Micro 4/3 Leica D-Lux (typ 109) 4/3 Camera - my personal review.

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dalethorn

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Video review:

Photo: findresults.site

This review covers my use of the new Leica D-Lux (typ 109; 'D-Lux' hereafter) camera for general-purpose photography, shooting JPEG format images only. This is a personal, non-commercial review, so for full details of all of the camera's options and operations, check the major photo websites, including Leica Place, Photographers' Lounge (formerly Serious Compacts), and the Red Dot Forum. Note that a large part of the approximately $1200** USD price for this camera is for the Lightroom software included with the purchase (and free to use perpetually), downloadable from the Leica D-Lux registration site. The D-Lux isn't directly comparable to many other premium pocket-size cameras, primarily because of the combination of features (built-in high-res EVF, large 4/3 sensor, Summicron f1.7 zoom lens etc.) in the tiny camera body, as well as the advanced photographer options using the control rings and switches around the lens barrel.

**The Panasonic LX-100 sells for $900. This is the Leica version of that camera.

The D-Lux lens has a maximum aperture of f1.7 when the zoom is at minimum, and f2.8 when the lens is at maximum zoom. The immediate ancestor of this camera (the Leica D-Lux6) has a slightly brighter lens (f1.4-f2.3) with a slightly longer reach (90 mm compared to the D-Lux's 75 mm 135-equivalent focal length). The D-Lux is 2.875 inches thick compared to only 2.125 inches for the D-Lux6. Since these cameras are the same height and nearly the same width, the D-Lux is bulkier in thickness only, making it less pocketable but no worse for carrying in a protective case. The D-Lux sensor is the 4/3 type while the D-Lux6 sensor is a "1/1.7" size, or about 5 times smaller than the D-Lux sensor. The recent Leica C (typ 112) camera (same as Panasonic LF1) included a very unusual feature for a tiny pocket camera - an electronic viewfinder, although that EVF is very primitive compared to the D-Lux's 2.8 mp EVF.

Manufacturing of the D-Lux is done mainly (or entirely) by Panasonic under a long-time partnership that allows Panasonic to use Leica lens technology (and possibly other technologies), while Leica takes advantage of Panasonic's high-volume manufacturing capacity for small cameras like the D-Lux. Those cameras that are created jointly by Leica and Panasonic are priced much higher than the typical consumer Panasonic camera, and when comparing not just the internal features but the appearance, build quality, and external controls of these premium pocket cameras, the reason for the price differences is apparent. Note also that the higher price of the D-Lux as compared to Panasonic's own version of this camera is due at least partly to the inclusion of the Lightroom software with the D-Lux, which would have to be purchased separately for the Panasonic camera.

I've been posting images from the D-Lux camera to my dalethorn website, and there are currently about 15 photos posted there. I think these images will speak for themselves, but bear in mind that these were shot as JPEG's only, so if you're willing to work with the RAW-format images that the D-Lux produces when the RAW option is selected on the camera menu, you should get even better results than I have posted there. My experience with the D-Lux so far says that the image quality is comparable to the best of the previous pocket-sized cameras I've owned, including the Leica X1, Panasonic GM1, and Nikon Coolpix A, and very nearly as good as the Leica 'T' and X Vario cameras. The D-Lux has a better lineup of physical controls than what I've had on previous small cameras, notably the Aperture, Shutter Speed, and Exposure Compensation dials, but I'll leave those details to the commercial reviews while I describe a few of the anomalies I've found.

The number one problem I have is with the lens extension when the camera is switched on - unlike the D-Lux6, the lens extends even when the lens cap is on, so when you're using the lens cap string as I do (I'm not interested in the auto-lens-cap device) to keep from losing the lens cap, it can hinder the lens extension, especially if you're using the 'Zoom Resume' feature where the camera is returning to the maximum zoom extension. The number 2 problem is the lack of a decent compact carry case - the Leica 18821 hasn't been available until now, and the horrible Panasonic case is a fright compared to the beautifully functional case they made for the GM1, albeit the GM1 case was available *only* in Britain. Other than that there's very little to complain about - Leica supplies an external battery charger as they do with the D-Lux6 (which they DON'T do with the Leica 'C' typ 112 camera), so when charging one battery you can actually use the camera.

