7″ LCD screen

Dpreview ends up giving the Leica X1 a “Recommended” rating. The camera scores highest on build quality, ergonomics and image quality while scoring lowest on value, speed and features. The reviewer really likes the camera and it is able to produce pictures of excellent quality. But when you look at the price tag and the limitations of this camera you easily come to the conclusion that this Leica camera is not for everyone. For regular photographers looking for a compact camera with a large sensor it might be more sensible to look at Micro Four Thirds cameras such as the Panasonic GF1 and the Olympus Pen cameras. I, however, would not mind if someone offered me this Leica camera 😉
Read the full review done by Dpreview of the Leica X1 camera here.

Leica D-Lux 4

Leica has updated the firmware for their compact camera, the Leica D-Lux 4. Firmware version 1.20 includes improvements for auto white balance and auto focus on the Leica D-Lux 4 camera.

Download firmware version 1.20 for the Leica D-Lux 4 camera from the Leica website.

Leica Safari Special Edition M8.2

Leica has announced a special edition of their M8.2 camera. The camera is called Safari Special Edition and comes with a special edition of the Leica ELMARIT-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens.
The camera set is limited to 500 copies so this will be very exclusive pieces of photography equipment and the price tag of $10000 adds to the exclusivity.

Information from Leica:
With a production run limited to only 500 units , this special-edition “Safari” includes as well as the olive green painted LEICA M8.2 and the silver anodised finished LEICA ELMARIT-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH.lens, an exclusive Billingham camera case and an elegant carrying strap, bearing an embossed Leica logo. The inspiration for the olive green paint has been the M cameras supplied by Leitz to the „Bundeswehr” (German Army) in the 1960’s as well as the LEICA R3 „Safari”, both of which are much sought after today and therefore very expensive.

The top cover, bottom plate, camera back and the leatherette „VULKANIT” covering are all coated with a resistant olive green paint finish, which provides a pleasant touch and grip. The top cover is also engraved with the traditional Leica script. All operational elements are finished in silver chrome and therefore match with the silver anodised lens.
LEICA ELMARIT-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH.

The LEICA ELMARIT-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens has been very popular since its introduction into the M system. It’s very compact dimensions and outstanding performance also apply to this silver anodised version, exclusively available in the Limited Edition „Safari”. By using silver anodising on aluminium parts, the low weight of only 180 grams has been maintained. The lens is completed with a classic metal lens hood, also in silver anodised finish.
Billingham Combination Bag M „Safari”

The English Specialist manufacturer of high quality camera cases, Billingham, has produced exclusively for the new Edition „Safari” the matching bag in olive green with tan coloured top-grain leather trim. The Billingham Combination Bag M „Safari” is made of water resistant fabric „FibreNyte” and can take the complete „Safari” Set as well as further lenses and accessories.
The carrying strap: Genuine leather with Leica embossing

The outer side of this elegant carrying strap consists of tan-coloured calfskin, the inner side of anti slip pigskin. It’s very high quality can be seen for example by the carefully finished hemlines of the strap. An embossed Leica Logo also adorns the middle of the carrying strap.

Leica has announced that they are accepting submissions for the 2009 “Leica Oskar Barnack Award”. This year is the 30th edition of the Leica photography competition.
The winner receives 5,000 euros or, alternatively, Leica camera equipment to the same value. The winner of the “Newcomer Award” will be awarded 2,500 euros.
The winner photos will also be displayed in a special online gallery for one year.

Visit the official “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” website for more information.

Press release:
“Leica Oskar Barnack Award” 2009 competition just launched

Application form and contest rules for participation now available online

January 23, 2009 – Submissions for the “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” 2009 are now being accepted. All photographers can enter the competition and view contest rules online at www.leica-oskar-barnack-award.com.

A renowned photographic competition, the “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” is celebrating its 30th year. To commemorate this landmark, Leica Camera AG has revised the entry conditions and has made numerous changes to the award process.

Entries for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2009 will be accepted exclusively as online submissions between January 15 and March 1, 2009. All photo series submitted will be displayed in a special online gallery section of the Leica website for a period of one year, ending with the request for entries for the new competition. Additionally, a “Newcomer Award” will be incorporated into the competition for the first time, open to all (prospective) photographers age 25 years and under.

An international jury awards the “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” / “Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award” to photographers whose unerring powers of observation capture and express the relationship between man and the environment in the most graphic form. Entry submissions must be a self-contained series of twelve images in which the photographer perceives and documents the interaction between man and the environment with acute vision and contemporary visual style – creative, groundbreaking and unobtrusive.

The winner of the “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” will receive 5,000 euros or, alternatively, Leica camera equipment to the same value. The winner of the “Newcomer Award” will be awarded 2,500 euros. The prizes will be presented in the course of the Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie photographic festival held in Arles, France.