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Leica D-Lux 4


zdenek

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<p>I hear good things about this camera and Leica did extend the "free case" deal. I own the first panasonic version. I like it. The wide lens and wide sensor make it nice for travel photography. This camera is pretty expensive for what it is though. You could get a nice CL with 40mm summicron-c for that amount. Best wishes.</p>

<p>~Andrew</p>

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<p>I just bought the Panasonic Lumix LX-3 and I really like it. I understand that it is essentially the same as the D-Lux 4, but at least $200US cheaper. It is best used with understanding of its potentials (study the manual and learn how to control it to your will) but you can also get great photos on automatic mode. The 24mm f2.0 lens is fabulous. I believe this is a landmark camera in the ongoing gap-narrowing between small and full size digital cameras.<br>

Just remember to get two batteries, and the panasonic batteries are not the best.</p>

<p>-- Peter </p>

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<p>I have it and I love it. Very small and handy, prefer the Leica Look over the Panasonic (but not sure it is worth the $$$)very good image quality for a P&S. Cannot compare it with my Nikon, nor an M8 (that I wish I had). Iwould shoot at ISO 80,100, maybe 200. Many people (incl me) like the out of camera BW look, too.</p><div>00SU6r-110214984.jpg.e1240b4bd532c231bec513be86fbcacf.jpg</div>
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<p>Jeff,<br>

I was at the same point - now that you mention it, as you know there are very different cameras. I think if it was my one and only camera, I may go with the G10, but the DLUX4/LX3 is a better "companion" piece....</p>

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<p>I went around the bend...twice, trying to figure out which to get, the G10 or the LX3. I am very happy I decided on the LX3. The G10 takes a nice picture, but the Summicron on the LX3...I don't know how to say it: it sees light differently. I am often surprised. I really like the G10 body and the fact that it has a viewfinder, though not much of one, and I HATE using a camera that only has an LCD screen, that is until I got the LX3. Now it's no big deal.<br>

The LX3 has me giggling over shots taken, it is really an abundant exchange for the money spent. If you talk to honest photo shop staff, they will, to a man, steer you to the LX3 over the G10. I've had that happen even in shops where the staff get spiffs for selling Canon, they have the G10 in stock and don't have the LX3.<br>

Two things though. Buy a second or third battery. Study the manual. The feature sets are worth using.</p><div>00SUZ8-110315584.thumb.jpg.4034c5b493a5613167e870686ca568c4.jpg</div>

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<p>Not sure what you wife might like - more of a p&s w/good video for family functions? I am also in the market for a p&s and although I like the specs of the LX3, I might wait for the new Lumix <a href="http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/zs3_tz7/index.html">ZS3</a> due out this spring. <a href="http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/10087.html">Some sample pics</a> ...</p>
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<p>One last thing that is often brought up. The sensor in the LX3 is larger than the G10 and developed specifically for the lens on the camera and the processing engine is new. G10 has more megapixels stuffed onboard, which is generally considered more a bow to marketing than to good image technology.<br>

Although you can kill most photo shop debates with the observation that you can't tell what camera took that framed 8 X 10 hanging on the wall and also that bad subject and composition negates all camera merits, I think the LX3 rises above this just a tad. I can still take a bad landscape, but just look at the way the light falls on them there trees! </p><div>00SUlG-110371884.jpg.23f6485d2c8a8fcef6132aef3d64e4c6.jpg</div>

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<p>It is a marvellous little tool. I couldn't be happier. But, user as I am of a pair of Leicas, a M3 and M4P I can not understand why to pay a lot more just for a red logo. All the rest, it is the same machine.<br>

And about the image quality, it is the only compact that I can thing to bring it with me to a concert as a backup camera of my Canon 1D mkIIn. Enough said.</p>

<div>00SUtx-110417584.jpg.1a9da05264ef8abf3376ad555e7aa87a.jpg</div>

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<p>I've been in the same companion camera conundrum: D-lux/lx-3 versus G-10. I was initially put off by the maximum focal length of 60mm on the D-lux, but do photos from long focal lengths on point and shoots ever turn out well? Also the G-10 is quite a bit bigger.<br>

Of course there is also the Ricoh GX200 which is another potential player, but I haven't seen or tried.</p>

 

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<p>The LX3 is available on the auction site here and there. Expect to pay between $470 and $500, though you might get lucky. I would not buy this camera used. It is too tough to spot abuses or things done to such a tiny bundle of electronics and optics that will shorten its life, though it does seem fairly well built.<br>

The big deal is that for some reason known only to Panasonic, the LX3 is unavailable almost everywhere it is normally sold. Same for the external viewer. It feeds suspicion that an LX4 is in the works as the next product in the pipeline, but that's weird, because the LX3 just came out last August, not 7 months ago. </p><div>00SVE3-110485784.jpg.5f4a4a54d52e306cfff6fcf992200592.jpg</div>

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<p>Martin,<br>

the LX3 is not available and hasn't been available at the places you mentioned. They dried up apparently around Christmas. Or at least them donna gottem now. It's odd. Same for the viewfinders and filter adapters.<br>

eBay is about the only place you can still find them. Panasonic reps don't know when there will be more. But I have seen new LX3s on eBay for $470, which is fair, since places like B & H and Samys were selling it for $499. Just do the usual due diligence on the seller.<br>

That Lumix case is very nice but it is a bit more money than I can justify. So I bought a $12 LowePro.</p>

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