The Leica D-Lux comes with a neck strap but no wrist strap, which I consider to be the opposite of what's appropriate for a compact camera. On the plus side, the battery capacity seems much better than what I'm accustomed to with the other small cameras I've owned. A backup Leica battery was not available when I got the D-Lux, so I ordered the Panasonic LX-100 battery instead, and it's been working good just like the Leica battery. As with most digital cameras, the D-Lux does not come with a memory card, which is needed to record photos and video. Although the modern 'Class 6' or 'Class 10' SD cards may be satisfactory for still photos, a 'UHS' (presumably Ultra High Speed) card is required for recording 4k videos. The 4k videos I've taken are very sharp and clear when the focus works, but most indoor videos, even in very good light, have the focus hunting constantly when Continuous Autofocus is 'On'.

I'm not able to tell what Aperture the camera was using with my most recent 4k video, although I can see that the ISO was 1600. Playing the video with iMovie on the Macbook Pro Retina, many frames have the foreground sharp and background acceptably sharp as well, yet the person in the foreground goes slightly out of focus and back into focus every other second, as though the camera can't make a determination of what to focus on. I've been using Center-Weighted Metering and One-Area Autofocus, so when holding the camera steady on a central foreground subject, I'd think the focus would hold steady. It seems that for indoor videos in less than very bright light, I'll need to turn Continuous Autofocus off and keep the subject a constant distant from the lens, or "manually" refocus by half-pressing the shutter button whenever necessary.

Some of the features I see on the D-Lux that I haven't seen on other cameras include the Highlight-Shadow exposure options, which apparently are a more precise means of doing what the 'HDR' setting was designed for. I've already made use of this option, and it does seem to produce better results than the 'HDR' setting - shooting JPEG's anyway. Some reviews of the D-Lux may attempt to explain all of these options, but from my experience the totality of options are too many and too confusing with all of the overlaps, so the only practical way for me to have made use of the best options the D-Lux offers is in actual practice, with the camera manual handy - in my case the PDF version running on my cellphone.

Camera forums are rife with complaints about the price of replacement batteries, and I always recommend carrying at least a second battery so shooting can continue if the first battery runs down. Contrary to what many people suggest - saving money with third-party batteries, I consider the price difference and if it's huge, I need to know why. Before I could even consider a very cheap battery, I would need several independent reviews that affirm the quality of that particular battery as well as the reliability of the manufacturer of that battery. On top of that, I would need to know that if their battery damaged my camera, they would pay to replace my camera promptly. Lithium-ion batteries can be very dangerous. If the price difference were less than my expenses in replacing a defective battery (packaging, shipping, time wasted, loss of battery for a period of time), I would certainly get the camera manufacturer's battery.

The tripod socket is centered, which is good, but it's right next to the battery compartment, so it's unlikely you'd be able to change the battery with a tripod attached. Leica and Panasonic both warn about attempting to use a tripod mount with a thread that's greater than or equal to 5.5 mm long. Checking my own tripods, none of their threads exceed 4.5 mm in length, so anything longer than that must be uncommon. Summarizing, the D-Lux should be a great camera for a person who wants high image quality, simple but flexible design and operation, and a minimum set of high-performance features that most semi-pro or pro users require for their work.
 
Nice review Dale. I have the LX100 and I like it a lot. My biggest complaint is the power zoom. I'd much prefer a manual zoom similar to the Fuji X10/20/30. By getting rid of the motor, I wonder if it'd enable Panasonic to make a slightly faster lens without increasing the size.
 
Nice review Dale. I have the LX100 and I like it a lot. My biggest complaint is the power zoom. I'd much prefer a manual zoom similar to the Fuji X10/20/30. By getting rid of the motor, I wonder if it'd enable Panasonic to make a slightly faster lens without increasing the size.

