Leica DIGILUX 3 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica D 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH Lens with Optical Image Stabilization
by Leica
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: LeicaRelease Date: 2006-11-15
Model: 18284
Product features:
- First Digilux camera with an interchangeable lens for the Leica D system
- 7.5-megapixel LiveMos sensor for magnificent standard of imaging
- Leica D Vario-Elmarit f2.8-3.5/14-50 aspherical lens
- Shutter speed, focal length, aperture, and focus can be set by hand on the camera and the lens
- High-quality materials and precision craftsmanship ensure reliability under tough conditions of reportage photography
- Adobe Photoshop CS5 Upgrade [Old Version]
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 [OLD VERSION]
- Serif PhotoPlus X3
- Adobe Photoshop CS4 Upgrade [OLD VERSION]
- Aperture 3
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Leica DIGILUX 3 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica D 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH Lens with Optical Image Stabilization
Customer Review: An outstanding camera for serious photographers
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the Leica version of this camera after getting Leica's offer of a $[...] rebate, making it closer in price to the Panasonic version. I use Leica rangefinders and will perhaps benefit from the JPG tweaks that are special the the Leica version. Most of my remarks would probably apply to the Panasonic edition, though.
This camera and lens replaced a Canon 20D kit with a similar IS zoom lens. In other words, the Leica replaced an excellent SLR with roughly the same resolution (8.x megapixels, versus 7.5 megapixels on the Leica).
I have been pleased in every way with the Vario-Elmarit lens, which is as sharp as I would expect for a Leica-branded lens. The controls (both on the lens and the top-mounted shutter speed dial) are very nice and familiar for an RF user like me.
The body is larger and "blockier" than a Leica rangefinder, as are all SLRs. However, I am excited that this 4/3 mount camera not only comes with an excellent lens (I think better than the Canon 17-85mm it replaced) but also gives me access to quite a few fine 4/3 lenses, such as the Olympus macro and telephoto lenses.
A couple of camera body features that I like a great deal and, in my opinion, are better than the Canon:
1. Nicely designed built-in flash that first comes up in "bounce" position and then on a second button-press moves into "straight-ahead" position. It fits flush into the body when not in use.
2. VERY accessible and easy to use control for adjusting flash power for fill flash and similar applications.
3. Equally accessible and easy to use back-panel control for exposure compensation--important on any digital camera, since you will want to dial back in sunlit and other contrasty scenes to avoid blown-out highlights!
4. Top-mounted MECHANICAL switches for shutter speed, sequence/single shooting, and metering mode, plus two preset buttons, are always there, always visible--no waiting for or squinting at an LCD display.
5. Lately I have not done much macro shooting, but I do like it. I expect to use the live view feature with all its strangeness. (The camera does two mirror-blips per exposure in this mode.) It beats hunching down on the ground photographing insects with a right-angle viewfinder.
As much as I liked the Canon 20D and 30D I used to use, I think this camera is better designed for easy and fast shooting.
I was going to say this is a camera for photographers at all levels. However, I will still likely use my Leica rangefinders for professional work. That's not a slam on the Digilux 3. The Canon 20D and 30D occupied about the same position in my mind--if I were using a DSLR for professional work I might want a higher end camera for more ruggedness, better dirt sealing, and so on.
More Leica DIGILUX 3 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica D 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH Lens with Optical Image Stabilization reviews:
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Description of Leica DIGILUX 3 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica D 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH Lens with Optical Image Stabilization
The Leica D system gives ambitious amateurs and professional photographers a whole new range of possibilities. The Leica Digilux3 is the first Digilux camera with an interchangeable lens and therefore forms the basis for the Leica D system, a completely independent digital SLR system. The clear design of the camera housing and the operating concept of the Digilux are in keeping with the best Leica tradition. The shutter speed, focal length, aperture and focus can be set by hand on the camera and the lens--a fast, precise and creative solution in comparison with conventional SLR cameras. The interplay of Leica's legendary performance and the latest technology is almost revolutionary: the newly designed lens Leica D Vario-Elmarit f2.8-3.5/14-50 Asph combined with state-of-the-art optical image stabilization and a 7.5-megapixel LiveMos sensor result in a magnificent standard of imaging. High-quality materials and precision craftsmanship ensure that the Leica Digilux3 will work reliably for many years, even under the tough conditions of reportage photography. The Leica D system is a valuable companion made to last.Digital SLRs
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