Leica updates with four new cameras
updated 03:20 pm EDT, Thu September 14, 2006
Four New Leica Cameras
A final round of large-scale camera announcements was made by Leica today in advance of the Photokina expo later this month. The four new cameras share the company's traditionalist design and cater to serious amateurs. Beginning the announcements is the 7.5-megapixel DIGILUX 3 (pictured), Leica's first purely digital mirror-lens reflex camera. The camera uses a unique blend of new and old technology: automatic image stabilization and a dust removal system are standard with the kit lens, but the camera relies on manual adjustment rings for aperture, exposure, and zoom. Bundled with the camera is a 1GB SD card. Leica has not announced a launch date or price for most of the new models. Photos and information for the D-LUX 3, V-LUX 1, and the distinctive M8 can be found after the jump. [via DPReview.com]
The D-LUX 3 is a comparatively simple point-and-shoot but has many features more advanced than even newly announced cameras such as the Canon SD900. A 10.2-megapixel sensor ensures not only sharp images but also a 1280x720 widescreen video mode. Appropriately, the lens is wide-angle and can reach a 4X optical zoom level. Leica includes a 64MB SD card with the camera.
In constrast to the D-LUX 3, the V-LUX 1 pictured above is a new, 10.2-megapixel prosumer model with much more power: the built-in lens has a 12X optical zoom while the user has full manual control over camera settings and can attach an external flash to a hot-shoe. A 512MB SD card is also included.
Likely the most important release by Leica today is the M8, the first camera in the company's M-series to use the company's signature viewfinder system; previous models have relied on variants of Panasonic designs. This becomes apparent through the extraordinarily high ISO 2500 sensitivity and backwards lens compatibility that extends as far back as the original 1954 M-series lenses. As with most of the manufacturer's cameras announced today, the M8 has a 10-megapixel sensor and emphasizes manual control, including visual markers in the optical viewfinder. Leica has announced a price of £2,990 ($5,647 US) but has not committed to a release date.