Yes!! I found the mechanical zoom on the X Vario was perfect - so quick and so precise with the hand twist. The problem with the powered zoom (in addition to all else) is it isn't precise. You could use step zoom, but that won't get you exactly where you want, and using the lever for a smooth adjustment, it's difficult to get the exact frame you need. Reminds me of trying to single-fire a .50 cal full-auto machine gun - my dad said he could do it, but then he could hold one of those Brownie cardboard box cameras steady with a 1/20 or so shutter speed. You just tap, tap, tap and hope the zoom gets close enough. BTW, I think a good mechanical zoom would require a larger size.
 
Thanks Dale. I just ordered the LX100. I prefer Leica jpegs, but as I typically shoot raw plus jpeg, that isn't usually a make or break part of my considerations. Having just got a used X1, even the LX100 purchase was an extravagance, one, however, that I expect to be able to justify nicely. The camera, with whatever badge it comes, sounds like my dream "small camera with normal zoom", something I've been wanting for ages.
 
Thanks for the review Dale. I missed it before. I have the LX100 and agree that a manual zoom would be nice. On the other hand, I mainly use the step zoom on the lens ring. As someone who mainly shoots with primes on my OMD, that step zoom is a pretty nice addition. Adjusting the zoom with the lever feels flimsy to me.

One thing that annoys me is that the trick I grew accustomed to on other cameras of press and hold the playback button does not turn the camera on without extending the lens. You need the on off switch, and that extends the lens.

Besides those small complaints, it's a truly fun camera to work with.
 
It does annoy to have to turn the camera on to replay photos. Such a simple thing to have. But Panasonic just seems to miss the boat on certain simplicities.

The D-Lux6/LX7 had a better turn-on for replay only, where the lens didn't have to extend. Hopefully that would be fixed here in a firmware update.
 
Thanks Dale. I just ordered the LX100. I prefer Leica jpegs, but as I typically shoot raw plus jpeg, that isn't usually a make or break part of my considerations. Having just got a used X1, even the LX100 purchase was an extravagance, one, however, that I expect to be able to justify nicely. The camera, with whatever badge it comes, sounds like my dream "small camera with normal zoom", something I've been wanting for ages.

Actually if I had known about the sale someone mentioned where the LX100 was in the high $600's for a couple of days, I would have that instead. My concern a few years ago was that Panasonic was building their outer casings a little too cheaply - not so much the LX series, but anyway now they're going after a serious customer with their latest mini-cameras and the build is excellent.
 
Motor zoom has also some positive aspects. I bought the DLUX mainly for traveling and also mountaineering. And possibility to use the camera one handed (switch on, zoom it!, focus, shoot, turn off) is why I decided to get this one. Fuji X30 would be still ok for my needs quality-wise but one hand operation is what I want in compact camera. Especially when I have ice hatchet in the other hand and climbing up frozen waterfall :D
 
I said above that I prefer Leica jpegs, which was true in the D-lux 4 LX-3 iteration of the series, but the LX100 jpegs are quite good. And I am absolutely loving the camera.
 
I said above that I prefer Leica jpegs, which was true in the D-lux 4 LX-3 iteration of the series, but the LX100 jpegs are quite good. And I am absolutely loving the camera.
I had the matching LX7 and D-Lux6, and the LF1 and Leica 'C', and those all were close enough. With the D-Lux (and prob. true of the LX100), I think the camera gets better JPEG color renditions on average than the D-Lux6, especially in really flat light.
 
An update: I had to sell my LX100 to pay an unexpected bill at the time. It's been a while, but when I gave away my Olympus Stylus 1s to someone in Laos, I came home and bought the D-lux type 109, and I'm loving the camera all over again. It came used in a Gariz half case, the sort of thing I don't usually use, but it works nicely with the 109, taking the place of the better grip on the LX100. The ever-lurking question in these Leica/Panasonic models: Do I have a preference? I guess I'd say I like the Leica body better but I prefer the one I have to shoot. Both of them are great fun and hard not to use. Here are a couple of shots. 12 mp and two years old notwithstanding, I think the camera produces good files.
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