Leica D-Lux 5 vs. Panasonic LX 5 image comparison

By LR admin | Published: January 27, 2011

The Leica D-Lux 5 and Panasonic LX5 are basically identical cameras manufactured by Panasonic in Japan. The Leica version has a more clean design (no grip and labels). The rest of the differences are: LX5 comes with Silkpix Studio (retails for $100), has one year warranty and costs $400. The D-Lux 5 comes with Adobe Lightroom (retails for around $260, currently there is a $100 rebate), has 2 years warranty, costs $800 and usually has better resale value. In addition to those differences, both cameras have different firmware. The menu is almost identical with some small exceptions, mainly the way some features are called and where they are positioned:

I did several JPG comparison between both cameras to see if I can spot any differences.

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Posted in Leica D-Lux| 33 Comments

Leica R10 and M9 design concepts

By LR admin | Published: January 23, 2011

The above video shows a design concept for a Leica R10 camera by Pirela Neuman. This is just the artist’s view on how a digital R10 would look like and is not related to Leica AG in any way (I have to say this because there were some misunderstandings in the past). You can also check the 3D rendering of a Leica M9 “Pirela Neuman edition” on his website:

Posted in Leica M9, Leica R| Tagged | 26 Comments

More details on the planned digital R solution from Leica

By LR admin | Published: January 20, 2011

Those are the notes taken by a LUF member during a meeting between Stephan Daniel and members of the LHSA from October 2010 regrading the long expected “digital R solution” from Leica:

  • The new camera is at the concept stage.
  • It will have EFV.
  • It will be able to use M lenses, probably with an adapter.

In the past Leica acknowledged that a digital R solution is in the works but the exact details are still unclear.

Image source

Posted in Leica T| 12 Comments

Leica M9 is not compatible with Eye-Fi SD cards

By LR admin | Published: January 20, 2011

I just came across this message on the Eye-Fi support page – Leica M9 is not compatible with Eye-Fi cards (the X2 and Classic models were mentioned) and those cards can damage the SD card slot:

“Eye-Fi has received reports that the Leica M9 may experience physical damage to the SD card slot after inserting and ejecting an Eye-Fi Card. An Eye-Fi Card should not be inserted into the Leica M9 because the removal of the card may render the SD card slot inoperable thereafter. This known issue is present in Eye-Fi X2 Cards.

The wireless range of an Eye-Fi card inserted in the Leica M8 and Leica M9 models is generally limited to less than 15 feet (5 M) due to the metal plate that covers the bottom of the camera. When using an Eye-Fi Card in these models, keep the camera as close to the wireless router or computer (if using Ad Hoc) as possible to maximize performance. This known issue is present in Eye-Fi X2 Cards.”

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Posted in Leica Accessories, Leica M9| 4 Comments

Leica D-Lux 4 vs. D-Lux 5: JPG files comparison (part 4)

By LR admin | Published: January 20, 2011

This is the last post of my Leica D-Lux 4-vs. D-Lux 5 series. Next week I will have some Leica D-Lux 5 vs. Panasonic LX5 comparisons, mainly JPG files, since everything else should be identical between those cameras.

Below are the actual JPG pictures taken with Leica D-Lux 4 and D-Lux 5 cameras. Both files are straight out of the camera (2048×1360, “2.5M” in camera resolution setting, click on image for larger view):

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Posted in Leica D-Lux| 4 Comments

Leica X1 BMW limited edition camera

By LR admin | Published: January 17, 2011

What does Leica and BMW have in common? The X1:

And here is the Leica X1 BMW limited edition camera:

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Posted in Leica X| Tagged | 37 Comments

How to determine the production year of a Leica lens based on the serial number

By LR admin | Published: January 17, 2011

Here is a quick and easy way to get the year of manufacturing of Leica lenses (L, R, and screw mount) based on the serial number which is located on the front of the lens:

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Posted in Leica Lenses| 9 Comments