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Leica announces digital M8, Digilux 3 SLR, V-Lux 1 and D-Lux 3.
Leica have announced three high quality digital cameras including the eagerly awaited addition to their rangefinder collection in the form of the 10 megapixel M8.
Other announcements included the Leica D-Lux 3 based on the Panasonic LX-2, the Digilux 3 digital SLR based on the Panasonic DMC-L1 and the V-Lux 1 based on the Panasonic DMC-FZ50 with 12x optical zoom and 10 megapixels. The D-Lux 3, Digilux 3 and V-Lux 1 are expected to ship in October 2006 while the Leica M8 will become available in November 2006.
The Leica M8 is the first digital rangefinder camera to use the Leica Viewfinder system in combination with Leica M legendary lenses. There is nothing on the front of the camera to indicate that it is digital but on the back there is a 2.5" LCD.
Key features of the M8 include a low noise 10.3 megapixel sensor which has been constructed to complement Leica M lenses and has a speed range of ISO 160 to 2500. Since the sensor is smaller than a full frame 35mm slide, all Leica M lenses will increase in focal length by around a third on the Leica M8 so that a 50mm lens will become a 67mm lens. The M8 is compatible with all M lenses produced from 1954 onwards.
Other features include a top shutter speed of 1/8000, a flash sync speed of 1/250 and SD card compatibility.
The M8 is slightly larger than the M7 at 138.6 x 80.2 x 36.9 mm and will become available in November 2006.
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The Leica Digilux 3 digital SLR appears to be based on the Panasonic DMC-L1 and the bayonet lens mount used is part of the FourThirds standard. The Digilux 3 comes with a 7.5 megapixel LiveMos sensor and an optically stabilized Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm zoom lens. The sensor is protected against dirt by an ultrasonic filter.
Other features include a live view 207k 2.5" high resolution LCD, RAW and Jpeg formats, full manual controls, ISO range of 100 to 1600, shutter speed range of 60 seconds to 1/4000, flash sync up to 1/160 and SD / SDHC card compatibility. The body weighs 606 g with battery and measures 146 x 87 x 77 mm. The Digilux 3 is available in October 2006.
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The Leica D-Lux 3 is based on the Panasonic LX-2 and comes with a widescreen 10.2 megapixel CCD, a widescreen 2.8" LCD and a wide angle zoom with a range of 28 - 112mm (35 equiv).
This is a high quality digital compact which has an array of features for the enthusiast, semi-pro and professional. The Leica zoom is optically stabilized and coupled with the wide sensor and LCD, a new level of creativity can be achieved which will more accurately match our natural vision. This also applies to movies as the D-Lux 3 can capture high definition movies at 1280 x 720 but only at 15 fps. Movies at 30 fps can be captured at 848 x 480.
Other features include raw format, ISO range of 80 to 400, PASM, SD card compatibility and a shutter speed range of 60 seconds to 1/2000.
The Leica D-Lux 3 weighs 185 g and measures 106 x 58 x 26 mm and will be available in October 2006.
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The Leica V-Lux 1 is based on the Panasonic DMC-FZ50 and comes with a 10 megapixel sensor, a 12x 35 - 420 mm (35mm equiv) optically stabilized Leica zoom, a tilting 2" LCD, electronic viewfinder, RAW format, full manual controls, ISO range of 80 to 3200 in high sensitivity mode, a shutter speed range of 60 seconds to 1/2000 and SD / SDHC card compatibility.
The V-Lux 1 also offers widescreen movies at 848 x 480 at 30 fps. The camera weighs a hefty 734 g including battery & measures 141 x 86 x 142 mm & will be available from the end of October 2006.
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