Leica D Lux 5

Take a look at Nikon's P 7000.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00427ZLRO?ie=UTF8&tag=nikorumo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00427ZLRO

 

Have them both like the Nikon user interface better. Probably because I use Nikon DSLR's. Have Leica's also just not that model. I guess Im just a Nikon Guy. You can't go wrong with any of them. Its all about the photographer not the camera.Good luck with your choice.

 

Good choice. Of the cameras currently available, I would go for a DL-5 or LX-5 right now if I were buying. The Nikon P7000 is much bigger and heavier, though you get the long telephoto range. The Canon S95 is just 28mm effective focal length. Having 24mm EFL and F2.0, without giving up anything significant, is a winning combo for me.

 

My 2cents is that the Canon S95 is an especially compact and smooth body that Truly fits into your pocket. THAT, is a considerable issue in the "are you really going to carry it when the only other things you have are wallet and hotel key" issue.

 

I won't tell you that the cameras are the same, but I will tell you that their .raw output is. If you want to shoot .raw and post process, you'll get the same image out of either camera.

However, if you shoot .jpgs (and most of the time most of us do), you will definitely notice differences. The Leica's color is more neutral. The Lumix is warmer and more saturated (especially reds).

You've hit on the included software (Lightroom - which is definitely a good thing) and the warranty (a great thing - Leica's no fault repair is fantastic), and the grip (which I'll admit, I rather like).

I've owned and used both an D-Lux 4 and LX3, and they're both good cameras. If you like the look of Leica .jpgs, want Lightroom (which is good software), and like the longer warranty (which is a no-question good thing - Leica's warranty is superb), then the Leica is your camera.

I'll add one more thing that tilts in favor of the camera with the red dot: higher resale.



All that said, if you want to shoot .raw files, don't mind the look of Panasonic's .jpgs, post-process yourself, like the grip bump, and/or view your camera as something you might lose anytime (the one thing Leica's warranty doesn't cover), the Panasonic is a good camera.


From what I've heard - and I haven't had the chance to use a D-Lux 5 - the new menus and scroll wheel are supposed to be great steps forward for the user interface.


It sounds like you're leaning toward the Leica. I can tell you that you won't regret getting it. You might have 'badge envy' if you buy the Panasonic. Either way, you'll get a great camera. Enjoy!

 

Enjoy! Seriously, you won't regret buying the one with the red dot. It's a great camera.
(I know that I'll likely be following suit shortly)

 

I have been on the fence about this camera for a bit. The Lumix seems to be the better choice really. Basically the D-Lux is a Panasonic (Lumix) built camera with a few tweaks including firmware, case, accessories, warranty and a copy of Lightroom. NOT to be confused with a downgraded Leica called a Panasonic.

I am a big Leica fan, and I did start a thread here about the D-Lux 5, but I could not justify a $400 bodykit and software package, so I am sans P&S at the moment.

I hope you enjoy it, but as a photographer I can't justify the mythos upcharges.

 

I hear that manual mode is the best way to get everything out of the camera. Look forward to the results.