I post a comment on your Canon G9 (now Im discovering you ignored it) that says:
Both Panasonic and Leica P&S cameras have sensors made by Matsushita (Panasonic) which have tons of noise in low lights and when asking the camera to take pictures at ISO 200 and up. Yes, leica lenses are good, but not $300 leica lenses. The optics that made Leica famous coast thousands of dollars and are used in the “M” line. The only digital “M” is the M8 which uses sensor made by Kodak.
I understand industrial design can be attractive. But remember that, at the end, the most important thing about the camera, are the photographs the camera can deliver, not the camera itself.
This is the camera I was considering, until I was told that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 is virtually the same camera, but for a much lower price. The reviews for both are very good. Decisions…!
I looked at the Leica because it is such a wonderful design object but decided it is simply not worth paying $250 more for a red dot and went with the Panasonic. It’s a great camera and I think matches exactly what you are looking for. The differences between the two cameras are so subtle, I doubt anyone will notice the difference and if you shoot RAW and work on it in Photoshop you’ll be able to get amazing shots (for how compact the camera is). I never shoot above 100 ASA so noise is not an issue for me.
Don’t forget that the big photo show in Germany is coming up – often it is the place where the comapnies show the new cameras.
i have the d-lux 2. i love it for the most part and i did decide the design was worth the extra cash. i love the wide format, it’s very cinematic and it has a wonderful wide angle lens. i do have to complain about the noise in low light though….
no view finder? personally i liked the black one better, agree that it isn’t about the design of the camera but the pictures. let us know what one you chose!
I have an earlier version of this camera – the 3MP camera – and it’s okay. Not great. But I hear the newer DLux models are much, much better. I’ll be interested to see what you think of this camera if you do purchase it. BTW, Thanks for including the link to Michael’s site. He mentioned an article in the New Yorker about the Cult of Leica cameras which was very interesting.
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Besides swissmiss, Tina founded and runs TeuxDeux, CreativeMornings and her Brooklyn based co-working community Friends Work Here. (She also started Tattly which was recently adopted by BIC)
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Tina,
I post a comment on your Canon G9 (now Im discovering you ignored it) that says:
Both Panasonic and Leica P&S cameras have sensors made by Matsushita (Panasonic) which have tons of noise in low lights and when asking the camera to take pictures at ISO 200 and up. Yes, leica lenses are good, but not $300 leica lenses. The optics that made Leica famous coast thousands of dollars and are used in the “M” line. The only digital “M” is the M8 which uses sensor made by Kodak.
I understand industrial design can be attractive. But remember that, at the end, the most important thing about the camera, are the photographs the camera can deliver, not the camera itself.
Sep 28th, 2007 / 11:04 am
This is the camera I was considering, until I was told that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 is virtually the same camera, but for a much lower price. The reviews for both are very good. Decisions…!
Sep 28th, 2007 / 11:38 am
Leica D-Lux 3 vs. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2: http://www.pbase.com/koo22/leica_dlux_3 If you take a look at the images, the quality is not the same.
Sep 28th, 2007 / 11:52 am
I looked at the Leica because it is such a wonderful design object but decided it is simply not worth paying $250 more for a red dot and went with the Panasonic. It’s a great camera and I think matches exactly what you are looking for. The differences between the two cameras are so subtle, I doubt anyone will notice the difference and if you shoot RAW and work on it in Photoshop you’ll be able to get amazing shots (for how compact the camera is). I never shoot above 100 ASA so noise is not an issue for me.
Don’t forget that the big photo show in Germany is coming up – often it is the place where the comapnies show the new cameras.
Sep 28th, 2007 / 12:02 pm
Just noticed this in case anyone’s chomping at the bit for the panasonic:
http://dealmac.com/deals/Panasonic-DMC-LX2-K-Lumix-10-MP-4-x-Zoom-Digital-Camera-for-330/189588.html
Sep 28th, 2007 / 1:09 pm
yeah too bad it takes crap photos
Sep 28th, 2007 / 1:21 pm
I have this camera, and its great. Pooh-pooh to all the naysayers!
Sep 28th, 2007 / 1:52 pm
i have the d-lux 2. i love it for the most part and i did decide the design was worth the extra cash. i love the wide format, it’s very cinematic and it has a wonderful wide angle lens. i do have to complain about the noise in low light though….
Sep 28th, 2007 / 4:22 pm
no view finder? personally i liked the black one better, agree that it isn’t about the design of the camera but the pictures. let us know what one you chose!
Sep 28th, 2007 / 4:46 pm
me too.
from the first sight.
go for it.
there is a cheaper alternative that uses the same lens (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/447385-REG/Panasonic_DMC_LX2K_Lumix_DMC_LX2_Digital_Camera.html), but this one is better.
Sep 28th, 2007 / 5:58 pm
I read the same thing — that you can get a cheaper version with the same lens. But it’s sooooo lovely, this Leica… I was drooling over it, too.
Sep 28th, 2007 / 10:04 pm
I have an earlier version of this camera – the 3MP camera – and it’s okay. Not great. But I hear the newer DLux models are much, much better. I’ll be interested to see what you think of this camera if you do purchase it. BTW, Thanks for including the link to Michael’s site. He mentioned an article in the New Yorker about the Cult of Leica cameras which was very interesting.
Sep 29th, 2007 / 1:24 am
I use this camera, and I love, love, love, love, love it.
Sep 30th, 2007 / 4:45 am
Go get one!
Test shots here:
http://flickr.com/photos/54288707@N00/sets/72157594445313395/
Sep 30th, 2007 / 12:19 pm